The Blue Lagoon is one of the most visited locations in Iceland. https://www.bluelagoon.com/
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Fact: “There are several black sand beaches in Iceland. They include Reynisfjara, Stokksnes, Diamond beach, Heradssandar, Fauskasandur, Solheimasandur among others.” https://www.discoverwalks.com/blog/iceland/top-10-fun-facts-about-black-sand-beach/
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Black-Beach.jpg?resize=615%2C820&ssl=1)
Reykjavik’s Hólavallagarður Cemetery is beautiful, earie, and possibly haunted. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/holavallagardur
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While no pictures are allowed during the ride; it is a fact that the FLYover Iceland is a fun and interesting thing to do. https://youtu.be/S_7S9AUa790 https://www.flyovericeland.com/experience/
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Flyover-trolls.jpg?resize=615%2C820&ssl=1)
Fun Fact: There are no McDonalds in Iceland. https://theculturetrip.com/europe/iceland/articles/iceland-is-one-of-the-few-countries-in-the-world-without-mcdonalds-heres-why/
There are lots of foodie tours though.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/food-tour-icelandic-hotdogs.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Food-tour-marinated-shark.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Food-tour-seafood-soup.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Foodie-tour.jpg?resize=226%2C300&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/mmmm-lamb-meat-soup.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Yum-Food-hall.jpg?resize=300%2C225&ssl=1)
Fun Fact: “In terms of direct use, Iceland has developed into a role model both with its extensive use for district heating (90% of all homes are heated by geothermal energy), but also in the cascaded use of geothermal heat for bathing and swimming, greenhouse operations, fish farming and more. ” https://energycluster.is/geothermal/#:~:text=Iceland’s%20first%20geothermal%20power%20plant,to%20electricity%20generation%20from%20geothermal.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Geothermal-Deildartunguhver.jpg?resize=615%2C820&ssl=1)
The hot spring is used to support Krauma, a spa and restaurant. https://www.krauma.is/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAn4SeBhCwARIsANeF9DLh4YfulAK50yIZfroyDLf2w1BGKnysGM_RvLy_Nj4VBryS9S9-t5saAv1TEALw_wcB
We all learned even more about geothermal resources and benefits when we toured the Geothermal Exhibition https://www.on.is/en/geothermal-exhibition/ at the Hellisheidi-geothermal-power-plant https://www.power-technology.com/projects/hellisheidi-geothermal-power-plant/
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Geothermal-Energy-Plant.jpg?resize=660%2C495&ssl=1)
Fun Fact: The English word “geyser” comes from the first geyser documented by modern Europeans; the “Great Geysir” of Iceland. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geysir
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Geysir-eruption.jpg?resize=615%2C820&ssl=1)
Fun Fact: Icelanders love Ice Cream, all year round. https://www.inspiredbyiceland.com/food/icelands-ice-cream-culture/
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![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Mulled-wine.jpg?resize=615%2C820&ssl=1)
One of the best examples in the world of a Lava Cave/ Lava Tunnel can be found in Iceland. https://grapevine.is/mads/2019/07/05/vidgelmir-the-epic-lava-cave-of-borgarfjordur/
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Fun Fact: The hearty Icelandic horse cannot return to Iceland if it leaves the country. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandic_horse
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Meeting-Icelandic-horse.jpg?resize=660%2C495&ssl=1)
One of the most visited locations in Reykjavik is The Pearl: Created out of hot water holding tanks, repurposed to a beautiful hill top attraction and museum. https://www.perlan.is/perlan
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Other museums that we visited in Iceland included: The National Museum https://www.thjodminjasafn.is/english/museum-information/about-the-museum/ and The Skogar. https://www.skogasafn.is/
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AC always stops to appreciate items of architectural interest.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Natl-museum-books.jpg?resize=615%2C820&ssl=1)
Fun Fact: More than half the Icelandic population believes in Elves and/or trolls. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/believes-elves-exist-mythology
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20181217-the-elusive-hidden-people-of-iceland
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Skogar-Museum-Textiles.jpg?resize=615%2C820&ssl=1)
Fun Fact:
There are three examples of shoe inserts right under AC. And, a little harder to see, but on the bottom-left, with red triangles and streamers of different colors on a white background; is a single shoe insert. These date back to a time when shoes were made of fish skin. Knitted inserts protected your feet as the shoes wore out very quickly. https://www.nordatlantens.dk/en/events/lecture-on-icelandic-knitting-traditions/
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Turf-house.jpg?resize=615%2C820&ssl=1)
While walking around Reykjavik, AC ran into several interesting sights.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Outside-Harpa.jpg?resize=660%2C495&ssl=1)
And, though they were somewhat hidden by the snow, AC located some cairns made of basaltic rocks on the surrounding beach. https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g189970-d12286720-i312948708-Sculpture_and_Shore_Walk-Reykjavik_Capital_Region.html
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Sun-Voyager.jpg?resize=660%2C638&ssl=1)
Fun Fact: https://www.icelandtravel.is/attractions/sun-voyager/ Many tourists believe the sculpture to be a Viking boat – it is not. “It is a dream boat and an ode to the sun.”
If you turn away from the harbor toward the center of town, you will see a street with many restaurants and shops; it could be the Skolavordustigur. This street is also known as: Rainbow Street. https://guidetoiceland.is/travel-iceland/drive/skolavordustigur Starting in 1999, the pedestrian street is repainted every year just in time for the multi-day Gay Pride events.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Rainbow-street.jpg?resize=660%2C495&ssl=1)
Fun Fact: Iceland may have the world’s oldest democracy with a parliament being established in 930 CE. https://www.government.is/topics/governance-and-national-symbols/how-is-iceland-governed/#:~:text=Iceland%20is%20arguably%20the%20world’s,the%20executive%20and%20the%20legislature.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Thingvellir-Park-Trail.jpg?resize=615%2C820&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Trolls-at-shopping-stop-Vik.jpg?resize=660%2C495&ssl=1)
https://www.icelandtours.is/blog/elves-trolls-monsters-iceland/
Fun Video: Will Farrell and Rachel McAdams starred as the performance duo:
Fire Saga representing Iceland in the Eurovision contest for the movie: Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest:_The_Story_of_Fire_Saga
Here is their music video: https://youtu.be/AdW6BBF22AY
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Valahnukamol.jpg?resize=615%2C820&ssl=1)
Fun Fact: There are over 100 waterfalls in Iceland, so many that some do not even have names. https://adventures.is/blog/icelandic-waterfalls/
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/WF-Hraunfossar-2.jpg?resize=660%2C495&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/WF-Hraunfossar.jpg?resize=615%2C820&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/WF-Seljalandsfoss-1.jpg?resize=615%2C820&ssl=1)
https://youtu.be/PfGaX8G0f2E
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/WF-lookout-Gullfoss.jpg?resize=615%2C820&ssl=1)
He just about froze his hoofs off, but it was worth it.
Fun Fact: New Year’s Eve is a very big deal in Iceland. It is celebrated both before and after the 31st.
- Icelanders will meet up with family or friends to have dinner around 6 or 7 PM.
- Following dinner, around 8 PM locals gather at their nearest bonfire to meet and greet friends and shoot some fireworks.
- Following the bonfire, the streets empty as Icelanders go home to watch a comedy TV show that chronicles the year at 10:30 PM.
- Just before midnight, people flock back to the streets to shoot more fireworks.
- Around 1 AM it’s time to go partying, and most people go to house parties, although bars and clubs are also open until the early hours.
https://guidetoiceland.is/history-culture/new-year-s-eve-in-iceland
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/NYE-Inside-the-Harpa.jpg?resize=615%2C820&ssl=1)
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/NYE-sparklers-and-FW.jpg?resize=615%2C820&ssl=1)
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Fun Fact: The Hallgrímskirkja Lutheran Church is the tallest in Iceland. It is also a popular location for viewing New Year’s fireworks.
This youtube video was filmed at the Hallgrímskirkja https://youtu.be/J0fnaVnuVyc
![](https://i0.wp.com/lindasjourney.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Happy-NY.jpg?resize=615%2C820&ssl=1)
Happy New Year, 2023!