My husband and I traveled around the periphery of Iceland in about 9 days this summer. This shot of the site of the world's first parliament (@ Thingvellir National Park) was taken on the first day of our trip. The Parliament or Alþingi was established at Thingvellir in 930 and the site is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The national park (Iceland's first) was founded in 1930 to protect what remained of the original parliament site and was later expanded to protect natural phenomena in the surrounding area. In the background you can also see the cracks or faults that traverse this region due to the continental drift between the North American and Eurasian Plates. Some of the rift has very clear water and people go snorkeling in those waters (we did not).

Hveragerði is a charming town with greenhouses, which are heated by the hot water from the volcanic hot springs. At night, these greenhouses lit up the town which you can see from afar. Besides the hot springs, berries are abundant for picking in the fall, and the town has some excellent walking routes all year round.

I recall it was a Wednesday, and we took the 8 a.m. ferry from Vik to Vestmannaeyjar. My friends and I quickly decided to wander the streets of the island. Though it was a rather dreary day, we found ourselves excited at the prospect of getting lost in another culture. We actually did get lost while trying to find the Aquarium and Natural History Museum. Fortunately, a passerby noticed our little, confused group. Seriously, we stood there with a map in hand and each one of us pointed at different signs. He showed us in the right direction and we spent over an hour at the museum where we saw funny looking fishes, volcanic rocks from when Eldfell erupted, and we were also able to pet a baby puffin! We spent the rest of our time walking up and down the streets, stopping at the numerous cafes and indulging in mocha cafes and sinfully delicious pies. Eventually we met up with the rest of the group (who had decided to face the challenge of climbing up Eldfell) and soon found ourselves seated at dinner. We shared our experiences, the things we had seen and done (some of which honestly should not have been done, but it added to the experience). It had been a long day and we were eager to return to our hostel, but as Lady Luck would have it, she was not on our side that evening. We were meant to take the 8:30 p.m. ferry back, but a storm was brewing and the waves were rising. We spent that night sleeping in a gymnasium on the island. So, you know, nothing out of the blue here.

Never thought of Iceland as a snorkeling (or SCUBA) destination? Well think again. It might take a dry suit (warmer than a wetsuit) and a couple of layers, but it's well worth the effort. Snorkeling here allows you to float between the North Atlantic and European tectonic plates - and rewards you with majestic compilations of black lava rock, shocking green grasses, muted tan rippling sand, and brilliant blue water. It's honestly on a par with just about any Caribbean diving I've ever done. Aside from the stunning beauty and seeing an exotic destination from a completely new angle, snorkeling Iceland provides you with one hell of a cocktail party story for the rest of your life.

This is Þingvellir (pronounced Thingvellir) - the site of an ancient Parliament. The ruling Vikings organized their annual gathering (“thing”) here every summer. The people came to settle their quarrels or impose their will, to talk to­gether and to trade. At 5:00 P.M. on a snowy Winter evening, with limited visibility, we stand alone on the ridge and wonder what this place must have looked like during a crowded “thing”. Visit in Winter for unspeakably beautiful views like this. You have the added bonus of sightings of the Northern Lights at that time!

During our trip to Iceland my wife and I were amazed at the beauty created by the interaction of the low January sun and simple landscapes. Here, as I turned to see what was behind me, I could only laugh at the sun's ability to transform me into a circus acrobat on giant stilts.

My husband and I traveled around the periphery of Iceland (on Ring Road) over a 9-day trip this summer. We loved every bit of it. This was shot on our day 1 in the country, as we approached Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park from Reykjavik, where a number of small inukshuks (inuksuit) basked in the beautiful evening light. In the background is the Thingvatn (lake). Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park is a part of what is called "Golden circle" , a very popular tourist route in South Iceland, just outside Reykjavik, and includes major sights like the national park, Gullfoss (one of Iceland's most famous waterfalls), and a couple of geysers (Geysir, Strokkur)

January 2012, 10.30 a.m. - Sunrise over Thingvellir. A magic spot, where the first democratic system was founded 1000 years ago and where you can see two continents drifting apart (70 meters in the last 10.000 years - take your time to watch!).