Island Tag 1

'Again and again we looked at each other, could not believe that we had really made it'

In Iceland, it feels like all flights arrive at night. So our first day started very early - or very late, depending on how you look at it. Our accommodation was wonderfully cozy and within walking distance of the airport (the way was long and quite hidden but hey - walking distance!) You can pick up the rental cars directly when you leave the airport without any problems, which we did not do due to our late arrival. So back to the airport, pick up the car, leave the driver's license there, go to the accommodation by car, pack up, check out and chat with the hostess, and then quickly go shopping for the week. To have enough food with us on our road trip, we did a big grocery shopping right at the beginning and we were very well stocked for the week. At noon, we went back to the airport by car to pick up the driver's license and then we finally started. On the main ring road (there is only this one or gravel roads it feels like) we drove out into nature and to the first destination.

The Thingvellir National Park welcomed us with golden weather and a fairytale world. The road to the huge gorge was lined with lakes and pools and the sun shone behind the mountains. We walked on white footbridges through the landscape, with deep abysses and high mountains next to us. The hiking trails in Thingvellir are well signposted and easy to walk, really a good start and definitely a recommendation!

Under a blue sky and in pleasant warmth, we saw our first waterfalls. Continuing along the way, we went through a gorge that looked like it would take us directly to Mordor. But what awaited us was a view of red-colored land bathed in the setting sun and the red mountains in the distance. It felt like Simba's kingdom. Since the sun was already setting, we hurried back to the car. We also stopped at a small forest (forests are really rare in Iceland!) and a water hole that is very popular with divers. On the way back, we talked about this national park, which felt like a walk through a fairy tale - the path to Mordor to Simba's kingdom and then back through Hansel and Gretel's forest, where we could see the cliffs and home of the dragons in the distance.

The way to the accommodation was an adventurous one over rough terrain and gravel! With a high feeling, we went to sleep and the next morning couldn't come early enough.