ICELAND emerged
ICELAND emerged
PHOTOS BY Julia Manchik DESIGNED BY Lindsey Drennan
CONTENT S 6
Introduction
7
Blue Lagoon
11
Icelandic Horses
19
Glacier Caves
23
Black Sand Beach
27
The Countryside
32
Final Note
7
Introduction This is no ordinary travel book. This book sheds light on the best and most beautiful aspects of Iceland without sounding like a cliche travel guide. Traveling is supposed to be fun and exciting, and I believe not every minute should be planned and accounted for. Which is why we are including some of the best places and aspects of Iceland, but also encouraging you to make your own plans. Life is all about discovering new things, and while it is good to see some of what makes Iceland so awesome, there are also so many things that make Iceland even more awesome that people don’t tell you about! So this book is dedicated to just that. With beautiful pictures captured by Julia Manchik, this book is sure to give you wanderlust and the desire to explore this beautiful and interesting island!
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THE BLUE LAGOON If there is anything you know about Iceland, it’s probably the Blue Lagoon! The spa is located in a lava field in Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula, southwestern Iceland Though the geothermal seawater was originally formed by way of the geothermal power plant, people soon realized the extraordinary results the water had on their skin, and it soon became an attraction. Not only is the water good for your skin, but the Blue Lagoon is also green. Since the geothermal seawater is a natural phenomenon, everything they do is driven by a respect for the natural environment. The Lagoon is a leading company in terms of green thinking and is 100% powered by clean geothermal energy.
The warm waters are rich in minerals like silica and sulfur and bathing in the Blue Lagoon is reputed to help some people suffering from skin diseases such as psoriasis. The water temperature in the bathing and swimming area of the lagoon averages 99–102 °F. The Blue Lagoon also operates a research and development facility to help find cures for other skin ailments using the mineral-rich water. The lagoon is a man-made lagoon which is fed by the water output of the nearby geothermal power plant Svartsengi and is renewed every two days. Superheated water is vented from the ground near a lava flow and used to run turbines that generate electricity. After going through the turbines, the steam and hot water passes through a heat
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extraordinary “ wonder of the world ”
The pool is large enough to be able to spread out and have some privacy.
exchanger to provide heat for a municipal water heating system. Then the water is fed into the lagoon for recreational and medicinal users to bathe in. Iceland’s high-temperature geothermal areas are found inside the spreading zone of two tectonic plates: the American and the Eurasian. Iceland straddles the two, resulting in the country’s active volcanic systems. A cold mixture of seawater and ground water meets cooling magmatic intrusions deep in the earth, where it is rapidly heated and moves towards the surface. The temperature of this geothermal fluid exceeds 200°C at a depth of less than 1 km. The geothermal seawater is led directly to Blue Lagoon, Blue Lagoon Clinic and the Research and Development Center, where its active ingredients are isolated and used in Blue Lagoon skincare. The amenities you’ll find at the Blue Lagoon might just make it the most relaxing day you’ll ever have. One of their most famous products is the silica mud mask that is dispersed around the pool. It has been said to make your skin incredibly soft and fresh. They also have steam rooms and message rooms, but really you could just explore the pool all day and be satisfied. With it being right by the airport, capital city of Reykjavík, roughly a 20 minute drive
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There are small caves along the pool where guests can relax away from the sun.
from the airport and a 50 minute drive from Reykjavík, there is nothing better than feeling so relaxed right before or after you get off a long flight. One of the cool things about this place is their dedication to keeping it so invigorating and clean. Iceland has a strict code of hygiene and guests are required to shower before and after bathing, as well as wearing tight fitting swimming wear, no board shorts allowed. So guys, if you’re planning a trip, throw in some tight swim shorts! The Blue Lagoon is also used for a variety of things. If you are holding a meeting or conference, they also have a venue for things like that, so you have beautiful scenery. They also offer in–water massages, and facial treatments
where they use their own line of active Blue Lagoon elements: geothermal seawater, minerals, silica and algae. Spending a weekend at the Blue Lagoon is probably the most relaxing and serene time you will spend if Iceland, so there is no way you can skip out of this attraction. No matter what you do in Iceland, this place is a must. I think what makes is so intriguing is that it is a natural occurring phenomenon. They didn’t come up with the minerals that makes it so special, but they are found right in the land of Iceland. The Blue Lagoon has now been referred to as one of the twenty–five wonders of the world, so leave your problems at the door just soak in the beauty and relaxing feeling of the Blue Lagoon!
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ICELANDIC HORSES The first time I saw an Icelandic horse, I thought something was wrong. Were these horses or ponies? The Icelandic horse is a unique breed of horse developed in Iceland. Although the horses are small, at times pony-sized, most registries for the Icelandic refer to it as a horse. Icelandic horses are long-lived and hardy. In their native country they have few diseases; Icelandic law prevents horses from being imported into the country and exported animals are not allowed to return. The only breed of horse in Iceland, they are also popular internationally, and sizable populations exist in Europe and North America. The breed is still used for traditional farm work in its native country, as well as for leisure, showing, and racing.
Developed from ponies taken to Iceland by Scandinavian settlers in the 9th and 10th centuries, the breed is mentioned in literature and historical records throughout Icelandic history; the first reference to a named horse appears in the 12th century. Horses were venerated in Norse mythology, a custom brought to Iceland by the country’s earliest settlers. Selective breeding over the centuries has developed the breed into its current form. Natural selection has also played a role, as the harsh Icelandic climate eliminated many horses through cold and starvation. In the 1780s, much of the breed was wiped out in the aftermath of a volcanic eruption. The first breed society for the Icelandic horse was created in Iceland in 1904, and today
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the breed is represented by organizations in 19 different nations, organized under a parent association, the International Federation of Icelandic Horse Associations. Though Iceland is very particular about what you can and cannot do with their horses, you can still go and find them! Many times, you can just be driving through the countryside or onto another city and come across a farm with horses, or find a place that offers horseback riding. Icelandic horses still play a large part in Icelandic life, despite increasing mechanization and road improvements that diminish the necessity for the breed’s use. The first official Icelandic horse race was held at Akureyri in 1874, and many races are still held throughout the country from April through June. Both gallop and pace races are held, as well as performance classes showcasing the breed’s unique gaits. Winter events are often held, including races on frozen bodies of water. •
“The HORSE of PONIES ”
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GLACIER CAVES Sometimes called Crystal Caves, the ice caves in Icelandic glaciers are a truly mesmerizing wonder of nature. There are tons of ice caves all around Iceland that you can take tours of. Unfortunately, there aren’t many that you can visit without having a guide, so this part of your trip you may need to play the part of a tourist, but it’s worth it! Some of the best ice caves are in Vatnajokull in South East Iceland, and Langjokull in South West Iceland. Iceland is filled with caves of all sizes and shapes. Caves are important in Icelandic history, as many of them have served as shelters for people or animals in harsh winters. Some caves in Iceland are used as sheds or barns, for sheep. Iceland is situated on top of a ‘hot spot’ on Earth, where there are dozens of volcanoes, craters and hot springs. Many lava tubes from the volcanoes have turned into caves, some of the craters have cracks that reveal hidden caves and some of the hot springs are even situated within caves! Essentially, there are three kinds of caves in Iceland: Lava caves, glacier caves and man made caves. The best thing to do on a rainy day in Iceland is either to go swimming or caving! The most famous caves these days are glacier caves. The difference between glacier caves and ice caves is that ice caves are bedrock caves that contain ice all year round,
whereas glacier caves are formed within the ice of a glacier. When you come to Iceland you will really want to see a glacier cave, but for some reason or another everyone calls them ice caves. Glaciers are constantly moving, or crawling, so glacier caves are therefore not permanent. Most of them are unstable and can collapse and can therefore be very dangerous to enter. Most glacier caves start forming by water running through or beneath the glacier or due to geothermal heat from volcanoes beneath the ice. The most known glacier caves in Iceland are formed because of geothermal heat, such as Kverkfjöll glacier caves in Vatnajökull. They were measured to be 2.8 km long with a vertical range of 525 meters in the 1980’s! If you want to see a glacier cave whilst you are in Iceland, it is best to get in touch with a guide that knows where current glacier caves can be found. They can be hard to find and off the beaten track, your most likely bet is to find them in Vatnajökull glacier, the largest glacier in Europe! There is no doubt that glacier caves are a must when visiting Iceland. Each cave is different and reacts differently to temperatures, so try to visit multiple caves. And don’t forget a good flash light because you can create some cool pictures with a light and the ice! •
Vatnaj kull is the largest ice cap in Europe by volume.
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BLACK SAND BEACH The village of VĂk is the southernmost village in Iceland, located on the main ring road around the island, around 110 miles by road southeast of ReykjavĂk. Despite its small size it is the largest settlement for some 43 miles around and is an important staging post, thus it is indicated on road signs from a long distance away. You might have heard a thing or two about the black beach in Vik or maybe you have seen some amazing photographs of the basalt columns and those are the weird rock formation that sticks out of the sea called Reynisdrangar, and those are what make Vik so famous to visitors. Though as you continue to explore Vik, you will learn that there are more than Reynisdrangar, or the fact that Vik is a black beach and is the wettest place in Iceland, the black beach
in Vik also allures people by its hidden caves and folklore stories (which Iceland is most fond of). Along the south coast of Iceland, with only about 300 residents, Vik I Myrdal still holds the title to be the biggest village in the southernmost part of Iceland. Just about 180 km away from Reykjavik, you will get to feel the black sand and the warm welcome of the locals. Tourists who go in a day tour usually make Vik their last stop-over before they head back to the city. The steepest road you could ever encounter in Iceland is on a loran station, the highest part of the mountain ruins. This was built during the World War II serving as their watchtower or something. The cliffs are the solace of the ever adorable Puffins. Being in top of the mountain will
“ One of the ten most beautiful
beaches on Earth ”
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obviously view the whole of Vik as well as Myrdalsjokull, the Dyrholaey and the amazing Reynisdrangar. It would definitely be an spectacular view from up there. The folklore stories are made upon these columnar creations. The legend says that these are the remains of two night trolls who were petrified as they were trying to pull three-masted ship out of the sea. The dawn caught them and had them turned into stone. Well of course, we all know now that these are created by lava flows that cooled down. It created hexagonal forms due to the contraction of the lava as it slowly flows and cools down. In overall view they have formed more like of a staircase. Climbing on these rock formations is easier than it looks as long as you watch your step on each of the blocks. When you reach the top, which is where you can view on different directions the places that are also rewarding to continue your expedition with. If you don’t really dig like climbing up the staircase-like formations and a bit afraid of heights, then you can go south western of the Reynis Mountain foot. But of course visit the caves only during low tides as the waves could be quite nasty on high tides. They would be as big as you will expect them to be and it would be dangerous to continue to the caves. And yet another Folklore is known to have surfaced in this cave. It was said that there was once a monster that used to reside in one of those caves but due to unfortunate circumstances for that certain monster, landslides that occurred about 100 years ago killed it and was never ever known to have seen again. The wonders in this place always inherits several folklore stories, whether they are true or not, respect still would be your best key of survival in such places. So help the locals preserve the natural wonders you have seen and please refrain from doing any vandalism or loitering at the Black Beach in Vik. •
“ The wonder in this
place always inherits several folklore stories �
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Rent a car in Reykjavik and hit The Icelandic roads.
THE COUNTRYSIDE There’s no better way to get to know a country than to rent a car and drive through it. While it is helpful to have a tour guide, there is also freedom in having your own car and stopping whenever you want. I highly recommend at least renting a car for part of your trip in Iceland and exploring the countryside. There is so much to Iceland that people usually don’t tell you about, and while we can fit it all in this book, I do want to point out a few places you should consider visiting! LANGANES • Langanes peninsula is in North East Iceland and going there is out of the way for most people that do the ring road. It’s a heaven for bird lovers and beach lovers (the no-bathing Icelandic kind that is) and it’s so worth visiting. On the map Langanes kind of looks like a bird but the only village in the peninsula is Þórshöfn. Population: 379. To reach Ytra Lón Hostel you drive through Þórshöfn further out on the peninsula passing endless beach.
THE WESTMAN ISLANDS • The Westman Islands is a group of islands in South Iceland. Most are uninhabited, but Heimaey has a population of 4,000. What makes these islands cool is that a there was a volcano eruption in the 70s that has left some very cool geographical features on the islands that are worth seeing. Don’t expect to see much snow here though, so if you are wanting to see some green think about visiting the Westman Islands! VATNSNES PENINSULA • Vatnsnes peninsula is a great place to see seals in their natural habitat and because they are quite curious by nature you will get closer than you’d ever imagine to them. There are a few areas known to be great for seal spotting and if you pop by the seal center before you start your journey they can tell you where these places are. If seals are not your thing you will also find great views over to Strandir across the sea, the troll-like Hvítserkur rock formation and the fortress at Borgarvirki.
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Better to see
SOMETHING ONCE than to hear about it A THOUSAND TIMES
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NORTHERN LIGHTS • You’ve probably seen pictures of the Northern Lights, but if you have ever wanted to see them in person, Iceland is a good place. There is no guarantee that you will see the Northern Lights since they are natural phenomenon, but if you research on where to find them or go on a tour with them, you might at least get a glimpse of them. The best time to see the lights is in the winter, so plan accordingly if this is important to you, or you can chance seeing them any other time of the year.. JÖKULSÁRLÓN • Jökulsárlón is a large glacial lake in southeast Iceland, on the edge of Vatnajökull National Park. The Jökulsárlón lake provides outstanding views of the ice cap, a vast dome of ice that rises to a height of 3,000 feet. It spills to the lagoon 12 miles away from the jagged glacier hill to the edge of the water line. There have been various films made here, which also makes it an interesting stop to make. It is about 4 hours from Reykjavik, but there is plenty to do in Jökulsárlón including beautiful waterfalls and black sand beaches covered in isolated glaciers that you can visit. The tongue of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier is also one of the most popular spots in this town that attracts many of the tourists. •
A Final Note While you may have been able to find all the information through the internet, I hope this book offered a different insight into the beautiful world of Iceland and captured some of the essence of what it’s like to go there. This book is inspire you and encourage you to explore for yourself and make your own itinerary. Life is not about following a structured and down to the minute plan. What fun would that be? So book that plane ticket, and start planning (or not planning!) your trip to Iceland! It’s one of the most underrated and beautiful places that most people never see. Many people go and see the Eiffel Tower, but few see the beautiful landscape that makes of the small country that we call Iceland.
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