During October half term the intrepid Fifth geographers embarked on a very cold but exciting trip to Iceland. As soon as we landed, we headed to the FlyOver Iceland experience, and through the use of combined VR and what seemed like fairground ride, soared through glaciers, waterfalls and mountain tops– places that you would never otherwise be able to see. That night, at our rural, family-run hotel, some of us were lucky enough to get the full Icelandic experience and see the northern lights!
Travel time on the coach was a never ending journey through the stunning glacial and volcanic scenery, travelling between geysers and waterfalls and a few Icelandic food shops, and journeys went quickly due to the amazing tales told by our tour guide, Helga. From local folklore about mountain trolls to stories about Christmas spoon-licking and sausage-sniffing elves, she was the perfect guide to have and we were very sad she couldn’t come back to Ardingly!
Over the course of four days, we managed to see almost every waterfall in south-west Iceland, but each one was so impressive it felt like a new experience every time. However, I don’t think any waterproofs in the world would have saved you from the spray of Seljalandafoss – especially when we got to walk behind it! A more luxurious water-based experience was the Fontana Spa where you could relax in not one but four geothermal pools, a sauna, and a steam room. Those who were brave enough also took the chance to plunge into the icy lake next-door before running very quickly back into the warmth of the pools.
We also ventured into the icy summits and depths of a glacier, fully equipped with a harness, helmet, crampons, and even a pickaxe. It was so foggy that all the whites and blues blended into each other so that it felt as if you were on another planet. A highlight of the experience was getting to drink the fresh glacier water from the mountainside, which was so refreshing, even if you had to crawl along the floor to do so!
As well as all of this, we saw 20-meter-high geysers erupt in front of us; walked through 5000-year-old lava tunnels; and saw bread being cooked in 100°C puddles in the beach. It was so amazing that sometimes you didn’t even notice the eggy sulphurous smell that cropped up at many of these places!
It was such a unique experience beyond what anyone had imagined, and I think quite a lot of people were already planning their next trip to Iceland on the flight home. Many thanks must go to all the staff who helped to plan and run the trip!
Eva B-S
Fifth
