Golden Circle

The area to the East of Reykjovik along the Southern edge of Iceland is called The Golden Circle. It is the premier spot for tourism. Two of the highlights which can easily be seen in one day include Geysir and Gullfoss waterfall.

Geysir is like a tiny version of Yellowstone. There are mud pots, geysers, vents, etc all in a few acres. There’s a center across the road which is large and very active. Busloads of people pull in there. Then they all act like herds of ducks as they cross the road.

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Geysir is actually the name of a geyser. In fact, it’s the name that lead to all geysers being called geyser. At one time it was very active. Now… not so much. When I was there it kind of bubbled and steamed a bit, but that was all.

Far more active just a few yards further in a geyser named Strokkur. It isn’t as big, and doesn’t spout as high, but your can get closer.

Some people got too close. It went off three times while I was there. Each time it was completely surrounded by people. While those with cell phones were surging forward, I was trying to get further back to fit it all in my DSLR. Not a happy combo.

At one point the wind shifted. Everyone on the North side got showered in hot, corrosive water. I thought it was quite funny until one of people turned out to be in our tour group. She had a rough time of it with no place to shower or change clothes.

I was much more impressed with the waterfall. There’s a complex of trails running around one side of it From it you can really get the feel for how large and powerful this one is. It has three tiers which you can see from a variety of angles. From there it drops into a one hundred foot deep crevice. Worth wading through the crowds and rain to see.