During my time in Iceland, I spent my first four days in Reykjavík. The colorful streets and kind people made me feel right at home. The city also felt incredibly safe. The city is small and easy to navigate, with murals and unique and interesting buildings around every corner.
During my time there, I explored some of the local landmarks, drank lots of hot chocolate, ate many waffles with Nutella, and enjoyed the cool air blowing from the Atlantic Ocean. Reykjavík also served as the perfect spot for short excursions. The landscapes just outside the city quickly shift into dark black lava fields, waterfalls, and huge fields that seem to stretch endlessly.
After those four days, I made my way to Vík, and the drive there felt like a journey to another planet. The terrain changed from snowy plains to grass plains, to cliffs that tower over you, to snow-capped mountains, and to black sand beaches with huge crashing waves. The drive along the south coast was nothing short of breathtaking, with waterfalls cascading down cliffs, black-sand beaches, and rocks that jut from the ocean, as if they were reaching for the sky.
Now that I’m in Vík, the atmosphere feels completely different from Reykjavík. It’s quieter, more remote, and surrounded by some of the most breathtaking scenery I’ve seen. The black sand beaches here are especially striking, with powerful white-capped waves crashing against the shore and towering rock formations rising from the ocean. The wind feels wild and strong enough to push you along while you walk.
So far, Iceland has been a beautiful country with kind people. From the winding streets of Reykjavík to the natural beauty of Vík, each place has been uniquely beautiful.