Iceland, the Land of Fire and Ice!!! Active volcanoes on one side and freezing cold on the other. In a country where so many contrasts coexist, the definitions we know gain new meanings. For example, white beaches stretching for kilometers? Are you sure?
I left Reykjavík early in the morning to follow the southern coast of the country. The weather did not surprise me again. A rainy and foggy morning. It was hard to find coffee on the roads, so I prepared my coffee.
Some time after I left Reykjavik, the settlements became sparse. Small villages of three to five houses and villagers who have adapted to the harsh conditions of Iceland for centuries.
Before reaching my destination, I have a small stop on the way. Yoda Cave. I had to drive for about ten minutes with a slight deviation from the main road. The road is very rough but on the left there are moss-covered hills and on the right there is a vast black beach. It is impossible to see the ocean.
Yoda Cave is named after Yoda from the Star Wars movie. It is very spacious inside and has high ceilings. Apart from the wind, the only thing that disturbs the silence is the drops of water dripping from the cave ceiling. Time to move on.
As I continued the journey, the landscape became truly cinematic. Steep cliffs, waterfalls, sheep roaming freely… and finally the ocean meeting the black sandy beaches.
Reynisfjara is not just a beach. It is an out-of-this-world experience. Its black sand was formed by volcanic activity. When the lava met the ocean, it suddenly cooled and disintegrated, forming this dark sand over time.
The crashing waves of the Atlantic, the basalt columns soaring into the sky and the Reynisdrangar (legends say that trolls turn to stone in the sun) rising out of the sea give this place an ancient energy. Here you feel small in the face of nature. Just as it should be.
I walked along the coast and on the hills to my left, Puffins are enjoying the coast before migrating offshore. If it is your lucky day, you can see whales accompanying you along the coast. Iceland is home to 23 different Whale species.
The rain never stopped and neither did the wind!!! The weather here is part of the adventure. It makes the ocean wilder and the beach more magical.
Vik is the closest town here. With a few small markets and a church on the hill overlooking the town, it is the last shopping stop for those who will continue along the coast. After that it is hard to find a market for a long time.
How is Black Sand Formed?
Black sand is formed when volcanic lava cools rapidly and disintegrates. The south coast of Iceland is the product of a completely volcanic geography. The lava that once boiled deep underground has now turned into black stones under your feet. Walking barefoot is not like walking on soft tropical sands, but like touching the fiery history of the earth.
No matter how calm the waves may seem, it can actually be very dangerous here. It is very risky to approach the ocean or even try to touch the water. You are very likely to find yourself in the ocean with giant waves coming from nowhere. For this reason, it is useful to keep your distance from the ocean.
I leave the black sand beaches behind and continue on my way, but that’s a topic for another post.
Goodbye
