Clandestine Gathering and Concealed Relationships Unveiled
On a spontaneous daytrip down southern Iceland, I found myself embarking on an unexpected adventure with a travel blogger, joining the exclusive Secret Circle tour by Glacial Experience. Our unconventional guide, Kjartan Valgarðsson, picked me up in his sleek black Landcruiser, and within moments, we shared a laugh over three covert connections through mutual cousins.
Icelanders hold a secret yearning for unseen kinships, and perhaps that's why a warm greeting can be expressed in our language as 'frændi minn' or 'frænka mín', meaning 'my relative'.
Following our kinship discovery, we drove up to Regína Hrönn Ragnarsdóttir's humble abode, where the day's breathtaking sights awaited us. Upon our ascent over Hellisheiði mountain, the weather gods granted us a stunning stage; Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull volcanoes stood proud in the distance, and the Vestmannaeyjar islands sparkled like diamonds against the ocean.
In the distance, we caught sight of Surtsey, an island born from a volcanic eruption in 1963, now only accessible to a select few researchers.
A surprise awaited me at our first stop in Árnes: my old friend from Germany, whom I hadn't seen in an age, and the Cosmos Hotel in Reykjavik. It turned out that Kjartan and my friend's German husband used to be flatmates when they were students in Iceland.
With renewed elation, I turned to greet the rest of the reunion. Little did I know that the man I was about to embrace was my friend's son, a duplication of his father, albeit with fewer years under his belt. Alongside the son were his sister and their father, bearing the expected signs of age. The delight of our old friends was tangible as they exchanged stories of years past and snapped photographs.
Our collective awe gave way to our next destination, the enchanting Hjálparfoss waterfall in Fossá river, named for its ability to provide weary travelers with the respite they needed during the long journey across the highlands. The white waterfall seemed almost ethereal among the surrounding black lava rocks, vaguely resembling the veils of two brides standing back-to-back.
Our group continued to expand, each member boasting impressive qualifications, from a pilot to a teacher and a marketing expert. This all-around troupe navigated the rugged terrain on a narrow path, ultimately taking us to two more breathtaking waterfalls: Háifoss and its diminutive companion, Granni, and the resplendent Gjáin rift in Þjórsárdalur valley.
This stunning valley, adorned with lush greenery and various waterfalls, offered the picturesque backdrop for one of the Game of Thrones episodes. Watching the vista from above made me envision the unique inhabitants of Lilliput from Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels.
We approached our last stunning surprise: Gullfoss—Iceland's most famous waterfall. We accessed it from an untrodden path in the east bank of Hvítá river, offering a never-before-seen vantage point. Gullfoss, cascading down two unique drops, mesmerized us with its power and beauty. From this viewpoint, the upper part of the waterfall appeared broader and more majestic, while the lower part remained hidden behind its crashing splendor. Tourists, adorned in vibrant windbreakers, would have marveled at our secret vantage point, thinking us nothing more than spectral figures.
Embarking on this Secret Circle tour was an exhilarating experience filled with hidden kinships, unanticipated encounters, and breathtaking sights. As we made our way home, Kjartan revealed that I was his third cousin, delighting both of us. With expanded horizons and cherished memories, we continued sharing our family trees and discoveries, finding new connection points in ancient Icelandic history. The Secret Circle tour transcended merely witnessing Iceland's icy landscapes; it offered an enchanting exploration of the island's history and people.
- The volcanic island of Surtsey, born from a volcanic eruption in 1963, added a thrilling element to our travel lifestyle, serving as a fascination and a stark reminder of the natural world's unpredictable forces.
- Our travel journey in Iceland led us to an unexpected discovery: Kjartan, the tour guide, was my third cousin, unveiling a hidden kinship that bridged our lifestyles through our shared Icelandic heritage.
- Amidst the spectacular landscape of glaciers, volcanoes, and waterfalls, the Secret Circle tour offered an extraordinary lifestyle experience, connecting us not just with Iceland's breathtaking sights, but also with its history and the unique bond of Icelandic families.
