The past few days in Iceland have been incredible! We’ve driven the main highway, route one, through south and east Iceland and are heading north now. The south was unbelievable!

One of the most interesting buildings we’ve seen in terms of backstory is Strandarkirkja, also called the Church of Miracles. A Lutheran church, it was built when seamen, lost at sea, promised God that they would build a church on the site if only they survived to make it to shore. They survived, built the church, and although it has no parish today, people still visit to pray for a miracle! A couple arrived after we left to get married. A quaint and pretty church on the beach.

I’ve also seen waterfalls galore. Driving the ring road around Iceland, every few miles there seems to be another beautiful “foss” or falls awaiting. Seljalandsfoss and Skogarfoss are my favorites so far. Seljalandsfoss is known for having a staircase and dirt path that allows you to walk behind it. Unfortunately, spring/summer in Iceland is still incredibly cold in May, so the staircase was frozen and blocked off from visitors. Nonetheless, a beautiful view.

This staircase has got to be straight out of Elsa’s castle in Frozen

 

Skogarfoss was a bigger, more popular waterfall, and with good reason! A rainbow was arching perfectly in front of the falls when I arrived. There was also a set of stairs to hike to the top of the falls, and then a 10km hike behind the falls. I didn’t manage the whole hike, but what I saw of it was gorgeous! I’m convinced there is not a single un-photogenic view in this country.

I’m under a rainbow!!! This has to give some sort of good luck. 

Climbing there was terrifying but so worth it. Gotta love Iceland’s lack of guardrails on hiking trails. 

 

Even more frequently surrounding the highway than waterfalls are Icelandic horses. Icelandic horses are, in my opinion, the absolute most beautiful breed of horses in the world. Generally, they’re friendly, too! Some of them gather at the edge of their fencing and love being pet.

   

In addition to horses and falls, a must-see iconic southern Iceland photo is the plane crash site. In 1973, a US Navy DC plane crashed onto the beach at Sólheimasandur, and has remained there ever since. Everyone survived the crash, but the plane remains on the black sand beach as an eerie, yet picturesque, landmark.

 

Did I mention I’m shooting a self-portrait series during this trip? Here’s a sneak peek..

 

 

xox,

Lauren

 

p.s.

Lola and her BFF Reba have been having tons of fun, too!