This time of year I’m always reminded of our trip to Iceland. It’s been 5 years since my husband and I took a trip there and we can’t wait to go back.  Iceland has gained a lot of popularity as a place to visit but back then most people reacted with a perplexed look on their face when I mentioned where we were going. Many were curious because they didn’t know anyone that had ever visited, perhaps some wondered why we were choosing to vacation somewhere cold vs. a beach destination. I didn’t have a good answer when they asked, “Why Iceland?” Though I thought to myself: “Why not?”

Stunning photos of the landscape in Iceland captured my attention but I didn’t know much about the country before planning our trip, which may have contributed to the allure. To quote Diane Arbus, “My favorite thing is to go where I’ve never been.”

With my favorite travel partner, I embarked on an 8 day journey along Iceland’s ring road. Starting in Reykjavik, we drove around the country making several stops along the way. When we first arrived my husband said, “this is how I imagined it would look like on the moon.” As I took in the lunar-like landscape, it was hard to disagree.

Sometimes Iceland makes you feel like you are on another planet…and other times you’ll encounter areas fit for a fairy-tale, complete with quaint villages and majestic horses (sporting seriously cool manes).

Don’t let their small stature fool you, the strength and endurance of an Icelandic horse is no joke.

The further we drove, the more we became captivated by our surroundings. At that time I didn’t meditate but I’ve recently begun the practice and it’s the closest I can come to explaining how I felt in Iceland. You’re equal parts isolated (we drove miles and miles without seeing anyone), embraced, and humbled (by the beauty and power of Mother nature), resulting in thoughts that matter seamlessly coming to surface.

One day you are hiking and admiring turquoise waters in the distance:

Sigöldufoss, a waterfall in the River Tungnaá, Icelandic southern highlands.

Another day brings you to a black sand beach with columns leaving you to wonder how these structures even came to be? Hint: Lava.

Reynisfjara beach near the town of Vik on the South Coast (many people visit here as a day trip from Reykjavik).

Just when you think the sights couldn’t be more diverse, your husband pulls over spotting what looks like gigantic diamonds off in the distance. We were en route to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon when this happened and later found out that the area we came upon was in fact known as “Diamond Beach.”

Below is an image of “kissing” icebergs taken during a boat tour of the lagoon:
So, what else did we stumble upon on our trip? Waterfalls, lots and lots of waterfalls (the country is home to more than 10,000). Here is one we came upon that was not on our “must-see” list but ended up being a favorite.
I planned this trip near my husband’s birthday and knew he’d be excited at the chance to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. With only a couple of days left to our trip we had yet to see them but a friend connected us with someone he knew in Reykjavik who graciously took us “northern light hunting.”

With his assistance we were able to reach a remote area and witness the natural phenomenon of the dancing lights!

This was about a level 3 – faint to the naked eye but easily captured with a camera on a slow aperture setting. Aurora activity wasn’t strong that night but we were o.k. with that – having already discovered this country was magical for so many other reasons.

I did not expect to LOVE Iceland. That’s what’s amazing about going to new places, meeting new people, trying new things. It makes getting out of your comfort zone worth it because you never know what you may learn or how it will change you.

Our visit made me respect and appreciate nature like never before. Beyond that, the surroundings had an effect on my soul and on my mind – jumbled thoughts became simple, clean, clear.

Our trip was in 2013, which was also the year I found the courage to start this blog (though I hadn’t yet shared it with the world). As we passed dramatic view after dramatic view, I remember thinking about and trying to make sense of why I wanted to start this site in the first place. My goal was not to become a famous blogger, I didn’t have something to sell but I couldn’t shake this feeling of wanting to express myself, to create and to share…and it was then I decided, that was reason enough.