Skogafoss Waterfall Skogafoss waterfall is one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland, with a drop of 60 meters and a width of 25 meters. You can walk right up to it, but be prepared to be drenched! It is just overwhelming standing next to it. Steps lead up to an observation platform above the Skogafoss waterfall, some...
Oldest Parliament in the world? Its in Iceland. Did you know that? No? Icelanders adopted the parliamentary system of governance in 930 AD! Iceland is the country with the oldest parliament in the world! The History of the Parliament Iceland’s Viking settlers decided in 930 AD that Iceland was to be its own commonwealth. They chose Þingvellir as their...
Tomatoes of Iceland. Yes they do exist. Surprised? Understandable. For a country that is covered with ice and knows only 3 kinds of weather – cold, colder and coldest. You can be forgiven for assuming that much of the local produce is imported - especially the fruits and vegetables! However, this is a misconception. Farms of...
The world’s best lobster soup, rotten cod as a delicacy, succulent whale meat – tempted ? Iceland – home to the best seafood! A true legend and a trailblazer in Reykjavik harbour is the Sea Baron restaurant. Many years ago, a retired fisherman and Coast Guard chef, came up with the recipe for what has been called the...
Have you ever stood between two continents? and hopped across at will? Well, in Iceland, you can!In keeping with its paradoxical nature, Iceland is divided by the Mid-Atlantic Rift. Some parts of it, such as the Westfjords and Reyjavík, are on the North American tectonic plate, while others, such as Vatnajökull glacier and the East Fjords, are on the...
Have you ever heard the story of the Gods being condemned to a waterfall, well let me tell you the little story of Godafoss or The Waterfall of the Gods! The waterfall Godafoss (The Waterfall of the Gods) is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. It is located right off the Ring Road, about 50 km (31 miles) east...
The Icelandic horses were brought into the country by the Vikings and over the last 1000 odd years they have been kept as a pure breed. They are a special breed because unlike other horses that have three (or at best four) natural gaits the Icelandic horse has five gaits – the walk, trot and...
Carry a swimsuit when you travel to Iceland… Some may laugh… but, believe me, you will have the last laugh at the Blue Lagoon or Myvatn Nature Baths! While Iceland has a lot of natural hot water springs, the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is a man made one located in a lava field in Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Undoubtedly one of the most popular...
Iceland is a country with a population of just about 320,000. And there has been little immigration over the years. This means there is not as much genetic diversity as on larger land masses. Go back a few generations and most Icelanders will find they are related to each other – almost everyone is distantly...
Doesn’t most of the stress of life come from loneliness, low social interaction and lack of a support system? And maybe exercise?The Icelanders have figured a fun way way of handling all of these – “Sundlaugs”“Sundlaugs” are geothermally heated public pools across Iceland. There are 120+ of them with each town having one. The New...
