I have seen waterfalls in India like the Jog falls and it is beautiful. I find it very fascinating to stand in front of the magnum water body and feel the gravity pull water to itself. And now before the poet in me starts penning some poems I better talk about the waterfalls of Iceland.
I saw more than a couple of them and all were mesmerizing and captivating.
Gullfoss
To start with we went to the Gullfoss, meaning the golden falls. It is the most popular of all waterfalls in Iceland.
To stand at Gullfoss and wallow in the beauty and the wonder of nature is an uplifting experience. One feels more energetic when leaving Gullfoss than when arriving. That’s the impact these unique nature sites such as Gullfoss and Geysir have on us.
Now some interesting facts
- Gullfoss is in the river Hvítá (engl. white river), which has its origin in the glacier lake Hvítávatn (engl. white river lake) at Lángjökull glacier about 40km north of Gullfoss.
- Gullfoss is called the “Golden Falls”, since on a sunny day the water plunging down the three step staircase and then tumbeling in two steps down into the 32 m deep crevice truly looks golden.
So the story goes that Sigríður Tómasdóttir, the daughter of Tómas Tómasson who owned the waterfall in the first half of the 20th century must have felt the same. She lived at a farm nearby and loved Gullfoss as no one else.
At this period of time much speculation about using Gullfoss to harness electricity was going on. Foreign investors who rented Gullfoss indirectly from the owners wanted to build a hydroelectric powerplant, which would have changed and destroyed Gullfoss forever.
Because of Sigríður Tómasdóttir that we still can uplift ourself with the beauty of Gullfoss, because she was the one that protested so intensly against these plans by going as far to threat that she would throw herself into Gullfoss and therby kill herself.
To make her threat believeable she went barefoot on a protest march from Gullfoss to Reykjavik. In those days the roads weren’t paved and when she arrived after 120 kilometers her feet were bleeding and she was in very bad shape.
The people believed her and listened and the powerplant at Gullfoss was never built.
And friends you have to believe me, I am no less than Sigríður Tómasdóttir as it was so breezy that I was just flying away with my camera, while no one dared to come and click the falls – I your brave heart friend went ahead and captured the spectacular falls, you may see the water splashes on the lens but there was no chance of wiping it off and clicking 🙁
Skógafoss
The Skógafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in the country with a width of 25 metres (82 feet) and a drop of 60 m (200 ft). Due to the amount of spray the waterfall consistently produces, a single or double rainbow is normally visible on sunny days.
I love hearing legends and the guide told me the first Viking settler in the area, Þrasi Þórólfsson, buried a treasure in a cave behind the waterfall. The legend continues that locals found the chest years later, but were only able to grasp the ring on the side of the chest before it disappeared again. The ring was allegedly given to the local church. The old church door ring is now in a museum, though whether it gives any credence to the folklore is debatable.
And I so wanted to run behind the waterfall and get the treasure out, but the guide said he had developed a crush on me and what if I never returned, can’t risk a broken heart so i let the treasure go—sigh!
Seljalandsfoss (don’t try pronouncing it :))
Seljalandsfoss is situated between Selfoss and Skógafoss, where Route 1 (the Ring Road) meets the track going to Þórsmörk.
This waterfall of the river Seljalandsá drops 60 metres (200 ft) over the cliffs of the former coastline. It is possible to walk behind the waterfall.
It was a waypoint during the first leg of The Amazing Race 6.
I was disappointed when I reached here. No the fall is beautiful ofcourse but the guide told us that we cannot go behind the falls as we reached this waterfall much later than expected.
So we soaked and drenched ourselves in the waterfalls didn’t we 🙂 The last part of the series will be the most innovative post I would have written after the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). Promise to awestruck you with my captures next post 🙂 Cheers and keep travelling, one life isn’t enough to see the world 🙂
Beautiful pictures, Shweta. Clear blue skies, clean environment, chill in the air, who can ask for anything more? I love this kind of places. Ice Land has a population of 3 – 4 lac. Pollution of environment is so little. Great place to live.
super place to live but no vegetation only fish and they export 60% of fish produce so Ill starve there being a veggie 🙁 The vacation was super and it feels nice when you get pictures to your hearts content 🙂
It looks splendid Shweta. Looks like you had an amazing time out there and real fun. I have always had a fascination towards flowing water. This looks stunningly beautiful 🙂
Yes Vinay had a gala time there…want more…loads left to see…a trip again is on the cards too!!
Loved this post. I am a total water lover and once I am near a water body, it gets very difficult to leave it back and come back to the real world. The pictures have left me mesmerized and I just can’t wait for a trip to Kempty Falls that I have planned for next week!
The same thing happened with me Akanksha..I didnt want to move and click more but it was so so breezy I was swaying away! Wow Kempty Falls Mussoorie….am sure it will be fun, enjoy your trip and some pictures needed 🙂
Amazing pics, Shweta. Look at you, in one of those, how happy and content you are! It seems that I too began a feeling of crush, but not for you, for the place and waterfalls. 😛
And someone cribs I only write sad stuff….see…now you know!! thats mean …..the crush for waterfalls he he 🙂
This looks so amazingly beautiful Shweta, it almost seems like unreal thanks to wonderful clicks, natural beauties have their own charm and waterfalls are one of them, wish even i get lucky someday to visit and admire such places!
and tathastu AZ your wish will soon come true!! yeh I too get a similar feeling of is this real when I stand at such places….you bet its a must visit place! Thank you you liked it to much 🙂
This post made me go wow wow wow!
Lovely pictures, interesting stories about the waterfalls and narration is fabulous. And you look so cute and pretty infront of the waterfall 🙂
hahaha me looks so cute…wow made my day sweetie!! and super duper happy you liked it…check out the next one where i share the geyser vid…its like super awesome!!
Lovely captures and wonderful narration!!
Thank you so so much 🙂
Beautiful pictures & wonderful account to go with it!
Thank you Rajeev, glad you liked it 🙂
Fabulous post Shweta. Thanks for sharing such beautiful pictures, stories, history!!! Simply amazing!!!
Thank you Vyomi, happy you liked them 🙂
Vivid narration, stunning pictures and you jumping with joy makes this a wonderful post Shweta. How I wish to be at the white river some time! 🙂
Wishes come true ……thank you Somali, yeh I was full of energy there even though it was very breezy 🙂
Sheer gorgeousness! I’m already in love with these falls. Thank you for taking us there. And did I hear you say Aurora Borealis? That’s is really big on my wishlist. Lemme go check out that post.
Yeh the northern lights are spectacular….nothing beats it of what I have traveled so far…a one of a kind experience Dee 🙂
A great description about the falls and, the wonderful pictures have made it a perfect post, dear. 🙂 Loved your pic.. happiness is exuding from your pose… 🙂
hain na….I was damn excited there….amazing place indeed Bestie!!
Awesome!
Thank you 🙂
Amazing photos and Great post
Thank you Rupam, glad you liked it 🙂
Oh! This is mesmerizing!
Truly was babe!
Amazing Water Falls… A visit to this Place appears to be must in one’s life…. A great Post!
Thank you sir, it was truly an amazing experience 🙂
Awesome pictures, Shweta!
Edit: And the legend. 🙂
Thank you Anshul 🙂
Beautiful pics
Thank you 🙂
Wow! Awestruck already…
Thank you so much Jatin 🙂
Superb and simply beautiful 🙂 Amazing. On the list to go…
Sure do, you will like it 🙂
Amazing and Awesome pictures, Shweta!
Thank you 🙂
Wowwwww….mind blowing Shweta…thanks for sharing awesome images. You look cute jumping in front of the waterfall 🙂
hahah….thanks Moon, a photographer liking the post is a compliment indeed, thank you so much 🙂
Oh My God! Mesmerizing photos. Bhagwaan ne bahut hi fursat se is jagah ko banaya hai. Hope people will keep up the beauty of this place forever. Great article. God job again.
Thanks Sabina, happy you liked it 🙂 The canton takes a lot of care of maintaining the place to enhance tourism 🙂
Wow!!! These are beautiful pictures and yes, it is awesome feeling to be standing in front and watching that massive gush of water fall..
😀
Can’t agree more Nihar 🙂 Happy you liked the pictures and post 🙂
Beautiful photographs!!
Gerua ….. 🙂 🙂 Stunning pictures Shweta
Stunning imagery. You should check my post on the Northern lights too. I might be headed to Iceland this year, let’s see. What is a must do?
Love this post. Awesome pics Swetha. I would love to be there..
http://www.luv4beautyblog.com
Un-freaking-believable pictures, wanna go here now thanks to you 😀
Mesmerizing pics Shweta!The pristine beauty captured beautifully!