fire and ice THE LAND OF

The Geography Department and 19 students travelled to Iceland, the Land of Fire and Ice during the July holidays this year (2022). Iceland presented a once in a lifetime trip, not only from a Geography perspective, but from a cultural experience too. The travelling group, formed by Grades 10-12 students as well as Mr Grundlingh and Mrs Glover, were able to see first hand how one of the youngest geological countries in the world functioned.

The group experienced glacier walking, sat in awe of multiple dormant volcanos, visited black sand beaches and lava tunnel centres. We felt the power of some of the largest waterfalls on the planet, gazed at blue limestone lagoons, ferried across to the Westman Islands to see puffin colonies and see for ourselves the devastation of a volcanic eruption, identifying multiple geothermal energy plants and standing on new layers of hardened lava. We were dwarfed by glacial valleys filled with striations, smelt sulphurous gas and watched geysers explode into the sky. Swimming in geothermal rivers, eating homemade bread that was baked in the ground as well as traditional street foods, allowed the group an experience second to none.

Being submerged in a Viking-like civilisation was too an incredible encounter to forget!

The Icelandic language, food and day to day life infused with the stories of the Norse gods Thor, Odin and Freya were truly special experiences. The idea of half the Icelandic year being in darkness and half in light, with the Northern Lights present later in the year and the common name of the Land of the Midnight Sun, it truly was a special adventure for all involved.