Iceland Day 2
Iceland's weather is known for its capricious nature. Our second day, the entire morning turned harsh with strong winds and heavy rain, we had to cancel our original plan was to pass by the Golden Falls and head north towards the central highlands of the Kerlingarfjöll mountain range.
Waiting until 11 am in the hotel, we decided to head to the Gullfoss.. This turned out to be a miserable experience. The waterproof clothes and boots were only somewhat effective in occasional light rain. In such heavy rain, they proved useless. Regular socks were soaked, requiring several wrings to get rid of the water. Walking on the path next to the waterfall, the wind forcefully pushed us all along. Gullfoss has a total drop of 32 meters. The upper falls measure 11 meters, and the lower falls are 21 meters. The canyon walls on either side of the falls rise over 70 meters, and the abundant and swift flow of water gives the waterfall a magnificent grandeur. It is Iceland's largest fault canyon waterfall and ranks as the fifth-largest waterfall globally. On sunny days, the Golden Falls display a golden-brown color, and that's where it got its name. Next to the Golden Falls, a stone monument commemorates the heroic resistance of the female owner of the waterfall in the early 20th century. She fought against British businessmen attempting to turn the area into a hydroelectric power station. The lawyer she hired became the first president of Iceland after the country gained independence in 1944. Many tour groups also gather at the Golden Falls, with one of the most popular tours being the snowmobile and glacier tunnel excursion at the nearby Langjökull Glacier
The geyser is just eight minutes away from Gullfoss, Its fame at the time led to the term "geyser" officially entering the English language. Approximately every 8 minutes, scalding water can erupt to a height of over 30 meters.
I had reservations at Friðheimar for our first two days, but we missed the first day’s booking. Finally, around 3:30 PM, we arrived at the farm. Upon entering the warm greenhouse, the service is very attentive. The ambience of the restaurant offers a unique experience to eat amongst the plants. Tomatoes are the key ingredient in every dish and the backbone to the attraction.
The courteous waiters took the time to introduce the unique features of the farm restaurant. The tomato soup, salad, and bread were served in a buffet style. Other dishes are ordered separately, and our per-person spending was 40 dollars. Tipping is not necessary in Iceland.Even after leaving Iceland, we still miss the tomato soup and bread from this place.
The greenhouse farm has abundant supplies of geothermal water at about 95 degrees celsius or 203 degrees Fahrenheit, which provides heat to the greenhouses. While the weather outside may be bitter cold, wet or windy, inside Friðheimar tomatoes grow all year round, under artificial lights replicating Mediterranean conditions. Each greenhouse is equipped with a climate-control computer system for temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, and lighting. The horticultural facilities total about 5,000 m² under glass, of which about 4,200 m² are used for cultivation. Friðheimar has about 10,000 plants, needing trimming and picking weekly. Tomato plants are pollinated by the famous Friðheimar bumblebees that live and work within the greenhouse. Visits to the farm are available all year round for pre-booked groups.
Driving 25 minutes southwest after our meal, we arrived at Kerid Crater With a geological history spanning nearly three thousand years, The volcanic crater lake is known for its bluish-green waters, surrounded by striking red rock and lush vegetation. We enjoy a scenic stroll around the crater and venture down the trail into the crater itself. A small fee is required to visit the crater
The Secret Lagoon is our last destination for our 2nd day. The perfect fusion of land of ice and fire can be experienced in the geothermal hot springs. After being chilled in the rain, soaking in the warm water at night brought comfort back to our bodies. Compared to the famous blue lagoon, it’s cheaper and less busier. Reservation is recommended, but we were able to get tickets on the spot.
Day 2 turned out to be our most leisurely day, filled with both adventure and relaxation. Given the unpredictable nature of Icelandic weather, allowing for some extra time in the itinerary proved to be a wise decision.
