This is the first installment of my travelogue and I have chosen to write about the very unique and fascinating Iceland. The nation is rapidly becoming a popular tourist destination that is yet to be discovered by Bangladeshis.
Words & Photographs By Saadat Chowdhury
Upon arrival, I was unimpressed with their modest airport. However, as I stepped out of the airport, I was left utterly speechless. The landscape is magnificently paradoxical: for instance, despite being a “cold” country, the Icelandic people are very adventurous and most activities involve the outdoors. Additionally, the genuine friendliness and hospitality of the locals made my whole experience superlative. The saying that the warmth of the Icelandic people keeps them alive in the sub-zero weather was evident throughout my vacation.
Contrary to its suggestive name, Iceland is opulent in natural splendor. I can confidently assure readers that the nation is far more dramatic and breathtaking from the limited scope that is seen in movies. Though there is a great deal to cover, I have decided to focus on the attractions that cannot be missed.
How to get there
THE JOURNEY FROM BANGLADESH TO ICELAND IS A CUMBERSOME ONE AND CERTAINLY NOT ONE OF THE CHEAPEST.
Any airlines, such as Qatar/Emirates, will take you to a major European city (e.g. Frankfurt, Brussels, etc.). This is followed by a flight with Wow Air, which is relatively cheap and gets you to Reykjavik-Keflavik Airport in 3+ hours. A convenient and cost-saving option would be to stop over at Iceland on your way to USA.
Do’s
1. Bring comfortable and sturdy shoes for the copious amount of walking and climbing.
2. Pack heavy-duty winter wear, preferably waterproof. This will prove to be a necessity if you visit the two other major waterfalls – Skogafoss and Seljalandfoss.
3. DSLR is a must. If you do not own one, borrow one.
Don’ts
1. Avoid shopping at the city center; they are tourist traps and everything is overpriced.
2. Never ask for mineral water. It is deemed offensive as Icelandic spring water is among the purest in the world.
3. If you are an inexperienced hiker, do not go on glacier hikes offered by the tour companies.
4. Do not refer to the Icelandic breed of horses as “ponies”, despite a resemblance to the latter. Only try horse riding if you are experienced.
Reykjavik
The Capital, Reykjavik (pronounced “rake-ya-vik”), is rather small even by Bangladeshi standards; nevertheless, it is a trendy cosmopolitan with a vibrant nightlife. You can cover all the popular landmarks on foot or you can rent a bicycle if you like. It is astonishing how there are virtually no cars for miles, thus keeping carbon emission to a minimum and the air superbly fresh.
• The Hallgrímskirkja is a majestic church in the heart of the city that resembles a spaceship. The aerial view of the houses from the top of the church looks like something out of a fairy tale– quaint & cozy, painted in bright colors, it creates a kaleidoscopic view.
• The Harpa is a grand concert hall and conference center right by the Atlantic Ocean. The crystal-clear glass façade and bold geometric patterns in steel reflect both the sky and sea.
• The extensively long durations of sunlight are an exclusive feature of Icelandic summers. The Old Harbor provides the ideal platform for witnessing one of Mother Nature’s most magnificent shows, the setting of the midnight sun.
• Leisurely walking along the coast, you will come across the Solfar Sun Voyager – a striking piece of grand art made of steel, resembling a Viking ship. This sculpture is an ode to the sun, setting the stage for the dramatic view of Atlantic Ocean and Mount Esja.
Golden Circle Tour
The Golden Circle Tour is the most popular day tour, which takes you from Reykjavik to the key locations on the south coast. Tourists are picked up on a huge all-terrain capable Mercedes-Benz minibus and are taken through picturesque lush green valleys against snow-capped mountains;the surreal view has become a rather ordinary sight for the locals.
• The tour starts with Thingvellir National Park, a very popular film location that includes various spots seen in Game of Thrones. Moreover, the park houses the oldest existing parliament in the world and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• This is followed by Geysir geothermal area where you will see the Strokkur geyser that shoots a jet of water up to 40 meters every 8-10 minutes.
• After this, you will be taken to the Gulfoss (“Golden Falls”). This waterfall seems magical with an almost permanent rainbow.
• It is concluded with a visit to Langjökull Glacier where you are given the opportunity to ride a snowmobile. This destination was the most memorable part of the entire adventure. The track monitoring assures participants that snowmobiling is an adventurous sport that is also safe. As you ride your snowmobile, the mystery of snowy landscape with breaks in the form of lakes – that surprisingly are not frozen – takes you aback. If I could, I would have revisited this truly life changing experience.
Reynisfjara
This iconic black sand beach came to limelight of the South Asian region from the Shahrukh Khan and Kajol starrer, Dilwale. It is no less than an art gallery with exquisite sculptures in the form of basalt columns and caverns emerging from the Atlantic Ocean.
Accommodation
It is wiser to stay in the city center, near the Harpa and Harbor. Accommodation is rather basic but more expensive compared to other parts of Europe.
Food
Hands down, Iceland has the best seafood in the world. Any restaurant will serve you a wide variety of the freshest seafood. They are also reasonably priced. As for dessert, Icelandic Skyr is a must; it is a unique low-fat dairy delight infused with berries and chocolate. You will come across plenty of dairy farms on the way; be sure to stop by to taste the creamiest ice-cream you have had in your life, which is freshly churned every day.
Saadat Chowdhury is an explorer, entrepreneur, and educator. He is the CEO of Saadat C. Ventures, Chairperson of Zurhem Limited, and can be reached at szadat@hotmail.com
