Check out our video during a weekend in Siem Reap. Although we were only there for about a day and a half, we were able to see quite a number of things. With the help of our tuk tuk driver, we visited several temples including (shown in order in the video) East Mebon, Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple, Ta Nei and Ta Prohm. There was also the tourist hotspot, Pub Street, where there are many restaurants, bars, juice/food stands and markets for souvenirs. And we even made a cute furry friend during breakfast!
Hope you enjoy! Comment below on what you are wanting to see in Siem Reap!
No road trip on the Golden Circle route would be complete without visiting Iceland’s popular attraction: Gullfoss Waterfall. Nicknamed the “Golden Falls,” the water flows in the Hvítá River and forms one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls. Above the main drop are cascades of smaller falls that leads to the main plunge. Gullfoss splits into two separate falls, the first falls measuring 11 meters and the second measures 21 meters, which dumps the river 32 meter (105 ft) into a canyon. Normally, 30,000 gallons of water flows every second into the canyon, but can produce up to 500,000 gallons of water per second!
Even where we were several hundred yards away from the drop, we could feel the sheer force of the falls. It was very windy and the waterfall threw cold mist all the way to the parking lot. We saw some other tourists that didn’t want to get too close to the falls in fear of getting wetter and cold. Surprisingly enough, it is actually less windy and drier as you get closer to the falls. At the lookout point, you can see up close the smaller cascades and get a closer look of the main drop. You can also go to the upper viewpoint, which has a spectacular view of the vast landscape that surrounds the falls. Rainbows are frequently seen over the falls on sunny days.
Gullfoss may not exist today if it weren’t for Sigríður Tómasdóttir, who is the daughter of Tómas Tómasson. Investors had looked into creating a hydroelectric power plant to harness the power of the falls, which would have effectively destroyed Gullfoss. Legend has it that Sigríður was so determined to protect the falls that she threatened to throw herself into the falls to save Gullfoss. Her protests did help prevent the plant from being built, although another major factor the plant didn’t get built was due to lack of funding from investors. The falls are now protected and a memorial of Sigríður Tómasdóttir sits above the falls.
Needless to say, Gullfoss is truly an amazing site to visit and experience. Check out the short video clip below to see and hear the force of Gullfoss:
It’s a little surprising how close to each other many sites are on the Golden Circle in Iceland. Just 29 kilometers east of Seljalandsfoss, you’ll be able to see the waterfall Skogafoss, nicknamed the “Curtain Waterfalls.” This impressive fall is 60 meters tall, 25 meters wide and is famously recognized for it’s rectangular shape and straight drop that forms the look of a shower curtain.
Skogafoss is also very easily accessible, which is probably another reason it is a popular destination for tourists. The ground to the fall was flat and, other than some rocky areas, it was an easy walk right to the waterfall base. Mat’s mom and dad could enjoy strolling around the falls without any stress. If you don’t mind getting cold and wet, you can get really close to the base of the falls. Even from a distance, you can feel the force of the winds and mist produced at the base of the falls. There are also campgrounds and hostels available if you wanted to stay there.
There is also a path with stairs to the right of the falls to climb to the top of a lookout point. It takes a good five minutes to climb all of the steps to the top, but it’s definitely worth it. From there, you can see up close the crest of Skogafoss, as well as a spectacular view towards the Atlantic Ocean. You can then follow a trail that leads upstream to smaller falls and green open fields.
Skogafoss will always have a place in our hearts because it is where I proposed to my fiancée. It was a perfect location and there were very few people to allow us to share our moment in private. We will definitely revisit and spend more time by this beautiful waterfall.
We were only in Iceland for a few days but we really believe it’s the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. It’s hard not to enjoy and relax when you have sweeping views of its breathtaking landscapes and pristine natural wonders.
But if you need to take your relaxation to the next level, then you definitely have to check out the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa.
Only a 45-minute drive from the capital of Reykjavik, it is a very popular attraction in Iceland. As its name suggests, the lagoon is generally a blue color, although its color varies by the time of day. The facility is a modern contemporary design and has a restaurant, a couple lounges, and a gift shop.
Of course, the main attraction is the lagoon. The price of standard admission is 45 Euro, but we bought a “comfort” package that included admission, towels, drinks and some skin care products. In order to keep the lagoon as clean as possible, there are strict rules we have to follow. You have to leave your shoes in your lockers and they can’t be taken outside of the locker room. Before entering the lagoon, you have to shower anddry yourself off and you’ll have to do the same when exiting the lagoon to the locker room.
Once we got into the lagoon, that’s when the fun and relaxation began. Temperatures of the waters are around a nice 40 degrees Celcius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) and there are a variety areas to enjoy different experiences. There is a bar in the middle of the lagoon to order beverages, from cocktails to coffee or hot chocolate. The lagoon is shallow throughout but there are some deeper areas to swim in and I loved sitting near the vents where the hot water shoots out. There are also waterfalls, caves and you can even opt for a massage in the lagoon. You can also put on Silica mud on your face and body, which is supposed to be good for your skin. At the very least, it’s fun to put on and goof off!
Because the lagoon is rich in minerals, the lagoon is known to have healing powers for those with skin conditions and there are research facilities that use the lagoon for developing skin treatments. We were a little skeptical of this claim but we may have also seen a firsthand experience of its healing powers. A few days prior, Mat’s mom developed a pretty severe eye infection that made her eye very red and itchy. We tried antibiotics but they did not help to cure the infection and she had to wear an eyepatch, but she was still up for taking a dip in the lagoon. After spending just a little time in the lagoon, she said her eye started to feel a little better. A couple hours later, we saw she no longer needed the eyepatch and her eye looked much less red. By the next day, her eye was practically healed and we were pretty stunned at the progress of her healing. We didn’t have an explanation for it other than our trip to the lagoon, so if you have troubling skin, it may a great place to receive some healing!
Not only is Blue Lagoon a place of relaxation, but it is also very beautiful part of Iceland’s landscape and is a must-visit attraction. For more information, you can visit their website.
It’s been a few weeks since returning from my trip throughout Europe, and I’ve finally had a chance to reflect on that amazing adventure in those 25 days. It was a surreal experience and to see so many things in Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, France and Iceland was mindblowing. There are a lot of things I want to talk about, but it would take too long to list everything right away.
So here are 5 highlights that I took away from my trip:
1. Iceland’s natural beauty & culinary delights
Gullfoss Falls
I’ve always imagined what Iceland would look like but being there in person is an experience like no other. My group was only there for three days, and it’s only made us want to be there for three weeks. From its rugged, volcanic terrain, various towering waterfalls, the Blue Lagoon natural spa, and the Northern Lights, we were mesmerized by its beauty in every way. Maybe just as amazing as its picturesque landscapes are its traditional culinary offerings. Iceland never struck me as a foodie destination, but it unexpectedly provided some of the best food I’ve ever had. We got to taste lamb of leg and lamb soup, fresh seafood, traditional Icelandic specialties and everything was delicious. We will be back in Iceland for a longer trip very soon.
2. Antoni Gaudi, the Sagrada Familia
Throughout Barcelona, we visited the works of Antoni Gaudi, a brilliant architect whose designs were ahead of his time. Some of his works we were able to visit included Parc Guell, La Pedrera, Finca Guell and the amazing Sagrada Familia. The Sagrada Familia blew me away, as I wondered how one person planned out every detail of this structure. The exterior and interior are stunning, and I could only marvel at the detail that went into this project. The Sagrada Familia has been under construction since 1892 and is projected to finish by 2026, 100 years after Gaudi’s death. It’s an awe-inspiring structure, a must see for any visitor.
Sagrada Familia Interior
3. The Art Collection in Musée d’Orsay
Musee D’Orsay Museum
The Louvre was great to visit and houses a great collection, but Musée d’Orsay also provides an amazing museum experience. Formerly a railway station, the museum houses a beautiful collection of various artworks, including the largest collection impressionist paintings in the world. You can see paintings by Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Renoir, Degas and many more. I especially loved Van Gogh’s self-portrait, a very intense and emotional piece to see up close. The museum is also deceptively huge; when we first walked in, we thought the museum was only two stories tall, and we were making quick progress of the museum. Later, however, we did not see the additional elevators that led to the other sections of the museum, which includes five more stories of artworks! We stayed several hours and only went through a fraction of the museum.
Van Gogh Self-Portrait
4. The Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica
While the Vatican is recognized as the smallest country in the world, it contains some of the greatest architectural structures and art pieces during the Renaissance. The most prominent things we marveled at was Michelangelo’s frescos in the Sistine Chapel and the overwhelming St. Peter’s Basilica. We first walked into the chapel, and it was stunning to see how one man could accomplish something as grand as the ceiling art and “Last Judgment.” It took him a total of 10 years to complete his frescos in the Sistine Chapel. We eventually walked through the basilica, and I was stunned by the sheer size of the lavishly decorated interior. It’s especially beautiful when the sunlight is beaming through the windows.
St. Peter’s Basilica Interior
5. Getting engaged in Iceland and winning a free cruise!
I’m not a big fan of cruises, but with two senior members in our group, it was the perfect travel method to visit multiple destinations and allowing everyone to rest after a very busy day. And as an incredible bonus, we WON A FREE CRUISE they were raffling off during Bingo (yes, that is how it happened)! It either goes to the Caribbeans for seven days or we use it as credit to any cruise we want. So looks like we’ll be cruisin’ again! But the icing on the cake was proposing to my girlfriend, who said yes! Iceland was the perfect place to do it where crowds are thin to celebrate a private moment and the embrace natural beauty around us. I can’t wait to share many more exciting adventures together in the future!
