The Golden Circle

After breakfast and the morning ferry back to the mainland, we hit the Golden Circle, a very popular day-trip from Reykjavik composed of the Gulfoss waterfall, original "Geysir" and historic seat of the Icelandic government at Thingviller.

Gulfoss was breathtaking, including the views of the 2 nearby mountain-top glaciers that looked like clouds from a distance.

Next was the original Geysir (all geysers in the world get their name from this first spot ever listed in recorded history; it's believed to have been active for more than 10,000 years). It doesn't erupt frequently, although it's also been recorded as the largest eruption at 122m high. The nearby Strokkur geyser does go off every 8-10 minutes and is still quite a site to see.

Although we'd anticipated the last stop at Thingviller to be a low point on the tour, it was the highlight--being one of the most profound displays of in the world of two tectonic plates coming together--all a backdrop to the first meeting of Icelandic tribes in 970--the first organized government in the country (first settled in 870). The place remained an important political gathering place for Icelanders even through 1944 when Icelanders declared their independence from Denmark.

Then we drove past Reykjavik to the Hotel Glymur, beautifully perched on the Whale Fjord. Full of Dali-esque art and super friendly staff, the 2-level room had views over the fjord, and so did the hot tubs outside.