Iceland is an island country located in the North Atlantic Ocean and rightly known as The Land of Fire and Ice. Lying on the constantly active geologic border between Eurasian and American Tectonic Plates Iceland is a land of vivid contrasts of climate, geography and culture…The views of Green Lush Mountains on one side and contrasting views of floating icebergs on North Atlantic Ocean on other side makes it other worldly…On top of that Volcanoes, Glaciers, Geysers, Hot Springs, Gigantic Waterfalls, Lava fields and Black Sand Beaches makes it surreal…In summers you would see midnight Sun whereas in Winters you’d experience eternal night along with Northern Lights dancing above ...For Adventure Lovers Iceland is not less than Paradise-Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Ice Climbing, Glacier Hiking, Ice Caving, Icelandic Horse Riding and many more….Ahhh…getting tired…Relax on Geothermal Baths…Buckle up your seat belt, get a cup of coffee and enjoy the Nature and Adventure around Iceland…However be careful of Hidden people, Elves and Trolls on the way whom I’ll handle…
Trolls in Iceland came out from the Center of the Earth in the last volcanic eruption and causing trouble to the Icelanders…When I came to know about this I landed in the land of fire and ice…
I first explored the city of Reykjavik. I went to Hallgrimskirkja Church. Hallgrimskirkja church was designed by one of Iceland’s most renowned architects, Guðjón Samúelsson, who is said to have sought inspiration for his expressionistic design from elements of Icelandic nature. These include glaciers, mountains, and lava formations, particularly the hexagonal basalt columns that surround the waterfall Svartifoss.
Next to the Sæbraut road in Reykjavik Sun Voyager (Sólfarið) is located. It is a large steel sculpture of a ship, located on the road Sæbraut, by the seaside of central Reykjavík. The sculpture serves as an ode to the sun where it gracefully faces north across Faxaflói Bay. A popular misconception is that the Sun Voyager represents a Viking Ship. However, that is not quite the case. According to the sculptor’s vision, the piece rather accounts for a vessel of dreams. In his own words, the artist says that the sculpture represents, "the promise of undiscovered territory, a dream of hope, progress and freedom."
Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland and the northernmost capital of any sovereign state in the world. Ingólfur Arnarson was the first permanent Norse settler in Iceland. According to historical records, Ingólfur Arnarson arrived in Iceland around 874 and established his homestead in the area now known as Reykjavík. He is credited with giving the Reykjavik city its name, which translates to “smoky bay” in English. Also, Ingolfsstræti, a street in Reykjavík, Iceland, is named after him.
Icelanders are friendly and welcoming in nature. This is particularly notable for English speakers; when a foreigner is engaged in conversation with a group of Icelanders, most of the time Icelanders will swap over to English so that the whole group is able to understand. Ranked for highest in Gender Equality and Safety, Iceland is very sparsely populated (4 people per square km) with total population of ~0.38 million. Population of Icelanders is so sparse that every Icelander knows another Icelander!!!
Next day I went to Golden Circle. The first place was Thingvellir. Thingvellir (or, in Icelandic, Þingvellir) is the only place in the world where you can stand between two continental plates, in a distinctive geological landscape that changes every year. Part of the Golden Circle, Þingvellir is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an important historical location in Iceland.
Thingvellir is known as the birthplace of Iceland as a nation, and home to the oldest ongoing parliament in the world. In the boundaries of this unique national park, the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates drift away from each other. You can walk in the seismic rift valley that marks the border between the two continents. The plates slowly shift apart by 0.78 in (2 cm) a year, changing the landscape and creating an extraordinary sight.
Gullfoss, which translates to the "Golden Falls," is one of Iceland’s most iconic and beloved waterfalls. It's part of the popular Golden Circle route and is found in the Hvita river canyon in Southwest Iceland.
Haukadalur valley boasts a plethora of hot springs and geysers, including the powerful Strokkur. Strokkur is, arguably, the country’s most famous hot spring, shooting vast jets of boiling water from 65 feet (20 meters) up to 130 feet (40 meters) high. The English word Geyser derives from Geysir which is rarely active these days…
Sólheimajökull is a beautiful outlet, which is the most accessible glacier from Reykjavík. It is also known for being the Glacier of Fire & Ice, because of all the ashes covering and mixing up with ice from the previous volcanic eruptions…I hiked all over Sólheimajökull but no luck finding a Troll. Probably they got afraid of me!!!
Sólheimajökull is a glacier tongue of Mýrdalsjökull – the 4th largest glacier in Iceland. Greater Mýrdalsjökull is known for being home to several volcanoes that have often attracted attention in Iceland. This is the case of the famous Eyjafjallajökull and the infamously lethal Katla.
After spending time in Solheimajokull I came down and walked towards south. After sometime when I got tired, I slept on a foothill. Morning sunrays on next day woke me up. I saw a dark stone on which sun light was falling. Is this stone by any chance a Troll??? Troll, in early Scandinavian folklore are giant and monstrous being. They sometimes posses magic powers. Hostile to men, trolls lived in mountains and haunted the surroundings after dark. If exposed to sunlight they burst or turned to stone.
Seljalandsfoss waterfall, part of the Seljalandsa river, originates underneath the Eyjafjallajokull glacier. The volcano beneath this ice cap famously erupted in 2010 and caused havoc at airports across Europe. The cascade of the Seljalandsfoss waterfall is relatively narrow but falls from a tall cliff that once marked the country's coastline centuries ago. The sea is now located across a stretch of lowlands and is visible from the site.
Skógafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in Iceland, with a drop of some 60 meters and a width of 25 meters. You can walk right up to it but be prepared to be drenched. It is overwhelming standing next to it.
A legend is connected to Skógafoss waterfall; it is believed that behind it you can find a chest filled with gold and treasures. The story goes that Þrasi Þórólfsson, the Viking Settler at Skógar (Eystriskógar) in around 900,hid the chest and it is said that the first man who goes there will find great treasures…I found the chest and kept it with me…
After spending time in Skógafoss waterfall I came to Reynisfjara. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is renowned for its unique geological features, which set it apart from typical beaches. It's an example of a black sand beach, which can be found all around Iceland. They're formed from volcanic lava, creating a dramatic contrast against the powerful waves of the Atlantic Ocean….
From the beach I had a view of the Reynisdrangar sea stacks which is said to be two trolls frozen in the light of the morning sun as they tried to pull a ship into shore…Finally I found a Troll!!! Not one but two!!! I just crushed them with my bare hands…
Suddenly the dangerous waves from Atlantic Ocean followed me, I climbed upon the Basalt columns. Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, while stunning, is also one of Iceland’s most dangerous natural sites due to the presence of unpredictable sneaker waves. These powerful waves can appear suddenly, reaching much farther up the shore than expected…
A standout feature of Reynisfjara beach is the towering basalt columns, located along the cliffs of Reynisfall mountain. These hexagonal rock formations are formed by cooling lava and create an impressive backdrop for the beach…
After Reynisfjara I explored Yoda Cave, but I didn’t find any Trolls there. The cave is on the south side of Mount Hjorleifshofdi, facing the sea. Before reaching the cave, I marvelled over the contrasting landscape of black sands and plains of vegetation, from lupines to mosses…Someone kept a chair over black sands for me. I was tired so sat on the chair for a while…
I reached Vík í Mýrdal- a small village located on the south coast of Iceland. Iceland's southernmost village is renowned for its black sand beaches and dramatic coastal cliffs. In the event of a volcanic eruption in the area, all people are asked to go to Vík's church, located at the top of the hill. Before leaving their homes, everyone is asked to fill out a form and indicate on a window facing the street how many people live there and how many have already evacuated. This will help the police ensure that everyone is out of the houses. My hands was paining since I crushed those Trolls, maybe I need to find another solution, don’t know how many Trolls I would encounter…
I went to outskirt of Vik…it was getting dark…I summoned Thor and asked for his Mjolnir to kill Trolls…However Thor told me that he is an active member of Avengers and he needs Mjolnir to protect the Midgard from superpower aliens…However he agreed to give me his lightening power to fight against Trolls…
Galileo Galilei coined the term “Aurora Borealis” in 1619, derived from the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek god of the north wind, Boreas…Aurora borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, is a natural phenomenon that occurs in the night sky at high latitudes. It is a spectacular display of colored light, typically green and pink, but also shades of red, yellow, blue, and violet. The aurora borealis is caused by the interaction between the Earth’s magnetic field and the solar wind, a stream of charged particles emitted by the sun…I felt energetic with the power of Aurora borealis, ready to face Trolls of Iceland…
Next day I kept searching the Trolls in South Coast and reached to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. Countless icebergs floating on the lagoon that have broken off the resident glacier, are creating an ever-changing scenery of incredible beauty…
The river Jokulsa connects the lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean, meaning that these icebergs eventually drift out to sea, where they are polished by the waves before floating back to the black sands of Breidamerkursandur.
The Diamond Beach, also known as Breidamerkursandur, is a beach located on the south coast of Iceland, near Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. The beach is famous for its black sand and icebergs that wash up on the shore, resembling sparkling diamonds…
The icebergs on the Diamond Beach come from the nearby Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where chunks of ice break off from the glacier and float out to sea. The icebergs eventually wash up on the shore, where they are sculpted by the waves and tides…
I was almost lost in the beauty of Diamond beach, however I realised that Trolls still out there and I moved towards Crystal Blue Ice Cave. Crystal Blue Ice Cave in Iceland is an awe-inspiring natural wonder that has captivated visitors worldwide. Located in the Vatnajökull National Park, the cave is formed by the melting of a glacier and is filled with a stunning blue ice. The cave is illuminated by the sunlight that streams in from the entrance, creating a magical atmosphere…
Glacier ice often has this unique soft and clear blue color that reflects from the walls of ice caves and icebergs. The reason lies in the ingredients; it is built from compacted layers of ice-crystals (snow) rather than frozen water like the ice on lakes that has no crystal structure. Then when enough air has been pressed out of the packed snow from the weight of more layers on top, it becomes see-through and reflects blue light…
I continued my journey towards EastFjords…I came across Vestrahorn mountain…Vestrahorn mountain is located on the Stokknes Peninsula, close to the town of Höfn. Unlike most of the mountains in Iceland, it is made out of iron- and magnesium-rich gabbro rock, which leads to its dark and jagged appearance…
Like most stretches of beach in Iceland, the sands here are black due to the island’s volcanism. Vestrahorn translates to ‘West Mountain’ due to its proximity to the similar Eystrahorn, or ‘East Mountain’. Down towards the sea, it is possible to get perfect reflections in the wet sand.
I met one stone collector at Djúpivogur to get information of Trolls. Djúpivogur is a small coastal village located on the Búlandsnes peninsula, nestled by the picturesque fjord of Hamarsfjörður in East Iceland…Stone collector showed all kinds of stone and then told me that I can get few Trolls in Dimmuborgir and more information I can get from the Humpback Whales of Hauganes…I bid adieu to Stone collector and started to move towards North of Iceland…
I heard hoot of an Owl…it was Stone Collector’s Owl…It told me to be cautious of Ymir’s soul on the way to Dimmuborgir and told me to get into VÖK Baths. On completing the ritual I’ll get a Icelandic horse for the way…
Vök Baths was located on the bank of Urriðavatn lake, only a few minutes from the town of Egilsstaðir…I took bath in Vök Baths and completed the ritual. Outside one Icelandic horse was waiting for me…I continued my journey towards North of Iceland…The Icelandic horse is a unique breed of smallish horses that traveled to Iceland with the first settlers from Norway 1,100 years ago…The Icelandic horse is known for being sure-footed and able to cross rough terrain. It displays two gaits in addition to the typical walk, trot, and canter/gallop commonly displayed by other breeds. The first additional gait is a four-beat lateral ambling gait called tölt…The fifth gait of the Icelandic horse is called flying pace, or "skeið. " Not all horses can pace. Skeið is used in pacing races and is fast and smooth, with some horses reaching up to 50 km/h (30 mph)…
I was riding across the Eastfjords of Iceland. The Eastfjords of Iceland is a 120 kilometre (75 miles) stretch of coastline from Berufjörður, in the south, to the small fishing village of Borgarfjörður Eystri in the north.
Suddenly I faced Ice, frost, wind, rain and heavy cold emanated from North…Probably Ymir was offended…I decided to get down from the Horse and walk further to North…
I saw a range of snow peaked mountain ahead…I was pondering how to cross the mountains…Suddenly a rainbow appeared…It was Bifrost…The Rainbow Bridge connecting the Miðgarðr and the Asgard…At the other end of Bifrost Heimdall looked at me and smiled…He then attached the other end of Bifrost to another part of mountain…I waived my hands to Heimdall with a smile and climbed on Bifrost…I landed to other side of mountai and the rainbow disappeared…
Other side was Desert of Möðrudalsöræfi!!! I was clueless which direction to follow, it seemed to be cold desert and no living being or any kind of settlement was visible…
After walking for long I saw one stone cairn. An old tradition in Iceland of creating stone cairns to show the way. These old stone cairns acted as beacons for people in Iceland, a kind of GPS system of the olden days. The original cairns were made by the Vikings when they went on their explorations of Iceland. They had to be able to find their way back and to lead the way for others through the highlands and across the heaths…I was just following the cairns…
Wandering in the North-East of Iceland, I was looking for cairns…Probably I got lost…Took some rest for sometime enjoying the viewpoint and again continued my journey…
After walking for long I saw some human made structure. It was a Geothermal Plant. While much of Europe suffers from escalating fossil fuel prices and fears of winter power cuts, Iceland – which has taken advantage of its natural resources by tapping into the geothermal heat lying deep underneath its soil and harnessing the power of vast amounts of snowmelt cascading from its interior to the ocean, has enjoyed more stable energy prices. Essentially 100% powered by renewable energy, in recent years its attracted a variety of industries, such as aluminum producers and, more recently, data centers…
I walked further…I saw another stone cairn…However smoke was coming out of it…I went near to it…The air smelled intensely of sulphur throughout the area, which, while unpleasant, was a constant reminder of the powerful forces at work beneath my feet. The site was dull but its life was coming from the vivid colours that streak through the earth, dyed by the elements brought up with the steam.
I saw shades of red, orange, yellow and green, particularly concentrated around the springs themselves…It was Námaskarð Pass. Námaskarð Pass is a geothermal area on the mountain Námafjall, in north Iceland, less than half an hour’s drive from Lake Mývatn. Connected to the Krafla volcano system, Námaskarð is home to many hot springs and fumaroles. The whole land is orange due to the presence of sulfur in the area, which gives the landscape its unique color..
I then reached to the Mývatn Nature Baths. It was centred around a large lagoon, which had a temperature of about 36 to 40 degrees Celsius (97 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit). The water here is packed with minerals, particularly sulphur, which is said to be good for respiratory and skin problems…
Moving further I found a cave Grjótagjá. Grjótagjá is a small lava cave located near lake Mývatn in north Iceland, famous for featuring a beautiful geothermal hot spring in its depths…
I spent some time in Grjótagjá cave then I came out and climbed over the cave and tried to bring together Eurasian and American tectonic plate. It seemed due to friction volcano would erupt, so I stopped my effort…
Finally I reached to the Dark Fortress Dimmuborgir!!! Dimmuborgir was formed in an eruption that occurred in the area 2,300 years ago. As lava flowed across the area, it passed over a lake, causing it to boil. This both quickened the cooling of the lava and caused pillars of steam to shatter parts of it. After it solidified, Dimmuborgir area became defined by large stacks of rock and many caves and caverns, caused by bubbles of intense steam…
13 Trolls in getup of Santa Claus encircled me. I immediately used the power of Northern Light and all of them disappeared from the site. Those were infamous Icelandic Yule Lads. They had little resemblance to the famous Santa Claus. The Icelandic Yule Lads were descended from trolls and their original role was to strike fear in the hearts of children. The thirteen brothers were the sons of two of the most hideous ogres ever known in Iceland, Grýla and Leppalúði….
After getting rid of Yule Lads I took some rest around Godafoss. The name Godafoss means either waterfall of the gods or waterfall of the 'godi,' an old word for a priest or a chieftain. Some say the reason for this name is rooted in a pivotal moment in Iceland's history. When Iceland was first settled in the 9th and 10th Centuries, the vast majority (those who were not slaves, at least) were Norwegians who followed the Old Norse religion, worshipping deities like Thor, Odin, Loki, and Freya. However, after the Commonwealth was established in 930 AD, pressure to convert began to push from Christianising Europe. By 1000 AD, it seemed that Norway would almost certainly invade if the country were to stand by its pagan beliefs. The issue was thus discussed at Thingvellir, where the parliament met once a year. The lawspeaker at the time, the Asatru priest (or godi) Thorgeir Ljosvetningagodi, was given the responsibility of making the decision. It is said that Thorgeir lay under a fur blanket for a day and a night in silence, praying to his Old Gods for the right decision. Eventually, he emerged and said that for the good of the people, Christianity would be the official religion, but pagans could practice their beliefs in private. To symbolize his decision, he returned to his home in north Iceland and discarded idols of the Old Gods into a beautiful waterfall, which would later become known as Godafoss. The history of this defining moment in Iceland's history is engraved in a stained glass window in the church of Akureyrarkirkja.
Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel is a 7.4 km (4.6 mi) long toll tunnel located in North Iceland, along Route 1, just east of Akureyri…During winter Víkurskarð mountain road used to be impassable due to heavy snowfall and strong winds. Now with Vaðlaheiðargöng tunnel mobility between North East Iceland, where natural pearls like Mývatn, Goðafoss waterfall etc. are located and Akureyri (North Iceland) is possible…I used the tunnel to reach Akureyri in short time…I had to handle Grýla and Leppalúði in Akureyri…
Akureyri is the capital city of North Iceland and situated in Eyjafjörður fjord and it is the most beautiful city in Iceland. From the Landnámabók, I know that the area’s ‘founding’ settler was an Irish Viking by the name of Helgi Magri Eyvindarson. Helgi is rightfully regarded as Akureyri’s founding father; he is to the north what Ingólfur Arnarson is to Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík.
Helgi’s story is a fascinating one; born to an Irish mother and a Norse father, Helgi had been sent to live southwest, in foster care as a child. When his parents went to retrieve him, they found the young boy so starved, they could barely recognise him. Thus, his nickname then on was “Helgi the Slim” or “Helgi the Lean”. Helgi Magri Eyvindarson set out to Iceland with his wife, Thorunn Hyrna, in 890 AD, landing within Eyjafjörður. There is no question that Helgi was a devout Christian, but upon taking to sea voyages, he was known to put his faith into Thor, the Norse God of Thunder. In Akureyri I found Grýla and Leppalúði and vaporized them as well…
I had to find whales in Hauganes for further information. Hauganes is a village, located within fjord Eyjafjörður in North Iceland with a population of approximately 140 people. Fishing has been the main occupation for the villagers for centuries. The people of Hauganes are mostly descendants of families who have lived there for a long time and many people can trace their roots back for centuries…
I came across people who came from many generations of fishermen, born and raised in Hauganes and sailed the beautiful seas of Eyjafjörður fjord and around Iceland since in their teens. They greeted me and were ready to take me to middle of Atlantic Ocean where I can find a Whale…
Their boats, Niels Jonsson and Whales are traditional oak ships built in Iceland in the 20th century as fishing boats. As there are no generators on board the engines can be turned off when approaching the whales making the approach as gentle and nonintrusive as possible.
I embarked on Whales EA-200. Whales EA-200 is a sturdy oak boat built in 1954. At 21,5m, Whales is an extremely comfortably and steady boat, which minimises the chance of becoming seasick in the calm waters of Eyjafjörður fjord…
Whales are highly mobile and can change their behavior from one moment to the next, it is hard to guarantee where a whale will be. But, as mammals, like us, all whales have to breathe and they have to come to the surface. I was looking for whale exhale (spout). Spout or blow on a good day can be seen from miles away!
Humpbacks are renowned for their gregarious and acrobatic behavior. You could say that humpback whales are the attention-seeking divas of the whale world…Finally a whale surfaced over the Atlantic Ocean…
I was pondering how to communicate with the whale. Suddenly whale started singing with a mix of whistles and clicks. Fishermen decoded the message and told me that I can find few trolls in Djúpalónssandur and one giant Troll in the Víðgelmir Lava Cave…
I was still pondering how the whales communicate, the fishermen explained that Sound travels far and fast in the ocean, it can travel about a 1000 times farther than light underwater, and more than four times faster in water than in air. Marine mammals use sound to communicate and hunt for food. The whale then slapped the surface of the water with its fluke, repeatedly and then disappeared in the ocean. Fishermen told me that we need to quickly get back to land as it is not safe in the ocean anymore…
I reached to a place which didn’t belong to Earth…It looked like Moon Crater…It was Grábrók crater. Grábrók crater is a volcanic crater east of Lake Hreðavatn in the fjord of Borgarfjörður in West Iceland…The fissure is only about 7 kilometres (4,3 miles) in length with the average thickness of 20 metres (66 feet)…
As the last eruption happened, the lava dammed the river Norðurá and pushed it east up the valley. The lava, known as Grábrókarhraun, also dammed the valley which is now known as Lake Hreðavatn. ..
On travelling further West I saw hexagonal basalt column cluster named Gerðuberg. Gerðuberg is a unique geological formation in Iceland that is made up of over 600 basalt columns. It is located in the West part of Iceland…
The columns are arranged in a stepped pattern and are believed to have been formed by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago. The columns are made of basalt, a type of igneous rock, and are up to 12 meters high…
I walked further and reached Ytri Tunga…Ytri Tunga is a beach by a farm of the same name on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Unlike many of the beaches in Iceland, Ytri Tunga has golden sand, rather than black. There one Seal looked at me and waved its tiny flippers…I also waved my hands. Seals and Icelanders have had an interesting relationship over the past millennium. Seals, of course, were vital to their survival, due to their meaty bodies, fat for oil, and their waterproof hides, but also appeared in folklore as mysterious and beautiful selkies. Most other Nordic countries depicted Selkies as evil, but not Iceland. I moved further…
I reached Arnarstapi…Arnarstapi is a village on the southern side of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, once a fishing hub and now a place to refuel before entering Snæfellsjökull National Park…
I crossed the natural bridge Gatklettur. The stone arch of Gatklettur is a naturally formed landmark, sculptured by the waves across millennia…I crossed another Arnarstapi’s famous bridge, Eystrigjá…
I met a troll Bárður Snæfellsás in Arnarstrapi, the mythical protector of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in West-Iceland. Bárður Snæfellsnes was the one who gave a name to the Snæfellsnes peninsula. He was the descendant of a human mother and half-giant (risi), half-troll creature recalled as Dumbur. He was raised by Dofri, a mountain dweller of Dovrefjell mountain range…I spared him as he was harmless for humans…
I reached Lóndrangar of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The Lóndrangar columns are steeped in Icelandic folklore and mythology. According to local legends, these majestic sea stacks were once trolls who attempted to drag a ship ashore. However, they were caught by the sunlight and turned to stone…I flashed my power and the trolls vaporized…
I kept walking and reached Djúpalónssandur. Djúpalónssandur is an arched-shaped bay of dark cliffs and black sand, located on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Western Iceland. Fascinating remnants of this period are found in the form of four ancient lifting stones that still occupy the beach. The stones range in weight from 23 kg (50 lbs) to 155 kg (342 lbs) and were used to test the strength of fishermen. Their names are Amlóði (useless), Hálfdrættingur (weakling), Hálfsterkur (half-strong) and Fullsterkur (full-strong).
There are more strangely formed lava rocks on Djúpalónssandur. It is called Kerling or the Troll woman, and where there is a Kerling there is a Karl or the male Troll… Kerling is carrying a bundle of fish on her back, Karlis located a bit further east and cannot be seen from Djúpalónssandur. I freed them from this world as well…
The suction of the sea in Djúpalónssandur tried to pull me but I backed off…Three to four big waves usually come in a row and the last waves come much further onto the shore than the first ones…I put a warning sign there - Do not wade into the sea - it is better to be safe than sorry.
While returning back I heard loud music and singing coming from Söngklettur - the Singing Rock, a distinctive huge lava rock on the beach. The rock is reddish in colour and so majestic looking - it is said to be the Church of the Elves! I just silently moved away from the place without disturbing Elves…
On the way I came across Ingjaldshóll. There was one church there…The church served neighbouring villages Hellisandurand Rif and it is the oldest concrete church in the world! Behind the church, a beautiful monument of the noted Eggert Ólafsson (1726-1768) and his wife Ingibjörg Guðmundsdóttir, made by the sculptor Páll Guðmundsson from Húsafell can be seen…
I kept walking and reached Kirkjufell, or 'Church Mountain'. It is a distinctly shaped peak found on the north shore of Iceland’s Snæfellsnes Peninsula, only a short distance away from the town of Grundarfjörður.
Within walking distance from Kirkjufell is the serene and perfectly located waterfall Kirkjufellsfoss, or 'Church Mountain Falls'. At the base of the mountain, it is easy to find a lake; on calm and clear days, this lake reflects a perfect mirror image of Kirkjufell.
I crossed Deildartunguhver…Deildartunguhver is the most powerful hot spring in Europe. It covers the central heating for the nearby towns and villages…
I reached to Children’s fall…Back in Iceland’s early days, it was said that a family with two boys lived at the nearby farm of Hraunsás. The parents left home for church one morning, ordering the young ones to remain at home, but with nothing to entertain them, the children soon decided to follow. They knew a shortcut to the church: a stone bridge, arching over the nearby rapid waterfall, that back then would have had a different name. They started to cross it, but found the heights and surging water below dizzying. In a tragic turn of events, neither boy made it across the bridge, and both fell to their deaths. Though both parents were grief-stricken, the mother veered towards insanity. Some versions of the tale end with her demanding the bridge be torn down. Others say she turned to witchcraft, placing a rune on the bridge that made any who crossed it plummet to their deaths just like her beloved sons…
Nearyby was Hraunfossar. Hraunfossar is a series of beautiful waterfalls formed by rivulets streaming out of the Hallmundarhraun lava field…
Finally I reached to Víðgelmir Lava Cave…The longest lava cave in the country, trailing for 1,595 metres (5,200 feet) beneath the surface of the earth…
According to Icelandic folklore, the Víðgelmir Lava Cave is said to be inhabited by a mysterious troll. The cave’s vast, eerie tunnels and strange rock formations have sparked tales of a mythical creature that roams the depths of the cave…
I started searching the Cave Troll…I witnessed strange occurrences, unexplained noises, flickering lights, and even fleeting glimpses of a shadowy figure lurking in the depths of the cave…Probably Cave Troll sensed my presence…
I felt an intense, primal energy emanating from something, as if it was watching me with an unblinking gaze…Suddenly a giant Troll appeared in front of me and pushed me hard. I fell down and Troll hid behind a rock. Troll started throwing stones on me hiding behind the rock…I also started throwing stone on it…After hours of hide and seek game and stone pelting when Troll got tired, I came outside and went near to Troll. I whirled my right hand and I punched it hard and pushed it down to the cave. I flashed my Lightning power, Troll rolled down in the underworld. I came out of the cave and closed the cave mouth with a big rock…
It was dark outside…I breathed a sigh of relief and I sat down outside of cave. Suddenly I saw entire sky filled with red and green streaks of light hanging apparently motionless and bright stars seemed to be sprinkled over the sky…
I heard the pretty choral sounding falsetto over the multicolored sky. Suddenly a tall, slightly hunched figure wearing a blue hooded cloak, appeared in front of me and spoke in airy and ghostly voice. Odin personally came to visit me in his Grimnir appearance!!!Odin invited me to come to Valhalla!!! However, I told Odin that I would be staying back as big troubles would be coming to Midgard…I need to save the human race…I returned the Thor’s Lightning power to him…
Odin was little bit upset on my decision, but he was understanding…He then gifted me a geothermal spa with remarkable healing qualities of the azure waters and then he disappeared. Blue Lagoon was rich with Silica and Sulphur and the temperature was set to 37-39 degree centigrade for my comfort in the chilly country…
I got myself soaked in the milky blue lagoon for hours. After getting relaxed and refreshed in lagoon I came out and saw the beauty of the Iceland for the last time as my next adventure awaits me…