Icelandic Landscapes and we two are lost in the middle

As the name suggests, Iceland truly means the land of fire and ice. It is a place that is extremely cold, full of natural eruptions, and feels like you’re standing at the very edge of the Earth.

We were super excited to land in Iceland --like any other trip but this time something was different. We were nervous, excited, and overwhelmed, all at once. We stayed at Bus Hostel which is located in the city centre walking distance, and honestly, from day one it felt like we had been staying there for months. People were just so friendly, helpful, and warm. We especially loved sharing the kitchen--it was a vibe. People from all over the world came in with noodle packets, vegetables, spices, and their gang of friends. We did the same--cooked our noodles and sat there quietly, sipping them while watching the friendly chaos unfold around us with wide-open eyes. It felt like we were already part of a little international community.

The next day, we grabbed some groceries from a nearby supermarket named Bonus before 9 AM, (because we were supposed to board the bus at 9 AM for the day) made breakfast, and got ready for our first big adventure. A fancy, comfortable bus came to pick us up just in front of the Hostel we booked via GetYourGuide and that is when we met Albert, our fabulous driver, and Daniel, our guide. Both of them were just amazing --super duper friendly, calm, full of stories -telling us in their thick American English accent. And I personally kind of love America due to many reasons.

As we left Reykjavik, the landscape started to change dramatically. The land was nothing like what we had ever seen before. It wasn’t plain at all-it was like we were driving through a world shaped by volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, and water bodies. It honestly didn’t even look like Earth at one point. Daniel said something that stuck with me this part of Iceland looks exactly like Mars, and scientists have even found similar land particles on Mars planet recently. That gave me goosebumps.

Our first stop: Kerid Crater. It looked like a giant bowl carved in the earth, filled with fresh blue water rainwater, but actual freshwater sitting peacefully in the middle of red mountains. Google calls it a “depressive version of a volcano” that formed around 6,500 years ago with the volcano eruptions. Standing there, the red and raw land around us made complete sense next to the deep blue water. All the travelers were out and about, clicking photos--it’s the Instagram age after all. And yes, we joined the crowd, posing in front of the crater, capturing memories.

The next stop was at this super cute bakery--probably one of the most popular and finest ones in Iceland. We tried this sweet, sugary cake that instantly lifted our mood because of the sugar in it. Everything around us--the warmth of the staff, the international crowd, even the little supermarket nearby--just added to the experience.

And then came the stop we had been waiting for: Geysir. It's what we call geyser, but the Icelandic version is "Geysir." The moment we stepped out, we could already see steam rising from the ground everywhere at a very small distance as well. After walking for a while, we reached the spot where boiling hot water was shooting up like a fountain in every 5-7 minutes of distance--almost half a kilometer into the air! It was crazy and beautiful at the same time. Naturally, this was a major tourist magnet. And yep, there was a supermarket again, full of expensive Icelandic clothes, caps, and magnets we knew we shouldn’t buy--but still looked at them anyway.

About the weather—we had done our research and packed clothes for 10–15°C. But surprise, surprise... it shot up to 19–20°C and we were roasting in our thermal jackets. Not what we expected at all.

Our final destination for the day: Golden Circle--more specifically, Skogafoss (which means waterfall in Icelandic). If you Google it, the real place looks exactly the same--except for the crowd. The waterfall is massive, with water rushing down from glaciers into rivers, lakes, and eventually back to the sea.

Now, I used to think only Indian travelers were the curious (and slightly crazy) ones--you know, going too close to places you’re not supposed to, just to see what’s there. But I had to let go of that idea. Because here, I saw people from all over the world doing the same thing. Everyone wanted to get closer, feel the mist, hear the waterfall roar, and click the perfect photo. Yes, you read that right--people are crazy for photos. And honestly, so were we.

By the time we finished, our feet were dead tired, but our hearts were full. Phones too--completely full of photos!

Day 2: South Iceland - A Ride with Keren

Day two was all about exploring southern Iceland, and we were lucky to have Keren as our driver. What a woman! So strong and confident with her wide doe eyes, handling those crazy curvy roads with one hand while telling us stories non-stop with the mike in her second hand. For the first time, I saw a woman manage all that on her own and I honestly salute her.

She told us the meaning of Reykjavik--it means "smoky bay". The early settlers thought steam coming from the ground was smoke. But it wasn’t fire--it was geothermal heat. Just like when humans burn out emotionally, we erupt through anger, cry, laugh, and talk to someone--and the Earth does the same in the form of volcanoes, storms, rain, rainfall, etc. I could see it outside the window and hear her words echoing in my head.

She shared a story about her grandfather, who once walked 15-20 kilometers to propose to her grandmother. It took him 4–5 days to reach her because nature kept throwing surprises --floods, storms, eruptions. Today, that same distance takes barely 10 minutes by car. She said This shows that when humans want something, they can move mountains. That line stayed with me.

Our first stop: Skogafoss again--this time we had more time to just feel it with her given time to come back in the car parking. And in front what we saw- The glacier water crashing down.....forming a rainbow in the mist, the cold splash, the clear pebbles--it was all cleansing, inside and out. I asked Arjun if he felt the same. He just nodded. No words are needed.

And yes, I got back to the car one minute late. Keren gave me the look. But you know what? I didn’t mind it at all. Sometimes, even a little scolding becomes a part of the memory--and I kind of enjoyed it.

Next: Black Beach. One of the most dangerous beaches in Iceland. This year alone, seven people lost their lives here because the waves are wild and can easily pull you in. And guess what? This is where the famous Gerua song from Dilwale was shot. Of course, we recreated our little Bollywood moment--me standing on those black basalt pillars, taking photos with my man.

Everything around us--stones, pebbles, sand--was black, thanks to the volcanic eruptions over time. But from that black beach, surrounded by green mountains, you could walk for a few minutes from the car parking and reach the edge of the North Atlantic Ocean. Worth every step.

After that, she took us to another waterfall named Seljalandsfoss --this one was special because you could actually walk behind it. Yes, behind the waterfall! We got drenched, laughed like kids, and yes--clicked the best pictures of the day.

The last waterfall Bruarfoss she showed us was like a green dream. Huge volumes of water were falling from a glacier into smaller streams. That’s how our second day ended--with waterfalls, beaches, stories, endless landscapes, photos, and a heart full of gratitude, next to my husband.

Day 3: Water, Whales, and Warmth

This day was dedicated to water. We had booked a 4-hour cruise with Amelia Rose, and the plan was simple: sit on the top deck, soak in the view, and enjoy every bit of it since we planned this trip after many efforts and obviously fights as usual. So yes, we wanted to make the most of it. This time, we were saying goodbye to the city--not by road, but by sea.

The boat was full--fellow travelers, cameras, food bags, and sunglasses. It was a sunny day. But as we moved deeper into the ocean, something changed. Everyone started pulling out jackets and beanies. Why? Because the North Atlantic wind is no joke--it hits you hard! The water was sparkling like diamonds, waves dancing with the cruise. That day, I really saw it--the water was blue, my favorite color. It felt royal, peaceful, and strong--just like how I wanted to feel.

And then, dolphins! They came dancing around our boat, showing off their swimming skills. The boat changed direction, and then we saw some whales. Yes, a real whale in the wild. It was surreal. Along the way, we spotted puffins--those tiny, brown seabirds with funny sounds that seemed to belong to the ocean more than the land.

After the cruise, it was time for the most awaited activity Lagoon.

Imagine a hot pool carved into rocks, sitting right by the sea, heated naturally by the Earth. It was calm, beautiful, and pure. The lagoon had a 7-step ritual--from hot charcoal steam to cold mist, a salt rub, a sauna, herbal drinks, and a final freezing plunge. Switching between hot and cold wasn’t just refreshing--it felt like therapy. Blood circulation, rejuvenated, glowing skin, and once I came home, went to bed. Realized that it worked to increase the sleep quality also.

We stayed there for five hours. And yes, it was tiring--but totally worth it.

Final Day: A City Stroll and Goodbye

On the last day, we explored Reykjavik city a little more. We visited the iconic Icelandic Church monument, the tallest and most famous structure in the country. According to the board, it was actually a gift from America to Iceland--a token of friendship between the two countries.

After soaking in the last few Icelandic vibes, we made our way to the airport. Just like that, we were back in our two-hour-forward time zone--The Netherlands.

Happy to be back, but with Iceland still alive in our hearts.

Twekkelerplein 28, Hengelo,

(In the land of fire and ice, we slowed down and listened)