ICELAND
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ICELANDIC Horses

Being a horse lover, I try to make an effort to visit one of the local stables. When I visited Iceland, I decided to stay at Gauksmyri, a horse stable hostel where we got some time to meet the Icelandic horses! 

When I asked the owner, is Icelandic horses warm blood or throughbreds, she couldn't answer as that is the only bred that ever existed in Iceland! 

I was surprised to find that horses are forbidden to be imported into Iceland, and any exported ones are not the be returned to preserve its unique breed. The current breed has been preserved to be bred pure in Iceland for at least 1000 years. Apparently 900 years ago, some horses were either brought from Scotland or Mongolia, so that's probably why they have similar features. 

Icelandic horses have broad shoulders, short and muscular neck, deep chest, and although somewhat like the size of a pony, they are known for withstanding some of the harshest winters in Iceland. Not to mention that hey also have a calm and big personality! 

Just look at those big adorable eyes :) 

icelandic horse

icelandic horse










ICELAND: The delight of Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon


blue lagoonThe Blue Lagoon is a man-made salt lake, it is actually the water output from a geothermal plant Svartsengi. The geothermal water underneath Svartsengi is richer in minerals since it's close to the sea, and sea water seeps in through the porous lava. Since the water is so rich in minerals that it is too corrosive to be used directly for heating, the geothermal water is pumped into the lava fields nearby, which forms the blue lagoon that we currently enjoy so much. The water is full of silica, minerals and bacteria, which gives it a green hue at times.

I think everyone has heard of how good the blue lagoon is, but here's something more mesmerizing about it. Besides the clay mask, the hottie staffs, the bar in the middle and all that I am about to tell you.

blue lagoon

If there is a number one rule, I would suggest going there before your flight. It's only about 20- 30mins away from the Keflavik airport, and you will be so thankful that's the last thing that happens on your trip! You will always remember how relaxed, composed, beautiful you feel right before you leave Iceland, and that memory will stay with you forever.

blue lagoon
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There's a nice cafe at the entrance, so feel free to re-hydrate yourself after the hot spring....or with caffeine if that's what you prefer. :)

They also give you these digital wristband that serves as your locker keys and payment card for any purchases you make when inside. Do not lose it because it costs about ISK 5000.

Make your way to get a quick shower, get dressed and then you are ready to hop into the hot spring!




The temperature of the water is quite different all around, so usually I like to stick to places that are a bit warmer than usual. There will be friendly staffs who walk inside the lagoon to serve you clay masks, but make sure you don't leave it on for more than 10mins as it starts to sting with dryness.



Another key point is to clip your hair up, or have it thoroughly moisturized before dipping into the water. The geothermal water (or aka hot spring), contains a high level of silica and salt water which can make you hair hard to manage afterwards.

Bring your sunglasses if you want to look photogenic without your makeups!

If you've got some time afterwards, I would highly suggest to walk around the hidden paths that's close to the entrance. Let the photos speak for itself.

blue lagoon

blue lagoon

blue lagoon

blue lagoon

ICELAND Vestrahorn mountain & Viking Cafe

The Vestrahorn is a popular site for photographers, for its perpetually enigmatic scene. 
In daylight it is like a lady with shining armor of sand and water, with the wet sand mirroring it majestic mountains. At night, the dunes become mystically, gently reflecting the moonlight in pure darkness. 

Iceland is full of natural wonders as such, but no words can represent the sheer tranquility of this place. 




 



Don't forget to stop at Viking Cafe for a quick coffee and immerse in the coastal rustic hut. 
P.S. One of the owner is a real descent of Vikings, ask him about it :) 



ICELAND: Chasing Aurora & Top 5 Photography Tips

The mythical aurora queen, also known as the northern lights, is caused by electronically charged particles from the sun that collide with gas particles in the atmosphere. Different colors are formed depending on the type of the particles. The usual green is caused by low-level oxygen particles, while red is formed by higher altitude oxygen particles. Sometimes, a purplish aurora is formed by nitrogen collisions. 

When I visited Iceland, the aurora forecast for two days were about level 5-6, and the skies were super clear. So here are some photography tips: 


1. Check the Aurora Forecast 

The sky needs to be super clear for you, so do check for cloud coverage, as well as the intensity level. You can find all the detailed information here: 
http://en.vedur.is/weather/forecasts/aurora/ 




2. Minimal Light Pollution and No Moon

Again, there's been some debate on whether having a full moon will impact on seeing the northern light. Here's the verdict -- if you are traveling, you may want to pick dates when there's no moon, so that even if the activity is low, you will have a better chance of seeing the northern light.

In addition, pick a place where there is low light pollution to get the best view possible.

aurora light, leica M


3. Have your Aperture at Maximum

Whatever camera or lens you have, have the aperture at it's maximum, and pick ISO accordingly. I was using a Leica M262, shooting at F2.4, ISO 3200. Adjust shutter speed accordingly depending on your location and the amount of lighting you can get. 

aurora light, leica M

4. Lens type & ISO 

Before I embarked on this trip, some people told me that I needed a fisheye, or an ultra-wide lens like 11-16mm. Sure, having an ultra-wide lens or a fisheye may give you the full advantage of getting all in, however, I used a fixed lens 50mm and these are the results I achieved. 

Composition matters, and there are no right or wrong answers to it. 
For ISO, I try to stick at 3200, in case it gets too grainy. 

aurora light, leica M

aurora light, leica M

5. Even if there's little activities, as long as the sky is clear, you can still get a good photo of stars! 

Say that you just went out there to test your luck, even if there's little aurora activities, dress warm and get a good capture of the stars and galaxy instead!

stardust


Bonus Point: Choose your foreground and be spontaneous 

Some of the best pictures I got were not from the diamond beach or the Jokusalon glacier lagoon, but just off the road in the middle of nowhere.

Be spontaneous, don't be afraid to stop when you see a high level activity. You will be surprised by the results! *Note: Be careful and not to set up your camera in the middle of the road.


aurora light, leica M


ICELAND: Kirkjufellsfoss & Gatklettur

We were planning to stay near Kirkufells for two days to shoot the aurora lights, but due to the snow storm, it totally threw off our plan.

Most of the roads towards the North were closed off, and we had to wait at our hostel until the snow storm stops, which would be too late to travel.

Kirkufells 

Anyhow, we waited till the next morning, and the sky finally cleared when we arrived Kirkufells, which is one of the most photographed landmark in Iceland. It's quaintly dubbed as the "Straw Hat Mountain" because of its similarity in shape.

kirkujufells


kirkujufells

You can take the classic photo from just below the mountain where the waterfall is, or up high at the bridge at the waterfall for the whole landscape. However, my favorite spot is to cross to the other side of the road, where the Grundrfjordur Bay is, and try to get a photo of the reflection during low tides.

kirkujufells

It's been a city of silver and white.

kirkujufells



 Gatklettur 

This beautiful coastline comes with basalt columns and circular arches. It's breathtaking how the arches are formed by the sheer constant erosion from the sea. Once you've indulge in the cliff, seagulls and the unique formation of the rocks, turn around and you will be stunned by the panorama, with its glistening haystacks underneath the sun.

The man-made gateway makes it almost majestic in its distinct tranquility.

Gatklettur

Gatklettur

Gatklettur



ICELAND: The Golden circle


"Traveling is a way of finding home".


Geysir Iceland
Geysir, Iceland

Being a frequent traveller, I needed new inspirations from nature, from arts, from the local people.

Even though I was at the height of my career, I felt lost and uninspired. Don't get me wrong - I love my job as a product manager, but it just felt like something dark, like a shadow, was slowing encroaching on me. So I quitted my job, and was ready to go on a Mitty travel. I needed to find myself again.

I started off with Eastern Europe, and then moved my way to Iceland.

The first day when I landed Iceland, the weather forecast informed of a snow storm. Way to start on a journey, but I didn't mind it and made the most out of the morning to go to Gullfoss and the Geysir in the Golden circle.

It was the only time that I did not want to sleep on the bus. The view of a perpetually endless whiteness, the contrast between light and dark, herds of horses standing upright, as if timeless.

Geysir
We stopped at Geysir, and it was the most peculiar experience. It was hardly possible to determine when the eruption would occur, and often it would sneak upon us when we were chatting. A daunting loud bellow , and it was surprising how ephemeral mother nature is, and how little we are. Much of the travelogs that exists today since the 19th century, paid its tribute to the great Geysir.

geysir, iceland
Geysir, Iceland


Gullfoss  
We then moved on to Gullfoss, also dubbed as the "Golden Waterfall" because of its seemingly golden reflection under the sunlight. It was so windy that I had to grip on the barbed wires to move forward. I was succumbing to nature, and it yet it felt utterly rewarding to feel the snow and wind brush against my cheeks. A part of me felt awaken again. The waterfall was more than just majestic, it roared like a Viking god.



What to Eat 
Don't miss out on the lamb soup served at the food center of Gullfoss. Absolutely delicious and keeps you warm after a stumbling walk in wind! (P.S. free lamb soup refill as well)



lamb soup
Lamb soup

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