Toward the end of August and our final days in Iceland, we took a bus from Akureyri to the jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring Godafoss Waterfalls. I’ve been to Niagra Falls and it is all that and more. But nothing prepared me for these falls and the beautiful surrounding landscape. Akureyri is situated within a fjord at the northernmost edge of Iceland, that is marked by numerous fingers stretching northward to the Arctic Circle. One can understand why so many rent cars in Reykjavik and drive the “Golden Circle” route. There are wonders everywhere. The peace one finds is a visceral experience. We have those experiences here in the USA, but we have to look for them. Even our most beautiful places are no longer unmarked by mobs of tourists, souvenir shops, and fast food vendors. And that’s too bad. With its growing popularity, all these tourist conveniences will begin to show up in Iceland, too.

These falls are considered “standard” in the realm of waterfalls. They measure 39 feet high and 98 feet wide. They may be standard in size, but their beauty is outstanding. It is one of the many sights located along the “Golden Circle” main highway. In modern Icelandic, the name may be the Waterfall of the god or the Waterfall of the chieftain. One expert suggests that the name derives from two crags at the falls that resemble pagan gods. When we arrived, we could hear the waterfalls in the distance. It was windy that day, as usual in Iceland, and we chose to take the path to an overlook of the falls. There was another option, a 1.8-mile walking path that loops around the waterfalls. Several from our group chose to take that path which we could see from above as we walked to the overlook. It was quite rugged in places as it rose and dipped between rocky crags of what appeared to be volcanic rock.

After viewing the falls, the bus took us further inland to Myvatn Lagoon and Nature Baths, a privately owned geothermal lake that has been developed as a tourist destination. Any of you who may have visited Reykjavik have likely heard of the Blue Lagoon which is very popular due to its close proximity to Reykjavik. Myvatn Lagoon serves tourists like us or those driving the Golden Circle. We saw several families, some in travel vans, who were there to spend the day. A small buffet-style cafe serves hot and cold drinks, and sandwiches, if available. A souvenir shop is also inside the main facility. Locker rooms were available for those who wanted to change into swimsuits and take the plunge. Because this water contains sulfur, I decided against it. People in Iceland use geothermal water in their homes, but most of it is “scrubbed” to remove the sulfur. Towels were provided, but most in our group brought their own. Larry and I got coffee and sat outside in a picnic area overlooking the lagoon. Just 65 miles south of the Arctic Circle, the air wasn’t exactly what I would call balmy. But, it was nice to see people of all ages from far-flung places all over the world enjoying this special place. Men usually jumped in but women tended to walk down the steps into the water. I’m sure that after leaving their towels on a chaise lounge, they were anxious to feel the warmth of the water. The area is still being developed and if we return one day, I’m sure it will look much different. We didn’t see it, but their website says they have a swim-up bar. What’s better than a geothermal lagoon and a shot of alcohol? Brain addling for sure. I never could figure out those who liked to have an alcoholic beverage while sitting in a spa. I think it’s a sign of false prestige.

When everyone was dry and dressed, we rejoined the bus for the long drive back to Akureyi and the ship. We were disappointed that the blue skies of Godafoss Waterfalls did not go with us to Myvatn Lagoon. But that’s Iceland for you. Summer was fast disappearing with winter scheduled to arrive in late October or earlier. We would now begin our cruise around the eastern shore of Iceland, with more wonders yet to see. I hope you’ve enjoyed my memories of our visit. It was an incredible trip.

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