This week, 40 students took a 5-day visit to Iceland. They landed just as the sun had started to set, and begun with a night-time tour to spot the aurora borealis (Northern Lights). Unfortunately, the search proved unsuccessful.

Day 2 in saw our Geographers venture on a South Shore Day. They started the day with a 3 hour glacier walk with the most amazing views. Their journey then took them to the black sand beaches with some strong winds and even stronger Atlantic waves. They finished the day with two famous waterfalls, having visited Skogarfoss where Game of Thrones was filmed and then Seljalandsfoss where they could walk all the way around the plunge pool. An amazing day with some amazing memories for these students!

After a disappointing search on Monday evening, on the second night, students were rewarded with a spectacular display of the aurora borealis. Students stayed up late with staff to watch this incredible moment and they all captured many beautiful images, videos and memories of this event.

Day 3 started at a geothermal power plant, learning about Iceland’s sustainable use of renewable energy. Students visited Gullfoss (the golden falls), Geyser and then Thingvellir National Park to see a tectonic plate boundary. It was a day full of tectonic activity, but we visited a geothermal greenhouse with some samples of fresh cherry tomatoes. The last journey of the day returned everyone to Reykjavik for dinner and a relaxing evening.

The fourth day was interrupted by the earthquakes on the Reykjanes peninsula, but that didn't stop our Geographers! They arrived at the Sky Lagoon and were in the geothermal spa for sunrise at 10am! Students enjoyed the ice plunge pool and spending 2 hours in this geothermal infinity pool overlooking the Reykjavik bay. The afternoon was then spent on a walking tour of Iceland’s capital city finishing with the Viking boat statue overlooking the harbour ahead of an evening of bowling!

What a trip!