Day Three: Akureyri Adventures
Today’s adventure began with me not falling overboard while disembarking a cruise ship, which I consider a solid start to any day. We arrived in Akureyri, Iceland’s “Capital of the North,” and I instantly knew I was in the right place when the first thing I saw was… a heart. Not from a local, mind you—though I’m not opposed to Icelandic romance—but on the stoplights. That’s right: heart-shaped red lights.
Adorable? Yes.
Charming? Very.
Slightly dangerous when you walk into the street trying to take a photo of one? Also yes.
So after narrowly avoiding becoming part of the traffic report, I hopped on a small group tour and headed out to explore the otherworldly beauty around Akureyri.
First Stop: Goðafoss – The Waterfall of the Gods (and My Favorite Place to Dramatically Stare into the Distance)
Our first destination was Goðafoss, one of Iceland’s most stunning waterfalls. And not just a pretty face—this waterfall comes with serious drama.
According to the Icelandic sagas (which are like Game of Thrones, but real and with more sheep), in the year 1000 AD, a chieftain named Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði made a BIG decision. After much soul-searching (and probably some political pressure), he decided Iceland should convert to Christianity. So, in the ultimate ancient Icelandic mic drop, he tossed his statues of the Norse gods into the waterfall.
Hence the name: Goðafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods—where Thor, Odin, and friends were washed away by a man in a robe with a mission.
I took a lot of dramatic photos here. Some may be used in future dating profiles. Others may be used to advertise shampoo. I haven’t decided yet.
Next Up: Námafjall Hverir – Where the Earth Hisses at You and Smells Like Rotting Eggs
After that spiritual cleanse, we headed to Námafjall Hverir, a geothermal area that can only be described as “Mars… if Mars had a serious sulfur problem.”
There were boiling mud pits bubbling like a witch’s cauldron, and fumaroles (a fancy word for steam-belching earth holes) hissing and spitting out so much gas I thought the mountain might be lactose intolerant. It was beautiful, bizarre, and pungent in a way that made me question all my skincare choices.
Speaking of skin, I was hoping for a natural steam facial… but what really got the glow going was the brown bread, baked in the ground. Yep. Local farmers dig holes in the warm earth, place their rye dough in sealed pots, and let Iceland’s geothermal magic do the baking. The result? A dense, slightly sweet, ridiculously comforting bread that I’m convinced can cure emotional damage.
I had mine slathered in butter. It was… spiritual.
Final Stop: Dimmuborgir – Lava, Legends, and My Favorite Murderous Cat
The day wrapped up with a stroll through Dimmuborgir, a lava field so wild it looks like nature hired Tim Burton as a consultant. Jagged black rock formations stretch out in every direction, creating caves and paths that feel haunted—in a fun way.
This area is also said to be home to the 13 Yule Lads—Iceland’s version of Santa’s weird cousins. Each lad has his own… let’s say quirky personality. One steals candles. Another licks spoons. My favorite? Stubby. Because same.
They live here with their terrifying ogre mother Grýla, who snatches misbehaving children (ho ho NOPE), and my absolute favorite Icelandic figure of all time—the Yule Cat, or Jólakötturinn. This massive feline reportedly eats anyone who doesn’t get new clothes for Christmas.
You read that right. Don’t get socks for Christmas? Boom. Cat food.
Naturally, I love him.
Back to the Ship (And Away We Go Again)
After my adventures through waterfalls, steam vents, lava fields, and light-hearted child-eating legends, I made my way back to the cruise ship with a camera full of photos, a nose full of sulfur, and a heart full of bread.
Tomorrow we head to a new part of Iceland for more magic, more mishaps, and probably another museum with questionable artifacts.
Stay tuned. I’m just getting warmed up (geothermally speaking).
Felicity Arvizu takes on... 