Þingvellir

Hearing people laugh hysterically when you tell them you’re going to Iceland in October is not a good start to a trip.  Despite Iceland’s name misleadingly describing it as permanently arctic (not at all the case!), October is certainly past peak tourist season and was a risky shot in terms of weather.  Imagine my surprise when I reached Þingvellir National Park (thing-vet-ler, approximately), part of Iceland’s famed Golden Circle and site of the foundation of Iceland’s parliament, the Alþingi, and the sun was out with barely a cloud in sight!  I guess Iceland was happy I was here.  I did find myself coveting the lush green I’d seen in summer photos from the country, but don’t look gift weather in the mouth.  Take a look at some favorites below from the spectacular valley, Þingvallavatn (the largest natural lake in Iceland), the smooth waters of river Öxará, and gushing Öxarárfoss, first of many waterfalls I’d see in a country with 10,000 cascades.  Keep an eye out for future Iceland chronicles, or explore Reykjavik in the previous Iceland entry!

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