Epilogue
“You are going to Iceland? Why Iceland?”
“We want an element of unpredictability as compared to those standard European travels, that’s how Iceland figured in.” Very few of our Indians friends had heard about Iceland, and those who knew about it thought why were we wasting our money going to an unknown (?) destination. Yash Chopra is yet to discover and popularize it through the Bollywood flicks, perhaps that’s why not many people are aware of it.
Preparations
I came to know about this place through my Portuguese boss who is quite an adventurous traveller. His exotic travel tales made me defy my tick mark holidays. I was under the impression that Iceland should be covered with Ice and I would be visiting Igloos. I even dreamt of shaking hand with Eskimos. Little help from Internet updated me that the country has passed the Ice Age during the evolution of earth but the name is stuck on it like a Fevicol. Reminded me of name irony of a fat girl called Komal.
Iceland is located on the Northern side of Europe. As I continued my research, I realized most of the sight seeing tours are located around it’s difficult to pronounce capital Reykjavík. I used to refer to it as “R” for quite some time, till I realized that it is pronounced as Reykawick- twist the tongue till you or the tongue is tired.
The weather site showed that the temperature would be around 15C which was pleasant in the European definition. Really, how little we knew about this place which is apparently the fifth largest economy in the world. Having zeroed on the place, we were set to experience the Iceland without Ice in the month of August.
Reykjavik
As our plane landed on the airport, all I could see was the land covered with black coloured stones till my eyes could reach with little or no tree in sight. It was a big set back for me as my impression of Europe was synonymous with greenery so far. As we sped past the airport and entered the city of Reykjavik, it was green again with mountains and glaciers on the far end. Reykjavik is a beautiful city and grand church was a pleasant landmark that graces the city.
We decided to take a Golden Circle Tour that offers natural splendours like volcanic crate, Hot Spring Geyser, Lava desert and a Waterfall. The tour guide was excellent and informative. The mountain ranges and the huge glaciers seen in Iceland were the result of a fatal volcanic eruption in 1783. It took years for lava to get cold and set. A moss was the first sign of life that started coming on the lava field, which was green in colour and looked more like an algae in some places. Years later the trees with the firm roots started growing on the Lava fields in some places.
Geysers
Probably, very few people know that the English word “geyser” to get the hot sprinkling water from a pipe is originated in Iceland from the natural phenomenon called as “Geysir”.
“Geysir” in the Haukadalur valley, Iceland, is the oldest known natural geyser in the world. One can stand in front of the sight and a hot boiling water comes like a fountain from the earth for a few minutes and then it suddenly disappears. If one wants to click a photograph of this event, then you have to keep your camera ready in front of the Geyser sight and wait till the mother earth is gracious enough to show the splendour. The wait can go up to half an hour sometimes. Patience is the word!!!
“Geysir” in the Haukadalur valley, Iceland, is the oldest known natural geyser in the world. One can stand in front of the sight and a hot boiling water comes like a fountain from the earth for a few minutes and then it suddenly disappears. If one wants to click a photograph of this event, then you have to keep your camera ready in front of the Geyser sight and wait till the mother earth is gracious enough to show the splendour. The wait can go up to half an hour sometimes. Patience is the word!!!
It is believed that the two tectonic plates that joins the earth lie somewhere in Iceland that makes the earth layer of this country very thin. It experiences the earthquake almost everyday, which may not be felt everyday in person but can be measured by an instrument.
Waterfall
I have seen many waterfalls before but I have never seen something as beautiful as this. You can get real close to the waterfall and feel the milky water showering your senses..
Mission Impossible - Whale Watching
Mission Impossible - Whale Watching
There are 10 whale-watching spots in the world. Iceland boasts to have a handful of them. As a part of this tour, a boat takes the tourist to the Atlantic Ocean to watch whales and dolphins in their natural hesitance. The tour guide recommended us to take the motion sickness pills before the boat ride. We were asked to hold the boat all the time while we were boarded. Usually, those who go to the Iceland are not the first time travellers; hence all of us ignored the warnings considering we had a boat ride experience earlier. If only, we had realized what it meant.
The boat was set to venture in the Ocean. In the span of ten minutes, I realized that it wasn’t the same touristy boat that we had taken earlier. This part of the Ocean was not calm where one could swim in the water or take a stroll around the shore. The water was ice cold in the summer itself and the sea was unusually rough. Our boat started to bounce back and forth. Everything in the stomach started to rotate in every direction. We quickly put the camera and other things in the bag and tried to balance over selves with the bouncing boat even while sitting. I had put layers of clothing to protect myself and covered my head with a hood. The wind was chilling and it was hitting us like a sword. We all started to feel really sick. Few people started to throw up. I started getting nervous and followed the suit of throwing up. After the vomiting session got over, with a lot of grit and determination I raced towards the deck to spot the whales. We realized that, one requires a lot of patience and determination to watch the sea world in its natural habitation. It wasn’t a National Geographic Channel where you would see a continuous flow of Whales, then the Dolphin followed by sea birds catching the fishes. It was their world and we- the human beings were the guests who had come out of our comfort zone to understand it. It took us an hour and a half to get into the sea. The trained whale spotter was sitting on the top of the deck to study the climate and the possible location of whales. He announced that he would give the direction in terms of a 12 hours clock the moment he would locate the whale. We waited for 2 and a half hours with whales nowhere in sight. We started getting nervous in the stormy sea and the bouncing boat. Suddenly, we saw sea birds crowding and circulating around a patch of water. The whale spotter said to us that birds indicated whale habitation. We should be ready to spot the thunder.
“10 o’clock Mink whale”, he announced from the microphone. We all - half sick balanced our selves and turned to that direction. A tiny creature jumped in the air in its trademark style and immediately disappeared in the water. We all cheered to that, as if it was a mission accomplished. We continued chasing a bunch of whales till the whales got irritated and decided to disappear. The whale spotter decided to change the direction. It meant unpleasant movements of the boat. Another throwing up routine followed. The tour guide asked us to look up in the sky for sometimes as we all had developed the signs of seasickness.
We reached another area where we evidenced dolphin, several whales and sea birds catching the fishes; it was another world by all means. For first time, I realized, how difficult the life could be on the sea. By then, I had developed severe signs of seasickness and I started to get a giddy feeling. Other than the crew members, all the tourists retired to the lower cabinet where we had to close our eyes to cut any contact with the sea.
After four hours of escapade the tour got over. We were told that we were caught by a mini storm. All the whale watching tours that followed were cancelled. Few of us broke our backs in the bouncy boat. All the wounded passengers came out in a jubilant mood as mission of spotting the whale was accomplished. Well, I was glad I could make it despite the ordeal that I had to go through. At the end, it reminded me of the movie Titanic. I could think of all the technical flaws in the movie since I had the first hand experience of riding on a boat in a stormy sea and a shivering cold.
Blue Lagoon
Blue Lagoon is a natural hot water spa, which is converted into a tourist resort. All the tourist that come to Iceland do not miss Blue Lagoon, hence, the water temperature is maintained and it is cleaned on a regular basis. You pay the entrance fee for a day and can swim or float in the water as much as you fancy. As we entered the Blue Lagoon, I was mesmerized with the colour of the water. It was crystal clear sea green in colour with the backdrop of a clear blue sky. If I were to dream, this would be my image of the heaven. I was told that the water was medicinal in nature. In one corner, they provided natural silica taken from the earth to apply it on your face. It was as good as having a top class facial. There was another section where the base was covered with a natural mud like our Multani Mati. You can apply the mud to your body in the water itself. As a result of this pampering, you feel very light and relaxed. After spending about three hours in the warm water, I felt that it was not only reliving for my body but also extremely soothing to my senses. It was the best parting gift of the Iceland tour. Usually, the tourists take this tour at the end and then head straight to the airport.
Blue Lagoon is a natural hot water spa, which is converted into a tourist resort. All the tourist that come to Iceland do not miss Blue Lagoon, hence, the water temperature is maintained and it is cleaned on a regular basis. You pay the entrance fee for a day and can swim or float in the water as much as you fancy. As we entered the Blue Lagoon, I was mesmerized with the colour of the water. It was crystal clear sea green in colour with the backdrop of a clear blue sky. If I were to dream, this would be my image of the heaven. I was told that the water was medicinal in nature. In one corner, they provided natural silica taken from the earth to apply it on your face. It was as good as having a top class facial. There was another section where the base was covered with a natural mud like our Multani Mati. You can apply the mud to your body in the water itself. As a result of this pampering, you feel very light and relaxed. After spending about three hours in the warm water, I felt that it was not only reliving for my body but also extremely soothing to my senses. It was the best parting gift of the Iceland tour. Usually, the tourists take this tour at the end and then head straight to the airport.
Icelandic Flavour
Iceland is a fishing heaven if you fancy fishing or you want to eat fish. Its shores breed some of the rare species of fishes and a larger part of the economy survives on Fishing. It has turned down the offer of joining European Union several times to avoid sharing its shore with the other European countries. Perhaps, that makes Iceland a super expensive country if not one of the most expensive countries in Europe behind Norway. Most of the essentials are imported and are sold at a premium rate. To give you an analogy, a basic lunch or dinner would cost you at least 20£ (40$) per person in a restaurant. Personally, I don’t mind spending a fortune on tours if I can compensate that for food and stay cost. I decided to check the fruits in a super market confronting that it will only do good to my diet. My eyes started rolling seeing Adam’s apple costing 3£ each (6$). I suddenly started feeling full. I contemplated a fasting diet would do wonders to my figure. But, a growling stomach protested my mean thoughts for petrol to steer. We decided to go on a food hunt. Usually, all the restaurants in Europe have tradition of affixing the menu card with a price at the entrance. It saves the chances of going bankrupt after a good day’s meal. Perhaps, they don’t know the Bollywoodish tradition of washing utensils to pay off the bill. After an hour’s toil, the lowest best that we managed to find was a Subway burger for 10£ each (20$). The hunt proved worthwhile, as the burger was delicious with tender chicken.
The story for the stay cost is not very different. You have to plan your journey well in advance to book a guesthouse or a service apartment else the hotel cost can put a big dent to your pocket. Mind you, the Icelandic currency is Kroners, which I am converting into Pounds. After talking to other tourists, I was relived to know that everybody was converting the Icelandic kroners into their home currency to discern the premium rate they were paying each time. As we are talking of maths, let me help you with the tour budget in case you want to plan a trip..
Travel Cost of 4 days for 2 people
Flight from London to Reykjavik= 450£
Guest House 75£*3nights= 225£
Tourist Visa= 80£
Meal cost= (20£*2 people*4days)=160£
Whale Watching Tour= 230£
Golden Circle Tour=140£
Blue Lagoon Tour= 60£
Airport Transfer=20£
Misc=100£
Total= 1465£ (2930$)
A lot of people asked me, “Was it worth it?” My answer to them was “if you are a regular adventurous traveller who is bored of the predictable destinations then this is the one for you.” Bon Voyage!!!
PS: I have attached very few photos to make it readable. There were many things to do in Iceland; however, I covered the adventurous and the unique part of my trip in this travelogue.
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