Winter in Iceland

This was my second trip to the wondrous world of Iceland. I say world because it is indeed like being on a completely different planet.

My goal for this trip: photograph the mysterious Aurora Borealis. I’ll be honest, I planned this whole trip with just the lights in mind. The rest of the itinerary was mostly unplanned.

I had a whole trip riding on seeing the northern lights, yet it didn’t cross my mind that there was a possibility of not seeing them. It wasn’t until I was halfway there that this thought crossed my mind and it stressed me out. What if I planned this whole trip, just to not see them? What if I miss them? What if they happen, but I’m in the wrong town? What if?

I landed in Iceland to find bone chilling wind, iced over roads, and barely any daylight. I was scared to death. Yet, a strange feeling of knowing I’d see them stuck with me. And… the rest is history.

It was the first night, my friend knocks on my door with good news, “The lights are here,” she said. I rush to get dressed, fumbling on my big parka and readying my camera gear. I ran outside, full of giddy anticipation. I look up, and there are the lights. One singular, dancing strand of green and purple flying through the sky. I take it in. I asked myself, “Am I really seeing this right now?”

Then a local, who heard my laughter, walks out and asks if I want to go to a better spot. I say yes, of course, and we ride up a hill to a darker spot that over looked the cityscape of Reykjavik. I spent three or so hours watching the lights weaving and exploding through the sky.

The most surreal night of my life. And it turns out, the only clear night of my week long trip. I had seen the lights, the forecast said there was no chance of lights the rest of the week. So what now?

The following photos are a representation of an unplanned week in the world of Iceland.