A VISIT TO ICELAND PART II: THE GOLDEN CIRLCE

 

A drive around Iceland’s Golden Circle brings a traveler to three of the world’s most beautiful natural sights. But getting to it and through it is why visitors must rent a car in Iceland if they plan to travel outside of Reykjavik. Driving in Iceland, especially outside of towns can be intimidating as the further out of civilization one goes the rougher the roads become. The weather can often be brutal and punishing and the cost of gas is nothing to laugh at. For instance, filling up from a half tank cost me over $80 and just over $60 for a tank three quarters of the way full.

If you are going to visit Iceland, however, do what it takes and what it costs to see its unique natural beauty. Iceland is a testament to the power of raw nature left to its own devices, creating for itself a beauty that no landscaper could ever hope to duplicate. It is nature at its most awesome and at its least forgiving; a sight to behold.

It did not take long for nature to start taking over the landscape once the drive began out of Reykjavik but the journey to Kerid Crater took hours. Even by Iceland standards, Kerid is unique and something of an enigma. Unlike Iceland’s famed beaches, the rocks surrounding this crater lake are red rather than black. Though born of volcanic magma reserve (and not an explosion as once believed) Kerid is a most peaceful sight, the lake calm and almost mystifying to look at. Soaking up the colors of the surrounding land to create a spot of wonder and soothing escape.



Much more active is Strokkur, the geyser along the Hvítá River which never fails to draw a crowd awaiting its eruptions every 6 to 10 minutes (though these vary). In a half hour I witnessed about eight eruptions at varying intervals. Slowly the pool starts bubbling until a water tower shoots out into the sky while the crowds cheer.


Perhaps the most iconic sight of the southwestern Iceland, however, is the Gullfoss waterfall a roaring giant of rocks and cascades. If Kerid inspires calm and Strokkur excitement, Gullfoss is the reminder of the strength of our planet, its fierce resiliency, its unwavering spirit at once both frightening and tantalizing. Together, these three marvels make up a natural trinity for the Golden Circle.



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