Before tourism ground to a halt last year I was getting in a good amount of travelling. I had even given myself a goal of covering my fridge with magnets from places I had been.
Well it's a start...
The very last country I visited was Iceland. And considering I flew back home early March, my timing couldn't have been any better. While I was waiting for my flight back to the UK Iceland was reporting their first COVID case. A huge deal for such a small country.
The viking boat sculpture in Reykjavik harbour
I stayed in some apartments at the end of Reykjavíks high Street and had a hire car for the trip. I went with a VW Polo (with snow tires) but regret not spending a little more on getting a 4x4. In hindsight cheaping out on the car was ridiculous. My first meal in Reykjavík ended up costing more than what the car cost for the week.
Definitely 4x4 conditions. Photo taken by passenger
Except for coming off the road once and having to be towed out by a very bemused local and two Polish good samaritans who very rightly found the situation hilarious. I'd say the plucky polo did quite well. Allowing me to complete the golden circle tourist route.
Gullfoss falls
And boy was I glad that I braved the snow roads. Gullfoss was my favourite destination. I think the weather made it even more beautiful, patches of the falls were totally frozen and stationary which looked incredible next to the flowing water.
Kerid crater
Kerid crater nicknamed the eye of the world, highlighted some issues that Iceland has been facing. A lot of tourists ignore signs and walk where they're not supposed to, over a frozen lake for instance. While at Strokkur geyser I witnessed a tourist climb a barrier to stand on the edge of a clearly boiling spring. (Darwin award anyone?)
Reynisfjara felt like walking on another planet
On the last day of the trip I decided to undertake a huge journey to see Reynisfjara, the black sand beach. I had wanted to see it because of previously watching Vikings on TV and seeing Floki discover it. However I had not realised it was on the south coast of Iceland. Totally worth the 400km drive, and I also stopped off to visit smaller waterfalls on the way.
Iceland ended up being very expensive but I plan on visiting again with friends and renting sturdy 4x4s to visit the sights that aren't on the tourist packed golden circle route.