Iceland 2017

Oct 14, 2017
2 min read

This was the start of an exciting 18-day trip for me to Reykjavik, Iceland - Leeds and London, U.K - Paris, France - Madrid, Spain - Rome and Pompeii, Italy.

It was an amazing adventure, because I was able to visit a few places I had never been, and also catch-up with wonderful friends, with whom I had not seen in several years.

To begin... Iceland - A BIG Thank You to my amazing friend Lovisa for driving me around and showing me the best sites! It was wonderful to catch-up with her, and experience Iceland with a true Icelander :D

This was our first waterfall stop - Seljalandsfoss.

Then our next stop was - Skógafoss!

With a lovely drive around the Icelandic Ring Road .

Then off to Reynishverfi Beach with the basalt sea stacks situated under the Reynisfjall M ountain near the village Víkí Mýrdal, in southern Iceland. It is framed by a black sand beach that has been ranked in the ten most beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world.

*Legend says that the stacks originated when two trolls dragged a three-masted ship to land unsuccessfully and when daylight broke they became needles of rock.

Then Lovisa took me on a little hike to Seljavallalaug - It is nestled in a narrow valley below the infamous Eyjafjallajökull and it is the oldest pool in Iceland that is still standing. Some visionaries (in 1923) wanted to provide the locals with a place where they could learn how to swim.

And let me tell you - the hike is well worth it! The beauty of Iceland is beyond compare.

Next, it was time to head back to Reykjavik and go out for an awesome dinner! We had an amazing meal at The Public House Gastropub - Everyone should eat here!

The next morning we woke up, and headed into Reykjavik to explore more of the city and visit Hallgrímskirkja!

Hallgrímskirkja is a Lutheran parish church in Reykjavík, Iceland. At 74.5 meters high, it is the largest church in Iceland and among the tallest structures in Iceland.

Below is a picture of Harpa (concert hall), which was opened in 2011. Epic building!

We were able to go inside and explore the very top of the church - it gave us an epic view of Reykjavik.

Below is a YouTube video of my girl Lovisa signing in Hallgrímskirkja :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfFrnM6Oz4E

The next is her signing in a barbershop quartet at a annual singing contest, back in 1999 - They took third place! Lovisa is the one on the far right ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gScecbC_EE

Our last stop was the Gróttuviti Lighthouse!

Plus one final trip to see the ocean, before it was time for us to head back.

Then is was a super early flight in the AM to Manchester U.K. to visit all my British friends!