TEACHER INSPECTION TRIP TO ICELAND MAY 2011
Addy and Jan from Discover The World along with 25 teachers recently returned from a busy 4-day Teacher Inspection trip to Iceland. In view of the recent eruption of Grimsvotn we wondered what awaited us… would we really be walking around knee deep in ash?
How wrong could we be? Unlike some incorrect press reports, the ash only impacted small, isolated areas on the country. We also saw first hand how the fertile volcanic ash from last year’s eruption has now transformed areas to lush green grass.
Day one - Upon arrival at Keflavik we met up with our tour guide, freelance journalist and long term friend to Discover the World – Cathy Harlow. We were immediately whisked to the Blue Lagoon, on the spectacular Reykjanes Peninsula, for a laze in the geothermally heated lagoon. Later we were treated to a magnificent sunset at 11 pm and when it was still light at 11.30 we had to convince our brains that it really was time to sleep…
Day two - A very full day which enabled us to experience, first hand, the natural resources of Iceland and how they are used to full potential. After an early breakfast our first stop was the world’s first Hydrogen Filling Station, providing an interesting insight into fuels of the future. On to the Geothermal and Hydro Electric Power Stations, which supply the country with cheap, renewable hot water and electricity. The Hveragerdi Geothermal Centre was particularly interesting - why boil eggs in a saucepan when you can dip a net into a Geothermal pool? The Rye bread, cooked overnight in the geothermal oven was absolutely delicious!
Lunch was at Thingvellir National Park, where you can see the Mid Atlantic Ridge on the earth’s surface. Afterwards our coach carried on along the famous Golden Circle route where we marvelled at Geysers and awe inspiring waterfalls including Gulfoss, one of Iceland’s most beautiful which flows from a glacier into a rift valley. An exhilarating day was topped off by a good meal and nights sleep out in the country, at the Hotel Dyrholaey.
Day three – Another early start as we headed to Vik and Reynishverfi for an invigorating walk along the spectacular black sand beaches with their amazing basalt columns, caves and stacks.
Then the highlight of the trip for us all, a glacier walk on Solheimajokull. We listened attentively to the safety instructions before heading onto the ice.
Excitement mounted on the drive to Mount Hekla - one of Iceland’s most active and prominent volcanoes. We learnt that pumice is an important export for Iceland for use in creating the stone wash effect in jeans.
At the beautiful Hjalparfoss falls (complete with rainbow), we treated the group to a gourmet feast of rotten shark and dried fish, washed down with Icelandic Schnapps then Icelandic chocolate for dessert! You can’t visit a country without trying the local delicacy!
Dinner at Reykjavik’s finest restaurant: Restaurant Reykjavik rounded off the day nicely. Storyteller/comedian Sandra kept us on the edge of our seats with her eccentric tales of the history of Iceland. A great end to a very busy, but awe inspiring, day for most of us! Some had energy left to further explore Reykjavik.
Day four - Another early start followed by inspections of local hotels, it was clear there is great standard accommodation to suit all from hostel type with really good recreational areas to a traditional Viking style hotel, complete with singing waiters dressed as Vikings and a storytellers cave, with chance for teachers to relax in a hot spa or sauna after their strenuous day!
We drove around the spectacular Reykjanes Peninsula next, and stood on the Bridge Between Continents, it was agreed the school groups will find it fascinating to stand between the American and Eurasion plates.
We headed to the airport in awe and amazement of the natural beauty of Iceland. A packed itinerary full of outstanding natural beauty, an experience not to be missed by anyone interested in the natural world. Iceland has it all, without the commercialism of many other tourist destinations. What better way to bring geography, geology and science to life!