That spring, I saw the Northern Lights in Iceland – Part 2

Photos & Text by murphybj4
 
After leaving the world-renowned Golden Circle, my travel companions and I drove back onto the Ring Road to continue our dreamy adventure in Iceland. The scenery outside the window kept changing — sometimes a turn would transform a vast wilderness into rugged peaks, and once again I couldn't help but marvel that even driving in Iceland feels like a luxurious treat.

Known as one of Iceland’s seven major waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss is a vertical waterfall with a 60-meter drop. From afar, you can hear the roaring fury of the water. There’s a path inside the waterfall that lets you walk all the way around it. Thinking we were well-prepared with waterproof shoes and clothing, we figured we could get through just fine — but we underestimated nature’s power. We all got completely soaked, but still had a blast, because it was such a unique experience.

Years of erosion by the waterfall have created a wide-open plain. We lingered there for quite a while as the sunlight turned the entire wilderness golden. We also visited a very secluded waterfall nearby. Braving the wet with our waterproof shoes, we waded right into it. Though not very big, the waterfall was quite spectacular due to its narrow space and steep drop — highly recommended.

Since we were in Iceland, how could we not try Icelandic ice? It wasn’t yet summer, and the spring weather in Iceland could still be a bit unpredictable, so icicles clinging to rocks were still a common sight. They varied in size but were all crystal clear and glistening. We found one of a suitable size and ate it like a popsicle. Whether it was just in my head or really true, it tasted surprisingly sweet — truly, nothing beats nature’s own treats.

Skógafoss, hailed by many travelers as Iceland’s most beautiful waterfall, is one of the country’s largest and most magnificent waterfalls, and a must-visit photo spot. The abundant water flow creates a lot of mist, which forms a dreamy rainbow bridge in the sunlight — the beauty is truly indescribable. To get the perfect shot, we even waded into the middle of the river. After all, there were so many people that if you didn’t arrive early, you’d need some clever tricks to snag a good spot.