Sometimes life surprises you in the best ways. When I was laid off from work, I suddenly had something I hadn’t had in years: time. My daughter was about to get married, and before she stepped into her new chapter, we decided to take a trip together—just the two of us. We chose Iceland, a place of volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, and stories whispered in the wind.
Day 1: Reykjavík Arrival
I landed in Keflavík International Airport in the early morning, bleary-eyed but giddy. My daughter arrived later that afternoon, and by evening, we were together in our little Airbnb near Reykjavík.
Reykjavík welcomed us with its colorful rooftops, street art, and the soaring Hallgrímskirkja Church. We strolled along Laugavegur Street, ducking into cozy cafés, before heading back to rest. Our road trip was about to begin.
Day 2: The Golden Circle
Driving in Iceland turned out to be far easier than I expected. The roads were smooth, traffic was light, and instead of stressful intersections, there were circular roundabouts everywhere—efficient and oddly fun once you got the hang of them. Sheep dotted the fields on both sides of the road, and we joked that they might outnumber the people.
Our Golden Circle stops were unforgettable. Along the roads, fields of purple lupines (Lupinus nootkatensis) stretched endlessly, their color so vivid it felt like Iceland had rolled out a royal carpet just for us.
Þingvellir National Park (Thingvellir) – Where two tectonic plates meet, and where Iceland’s first parliament sat over a thousand years ago. The rift valley felt like walking between worlds. Strokkur Geysir – Every few minutes, it erupted in a steamy burst that made us gasp and laugh like kids. Gullfoss (“Golden Falls”) – A waterfall so powerful, the mist soaked us before we even reached the viewing platform.
That evening, we stayed at Hótel Hvolsvöllur, a simple but comfortable spot surrounded by rolling countryside.
Day 3: South Coast Magic
This was the day Iceland truly stole our hearts.
Seljalandsfoss – We walked behind the curtain of water, emerging soaked but exhilarated. Skógafoss – Wider, louder, and just as magical, with rainbows forming in the spray. Dyrhólaey & Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach – Here, we finally saw them: puffins! Tiny, comical birds with their colorful beaks, darting in and out of the cliffs. It felt like a gift, watching them in their natural home. Eldhraun lava fields – Miles of moss-covered lava stretched out like a green velvet blanket. Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon – A fairytale gorge that made us whisper “wow” at every turn.
Everywhere we drove, sheep wandered freely—sometimes even across the road. They seemed to belong to Iceland as much as the waterfalls and glaciers did.
We ended the night in Skógar, lulled to sleep by the distant rumble of Skógafoss.
Day 4: Vestmannaeyjar – The Westman Islands
From Landeyjahöfn, we caught the Herjólfur ferry to the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar). On the island of Heimaey, we were greeted by a world both wild and welcoming.
We explored the Eldheimar Museum, which tells the story of the 1973 eruption that buried part of the town in ash. We hiked up Mt. Eldfell, still warm in places beneath its red slopes. And we stood before the quirky Elephant Rock, shaped uncannily like its namesake.
But the highlight was the puffins—thousands of them nesting on the cliffs, clumsily taking flight, then diving gracefully into the sea. We could have stayed there all day just watching.
That night, we stayed at Guesthouse Garðakot, a family-run spot that embodied Icelandic warmth and hospitality.
Day 5: Farewell Reykjavík & The Last Meal
On our final day, we soaked one last time in Iceland’s geothermal waters at the Sky Lagoon, where steaming infinity pools overlooked the ocean. Floating there together, we spoke about her wedding, about change, and about how grateful we were for this trip.
On the way to the airport, we stopped at Smiðjan Mathöll, a buzzing food hall near Keflavík. It had everything from Icelandic lamb soup, yummy vegetarian pasta to Asian noodles. We shared plates, laughed, and savored one last Icelandic meal before heading off to our flights.
Reflections
What stood out most wasn’t just the waterfalls, glaciers, puffins, or sheep—it was the feeling of Iceland itself.
The food tasted fresher, cleaner, as if the land itself had seasoned it. The people were warm, hospitable, always ready with a smile or a story. The roads made driving simple, and the landscapes made every mile a joy.
Most of all, it was the time together—a rare window before my daughter’s wedding, before life changed again. Iceland gave us not only its beauty but also moments of closeness I’ll carry forever.
Fire, ice, puffins, sheep, and us—what more could I have asked for?
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