2 012, AUGUST 30: ICELAND, GOLDEN CIRCLE (GEYSIR, GULLFOSS & PINGVELLIR)

In the morning, I woke up with light-headedness, most probably on account of dehydration. To rehydrate myself, I consumed considerable amount of water, while going through the morning routines Then I rested for a while, before going down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. Back in our room, I rested some more and consumed more water.

By the time of noon pick up by the Excursion Bus, I felt a little better. But in the bus, my stomach started acting up, probably in reaction to the milk I had with uncooked rolled oats cereal.

In spite of the physical discomfort most of the day, Kundan and I enjoyed our six-hour excursion to Geysir, Gullfoss, and Pingvellir.

On the way, we went through the village of Hveragerdi. It is known as the flower town. In its large number of greenhouses the villagers grow all kinds of flowers, vegetables, and fruit. In fact, because of their work, Iceland is known for the largest production of bananas in the North Atlantic.

   

Greenhouses, Hveragerdi, Iceland

 

Geysir is the original spouting hot spring; all the others around the world are named after it. At one time, it spouted a jet of water up to 80m (262ft) into the air. But it is rather inactive currently,

However, nearby is Strokkur (the Churn), the world's most consistent geyser.  It shoots out a stream of water and steam  up to 35m (115ft) and erupts every six minutes or so, and sometimes twice in quick succession.

Strokkur, Iceland

Also there are some mud pools and steam vents in the area.

Mud Pools & Steam Vents, Strokkur, Iceland

A long brick path leads visitors to Strokkur and areas other geothermal features.

Path to Strokkur Field, Iceland

 

Across the road are the area’s tourist facilities include a hotel, campsite, gas station, café, restaurant, and souvenir shop.  In a nearby field stands a statue of Icelandic farmer, watching over his fields.

 

Farmer Statue

Farmer Statue

 

Our next stop was the Iceland’s most famous waterfall, the majestic and beautiful, Gullfoss, with double cascade.

 Gullfoss Falls, Iceland

 Gullfoss Falls, Iceland

Thanks to the daring efforts, led by Sigridur i Bratholti, it escaped destruction in the 1920’s, when a team of foreign investors tried to dam the river by building a hydroelectric project. Now, a pillar nearby memorializes Sigridur for her courageous work, to save the waterfall.
 

 

Sigridur i Bratholti

 

 

From the Visitor Center, a long boardwalk leads to a gravel path above and to a wood staircase down to view the falls from different perspectives.

From near the Visitor Center, it is possible to view the distant, but large ice-field which sustains the river and the water fall.

Ice-field

 

On the way back, we made a brief stop in Thingvellir National Park. From the Visitor Center, it is a fairly long walk to the area's geologically unique place where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. The two plates are gradually drifting apart and cause frequent earthquakes.

The fissure between them, at this place, is as wide as seven kilometers. The rift valley thus created supports pools of water teeming with fish and are good for snorkeling.

                                       

Thingvellir National Park, Iceland

 

Thingvellir National Park, Iceland

Nearby is Althingi, the oldest parliamentary organization, which was established in the present day Thingvellir National Park, in AD 930.

Althingi & Thingvellir National Park Visitor Center

 

 

 

19th-century rendering of the Law Rock, in Thingvellir,
where Althingi was established in 930 A.D. (Wikipedia)

 

In 2004 Thingvellir was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List.

 

Around 6:30 we returned to our hotel.