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Half Term Trip To Iceland

1st March 23

On Monday 13th February, a group of Abbey Cambridge students, accompanied by four members of staff travelled to Reykjavik, Iceland. Commonly known as the land of fire and ice, students had the opportunity to visit and study the amazing geographical features that have made Iceland famous and have a truly once in a a lifetime experience. The country has an abundance of natural beauty with unparalleled scenery unlike anywhere else. Iceland has extensive volcanic and geothermal activity. The rift associated with the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which marks the division between the Eurasian Plate and North American tectonic plates, runs across Iceland from the southwest to the northeast.

Here is a summary of the activities and visits the trip entailed.

On Day one the group flew to Iceland. They were met by the tour guide and taken to the Perlan centre, where they learnt about Iceland’s volcanic activity as well as exploring Iceland’s own man-made ice cave.

This was followed by a bus tour of Reykjavik including the Hallgrimskirkja (famous church) and Parliament square.

A busy day on day two;

Stop one – Thingvellir National Park – a Geopolitically important site – home to Iceland’s oldest Parliament (est. 930) and where we could see the effects of the tectonic processes at the mid-Atlantic ridge moving the plates apart at around 1cm per year.
Stop two – the geothermal Secret Lagoon also called Gamla Laugin – the oldest swimming pool in Iceland made in 1891.
Then the Geothermal Park to see the Great Geysir and fellow erupting hot springs.
Final stop – Gullfoss, or Golden, Waterfall.

On day three the group had an early start in the dark they left Reykjavik for a brief visit to America. At the Bridge between the Continents they left Europe for the US. They then returned to Europe and moved on to try out surfing Icelandic style and have their first taste of Icelandic Folk Lore, Gunna. An Icelandic poltergeist who so upset people that she ended up being tricked in a hot spring and now vents her wrath in clouds of hot steam.

Then that evening everyone had an incredible view of the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)

Day four started with a trip to the geothermal energy exhibition at Hellisheidi Power Plant to learn about the renewable energy solutions and carbon capture technologies. Then on to the dramatic and amazing landscape scenery of the southern region – rainbow spotting at Skogafoss waterfall, sneaker waves at Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, finally getting up close to the foot of Sólheimajökull Glacier. That evening some time for relaxation and a bowling trip.

Day five – Before departing Iceland and heading back to Cambridge, everyone had the opportunity to explore Reykjavik, they visited the seafront, harbour and central area.

Everyone had an incredible experience and made memories that will last a lifetime.

During the trip two competitions were held;

One for the best painting inspired by the trip and one for the best photograph taken.

Well done to Dora for winning the Art competition with her watercolour paintings and Daniel the photography competition with this amazing picture.