ICELAND

Itinerary

TEAM ICELAND

The journey began with 39 brave souls in the hands of Mr. Evans, Mr. Connors, Ms. Newman and Mr. Chau. With a seamless check-in through security, the boys were very excited to begin our journey to Iceland!

DAY 1-2

This day included a visit to one of the 25th Wonders of the World, the infamous geothermal Blue Lagoon! On this jam packed day, the team ventured to the Viking World museum and took a bus and guided walking tour of Reykjavik. The jet lag has finally defeated many as some could barely keep their eyes awake. We ended our day with two delicious dinners.

DAY 3

The gang woke up and felt energized to start another great day. We left Reykjavik to head over to Olfus just outside of Selfoss. Here we went to the Lava Tunnel. This is the second-largest tunnel in Iceland. Learning more about how the lava formed these tunnels was interesting and stunning to see.

The gang also had an opportujnity to learn more how Iceland creates 30% of the energy through thermoengergy. This power plant visit was very educational: learned about the platonic plates, active volcanoes and where they are situated. 70% of their energy is created through hydro electricity with all of the moving water surrounding the island.

Some downtime exploring the small town of Selfoss, concluding with dinner at the hotel. Day 3 was a huge success.

IMG_0248.MOV

Day 4 - Fire

The team left Selfoss to endure a 11-hour day moving eastward towards Hofn. What a day it was today. Understanding and learning about the impact of the earthquakes on Iceland has been overwhelming. The Icelanders are beyond prepare for the natural disasters and have created amazing displays to educate their knowledge.

We started our day off at the Lava Center. This interactive center is similar to the ROM, but only lava related. This place was surrounded by vast mountains and volcanoes. We then journeyed to catch some waterfalls. It was amazing to see multiple waterfalls which are fueled by the massive glacier above. The Skogafoss waterfall included a 463 step walk to see the top of the waterfalls. And was it ever windy! In the afternoon we arrived in Vik to watch the Lava Show. What is the Lava Show you may ask... it is exactly that. They take approx. 3-4 hours to reheat the lava rock back into its orginal liquid state form. It was amazing to see and feel all things Eldfjallafraeoi (Volcanology)!

Day 6 - ICE

Today the gang broke up into two smaller groups. The day included going to a base camp at Skaftafell to experience the Blue Ice Experience tour. Although we woke up with winds from the arctic and rain everywhere, our Viking gods that were looking down on us cleared the skies to bring the sunshine down. It was amazing.

The boys had a great time walking on and through the Vatnajokull glacier. Learning how this glacier is the largest glacier in Europe and how it survives throughout the year was interesting. This glacier also has parts of it that are 1 km in thickness! Our tour guide explained how the weather can impact the changes to its size and how the water cycle continues its growth. It was as if he spoke of the glacier as its own organism to the group. The crevasses were really interesting as we journeyed through each space with our crampons and ice picks.

The day also included more ice. We arrived at Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach. This was another sight that blew our minds. We had clear views of the ocean waves crashing into pieces of broken ice sheets, a black sand beach and views from some wildlife animals. The day finally concluded with dinner back at our hotel while the boys played poker or simply chilled out.

Day 7 - The Golden Circle

Today our day started off our 12-hour journey back to the capital, but before that, we made multiple stops to visit the Golden Circle of landmarks. We discovered Black Sand Beach and the dangers associated with this landmark. Infamous for dangerous waves, we were fortunate the tide was at a medium risk. The black pebbles and rocks mixed with coarse sand particles were very interesting to see. And the waves were definitely unforgiving. We then continued our road trip to the Gulfoss Waterfall and Geysir. Again, witnessing the wonders over in Iceland has been a highlight of appreciation for many boys. Just in complete awe that a place on Earth has such diverse habitats and landscapes. Our pictures do not do justice to the actual places that we have witnessed, which is something many boys have appreciated.

Embarking on our adventure, we explored the captivating Thingvellir National Park in Iceland, situated to the east of Reykjavík. Our journey unveiled the rich history of the Alþing (Althing), the very grounds where Iceland's parliament convened from the 10th to the 18th centuries. Together, we marvelled at the remnants of ancient stone shelters that whispered tales of times gone by. It felt like we were walking through history. Seeing how Icelanders survive their conditions and create their own identity has been very interesting. The rural areas of Iceland hold untold stories. They hold history and wonders for any eye. Seeing the diverse landscapes change and evolve around their active volcanoes, waterfalls and mountains is enchanting to learn.

Immerse in the geological marvel as the park nestles within a rift valley, a consequence of the dramatic separation of two powerful tectonic plates. This shared experience brought our group to life, as well as a nice walk to stretch the legs, creating lasting memories etched with the wonders of Thingvellir National Park. We then arrived back at our hotels before ending our final dinners.

Lastly, we finally had a quick glimpse of the Northern Lights!

Here you can see how quickly the landscape changes into different textures and habitats. From mossy fields over volcanic rock, to dry grass farm fields and many waterfalls. Truly unique.

IMG_0654.MOV

Check out this great video capturing an example of our time in Reykjavik! The commentary adds a special touch, especially at the end when Josh's total disgust while being interupted by other locals. This week, we were reminded of how wonderful, respectful, kind, and well-behaved our students have been. A common theme passed by many Icelandic locals. No surprise there – they are all Men of Character.

Day 8 - Final Day

As our Icelandic journey comes to a close, it was time to give the boys a well-deserved break and a day to sleep in. Our final day in this mesmerizing country is dedicated to relaxation and reflection, allowing us to absorb the incredible experiences we've had over the past week.

This morning's sunlight bathed Reykjavik downtown as we took our time to explore its charming streets. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, we soaked in the unique atmosphere of this Icelandic capital, savoring the last moments of our unforgettable adventure.

Our grand finale awaited us at FlyOver Iceland, an interactive experience that promised to bring our week-long escapade full circle. With immersive displays highlighting all the breathtaking places we had visited, it was the perfect way to reminisce about the wonders of Iceland. And this was a fun attraction to see.

As we prepare to catch our flight back to Toronto, we can't help but reflect on the incredible memories we've created and the newfound appreciation we have for the beauty of Iceland. From cascading waterfalls, glacier climb to historic sites, this trip has been nothing short of terrific. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the warm hospitality, stunning landscapes, and the expected camaraderie that has made our journey North truly unforgettable.

Until next time, Iceland – thank you for an adventure we will carry with us always.

Report abuse