Waingels Iceland Adventure
This October Half-Term, 40 students and 4 staff embarked on an unforgettable journey to Iceland, experiencing a land of breathtaking landscapes and incredible natural wonders. Here's a snapshot of our incredible four days:
Day 1: We began our adventure at the Bridge Between Two Continents, where students stood between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. From there, we marveled at the bubbling Gunnuhver Mud Pool and explored the eerie, abandoned town of Grindavik, which recently made headlines due to a volcanic eruption. It was a day filled with geology in action!
Day 2: The day started at Sky Lagoon, an absolutely stunning spa experience. Students embraced the seven-step Skjól Ritual, relaxing in the sauna with breathtaking ocean views and enjoyed the exfoliating station and Icelandic herbal tea. After lunch we went to the charming Old Dairy Food Hall in Selfoss. Following this we visited the majestic Skógafoss Waterfall. The day ended at Reynisfjara Beach, famous for its black sands, dramatic basalt columns, and its role as a Game of Thrones filming location.
Day 3: Adventure was the theme of today as we hiked across Sólheimajökull Glacier. Equipped with crampons and ice axes, students felt like true explorers as they drank fresh glacial meltwater and soaked in the stunning surroundings. In the afternoon, we visited the breathtaking Seljalandsfoss and the hidden gem Gljúfrabúi, a waterfall tucked away in a canyon.
Day 4: We concluded the trip with Iceland's iconic Golden Circle Tour, visiting the iconic Gullfoss Waterfall, the erupting Geysir, and the historic Þingvellir National Park. A highlight of the day was meeting a herd of wild Icelandic horses, which students adored.
On our final evening, we celebrated with the Waingels Geography Tradition: the Paper Plate Awards! Some winners included Whitney and Yannie for "Best Duo," Darcy and Lily as "Trip Hairdressers," and the Year 13 boys, crowned "Always Late." The evening concluded with a spectacular display of the Northern Lights, a magical end to our journey.
I will always look back on this trip with lots of fond memories which I will never forget. The student’s behaviour was absolutely brilliant, and they certainly made us laugh along the way. I would like to say another huge thank you to Mrs Atkins, Mr Lawless and Mr Pole for being excellent travel companions and to all the students and parents who made this trip so amazing.