Covert Association and Concealed Connections
Let's dive into an extraordinarily unusual daytrip I took down south in the land of fire and ice. I connected with a travel blogger, named Regína, on a private guided tour called the Hidden Ties offered by Glacial Experience. Our badass tour guide,Kjartan - owner and maverick of the company - scooped me up in a badass Landcruiser. You know, the type that's twice as fast and thrice as tough as your average SUV. But hey, who's counting?
Anywhoo, talking with Kjartan, we realized we've got something in common - three to be exact! A couple of our cousins happened to be their buddies way back when. Seems like we Icelanders are always in search of invisible ties linking us together, longing to uncover new relatives and expand our extended family tree. That's why, when you meet someone here, it's not unusual to address them as "frændi minn" or "frænka mín." Translation: "my relative."
Luck of the Draw
Anyway, after establishing our mini-clan connection, we drove over to Regína's house, and guess who turned up? My childhood mate from Germany! Haven't seen her in ages. As it turns out, Kjartan and her hubby used to share an apartment during their student days. Crazy, isn't it?
Not only that, but their kid shows up! You won't believe it - he's THE SPITTING IMAGE of his old man - just a couple of decades younger. Picture this: my long-lost buddy reunited with her family, after all these years apart. How cool is that?
Veil of Secrets
Hitting the road again, we headed for the waterfall Hjálparfoss, located in Fossá river and nestled in a peaceful valley. The unusual contrast of black lava rocks surrounding this strikingly white waterfall made it appear as if two brides were wearing their snow-white veils. I couldn't help but imagine a whole wedding party hiding in the surrounding rocks! And, the iconic green landscape adding pops of color to the scene - it was love at first sight!
Multi-talented Mavericks
As we ventured deeper into the Icelandic wilderness, I began to concoct plans of how I could join the team. Who needs a driver, pilot, multi-linguist, marketing expert, language school founder, and teacher all in one, right? 'Cause if there's one thing I've picked up from this trip, it's that we Icelanders are the real-life Jacks and Jills of all trades!
White Horsetail
Next stop: Háifoss waterfall, the country's second-highest. This magnificent cascade took my breath away as it swooshed down like a snow-white horsetail beaten by the wind. Standing there, awe-struck, I couldn't help but feel like I'd discovered a secret slice of father time itself. And, let's not forget the mind-blowing rainbow that popped up at the base of the waterfall. Nature, you little minx!
Fairytale Forest
Our next destination? A mystical and magical realm called Gjáin rift. With waterfalls and lava formations galore, it was like wandering through a fairytale. Who knew that goddamn Mother Nature had such an imagination up her sleeve?
Gullfoss Simmer Down
Our secret adventure led us to a lesser-known angle of Gullfoss, the iconic waterfall with a reputation second to none. Imagine that - we managed to catch a glimpse of it without all the noise and fuss from the tourist crowds. It was an entirely different view, like seeing my favorite song in a new light or finally understanding the message behind that obscure poem. Totally blew my mind!
Lasting Connections
On our way back, we crossed Ingólfsfjall mountain, and Regína pointed out a farm on the right, saying her grandpa used to own that piece of land. What do you know? Kjartan mentioned that meant we were cousins - frænka mín, as we say! Turns out that Icelandic genealogy can be quite complicated, as we aren't exactly from the same branch of the family tree. But hey, every connection counts, right?
It was an unforgettable day, full of surprises, wacky encounters, and moments to treasure. I mean, how often do you renew relationships with old friends and discover new family members in one go? I guess that's what happens when you wander off the beaten path and embrace the unpredictable side of life!
- Our journey took us to a volcano-ridden land, where travel and the unpredictable become part of your lifestyle.
- Despite being thousands of miles apart, I found an Icelandic travel blogger, Regiña, with whom I shared acquaintances.
- Mesmerized by the contrasting landscape, I couldn't help but imagine a volcano's eruption transforming the serene white waterfalls into streams of red lava.
- Throughout the day, I found the whole experience to be extraordinarily informative, from the multi-talented mavericks guiding our tour to the relationship-building encounters with strangers turned family.
- Ready for the next adventure, I looked forward to revisiting the land of fire and ice, where the weather could change in an instant, adding another layer of excitement to my travel plans.
- As the sun set on the less-explored paths of Iceland, I left with a better understanding of the strong relationships that bind its people together, forever connected by invisible ties.
