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Iceland, an Unlikely Gem
Some may consider Iceland to be a country that has been ravaged by nature, but true lovers’ of Mother Nature would certainly be able to appreciate the overwhelming beauty that her harsh presence has left on the landscape. Being a country shaped by glaciers and ice, and also being well known for the eruption which caused the ash cloud that prompted airports throughout Europe to ground their aircraft, it may be difficult to see the inherent beauty of such an unpredictable and possibly dangerous landscape. But Iceland can be likened to a raw diamond still buried in the earth, priceless and beautiful beyond imagination, but easily mistaken for nothing more than a worthless rock.
The summer months in Iceland are not as cold as many may think, and the landscape is surprisingly lush and green. By midsummer, you may have the possibility of experiencing the true meaning of “endless days of summer” as the sun sinks to the horizon but never sets. This is the perfect time to lace up your hiking boots and explore the wonders of nature that Iceland has to offer, such as wide open and lush green landscapes, beautiful stretches of coastline, waterfalls, glaciers and, not to forget, the mud pools and mineral baths. These bodies of water which occur naturally in Iceland are heated by natural underground vents, and you will find people travelling from far to spend some time surrounded by ice and snow, in one of these relaxing baths, wearing nothing more than a bathing costume. These mineral baths attract, in particular, travelers with arthritis or any form of muscular pain, as the water in these baths are the optimal temperature for muscle rejuvenation and the water is also richly infused with minerals from the surrounding landscape, which helps nourish the skin and body.
If as a traveler, you find yourself visiting Iceland during the colder winter months, you may have to bundle up a bit more, but you will have the breathtaking Aurora Borealis or Northern lights to enchant you during the longer night hours. This gorgeous and mesmerizing display of green, brown, blue and red lights in the sky, caused by natural oxygen and nitrogen emissions in the atmosphere, is truly a sight to behold, and definitely well worth the temperatures you may have to endure to see them. Aside from the general beauty of the natural wilderness that is Iceland, there are also a few awe-inspiring national parks to visit. Vatnajokull National Park is the largest national park in all of Europe, combining icy landscapes and towering volcanoes with lush green natural beauty and an abundance of wildlife in between. Lake Thingvellir contains fish species found nowhere else in the world. There are a few others spanning the landscape from the seashore to the foot of the volcanic mountains.
Of course, for those who love reveling in the history of their intended destination, Iceland has various museums scattered throughout the country detailing its history from the 9th century, when the first settlement took place. But the best way to savour the culture of Iceland is to participate in one of their many festivals that occur throughout the year.Perhaps you would like to taste some rotten shark meat which is consumed as part of a Viking tradition during their Midwinter feast between January and February. And after biting into such a delectable morsel, you may want to stick around until March so you can wash the shark meat down with a pint of beer on Beer Day, which is how Iceland celebrates the day that beer was legalized in their country every year. It’s worthwhile to do a bit of research on the season in which you plan to visit Iceland, as you may find yourself there during whale-watching season or bird-watching season, or if you are an avid angler, be sure to visit during the period from April to September so you can fish for trout or salmon with the locals.
Iceland’s calendar is jam-packed full of exciting events to participate in all year round, and with a country so rich in culture, natural beauty and wildlife, any traveler is bound to bring back fond memories of this breathtakingly beautiful raw diamond posing as nothing more than a rock.
Roxanne Abrahams - Travel Writer
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