Concealed Alliance and Undercover Relations
Rewritten Article:
Hopping on a whimsical escapade to the southern Icelandic landscapes, I embarked on a journey with the travel company, Glacial Experience, for their exclusive tour called the Hidden Ties. Our skilled guide, Kjartan Valgarðsson, welcomed me aboard his black Landcruiser and minutes into our journey, we discovered a fascinating connection - three shared acquaintances, all of whom happened to be my cousins. Sharing a common ethnicity, we Icelanders have a deep-rooted desire to expand our extended family, and phrases like "my relative" are warmly used to address others.
A breathtaking stage
Greeting Regína Hrönn Ragnarsdóttir with a warm smile, we set off eastward over Hellisheiði mountain. The weather gods had painted the sky with an array of sunlight, chilly winds, and crystal blue horizons, bestowing upon us an enchanting stage. To our left stood the volcanoes, Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull, with Vestmannaeyjar islands gleaming like diamonds on the horizon. To our right, the ocean stretching as far as the eye could see, with Surtsey, the island born of a volcanic eruption, waiting quietly for researchers to explore.
Unexpected encounters
Our first stop brought us to a gas station in Árnes, where we sat down for a cup of coffee. Engrossed in a discussion with a local tour guide, I swore I heard my name called. Turning around, I was spellbound to find my long-lost childhood friend, now residing in Germany, standing before me in the flesh. As if fate itself had been conspiring to reunite old friendships, it turned out that Kjartan and my friend's German husband had once shared an apartment during their college days in Iceland. Elated, we shared a heartwarming embrace, and soon after, discovered even more surprising connections among our travel group.
Hjálparfoss - the veiled bride
Our next destination, Hjálparfoss waterfall, divided by a black rock in the center, looked like the bridesmaids of two elegantly dressed brides standing back-to-back. Surrounded by lava rock formations, the crisp white waterfall was a contrast against the black, and folklore suggested that wedding guests looked out from these very landscapes. We marveled at the beauty of Gjáin, a rift onward in the same valley, and later, made our way to the secrecy that embraced Gullfoss - Iceland's most famous waterfall.
Unveiling the secret side
Treading a path off the beaten track, we reached the rarely seen side of Gullfoss - its upper part appearing larger and grander than ever, while the lower section hid behind its veil. Standing on the edge of the river, we observed the endless line of tourists in their vibrant clothing scattered along the opposite bank, questioning how we had managed to reach the "secret" side.
Family ties that bind
As we drove past Ingólfsfjall mountain, Regína suddenly pointed to a farm on the right, remembering her grandfather had once owned the land. Kjartan couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "Was he your grandfather?" – a charmed smile playing on his lips as he declared our third-cousin bond. Delighted by our newfound kinship, we spent the journey home sharing stories and laughter.
Icelandic customs and practices deeply intertwine familial bonds, egalitarian values, and community-oriented traditions. Through our travels in Iceland, we realized that even the most unexpected encounters can forge unbreakable ties. Sharing meals, swapping stories, and celebrating festivals help reinforce the cultural identity that defines Iceland.
- Embarking on the Hidden Ties tour with Glacial Experience in Iceland, I was not only fascinated by the volcanic landscapes but also mesmerized by the warm Icelandic lifestyle, where acquaintances soon became relatives.
- Leaving Árnes, we continued eastward, mesmerized by the stunning weather, with the volcanoes Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull on our left, and the ocean stretching as far as the eye could see on our right, where Surtsey, born of a volcanic eruption, lay quiet and waiting.
- Ready to explore Hjálparfoss waterfall, we discovered the beauty of its black rock divider, resembling two elegantly dressed brides standing back-to-back, and marveled at the folklore suggesting that wedding guests looked out from these landscapes.
- Unexpectedly encountering my long-lost childhood friend in Árnes, I was left wondering if my connections in Iceland were never meant to be isolated, but intertwined through shared history and ready to be rediscovered.
- As I reviewed my travel experiences in Iceland, I realized that the bonds formed were not only based on chance but on the informative and unifying aspects of Icelandic culture, inviting me to embrace the mysteries hidden within the enchanting volcanic landscapes and the welcoming Icelandic lifestyle.
