Swanson School of Engineering

Our second day in Iceland started with breakfast at the Hotel Viking. I had a waffle and an espresso that was honestly phenomenal and exactly what I needed before a full day of exploring. After breakfast we grabbed our bags and headed out toward Þingvellir National Park. This stop was incredible because we were able to walk through the area where two tectonic plates meet. Seeing something we usually only talk about in textbooks actually in front of us was pretty surreal. The landscape made it very clear how active Iceland’s geology is and how much the natural environment shapes the country. We also saw our first waterfall, took a lot of pictures, and finished at the park shop where we grabbed lunch and looked around at some of the tourist items.

Next, we visited a geothermal bakery where traditional Icelandic rye bread is cooked underground using natural heat from the earth. The dough is placed into a container, buried in the warm geothermal ground, and left there to slowly bake for about 24 hours. Because Iceland sits on such an active volcanic system, geothermal heat is available very close to the surface in many places. It was really interesting to see how something so scientific and geological also becomes part of everyday life. When we tried the bread with Icelandic butter and trout, it was honestly amazing. The bread was warm, slightly sweet, and definitely worth the wait.

After that we stopped at a farm where we got to try Icelandic ice cream and see the cows that produce the milk. It was a fun stop and also a reminder that agriculture in Iceland works a little differently. There is a lot of open space, and farms, towns, and food sources are spread much farther apart than what I’m used to in the United States. Even things like grocery stores and gas stations are more spaced out, which really shows how geography shapes daily life here.

On our way to the hotel we visited Kerið Crater, which ended up being my favorite moment of the day. The entire crater was covered in snow and the water inside was completely frozen, which made the whole place look like something out of a winter movie. This was also the first time we used our crampons so we could safely walk on the icy paths. Walking the full loop around the crater while looking out over the snowy landscape was incredible. Between the wind, the ice, and the huge views, it really felt like a true Iceland experience.

Finally, we arrived at our new hotel, Örk Hotel, where we got settled into the area. Later we went out for dinner and tried several different foods including teriyaki pork tacos, avocado fries, and chicken fried rice. After dinner we stopped at a grocery store to grab a few necessities and, of course, try some more Icelandic snacks.

Overall, today really showed me how much Iceland adapts to its environment. From walking between tectonic plates to seeing geothermal heat used to bake bread underground, it is clear that the country’s natural resources shape daily life in a big way. It was an amazing second day, and I’m already learning that in Iceland you can plan your day, but the landscape and weather always have a say in how it actually unfolds.