Trip to Iceland - Day 2 - The crater

The second day, we were traveling outside the capital, Reykjavik. 

We took a tour bus to go our journey as it is easier to that way. 

Our first stop was the explosion crater, Kerid. In this area, you can observe a lot of lava-filled terrain along with grass and small trees in the surrounding areas. The moss you see is protected by law; you cannot touch or walk over it. Throughout Iceland, you'll notice these endless fields of moss, but touching or walking on Iceland's moss can cause permanent damage. They are very protective of the scarce vegetation around these sites.

The crater Kerid was formed about 6500 years ago and lies at the northern end of a row of craters known as Tjarnarholar (these names are challenging to write correctly, much like our names). It stretches 270 meters in length and reaches a depth of about 14 meters.

In the shopping center, there's a unique underground line. If you stand there with your legs apart, one leg will be on the European tectonic plate, and the other on the North American plate. The center was built on top of the fault line, and minor tremors can be recorded.

Previous Post:Trip to Iceland - Day 1 

Trip to Iceland - Day 1 - Hallgrimskirkja  Cathedral in Reykjavik 

Trip to Iceland - Day 1 - Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral in Reykjavik

Previous Post:Trip to Iceland - Day 1 

 According to our guide, Hallgrimskirkja cathedral stands as the tallest church and building in Reykjavik. 

Due to its significance, no other structure is permitted to surpass its highest point. The predominant religions here are Christianity and Catholicism, with a touch of Norse mythology, honoring Odin. 

Recently, a daring individual attempted to defy this restriction by constructing a building with dark glass walls. However, they wisely halted construction just shy of surpassing the bell tower's height, which stands at an impressive 73 meters. 

This building stands adjacent to the ocean, offering captivating views as seen in the photos taken from the bell tower's top room. While it may not be exceptionally tall, its strategic position on a small hillside overlooking the ocean adds to its allure. 

Interestingly, Reykjavik is also home to the statue of Leif Ericson, a renowned Norse explorer, credited as the first European to set foot in North America, nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus. Did we learn the wrong history?

Here are some pictures:

view from the top room: