Can you spot the Kiki???
Just your typical Saturday walking on clouds.
Or your know, walking through yet another geothermal area in Iceland full of steam.
Either one.
But seriously, sometimes I worry that Iceland is just going to blow up one day. I mean, it can’t be safe having steam coming up from the ground all over the place can it???
Safe or not it does make for some beautiful places so I will stop complaining.
With the winter slowly moving past us I have been on a mission to make the most of these nice days (nice days equal anything that isn’t a snow/wind/hail storm) and explore somewhere new each weekend.
This past weekend our adventure kept us a bit closer to home for some exploring of the Reykjanes peninsula. This is the area near Keflavik international airport, and it is full of cool things to see, like the Gunnuhver Geothermal Area.
Geothermal areas are bubbling all over Iceland so I really shouldn’t be surprised anymore when we stumble upon one. But as we were driving around the Reykjanes peninsula with the sea at our side I will admit I was quite surprise when we came upon a field full of steam. Goes to show how little I know about the areas in my own backyard!
Gunnuhver is an active geothermal area named after an angry female ghost, Gudrun. The story goes that Gudrun spirit was trapped in the hot spirits by a priest 400 years ago. Apparently Gudrun’s spirit was quite the nuisance which lead to the priest setting a trap for Gudrun near the springs so he could trap her there.
With the steam floating all around you while reading this ghost story it really makes for an eerie atmosphere! Way to set the scene right?
I may or may not have dubbed Gudrun the Moaning Myrtle of Iceland. (one for all my HP lovers out there) When the steam would really take over H and I couldn’t help but jokily blamed Gudrun for messing with our pictures.
Bad joke? Maybe. It had to be said.
But we also thanked Gudrun for keeping the steam going as it really made for some cool Instagram pictures.
Things are getting a little steamy #absoluteiceland
Leaving poor Gudrun alone Gunnuhver has more to offer than ghost stories. With the largest mud pot in Iceland and the groundwater being 100% seawater Gunnuhver really stands out among the crowd of other geothermal areas in Iceland. Or so the sign said. I honestly came home and googled what type of groundwater is typically in geothermal areas.
Am I the only one who doesn’t know this?
One fact I do know for certain is that the colorful minerals in the ground create some beautiful colors! I am starting to become obsessed with photographing geothermal areas, but I mean can you blame me???
All beauty aside the geothermal areas in Iceland can be very dangerous. With temperatures over 300°C (570°F) coming from those steaming holes it is important to be careful and stick to the trails. Last fall Gunnuhver area had to be closed by the police after hot clay started shooting meters up into the air. Gudrun must of been having a bad day.
I have said it before and I am going to say it again, a visit to a geothermal area really is a must in Iceland!
Question of the Day?
Have you ever been to a geothermal area? Do you explore places near where you live?
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PS :This post can’t finish without a saying Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there, including my hero and best friend, my mom. I will admit, this weekend was a bit rough for me seeing all my friends posting pictures with their moms. I miss my mom (and my whole family) everyday no matter where in the world I am at. This expat adventure is fun, but I always need my mom. Thankfully I get to see her next month so my heart is somewhat comforted. So mom, your the best and I love you.
