Day 2: Between Continents and Across Time

Date: July 15, 2025 | Location: Þingvellir National Park & Reykjavik, Iceland

The day started early. Like... really early. For some reason, I woke up at 2:30 AM local time and just. could. not. fall. asleep. I'm blaming the jetlag, but really it was a lesson in international travel for me - sleep is rough and unpredictable the first few days of any trip abroad. I ended up lying in bed, listening to my audiobook until it was a reasonable hour to get up.

Starting my day around 5:30 AM, I showered, got ready, and sat down to wrap up my thoughts from Day 1 while planning Day 2. There's something peaceful about those quiet morning hours when the world is still sleeping and you have space to process the incredible experiences that are unfolding.

The Road to Þingvellir

Around 9 AM, we set out for Silfra and Þingvellir National Park. The drive gave us an amazing taste of the road trip ahead - rolling hills, stark mountainsides, lush moss-covered farmlands dotted with creeks, sheep, and horses galore. Seeing the majestic Icelandic horses running through the farms through the barrel of my lens was a sight to behold. The sheep, dotting the countryside in their white and black coats, were a treasure to photograph, knowing their rich historical connection to the island.

On the drive, we got to practice Icelandic road customs and feasted our eyes on this gorgeous landscape. Every turn revealed another postcard-worthy view, and I found myself constantly wanting to pull over for "just one more shot."

Þingvellir: Where History Meets Geology

Once we arrived at Þingvellir National Park, we were treated to a truly unique view - the undulating, rocky, moss-covered landscape full of crevasses, cracks, and fissures throughout the plains that extended out to mesas and peaks in the distance. The entire scene was flanked by Þingvallavatn, Iceland's largest natural lake, fed by the Öxará river and the Öxaráfoss waterfall.

The waterfall is now officially the first foss of the trip, and it's situated next to Althing, the site of the world's oldest parliament. Standing there, I couldn't help but think about the incredible history beneath my feet - this is where Iceland's democracy was born over 1,000 years ago, right here in this rift between two tectonic plates.

The urge to photograph EVERYTHING was strong, but first we needed to make our way to the Silfra fissure for our snorkeling adventure.

Floating Between Continents

And boy, what an adventure it was! Suiting up was quite the journey - from the thermal layers to the dry suits, gloves, hoods, goggles, and water seal wraps. By the time I was fully geared up, I felt like an astronaut preparing for a spacewalk, armored against the elements.

We finally made our way to the water - a frigid 2 to 4 degrees Celsius - and entered into a world unlike any other I've ever experienced. Filtered through the lava fields for 30-100 years, the glacial melt was crystal clear, offering a blue view into the depths below. Being able to see 63 meters (210 feet) to the rocky floor was absolutely wild.

Despite the temperature, the water was filled with life. Different species of algae in vibrant orange and translucent white covered the lava rocks and drifted in the gentle current as we passed above. This was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences - floating along in glacial melt, literally suspended between two tectonic plates, watching the place where the earth and the island grow little by little as the years pass.

I would have loved to bring my camera into the waters, but the experience will live on as its own gallery in my mind. Some moments are meant to be felt rather than photographed.

Recovering and Refueling

Coming out of the water, feeling my face and hands beginning to warm up, I looked around and drank in the beauty of this incredible island. Life surrounds this place in the most unexpected ways. What looks like a challenging environment for living things to take hold is actually a land full of survivors, making their homes in a place of ever-changing challenges.

It was time to head back to Reykjavik, but not before taking one last look — and a dozen photographs — of this incredible national park. Will I come back to do some camping and hiking here someday? Without a doubt.

Driving back to the city, one thing became clear - it was time for lunch! Where does one go after such a unique high adventure, you ask? It's easy — you go for a famous, fully loaded Icelandic lamb hot dog from Vikinga Pylsur at the base of the iconic Hallgrímskirkja Church.

Fully loaded, slightly sweet, with a drizzle of an umami-forward sauce, the hot dog was the perfect quick and cheap bite we needed to recover some of the calories burned in the fissure. Sitting in the sun, birds flocking around looking for crumbs, church bells calling to the people of Reykjavik, and a cool breeze keeping the temperature perfect - this was the ideal way to take a breather and soak up the local culture.

The Art of Icelandic Wool

After lunch, we headed back to the hotel for a quick refresh and much-needed nap before our final exploration of the city. But first, there was shopping to do.

When in Iceland, you'll see Icelandic wool everywhere you look - in shop windows, on locals, in hats, gloves, and of course in the internationally recognized lopapeysa (the Icelandic wool sweater). There are lots of places to buy wool garments, but only one place you should spend your money: the Hand Knitting Association of Iceland.

Founded in 1977, a group of women set out to support their families and ultimately shaped Iceland's culture for years to come. Each piece is crafted from authentic Icelandic wool, hand-knit by local artisans, and designed to last a lifetime. The association does more than make wool garments - they keep a cultural skill and historical tradition alive in a world increasingly set on automation.

Did I get one? Ask my bank account...

Golden Hour at Hallgrímskirkja

Now that the sun had lowered slightly in the sky and the golden hours had arrived, it was time to head back to Hallgrímskirkja to capture this iconic landmark in all its glory. And my goodness, glory is just the beginning of how I would describe this church.

Rising from the ground like the basalt columns found in Stuðlagil Canyon, Hallgrímskirkja dominates the downtown skyline with strength and splendor. It's easy to get lost in the rising pillars, the curvature of the ever-skyward arc, and the stone facade. The architectural photography opportunities here are endless.

Wandering through the streets afterward, taking each twist and turn of this people-oriented city, capturing the urban landscape and varied Nordic seaside architecture through my lenses - this felt like the perfect way to wrap up my time in Reykjavik. But there were still two things left to do: eat at the best traditional dinner spot in town and grab a local favorite dessert.

Old Iceland: A Culinary Love Letter

So where is the best traditional yet elevated dinner in Iceland? That, in my opinion, would be the highly reviewed Old Iceland.

Traditional, locally-sourced ingredients? Check. Elevated dining experience? Check. The best lamb and char I've ever had? Double check!

I came to Iceland wanting to experience as much of the culture and natural beauty as possible, and Old Iceland helped me achieve that goal in spades. Like any good photographer, I had to snap a few photos of the food before digging in. If you're ever in Iceland, this is a must-visit.

The Perfect Ending: Bragðarefur

Dinner finally ended around 10 PM, and it was time to put on our sunglasses (it's still plenty bright this late at night) and make our way to our final Reykjavik must-do.

What is Bragðarefur, you ask? It's often described as an elevated McFlurry, though I think that doesn't do it justice. I'd describe it as a choose-your-own-adventure, nostalgic, delectable dessert. Pick a base ice cream, three toppings, and blend, blend, blend. The result is a surprisingly light, not-too-sweet, flavor-rich ice cream shake perfect for wrapping up a warm summer day.

My recommendation? Chocolate ice cream, fresh strawberries, chopped M&Ms, and a touch of toffee.

Tomorrow's Adventure Awaits

As I write this, preparing for tomorrow's journey, I'm struck by how much Iceland has already taught me about resilience, beauty, and the power of natural forces. From floating between continents to wandering through thousand-year-old parliamentary grounds, Day 2 has been a masterclass in how landscape and culture intertwine.

Tomorrow brings waterfalls, glaciers, and ice caves as we move east around the ring road. The real adventure is just beginning.

Iceland continues to steal my heart, one incredible experience at a time.

Tomorrow: Chasing waterfalls and exploring ice caves on the South Coast. Follow along as this adventure continues to unfold.

Equipment Used Today: Nikon Z7II with 24-70mm f/2.8 and 85mm f/1.8 prime lenses
Weather: Cool and crisp, perfect for outdoor adventures
Mood: Energized despite the early wake-up call

What's been your most memorable adventure activity while traveling? Share your stories in the comments below!