Iceland is a country with diverse scenery, culture and atmosphere
In September of 2018, my family and I were lucky enough to get the chance to visit Iceland. However, with only three days to explore all this magnificent country has to offer, we tried to cram as much as we could into our schedule.
Arriving in Iceland
After an 11-hour flight, we landed at Keflavik International Airport around 9am. As soon as we arrived, we hit the ground running and took a bus straight to The Blue Lagoon.
The Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular tourist destinations, known for its geothermal hot springs, which on average, is about 98-104 degrees Fahrenheit .
Tip: A reservation is required, so make sure to book your tickets in advance. Basic entrance fee is 56 USD per person.
After checking in, we are given a bracelet that will be the key to your locker. The color of the band also identifies whether you are over 20, the legal drinking age in Iceland. We were then directed to the changing rooms, where we took the required shower before changing into swimsuits and heading out to the lagoon.
When we step outside, the cold hits immediately and we rush to get in the water. It is such an opaque blue and the steam in the air is so thick, you can barely see in front of you.
As part of the entrance package, they offer a free face mask which they make themselves. We step up to the little structure and an employee gives us a chunk of clay each which they tell us to spread all over our faces. They also have a bar in the lagoon so you can purchase a drink while you relax. If you would like to enhance your experience even more, they have other spa options available.
After staying at the Blue Lagoon, we go to our hotel which is located in the middle of downtown Reykjavik and explore the small town.
Despite the non-stop rain, it was quite enjoyable to walk around town. It is filled with a variety of quaint little restaurants and stores that you can browse through. It is a strange combination of tourist attractions and old-world architecture.
Golden Circle & South Coast
The next morning we wake up at 8a.m. to board a bus for our 12-hour tour around the Golden Circle and the South Coast of Iceland. Our first destination was Thingvellir National Park. Thingvellir is the place where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, making the only place you can see both plates above sea level.
We also stopped by Gullfoss and Seljalandsfoss, two of the largest waterfalls in Iceland, one of which you could walk behind. Afterwards, our bus driver dropped us of at the Geysir Geothermal Area where we could walk around. This is one of the most visited area's in the country due to Stokkur, Iceland's most active geyser. Our last destination was the Black Sand Beach which hosted several large cliffs that you could climb and a shallow cave.
We didn't want to waste our last day, so the next morning, we woke up early to stroll around the town and grabbed some breakfast at a cafe. We wandered inside the little shops and visited a popular landmark, Hallgrímskirkja Church.
Soon after, we had to make our way to the airport for our flight back home. Though the trip here was quite brief, I loved the places I managed to see and would love the chance to come back to this country.