Iceland Trip 2022

What a spectacular five days we had in Iceland at the start of Michaelmas Half-Term 2023! Always beautiful, Iceland seemed especially determined to show off in all her glory for our visit, with unusually clear skies throughout, opening up vast volcanic vistas that are usually shrouded in cloud in October. 

I think we would all agree our most spectacular day was the first; truly an other-worldly experience and a stark contrast to the familiar streets of Croydon. From the moment we stepped outside of the airport terminal our senses were assaulted by a bitingly cold wind, the eerie quiet of almost empty lava fields, the breath-taking beauty of the lunar-like landscape punctuated by bubbling hot springs and the craggy coastline of the Reykjanes peninsular, and all topped off with the unique experience of walking through clouds of smelly sulphuric water vapour, fresh off the boil from hidden hot springs. By sunset we were on our way to the capital, but the day was far from over… After a good dinner in downtown Reykjavik came what was probably the biggest highlight of the trip; the sudden and unexpected appearance of the northern lights, dancing over Reykjavik bay in the moonlight.  I have never been treated to so many shrieks of delight and excitement as on Day 1 of our Iceland trip, and a good few of them from the teachers as well as the boys. It was, without doubt, a “bucket-list moment”.

Day 1 was followed by three wonderful days spent exploring incredible landscapes (waterfalls, geysers, caves, canyons and rift valleys – you name it!) and exciting activities such as bathing in the geothermal waters of the outdoor Secret Lagoon, trekking up a huge glacial tongue in crampons (and using ice axes) and taking a tour underground of a large iron and sulphur encrusted lava tunnel. We took time to sample tomatoes grown year-round in impressively designed geothermal greenhouses and to tour the largest geothermal power plant in Iceland with its novel carbon capture technology. We travelled as far east as Vik, on the south coast, where we were almost blown away (both literally and metaphorically) by a fiercely strong sea breeze and the incredible basalt columned caves, arches and stacks that line the black sand shore. Our last day involved a 4am start to the airport but was well worth the effort for such an incredible trip. In fact, the hardest part of the trip was selecting which amazing photos of the day to post to our new Twitter page!  

Throughout the trip the boys were brilliantly behaved and set a wonderful example to the many other students also visiting Iceland; a credit to the school. 

My hearty thanks to Mr Rix, Mr Magee and Miss Della for their invaluable help on the trip. Now, time to start planning Iceland 2024!