The Model UN team's final day in Iceland was occupied by a tour of Iceland's southwestern wild areas. Leaving Reykjavik early, we took a bus out to the famous Golden Circle, an area of intense volcanic activity and historical significance. Guided by an extraordinarily friendly and knowledgeable bus driver, we first went to Gullfoss, Iceland's most spectacular waterfall.
There are simply no words that are capable of adequately describing the magnificence of Gullfoss. It is simply massive. The cascading, powerful river suddenly turns sharply to the right, directly against the side of the towering cliffs. Juxtaposed against the Icelandic glaciers and mountains in the background, Gullfoss is the most spectacular thing most of us have ever seen.
Not far from Gullfoss lies a collection of geysers large and small. The most famous, "Geysir", after which all other geysers were named, unfortunately no long erupts due to human interference with its natural cycle. However, we still had the opportunity to witness the majestic "Strokkur", which erupted approximately 30 ft into the sky.
Our guide also gave us the chance to see a few examples of the country's most famous animal: the hardy Icelandic horse. Renowned for their durability, these reliable creatures are known for their ability to traverse long distances in freezing Icelandic winters. Brought to Iceland by Norwegians in the early Middle Ages, the horses' genetic isolation produced a unique breed of animal that is stronger and gentler than their European or American counterparts.
The final stop on the Golden Circle is Iceland's most historic location: the valley of Þingvellir (pronounced "thing-vell-ir"), where the country's first parliament was established in 930 A.D. Lying on the shore of Iceland's largest lake, the valley is split by a meandering river of surprisingly clear water.