Iceland Summer Vacay

We stopped off in Iceland on our trip home from Spain.  We were last here in 2010.  The Icelandic landscape makes you feel like you've landed on Mars.	Other parts of Iceland are incredibly lush and green, that you feel like you are back on Planet Earth.  This country has such beautiful landscapes.
We were psyched to go horseback riding for the first time ever together as a family.  Our first stop was Laxnes Horse Farm, around since 1968, recommended to us by Sharon's sister Jennifer.	David had never before been horseback riding, though Sharon has ridden horses a few times.  They both ended up on Icelandic horses that had been featured in "Game of Thrones."
Sharon's horse was named Vaengi (meaning wing).	Alexi's horse was named Aedislegur (Awesome).
Mateo's horse was named Gyllt (meaning Golden).	David's horse was named Noldra (meaning Nugget).
This was the amazing view we saw when we were out horseback riding.	Lush greenery surrounded us as we rode our horses through the beautiful Icelandic countryside.
Halfway through our ride we took a break so that our horses could rest and munch on the grass.	Alexi's horse, strayed away from the crowd with Alexi holding tight to the harness.
Sharon's horse, named Vaengi, was full of surprises and had a mind of its own (just like Sharon).	When the horse went on a trot Sharon was not quite ready, though on the ride back she felt better.
After our ride the horses were let out into the pasture to graze amidst this beautiful backdrop of the Icelandic landscape.	Our family poses together in the end, wearing our matching hoodies that David ran out the night before to buy since our luggage did not make it to Iceland.
From pink haystacks framed by Icelandic flora...	...to an artist's tree with blossoming pink buds.
The afternoon we devoted to a tour of the Golden Circle.  We had driven it back in 2010 when Alexi was a baby, though stopped in more locations this time.	First stop was Kerio Crater, which we had not visited back in 2010.  This crater forms a complete oval and has a lake at the bottom.  The red and brown rocks contrast with the green flora and turquoise blue water.
Mateo struck a yoga pose in this zen setting...	...and then Mateo passed out in the car afterwards.
Next stop on the Golden Circle was Geyser and her siblings.  David and Sharon first visited Geyser back in 2010 during Easter weekend.	It was Mateo and Alexi's first time together at Geyser, and it was pretty great for them to experience something they had only read about before in books.
It was so cool to first see the eruption of Strokkur Geysir.  One moment everything is quiet and still, and the next moment water bursts super high into the sky.	Alexi, Mateo and Sharon enjoyed watching many eruptions of Strokkur Geysir, including several double eruptions(!)
Next stop on the Golden Circle Tour was Gullfoss.  From this vantage point it looks like a giant slice of white pizza.	We have been to Niagara Falls, though it was our first time together at a European waterfall (Alexi was here when he was almost two though does not remember).
What is really cool is how close you can stand to Gullfoss...they would never allow this in the USA(!)	Sharon fell in love with Gullfoss back in 2010, as it was the very first waterfall she ever saw in person.
Sigridur Tomasdottir, Iceland's first environmentalist, campaigned to protect Gullfoss from property development, and led to it being forever protected as a national conservation area.	Iceland is known as the land of fire and ice, due to its volcanoes and glaciers.  The cool light on this volcanic rock made it look like a heart, reminding us that we love each other and traveling together as a family.
We went from the pounding water and grandeur of Golfoss...	To the much calmer Oxararfoss located in Thingvellir National Park.
A group of girls captured this photo of us before heading out, and then we had the place to ourselves.	It was so cool to hear the sound of running water and visit Oxararfoss, this place off the beaten path.
Our last stop for the Golden Circle Tour was Thingvellir National Park, which was Iceland's first National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site also.  Pictured here are the marshes eminating from Thingvallavatn, Iceland's largest lake, which looks particularly beautiful at sunset.	Back in 2010 Thingvellir was very underdeveloped, and we had to drive along a muddy road to get there.  Now the marsh area has wooden walkways leading through the beautiful terrain, the location of the meeting point of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Thingvellir is also famous for being the location of the world's first parliament in 930 AD...	...which our future lawyer and perhaps one-day politician Alexi found really interesting.
The next morning we went on an early tour of the Lava Tunnel, which David found online.	Lava from one of Iceland's volcanos formed this tunnel & this is a rare open air spot with sunlight.
The terrain was very rocky descending into the lava tunnel, so Sharon and David each had a walking stick.	These stalactite-like formations in the lava cave are protected; break one off&you get two years in prison.
Mateo listens attentively to our tour guide...	...while Sharon poses for a selfie.
This cool shot was taken when we entered the darkness and turned our headlamps on in order to explore.	We descended these stairs to go deeper into the lava tunnel, and Sharon turned around to capture these cool colors.
Our really cool and funny tour guide snapped these family photos of us in the Lava Tunnel...	...we are so happy David found this cool event to do in Iceland, which we had not known about back in 2010.
Iceland is not know for its vegetarian food; the climate makes farming very difficult.  However, we were thrilled to find this eclectic vegetarian restaurant in the heart of Reykjavik.	We got to sit upstairs, in a really cool room that opened up to the roof.  We sat in pillows on the floor, and got to admire all the cool customers and art hanging on the walls.
Mateo enjoyed the Dahl ala Mama hearty stew...	...while David ate and loved the Mama Jamaica.
The street art in Iceland is very eye-catching and made this Brooklyn boy feel right at home.	Sharon LOVED the rainbow street because she is really into bright and bold colors recently.
The cats in Iceland are so beautiful and distinct, with amazing colors, and are seen everywhere outdoors.	This cat lover gets into full lotus pose as we await a delicious vegetarian meal.
Hallgrimskirkja is an iconic church in the heart of Reykjavik.  We happened to be in Iceland on the only Sunday of the month where the church service is in English.	The indoor stained glass windows and art is as lovely as the church architecture.  We would have stayed afterwards for cookies and community, though Alexi was feeling under the weather.
Sharon and David enjoyed an Icelandic date night at Loving Hut Vegan World Peace.	...which had a very distinct take on vegan Asian cuisine.
One afternoon we stopped by to see the iconic "The Sun Voyager," snapping a quick photo before the tourists arrived.	"The Sun Voyager" is especially beautiful at sunset (as we saw in 2010), though also shone magnificently in the afternoon sun.
The highlight of the trip was the Blue Lagoon. We first went when Alexi was a toddler and LOVED it.	It's blue!  The blue slushies match the beautiful blue water.  All the boyz enjoyed this complimentary drink.
We chose to arrive @ opening time of 7 am, and got to enjoy the lagoon sans people in its natural splendor.	The blue lagoon is human made, and the buildings and bridge are the perfect backdrop to this idyllic locale.
Of course we had to engage in the tradition of putting the white mineral-rich mud on our faces.	Swimmers are advised not to get hair wet & Sharon had to take off her rings since they are white gold.
Mateo and Sharon enjoyed hanging out in this cave.  We even had it all to ourselves!	This was Mateo's first time in the Blue Lagoon and he absolutely loved it.
The people and crowds eventually arrived.	Beautiful mid-morning shot of the Blue Lagoon.
It is always tough to say good-bye to the Blue Lagoon.  Hopefully we will return one day soon.	This geothermal plant gives the Blue Lagoon its distinctive aquamarine color.
On our last morning in Iceland, we needed an activity close to our air b&b, so we headed to the highly rated and recommended Lava Show.	At this incredible show we witnessed real lava forming and flowing down an incline, saw what happens as the lava cools, and took home lava rocks.
Things that we will always remember about this Iceland summer vacay:David's 1st time riding a horse!	Sharon can survive a multi-day trip wearing the same exact outfit (when your luggage is lost in Amsterdam)!
Alexi, a typical teenager, is always eating.  We had a truly beautiful Air B&B....	...that actually had a piano for Mateo to do his daily piano practice.
The Icelandic horses are such special animals...	...and the Icelandic cats have such a distinctive look.
We were in Iceland on Mateo's half birthday, and it was an unseasonably warm day that day.	So to celebrate Mateo's half birthday and to keep cool, we stopped by for gelato on our way to the airport.
Between our time in Iceland in 2010 and returning in 2023, we did almost all of these things in Reykjavik.	We cannot wait to return to Iceland&next time we plan to drive the Ring Road & see Iceland in all its beauty.