Iceland: Part 2

     The next few days in Iceland solidified our love for this country's beautiful landscape. We cramped into our car with the end objective of reaching what is know as Glacier Lagoon or Jokulsarlon. Along the way we experienced a winding road that took us in and around glaciers, cliffs, viking monuments, and many waterfalls that you couldn't believe haven't frozen over.
     One such waterfall was Skogafoss. As waterfalls go, it wasn't the biggest. Yet, it felt so immense being able to walk right up to the seemingly endless amounts of nearly freezing water. Mist surrounded you the closer you walked where it would form icicles on the nearby rock and create an icy pathway.
     From there we traveled farther east where the horizon is a seemingly endless barren landscape, save for the snow-capped bluffs and glaciers which look like rivers frozen in time. As we rounded kilometer 337, we laid eyes on a river of giant ice cubes, better know as icebergs. These giant blue chunks of hardened ice finally made their long and arduous journey down the bluffs to be shortly birthed before they reach their final destination, the Atlantic Ocean. However, before they dissipate, they are constantly shifting, breaking, and realigning themselves creating several shapes of which no two is alike.
     The next morning we awoke early to experience an even colder element that Iceland had to offer: Silfra. Silfra is where the two tectonic plates are splitting away from each other creating a chasm of fresh water that is one of the world's best known dive sites. The only catch is you need to suit up in literal space-age technology gear giving you the upper hand against the perilous 33 degree water. To make matters worse, fluffy white puffs of snow engulfed us as we dressed making it very difficult to stay warm amid the extra fifty pounds of weight. 
     When everything was said and done, we stepped foot from a foot of powder into some of the clearest waters this earth has to offer. With visibility reaching to lengths of 300 feet, water so pure you can drink as you swim, and the thought of swimming among two continental plates transformed any inklings of cold into distant after thoughts. The peaceful serenity of this dive will forever be with me as I cherished every second.
     As I reemerged from snowy Silfra, our trekking in the snow and our 45 minute drive left us famished. Now was the time to try the infamous fermented shark. If you are unfamiliar with this Icelandic delicacy, it is a Greenland shark that is beheaded, stuck in a hole in the ground for 6-12 weeks, then hung to dry for three months before being diced into cubes to eat. The reason for being pressed into the ground is to drain the uric acids and other poisonous chemicals before being prepared to eat. Yep! You heard correctly; uric acid. Better known to some as urine. It's so toxic that those who prepare it have to wear gloves for safety. Without much imagination, it doesn't take a genius to figure out this won't smell appetizing. That may be the understatement of a lifetime; the only thing worse than the putrid smell was the taste. I had to hold my mouth shut to prevent any and everything skyrocketing out my throat like the nearest geyser. Needless to say that was my first and last bite.
     We rounded off Iceland relaxing in hot geothermal water bubbling into the Blue Lagoon. It was amazing how big it was but also so differently beautiful. The silica mud, steamy blue water, and of course a cocktail to was a great way to finish off a wonderful time in such a unique and otherwise undiscovered country.

UP NEXT: Stay tuned as we travel to Germany where we visit Dachau Concentration Camp, take the Third Reich tour of downtown Munich and make our way to Germany's tallest mountain, Zugspitze.

Dramatic Bluffs of Iceland

Icebergs of Glacier Lagoon

Romancing the Stone?

Silfra with its frigid beauty

The two tectonic plates splitting apart at Silfra

Cold but happy!

 The private portion of the Blue Lagoon at our hotel

 Lakes around the Blue Lagoon