As I stood above the thundering waters, I wished I could fly. My mom was at the railing next to me, staring into the mist as the rain splattered upon our heads. The waving green grasses churned about us as my dad clicked pictures, and I wished with all my might to see the secrets hidden behind the grey clouds and curtains of mist. I imagined soaring high above the water and diving down below to meet the trolls and elves we had heard so much about. At last it was time to go, and as we turned to head back down the muddy path, I glimpsed a flash of something through the sparkling mist.
It took one week for my parents and me to travel around the Ring Road in Iceland, and during that week with Saga Travel I found one word best described the adventure: mythical. Surrounded by tales of elves, trolls, and Vikings as well as close up encounters with geysers and glaciers, this place felt like I was living inside a story book.
I pushed open the heavy wooden door in the grassy wall of the house of the famous Viking, Erik the Red, to find a gaping maw of darkness waiting before me. I felt my way inside and noticed a doorway on my left. I followed voices through the doorway and into a room where a smoky fire burned in a pit on the floor. As I joined a group of people seated around the only light source, my eyes slowly adjusted to the dark. I scooted over on the itchy straw platform to make room for my parents. The hole in the roof to allow the smoke to escape was covered with skylight made from a dried horse placenta, the beds were short because everyone slept sitting up, and the cows lived inside the house during the frosty winters. I desperately wished for a TARDIS to travel back in time and visit these amazing people who traveled for hundreds of miles in the 9th century on the open sea to reach the land of fire and ice. Known abroad for their speedy attacks using frightening, fast, strong ships equipped with a removable mast and a short draught that allowed them to beach on shore, the Vikings were a fearsome bunch when they ventured out aviking to raid other countries but peaceful farmers at home with one of the first democracies in the world.
Looking eagerly out the backseat window I scanned the landscape in search of trolls turned to stone by the glare of the sun. I spotted facial features that appeared etched in the stone of a mountain ahead of us. The troll’s eyes seemed to follow us as we rolled past. My gaze slid from his face as my dad spotted one standing in the water off shore. This troll was massive, and I could almost see the hand that he would be using to drag a ship inland to crash upon the rocky shore.
A black foal wobbled towards us through the dewy grass. He came closer and closer until he reached my dad. Curiously he nuzzled the camera lens and then slowly checked each of us out. I was in awe of his fearlessness. All of the Icelandic horses we saw were extremely friendly and loved to be admired.
Iceland was a magical trip through mystical lands of massive glaciers and spurting geysers. We came unbelievably close to an uncountable number of natural wonders and creatures. I will never forget it.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
2 Replies to “Iceland: Living in a Fairytale”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog aand check again here frequently.
I’m quite certain I’ll learn plenty of new stuff right here!
Good luck for the next!
Hi there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content.
Please let me know. Many thanks
We absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for.
Do you offer guest writers to write content
for yourself? I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write concerning
here. Again, awesome site!
Essential bags: Remember to bring commonly used medicines, prescription medicines, motion sickness medicine, cold medicine, wound closures, etc.
Thanks for sharing
Very nice article. I certainly love this site.
Contine the good work!
Wow, Fran Falkin’s pet travel tips are a lifesaver! ? Planning our pet-friendly vacation has been a breeze thanks to these insightful tips. We followed tip #2, and now our fur baby practically loves their carrier, making our journey stress-free. Plus, we found a cozy hotel that welcomes our pet, so they’re enjoying the adventure just as much as we are. Thanks, Fran, for turning our pet travel worries into tail-wagging excitement!
Hey There. I found your weblog using msn. That
is a really smartly written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to learn more of
your useful info. Thank you for the post. I will certainly
comeback.
i wish i was chinese
I am genuinely pleased to read this weblog posts which includes plenty
of helpful information, thanks for providing
these kinds of statistics.
Greetings! Very helpful advice in this particular
article! It’s the little changes that will make the biggest changes.
Thanks for sharing!
Explore the beauty of Sri Lanka with our family tours. Discover unforgettable experiences for all with Family Tours Sri Lanka. Book your adventure today with Sri Lanka Family Tours.
Great post.
Yes, recent trends suggest that Americans are regaining confidence in vacations and travel. As travel restrictions ease and vaccination rates increase, many Americans are showing a greater willingness to travel and explore destinations again. However, it’s important to stay updated on travel advisories and safety measures to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.
Reading Fran Falkin’s insights took me back to my first trip with Whiskers, my feline companion. The chaos of ensuring he was comfortable amidst the hustle of the airport was a lesson in patience. Had I come across these invaluable tips earlier, our journey would’ve been as smooth as a calm sea.
Thank you! I value it!
Great information. Cheers.
Very good write-up. I certainly appreciate this website.
Continue the good work!
I read your article on the Sheep of Sun Valley and I found it very fascinating and enjoyable. You have given a detailed and colorful account of your experience at the Trailing of the Sheep Festival, which celebrates the history and culture of sheepherding in Idaho. I think your article is a great way to introduce this unique and fun event to other travelers and families who are looking for a different and memorable adventure.
This is something new I saw on the internet today I want to thank you for writing such a great and helpful blog. I really appreciate your efforts.