The group landed and headed straight from the airport to Iceland’s most famous geothermal pool — the Blue Lagoon! After a few face masks, sauna sits, and a soak in its healing waters we made our way into Reykjavik and dove into orientation. A visit to the National Museum allowed for a scavenger hunt that included (but was definitely not limited to): an ancient statue of Thor, viking skeletons and their most prized possessions, and sedimentary layers of recorded ashfall from Iceland’s many volcanic eruptions.

Our second day we left the city limits to explore the Golden Circle, a world-renowned loop through the countryside surrounding Reykjavik that hits several of Iceland’s most famous sites. Our first stop was Thingvellir National Park, which, aside from being listed a UNESCO World Heritage site, also happens to be the only place on Earth where two tectonic plates meet above the surface of the ocean, AND the site of the first Viking Parliament in Iceland. Our second stop was Geysir, after which the geological feature is named, which erupted several stories high every few minutes, before traveling on to Gulfoss, a two-tiered thundering waterfall fed by the Vatnjokull Glacier above.

We graduated! From the Elf School in Reykjavik. Magnus is a collector of stories of Icelandic hidden people, huldufolk, and has interviewed thousands of people around the world about their beliefs and encounters with nature spirits, elves, and other folklore that are closely tied to the Icelandic cultural identity. Magnus was kind enough to host us at the Elf School (which is also his home) for a private session that included hours of re-telling stories, jokes, and even pancakes and jam.

After class we got wind of the return of the Icelandic National Soccer Team from their impressive run in the Euro Cup and decided to swing by their stadium, which was located just behind our hostel. As fate would have it, the team bus had just arrived from its victory lap down Laugavegur and we were able to meet a few of Iceland’s newest heroes!

After an exciting two days in the city it was time to hit the road to begin our epic road trip through saga territory. The Westfjords were waiting. As we made our way north we stopped to hike Iceland’s second tallest waterfall, Glymur and navigated through a cave, across rivers, and wound our way through fields of wild lupines. It was our first taste of untouched beauty in the “Land of Fire and Ice” and left us excited for the adventures that await.

After scaling the waterfall we decided to make a pit stop at Erpstaddir Farm along the way to Holmavik, and tried some homemade ice cream. There were cows, pigs, dogs, and even ravens to pet while we stretched our legs. The views from the bus weren’t bad either!

Our last stop of the day was the Museum of Sorcery and Witchcraft in Holmavik, a sleepy town situated at the isthmus and gateway to the Westfjords region, where the rest of our road trip will take place. The majority of the Icelandic sorcerers persecuted after the Reformation lived in this region, and we were lucky enough to have a private Q & A with the curator and founder of the museum himself. We gained insight on the origins of sorcery in Iceland, how those beliefs have impacted contemporary culture, and some of the the ways it was practiced in the 17th century.

Tomorrow we forge onward into the Westfjords and will wind our way along the coast, stopping to kayak, soak in natural geothermal hot springs overlooking the fjord, and have a picnic lunch on the water. We have been joined by a wonderful cook named Thorunn, who will be preparing our meals throughout the trip. We can’t wait to get to know her and learn more about her life.

Stay tuned!

– Anna & Matt