Port Stop: Time to Say Goodbye in Reykjavík, Iceland (Golden Circle Tour)

_{Please note: this post contains affiliate links which means if you buy something following a link on this page, I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my blog (AKA feeding my ice cream addiction around the world!) Rosemary}

Our last full day on the NCL Prima 11 Night Northern Europe cruise as the cruise was coming to an end. So many possibilities for what to do in Reykjavík so it was difficult to narrow down!

LOGISTICS

MONEY MATTERS

Credit cards were widely accepted (we were able to use Visa and Mastercard throughout Iceland but I couldn’t always use my AMEX). We found that other than for tipping in local currency, we didn’t need to carry cash (ie tipping guides on already paid tours). Speaking of which, Iceland is similar to Norway in that tipping is not obligatory with high/living wages and strong workers laws so there isn’t a need for a tipping culture (vs in the US where workers are reliant upon tips as part of their salary). As such, it is a nice gesture of appreciation to tip if you receive great service.

COMMUNICATION

English was widely spoken throughout Iceland.

CRUISE TERMINAL LOGISTICS

_{BEAUTIFUL TIP: Reminder that arrival times for port days are estimates for when the ship will be docked and may not be when the port has given approval to allow passengers to get off. I will typically reach out the activity/tour provider and find out exactly what their policy is if I am not able to be there on time and/or ship doesn’t dock (this happens more often than I could have imagined!). I have found that many operators are flexible especially if the majority/all of the participants are from the cruise ship but some may not be able to accommodate late arrivals/ships not coming to port with no refund/partial refund given. Whilst all scenarios are valid business practices, don’t make the mistake of finding out which policy your company follows until you aren’t able to join!}

Hveragerdi – Almar Bakeri

First stop was to this bakery where we tried the local pastry/bread that was recommended by our tour guide who was fantastic and hilarious!

Kerid Crater

Next stop was to Kerid which is a crater that was formed approx. 6500 years ago when an ancient volcano’s magma chamber collapsed. It is known for the striking contrast between the red, black and green slopes that are set against mesmerizing blue-green waters of the crater lake.

Here we were given enough time to not only take photos but also to explore the crater. There’s the choice of walking the well-maintained trail winds around its rim which gives you the best overall view. Or as you can see here, there’s also a path that descends to the crater floor, allowing for the chance to see that vivid colors of the lake up close. We found that there was sufficient time to do both if you (really) hustle.

Gullfoss Waterfall

We We then continue on to see the Gullfoss Waterfall (“Golden Falls“). We were given the opportunity and time to view this massive waterfall from multiple viewpoints along scenic, paved trails. Unlike most waterfalls, which are typically observed from below, the desired vantage point is from above to fully appreciate it’s unique features. Rather than being a single cascade, Gullfoss is made up of two distinct tiers: the first drop is 36 feet (11 meters), followed by a second, larger plunge of 69 feet (21 meters).

The Hvítá River originates from the Langjökull glacier, flowing through Iceland’s rugged landscape before dramatically plunging into the canyon. We were close enough at some of the viewpoints to feel the spray from Gullfoss.

I love this is another Icelandic waterfall whose name origin remains murky as one legend tells of a local farmer named Gýgur who threw a chest of gold over the falls so that no one could take it hence a literal Gullfoss. And it has been said that the name comes from the golden light that reflects off the water at sunset. I was hoping we would see proof that the name comes from the rainbow created by the sun hitting the water spray – I walked around to all viewpoints but alas the mystery remains.

Unplanned Stop: See and Pet Icelandic Horses!

One of the most interesting things that we learned about during the tour was about Icelandic horses. They came to the island with Norwegian settlers 1100 years ago and it has been revealed that they descended from an ancient breed of horse that is now extinct outside of Iceland. It is one of the purest horse breeds in the world as they have been and continue to be preserved in isolation. No horses are allowed to be imported in, with the law so rigid that once a horse leaves Iceland, it will never be allowed to return.

Geysir Geothermal Area / Lunch Stop

Geysir – one of the Icelandic words that will be easy for English speakers to pronounce and is the namesake for all geysers around the world as it was discovered before any other erupting fountain worldwide. Great Geysir is the most famous geyser in the world but currently is dormant. In 1845, at it’s peak, it shot water as high as 558 feet (170 meters) into the air or as high as a 50 story building.

Geysir has had periods of literal highs and lows with periods of activity followed by silence. In the late 1800s, an earthquake revived activity and by the early 20 century, it was erupting every 30 minutes but those burst became less and less frequent until it went dormant again. Another earthquake in the early 2000s gave it a brief revival, but since its last eruption in February 2016, Geysir remains inactive.

But we didn’t just come to learn about the history of geysers….but we were hoping to see some in action and we were in luck as there’s Strokkur that erupts almost constantly. Like Geysir, this geyser had fluctuating activity since it was first mentioned in literature in 1789. Over time, its activity has also fluctuated and then it fell completely dormant during the 20th century due to earthquakes and sedimentary buildup.

Locals were able to clear its vent in 1963 and restore the gushing fountain. Since then, it’s reliably shooting steam and water up to 131 feet (40 meters) every 4-10 minutes (with that time frame still holding true today). Whilst it might not be showing signs of decline, that could change with any significant geological event as time has shown with multiple geysers in the area!

The area is known as the Haukadalur Geothermal Valley and you are able to walk among steam vents, bubbling mud pots, and vibrant hot springs, which are framed by colorful hills. But do mind the ropes as there are posted signs reminding visitors how hot the water and steam temps are!

Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park

In 2004, Þingvellir was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for both its historical and geological importance.

The Mid-Atlantic Rift or Ridge, which runs through Iceland, marks the boundary between two tectonic plates. Þingvellir lies in a rift valley or where the Earth’s crust is being pulled apart. Here we were able to see the separation of the Eurasian and North American plates as it is one of the few places on Earth where this movement can be seen on land!

As the tectonic plates slowly drift apart, they create a widening gap in the landscape with the crack expanding by about 0.78 inches (2 cm) every year. A visit to this park allowed us to observe this ongoing geological process up close.

Þingvellir (Thingvellir) Church was built in the 11th century after Christianity was declared as the official religion of Iceland in 1000 AD. You are able to walk around and tour inside the church.

We were given sufficient time to walk through and enjoy the National Park. While this looks like a river from this vantage point, this is part of Lake Þingvellir. Interestingly because it is cut off from other water sources, the marine life evolved on its own. In the summer, you can buy a fishing license to catch ice-age brown trout, for which the lake is famous. And despite the cold temperatures, the lake is very fertile and has a lot of plant life. I found it very fascinating that the water doesn’t freeze and stays around 37.4 and 41 °F (3 to 4°C).

Þingvellir (Thingvellir) translated to English means “Assembly Plains.” and as such, holds great historical significance. Althingi, the oldest parliament in the world, was established here in 930 AD and is why many consider this to be the birthplace of the nation.

For over 800 years, Icelandic lawmakers gathered at Lögberg (Law Rock) to pass legislation and make speeches until 1798. In 1000 AD, Iceland peacefully converted to Christianity here, while still allowing private worship of Norse gods. In 1928, Icelandic law officially recognized Þingvellir as a National Park to mark the millennium of Alþingi.

WHAT I SPENN

Reminder that these NCL port posts are unlike my other posts in that I only have a sampling of costs (but this is one day where I did keep track of expenses and how much everything cost although I didn’t manage to take any photos of what we ate)

• Activities $85 $85- adults/$67- youth/ $37- children
• Food $64.50 $37.35(4,925 ISK): Almar Bakery~ 5 cafe + pastries & $27.15(3.580 ISK): Geysir Glima lunch~Tomato soup (2.480 ISK) / Fanta (450 ISK)/ Sparking H2O (650 ISK)

ALTERNATIVE ITINERARY IDEAS & OTHER TOP SPOTS TO EXPLORE

Blue Lagoon

One of the most enjoyable things to do in Iceland is to go to a lagoon and take a dip in the geothermal heated water. I consider this a must to truly experience the land of fire and ice in the same way you should sauna when visiting Finland or eat pasta and gelato in Italy. The most iconic of the lagoons is the Blue Lagoon. We did this Blue Lagoon Admission with Transfers excursion – read about our experience and how convenient it was to get to the Blue Lagoon here.

Perlan Museum

Why is the Perlan one of my FAVORITE places to go in Reykjavík? Fun and immersive museum experience? – check! Incredible 360 views of Reykjavík? – check! Delicious and reasonably priced food, drinks AND ice cream? – check! Read about my experience here. If you want to have the transportation figured out for you: consider the Reykjavík: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and Perlan Museum Entry Ticket – where the Perlan and the cruise terminal are two of the 16 stops for the bus