Sandra‘s Closet

After I had visited Iceland’s Golden Triangle in the beginning of last week, I went all around the island and drove over 2000 kilometers. I passed the most stunning sceneries and experienced breathtaking natural phenomenons, which have truly inspired me. Europe’s most sparsely populated country is so untouched with a population of about 320,000 of which two-thirds are living in the Reykjavík area. The creatures you see most are sheeps and the famous Icelandic horses. Let me show you my journey around the island:

Skaftafell has been one of the most rewarding spots for me. I hiked along the trail that leads to the glacial tongue Skaftafellsjökull where you can witness this stunning natural phenomenon.

Fjallsárlón is a glacier lake near Vatnajökull that has some floating icebergs, very similiar but smaller than Jökulsárlón, which was my next stop:

Personally speaking, the large glacial lake Jökulsárlón in southeast Iceland was my favourite sightseeing spot on my trip. One of the natural wonders of the country, it developed into a lake after the glacier started receding from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.

The stunning scenery has been the setting for different Hollywood movies, such as Die Another Day, Tomb Raider and Batman Begins. I could have stayed there forever watching the icebergs floating towards the sea.

I passed some very cute fishing towns such as Höfn in the south-eastern part of the country.

Driving further east, I saw the mountain Búlandstindur that is truly breathtaking due to its pyramid-shaped stack of basaltic strata.

Dettifoss, located on the Diamond Circle, around Húsavík and Lake Mývatn in North Iceland, is an amazing waterfall. I even spotted a beautiful rainbow above its spray.

Watching whales has become one of the most common activities among foreign visitors to North Iceland. In fact, the cute town of Húsavík offers those excursions.

Being in the Lake Mývatn area, I decided spontaneously to hike to the top of the Hverfjall volcanic cone. Walking along the rim of the crater was pretty impressive.

My last stop before heading back to Reykjavík, was the waterfall of the gods, Goðafoss. The photo was taken around midnight. Isn’t it amazing how light it still was?!

Iceland has been an amazing experience, so different from what I had seen before in my life.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

This is the most stylish I got in Iceland. First of all, it was freezing cold (Thank God, I brought this padded gilet with me!), second of all, I have never felt the urge to dress up or put on make-up. Everything is just laid back and very relaxing.

My look: Grosgrain-trimmed cotton-jersey sweatshirt by Saint Laurent, Pedal Star skinny-leg printed denim pants by Closed, white padded gilet by Moncler Grenoble, large studded backpack by MCM, sunglasses by Marc Jacobs, printed silk scarf by Gabriele Frantzen and biker boots by Chanel. Hat, souvenir from Iceland.

Being on “luxury withdrawal therapy” is kind of fun for one week, but now I cannot wait to bring back some glamour into my life. Stay also tuned for the upcoming post about the most breathtaking sceneries I have seen on the island.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

After two days in Reykjavík, I have started my trip around Iceland. The so-called Golden Triangle, “the three great destinations” for the Icelandair travelers that visit the country are Gullfoss, Geysir and Þingvellir and were first on my “to-see list”. Believe me, they are absolutely worth the visit. Step off luxury and explore paradise! Enjoy my photo diary.

Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park

The Þingvellir area is an area of sea-floor spreading, displaying the close association of crustal rifting and volcanism. Þingvellir is next to the Great Rift Valley of Eastern Africa the only site on earth where the effects of two major plates drifting apart can be observed. Almannagjá that you can see above is pherhaps the most dramatic structure at Þingvellir.

Gullfoss Waterfall

Gullfoss (translated as “Golden Falls”) is to my opinion one of Iceland’s most stunning waterfalls (and I have seen Niagara falls in Canada!). The light, the scenery is just breathtaking.

Geysir – Strokkur

Strokkur is one of Iceland’s famous fountain geysers, erupting about every 4-8 minutes 15-20m high, sometimes even up to 40m high. It is part of a whole geothermal area next to the famous Great Geysir which was the first one described in a printed source and which is the name giver for this natural phenomenon.

It was freezing cold and I experienced very strong winds that day.

My look: White padded gilet by Moncler Grenoble, pink sweater and checkered shirt, both by Abercrombie & Fitch, large studded backpack by MCM, sunglasses by Katie Grand ♥ HOGAN, printed silk scarf by Gabriele Frantzen, suede classic short boots by UGG Australia and Le Skinny de Jeanne mid-rise skinny jeans by Frame Denim. Hat and gloves, both souvenirs from Iceland.

Skógafoss

On my drive further east, I passed by Skógafoss, a waterfall situated in the south of Iceland at the cliffs of the former coastline. It probably rivals Gullfoss as Iceland’s most famous waterfall.

Dyrhólaey

The small peninsula Dyrhólaey is located on the south coast of Iceland. The view from up there from the cliff is gorgeous with black lava columns coming out of the sea.

Travelling through Iceland feels a little bit like being on luxury withdrawal therapy. The accommodations are pretty basic and you don’t find fancy restaurants. But you find something here that is absolutely unbeatable, breathtaking nature, an amazing light as it barely gets dark these months and peace for your mind.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

On Saturday morning, I flew to Reykjavík, the largest city in Iceland. The world’s northernmost capital of a sovereign state has been on my “places to see” list since a very long time.

I have completely underestimated the climate. The city’s coastal location makes it prone to wind and it is freezing cold here. As I spent the last weeks only in hot temperatures, it feels even worse. During my first few hours in this beautiful and very colorful city , I went shopping and got myself a wool hat and sweater.

My look: White padded gilet by Moncler Grenoble, green sweater by Abercrombie & Fitch, 620 Photo Ready mid-rise leggings-style jeans by J Brand, large studded backpack by MCM, sunglasses by Marc Jacobs and Jenny brushed-suede ankle boots by Isabel Marant. The hat is a souvenir from Iceland.

Here in Reykjavík, there are many things to do and explore. One of the big highlights is whale watching.

The meat of this large mammal can be found on almost every menu in this country.

View of Harpa concert and conference center from the old harbour.

City center

Panorama of the city and the largest church in Iceland

Central Reykjavík seen from…

… the top of Hallgrímskirkja Church.

Colorful rooftops line Reykjavík.

Approximately 45 minutes’ drive from Reykjavik is the famous Blue Lagoon, a place that you don’t want to miss. Set in the pure heart of the Icelandic landscape, it offers a complete spa experience. The warm waters are rich in minerals like silica and sulphur and bathing is reputed to help some people suffering from skin diseases such as psoriasis. I felt too cold to go swimming but the scenery itself has been worth the visit.

Now, I am off to see some geysers and more…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht