When we first set our feet on the land of Vikings, I hadn’t known much about what the next 828 miles have in store for us. Ranging from snow stretched horizons to unbelievably beautiful waterfalls to geysers to volcanoes to glaciers, there wasn’t a thing Iceland didn’t have to offer.
The road trip began from Reykjavik, which is the capital city of Iceland. The main highway around Iceland, Route 1, or Ring Road, circumnavigates Iceland in around 1,300 kms and that is pretty much where we spent all of our time in the coming days. With the exception of spending nights, which happened in Vik, Hofn and Akureyri respectively.
1. The Roads
The roads are breathtakingly beautiful. For as far as you can see, you will see vast horizontal stretches of snow or fertile lowlands or mighty snow covered mountains. In this vastness and absolute nothingness, the horizon feels like the end of this world.
It will shift something in your mind. I promise
Tips:
You can pre- book a car along with your flight tickets. It turns out to be cheaper. An international driving license isn’t required to rent a car there
Take a gravel insurance as a large portion of Iceland's road system is made up of gravel roads
Take a car with seat heaters. It’s a plus
Stock enough food supplies to keep you from starving. The roads only treat your eyes and your soul :)
Rent 4X4s if you plan to go off-roads across harsh terrains and glacial rivers
You can keep a track of road conditions and weather on www.road.is
The terrains change in a matter of minutes. Your cameras would never be at peace
The average driving speed is 120 Kmph. You can cover large distances quickly, if only you don't stop after every 15 minutes
P.S. You can take your driving lessons there. There are 0.000001 chances of you ramming your car into anothers because the next car that’s ahead of you is probably 10 kms away. :D
Fun facts:
The capital city alone is home to 60% of the entire population so the further you get the lesser people you see
The only real traffic jam that has ever happened in the country was on the 17th of June 1994 when Independence Day celebrations took place at Þingvellir and people were stuck in traffic for hours
2. The cities
Iceland has cute, small cities. Some of them as cute as a bunch of 21 houses hidden in a valley. Some cities less cute. They are heavily populated. Like with 18000 people in it.
But let’s come back to the cutest one. My personal favourite, Vik. With a population of 270 people, it’s the southernmost village of Iceland. Home to the never-ending black basalt sand beaches, cliffs and sea-bird puffins, it’s a place with some character. You can spend almost half a lifetime here.
Fun facts:
Vík lies close to Katla volcano. It has not erupted since 1918, and it’s believed that another eruption may occur soon. An eruption of Katla could melt enough ice to trigger an enormous flash flood, potentially large enough to obliterate the entire town. The town's church (go back to the picture), is believed to be the only building that would survive such a flood. So there are regular drills for people where they are trained to run to the church.
Iceland has amusing naming rules. They don't have family names. The last name of a male Icelanders ends in the suffix -son (“son”) and that of female Icelanders in -dóttir (“daughter”). For example, Iceland's current president is Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, his first name is Ólafur Ragnar and his father's first name was Grímur. Interesting, isn't it? So next time you ask an Icelander his/her name, you can figure out the name of the parents too. :D
3. And everything else in between
Don't be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.”
P.S. Carry a gopro or a wide angle lens camera or a drone. Nothing lesser could do justice.:)
