Waterfalls, Geysers, and Glaciers

November 19, 2014 by  
Filed under Travel for everyone

Where is the perfect place to see waterfalls, geysers and glaciers all in one afternoon?

Why, Iceland, of course!

Let’s start with the waterfalls. There are many, many of them in the most unexpected places…but probably the most visited one is  Gullfoss.

Gullfoss waterfall, Iceland

Gullfoss waterfall, Iceland

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gullfoss waterfall is part of the Golden Circle tours that originate in Reykjavik. There are a number of tourist facilities at the waterfalls, making it a pleasant stop whether you are on an organized tour or traveling on your own. 

Information board at Gullfoss Waterfall

Information board at Gullfoss Waterfall

Hint: Click on any photo to enlarge it. (really makes reading the information much easier!)

If you enlarge the next photo you can see the two waterfalls quite clearly.

Gullfoss, Iceland

Gullfoss, Iceland

These waterfalls not only are interesting from  geology and photographic points of view, but also from a storyteller’s perspective. (Interested? Do some research..or better yet, visit and read some of the tourist information signs along the boardwalk.)

You will learn about this lady if you follow up on the above suggestion.

Why is there a monument to this lady at Gullfoss?

Why is there a monument to this lady at Gullfoss?

So…on to geysers.

Iceland geyser

Iceland geyser

For many North Americans when we think of geysers we think of Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park. But here in Iceland you will find the “grand daddy of all geysers”…that is what our guide told us.

Warning at geyser, Iceland

Warning at geyser, Iceland

Be warned, stay within the marked areas!

Aside: There are no major fences to keep you out. They assume you are a responsible person and will stay out of areas that are unsafe. Very different than the overprotective/sue if I get hurt attitude that seems to prevail in parts of North America. Very refreshing!

You would not want to fall into this!

Iceland's Strokkur

Iceland’s Strokkur

Right! Keep out! because every few minutes it errupts.

It's about to blow! Strokkur, Iceland

It’s about to blow! Strokkur, Iceland

And then there are the glaciers.

We personally did not get very close to a glacier, but off on the horizon one glacier seemed to be always present.

distant glacier, Iceland

distant glacier, Iceland

For the longest time I thought it was clouds that I was seeing in the distance…but no, that is a glacier!

Want to see more of Iceland?

Good choice. Click here to continue.

or to travel other parts of the world….click here.

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