After 5 days at sea, we arrived at Reykjavik. That afternoon, we boarded a bus for a seven-hour tour of the Ring of Fire. Our tour guide was knowledgeable about the geology, the economy, the people, and the history. I learned a lot.
We first visited Hengill, where hydro and geothermal power produce impressive energy, providing the capital and nearby municipalities with plentiful hot water and electricity.
Next, we visited the town of Hveragerdi, located on top of an old magma chamber, which accounts for the abundance of hot springs that bubble and hiss around this unique little community. After a short scenic drive, we stopped at a new hot spring area that broke through the earth’s surface following a dramatic earthquake in 2008. Some on the tour saw a geyser there, but we missed it.
Afterward, we noshed on Islandic refreshments grown in the local greenhouses and cooked in the steam in refurbished washing machine tubs.
We then traveled through Þingvellir (Thingvellir), a historic site and national park in Iceland, east of Reykjavík. We stopped at the Gestastope Visitor Center, where we saw the Alþing (Althing), the site of Iceland’s parliament from the 10th to 18th centuries. The Þingvellir Church and the ruins of old stone shelters are on the site. Amid the rocky cliffs, we walked through the neo-volcanic rift valley caused by the separation of the two tectonic plates.
Unfortunately, the road to the volcano’s viewpoint was closed, and I did not see it. The drive back to Reykjavik took us through a lunar-like landscape of volcanic phenomena and other geological wonders.
The next day, we took a tour through the city to the Sky Lagoon, where we spent 2.5 hours soaking in the lagoon and participating in a seven-step cleanse that included the lagoon, a cold dip (which we skipped), a sauna, a cold mist spray, a salt scrub, a steam bath, showering and returning to the lagoon, and then a final shower. After this cleanse, we were both so relaxed that we napped for several hours after returning to the ship.
Such an interesting trip and the perfect end(nap!) Thanks for sharing
Yes! After visiting the lagoon I was so relaxed I could do nothing but sleep.
Love reading all about your adventures, Jane!
Were the people (the “locals”) friendly? Serious? Happy? Did you like the food? Were people happy with the current government? In general terms, what was the “atmosphere” like and how does it differ from the States/Florida? Is there anything you didn’t pack that you wish you had?
From my observation, the Icelandic people take pride in their work: the tour guide never hesitated and, if he did not know an answer he offered to get and email the info; the restaurant owner/chef detailed the historic of each item on the menu and offered the recipe. On the street, people resembled US big city residents –in a hurry.
As for packing, I took too many cold-weather items which are bulky and heavy to carry. Except for Iceland and on the ship, the weather has been mild, though, as we start our hike, rain and temps on the 50s are predicted .