I discussed Iceland as a ‘bucket list’ destination with my friend Dawn more than 4 years ago.

Soon after, a massive volcanic eruption (Eyjafjallajökull) disrupted air traffic not only in Iceland but across all of Europe as well. Additionally, I closed on my Colorado home in December 2009 (moved in Jan 2011 – a full year later).

Summed up – life happened.

Fast forward 2013.  Dawn put the Iceland bug back in my ear in January.  I laid down a $300 trip deposit in March.  Purchased airfare in June & bam – on September 10^th, boarded a plane to Reykjavik.

Had planned a volcano hike on Wednesday but landed late due to bad weather.  Ho hum.  Plan B – boarded Flybus at the airport with Dawn & Stephen (who arrived 2 hours earlier from Boston) and spent the day at Blue Lagoon, a hot springs resort outside of Reykjavik.  Plan was to stay active & awake – adjusting to ‘Iceland’ time before our island circle tour departed Thursday (the following morning).  Check, done.

Waterfalls & geysers

Spent Day 1 travelling southern Iceland.  Highlights:  Gullfoss, Seljalandsfoss & Skogarfoss waterfalls.  Each came with a unique Viking saga; each imprinted a permanent indelible memory.  Gullfoss “Golden” waterfall is thunderous & powerful – similar to our Niagara Falls.  The spray alone pulled me in – addicting, left me wanting to feel a part of this amazing force.  Temps hovered just above freezing but [that] didn’t stop me from my first Day 1 drenching.  Adventurous, amazing start.

Trekked literally behind Seljalandsfoss waterfall – BEAUTIFUL (and cold and wet – all at the same time 🙂 ).  Our tour guide Ingi-Gunnar gave us only 20 minutes at Skogarfoss waterfall.  Just enough time to run UP & catch a view from the top.  How many opportunities does one get to climb a waterfall in Iceland, right?  FAAANTASTIC!

In between waterfalls, toured Geysir, Iceland’s largest geyser (& from where the term ‘geyser’ originates).  Additionally, watched its sibling Strokkur spew boiling sulfur-laced water upwards – before nabbing a bowl of fish soup for lunch.

Ended the day at Dyrholaey, Iceland’s southernmost point, climbing large volcanic rocks overlooking the sea.  WOW WOW WOW!

Glaciers & icebergs tomorrow – seriously LOVIN’ this place!