Today we leave our ship and board the busses that will bring us into the interior to explore a different Iceland than the coastal habitats we have been exploring up to now. Although we will all go to the same destinations, each bus is loaded with a different group of guests that was determined by their particular interests. A bus for those interested in geology, one for general observer and one for the photo enthusiasts in our group.
Our first stop was Godafuss Falls, (“falls of the gods”). The falls are steeped in history and have a great deal of importance in the development of Iceland’s culture, but all we can think about is the wondrous sight of massive amounts of water cascading over the falls and plummeting into the gorge below. I read once that people always feel better when they are at a waterfall of any significant size. It is because as the water rushes over the actual falls some of the oxygen is released into the immediate area and the air around you has more oxygen in it. That may be so, but I believe it is just as much the uplifting feeling of seeing such a spectacular occurrence of nature that makes you feel alive.
Our next stop was Lake Myvatan, named after the normally millions of tiny midges that are the curse of most visitors. My means lake and vatan is the Icelandic word for midge. When we were told this some thought this might be a stop best experienced from the comfort of the bus, a thought reinforced by the head nets we were given as we boarded the bus. Much to our relief the Norse gods must have felt pity for us and delivered a strong breeze to keep us free of the marauding insects. Either way, the spectacular views of the lake would have been worth the discomfort of the little flying irritants.
Iceland is a land of geologic events and evidence of it is everywhere. Now, we were seeing firsthand the processes of the evolution of this island. At the geothermic hot spot at Hverir we experienced boiling mud, steam vents, and the overwhelming smell of sulfur as the earth spewed forth evidence of the meeting of two tectonic plates below us.
Many commented on how much we were able to fit in one day and yet, the day was not over. During dinner, our ship sailed north to the island of Grimsey where we walked a few yards from the beach to cross the Arctic Circle. After a small celebration we headed back to our ship for a good night’s sleep in preparation of tomorrow’s activities.
