Hallgrimskirkja Church, Reykjavik

Iceland is a unique destination that offers pristine nature, breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture. Nowhere on earth are the forces of nature more evident than here, where glaciers, hot springs, geysers, active volcanoes, icecaps, tundra, snow-capped peaks, vast lava deserts, waterfalls and active volcanic craters vie for the visitor’s attention. On the cliffs that gird much of the coastline are some of the world’s most crowded sea-bird colonies, and in the summer, the lakes and marshes teem with nesting waterfowl. Superimposed on this wilderness is a tough and independent society, decedents of the farmers and warriors who fled the tyranny of medieval Scandinavia to settle a new and empty country.

With an area of 103,000 sq km, Iceland is the second largest island in Europe. Iceland is a mountainous island nation in the North Atlantic Ocean, located between Europe and North America. Though not part of the continental mainland, the country is considered Nordic European. The south-east coast is 798 km from Scotland, the eastern end is 970 km from Norway and the Westijords lie 287 km east of Greenland. The main island, which extends 500 km east to west and 300 km north to south, is roughly duck—shaped, with the head in the Westfjords. Although the northernmost point of the mainland extends to within a few hundred metres of the Arctic Circle, the island of Grímsey off the north coast actually straddles it.

Most of Iceland, a real juvenile among the world’s land masses, is characterised by desert plateaus (52%), lava fields (11%), sandur or ‘sand deltas’ (4%) and glacial icecaps (12%). Over half the country lies above 400m, which is more significant than it sounds given the northerly latitude. The highest point, Hvannadalshnúkur, rises 2119m beneath the glacier Öræfajökull. Only 21% of the land, all near the coast, is considered arable and habitable.

Iceland was first inhabited by Nordic and Celtic people in the 9th century CE – tradition says that the first permanent settler was Ingólfur Arnarson, a Norwegian Viking who made his home where Reykjavik now stands. It is thought that Irish monks had temporarily inhabited the island some years prior to this. The Icelanders still basically speak the language of the Vikings. Iceland has received a great number of immigrants over the last 10 years. In the last 5 years the population of immigrants has doubled. As per 2013, the population came up to 322,000 people. The bulk of Iceland’s population and agriculture is concentrated in the south-west between Reykjavík and Vík.

Kirkjufell Mountain

During this trip we expect to see the Northern-Lights.

The northern lights – aurora borealis – are often called “magical” by those who have seen them. Vikings of old considered they were reflections from the armour and shields of the gods. The lights form when charged particles from solar flares penetrate the magnetic shield of our planet, and collide with atoms and molecules in our atmosphere. These collisions result in countless bursts of light (photons) which make up the aurora. These lights can be seen across Iceland during the winter months, especially if you are away from urban light pollution AND the night sky is relatively dark.

Bear in mind, though, that although it is dark by 6 pm in winter, it is also a matter of luck whether one may see this natural phenomenon at a particular time

Under the leadership of Khun Kanitha Kasina-Ubol, the Siam Society is arranging an expedition for members to visit Iceland from Friday 15 to Sunday 24 November 2019. This trip will enable you to enjoy the beauty of winter landscape of Iceland, as well as good chance to see Northern lights, the majestic natural phenomenon of the world.