Undercover Network and Concealed Connections
A wild and captivating day unfolded on a spontaneous excursion to the south of Iceland. I tagged along with a fearless travel scribe on a privately led journey named the Secret Circle, curated by Glacial Experience.
The man behind the wheel, Kjartan Valgarðsson, their fearless leader and company owner, picked me up in a sleek Land Cruiser at an ungodly hour. Though we were strangers, we found ourselves bonding over three mutual acquaintances; shockingly enough, they were all my cousins!
Being a nation forever in search of hidden connections, it's no wonder that Icelanders harbor the secret wish to discover new kin - to expand their extended clan. Indeed, in Icelandic, a common way to address someone is by calling them "frændi minn" or "frænka mín," which translates to 'my relative' in English.
An Opening Act
Enough rambling. Not long after establishing the triple connection, we arrived at the blogger's home where a warm and inviting Regína Hrönn Ragnarsdóttir awaited us.
We embarked on a journey eastward over Hellisheiði mountain, under the clear and chilly sky. The crisp winds carried us to the very top, revealing a dramatic and stunning view of Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull in the distance, and the vast ocean with Vestmannaeyjar islands shimmering like diamonds in the sun. In the distance, we could even catch a glimpse of the seldom-visited Surtsey, the island born from a volcanic eruption in 1963.
Unexpected Encounters
Our first stop was a random gas station in Árnes, where we slugged back steaming cups of joe while shooting the breeze with a local guide. Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice call my name, "Vala?" I whipped around to find myself face to face with an old friend, who had migrated to Germany eons ago and rarely made an appearance in my life. As if the universe itself conspired to bring us together, it turned out that Kjartan and my friend's German husband were flatmates back in Iceland during their university days!
Bursting with joy, I couldn't help but embrace my friend and introduce her to Kjartan. To my utter bewilderment, they also shared a common history, as it turned out that Kjartan was their son's godfather! Seemingly destined to be together, the old pals indulged in reminiscences until we parted ways, snapping pictures and exchanging contact information.
Veiled Mystery
Our next destination was the awe-inspiring Hjálparfoss waterfall, where a black rock emerged from the flowing water, splitting the fall into two seemingly bridal veils. Lush greenery adorned the foreground, providing an exquisite contrast to the snowy waterfall.
As we drove along treacherous terrain, I marveled at the diversity of personalities in the vehicle. Our motley crew included a driver/guide, a fearless pilot, a polyglot, the founder of a language school, a marketing expert, and a teacher. I was awestruck by the astounding versatility and adaptability of our motley band of adventurers!
White Horsetail
Next up was the majestic Háifoss waterfall, towering at 128 meters (420 feet) above a gorge. The steep hike down the trail offered breathtaking panoramic views, with the upper part of the waterfall dominating the landscape, and the lower part cascading down the cliffs like a snow-whipped tail.
Fairy Tale Magic
Our journey took us to the whimsical landscapes of Gjáin rift, a tiny but enchanting valley filled with creeks, waterfalls, and lava formations, all nestled together like fairy tale characters. Its vibrant shades of green and an appearance in Game of Thrones only added to its magical allure.
The Hidden Side
The pièce de résistance of our journey was the mesmerizing sight of Gullfoss from its less visited eastern bank. Treading along a perilous path, we found ourselves in the midst of a grand spectacle - the powerful cascade plunging down two drops, shrouded in a mystical aura that left us spellbound.
As we ambled along the river, the vibrant coats of tourists on the opposite side were reminiscent of a game of Ludo, their colors dashing against the rugged terrain.
Hidden Kinship
With the sun setting in the distance, we journeyed back home, recounting the day's adventures, comparing notes, and exchanging tales of our ancestors. To my disappointment, our family trees were surprisingly distant, linking back to the 1700s. Nevertheless, the day was filled with memories to last a lifetime, surprises at every turn, and a renewed sense of the world's interconnectivity.
Our surprising encounter in Árnes was not just limited to meeting an old friend who lived in Germany. To our astonishment, we found out that the friend's German husband shared a past with Kjartan, as they were once flatmates in Iceland during university days.
During our visit to Hjálparfoss waterfall, we noticed the black rock that split the waterfall into two veil-like streams, giving it an ethereal and bridal-like appearance, much like relationships.
As we traveled along, our diverse group of adventurers, including a foreign language teacher from France, continued to share stories and amazing experiences about their individual lifestyles, highlighting how travel can bridge gaps and foster connections between different cultures and individuals.
