Whales and folklore in Iceland
For some, summer holidays go with sun, heat and beaches. But for others, like me, it’s all about adventure. Last July, I packed my bag for Iceland and flew to Reykjavik. For 21 days, I travelled across the country, my backpack on my shoulders. I started in the capital and worked my way up north, all along the West Coast, with one goal in mind: finding whales.
I’ve been to a dozen European countries, but Iceland is surely the most beautiful. Of course, you must be well prepared for the weather. You can literally have all 4 seasons in one day, but it’s worth it. In this country, wild nature kept its place. Preserved, undamaged, spectacular. Iceland is not only a land of ice; but the definition of respect for nature.
Let’s start at the beginning
I arrived in the capital on the 1st of July with a vague idea about my itinerary. I rented a car and followed the West Coast. I stopped every time my heart told me to. Sometimes I took a bath in the naturally heated water. Sometimes I took a walk to a stunning waterfall. And sometimes I simply enjoyed the breath-taking landscapes. Every 50 km a new panorama presented itself to my eyes, as if someone was changing the wallpaper of my windows. I went through volcanoes, eternal fields of snow, great plains, deserts, black beaches…
Being in Iceland, I met a lot of people. The Icelanders were very welcoming and told me more about the country and its folklore. Many people in Iceland believe in what they call the “Huldufolk”: the hidden people. These little elves are said to live in small houses in rocks or in trees. They are the protectors of nature and are very respected by the inhabitants. Some roads are even deviated because of a tree that could be hosting an elves family.
Every stop I made was an open door to a new adventure. And after 15 days and 500 km of journey, I arrived in in Dalvik, up north. The best spot to enjoy whales. I was on the point of meeting the creatures I fell in love with a few years ago.
I had never been closer to fulfilling my childhood dream.
Magical whales
We had to put warm coveralls on and when everyone was equipped, we climbed on the boat. We were about 20 people, all in the hunt for a hose or a tail.
When I saw the first sign, my heart bumped in my chest, and the boat veered. We had found one. She was small, moving under the surface, just beautiful. She blew again and headed towards deeper waters, letting her tail offer an amazing show. We saw many other whales during the tour. Some were shyer than others, but at the end of the 3 hours journey, my mind and my camera were full of beautiful pictures.
After this magical experience, I went back to Reykjavik on road 35, through the desert. I camped a few nights on the way and spent the last one in the capital.
To be honest, Iceland has always been one of my dream countries, but it’s not the kind of place you immediately think about when it comes to going on holidays. It’s isolated, it’s cold and even though it’s beautiful, you have to be prepared for its constantly changing weather.
Iceland is definitely not the “ideal” destination as depicted in magazines. But if you can overcome this capricious environment and give this otherworldly country a try, I can assure you that this will be the best trip of your life.
