Iceland day 3
From lagoons to geysers, with heaps of praise for our geographers on an action-packed last day!
In an amazing last day of their trip to Iceland, our Geography students have enjoyed even more opportunities to enrich their learning about the natural wonder, geology and history of this fantastic country.
The Secret Lagoon
The “Secret Lagoon” is a natural hot spring and bathing pool. The water stays at 38-40 Celsius all year round and is perfect for bathing. In the area, students found several other geothermal springs, and a modest geyser, which erupts every 5 minutes!
Geysir
Our students also visited the site of Geysir, a spouting hot spring that gives its name to all of the world’s geysers.
Although it doesn’t often spout nowadays, its neighbour ‘Strokkur’ erupts every 10-15 minutes, reaching a height of around 30m.
And here it is, captured in its glory, performing on cue for our geographers!
Gullfoss
One of Iceland’s most photographed waterfalls, its two stages can be viewed from two platforms, and our students made the most of this opportunity in wonderful meteorological conditions, as you can see.
Þingvellir (Thingvellir)
The group also visited this national park, which is where Iceland’s Parliament was established in 930AD. The site straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, its rift valley forming where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates pull apart at an average of 3cm a year.
Students were able to walk amongst the rifts and see ropy pahoehoe lava from a shield volcano eruption as they learnt all about the events that shaped Iceland’s early history.
Horse Stables
Our students have also been fortunate enough to meet a host of adorable local inhabitants!
Fridheimar
This was an opportunity for our students to explore this famous tomato factory.
Our students enjoyed not only a feast for the eyes, but were lucky enough to partake in the celebrated Fridheimar tomato soup, while surrounded by the luxuriant vines of the soup's provenance!
True sustainability and local sourcing in action, nicely setting our geographers up for their fantastic evening meal!
Mr Neale is delighted to share that himself and all the accompanying staff could not be more proud of the conduct, impeccable manners and engagement of our students throughout this trip.
Our students have earned a huge amount of praise from their hosts, their guides, and local residents.
They have been superb ambassadors for UGS at all times, thoroughly embodying and demonstrating our core values of pride, participation, and empathy.
Mr Neale would also like to convey huge thanks to the staff supporting this trip, who are pictured below L-R, and who have been nothing short of "absolute stars": Mrs Newton, Mr Neale, Mr Hains, Ms Bramwell, Miss Lingwood, and Miss Devenney-Lees.
We thank them all for working so hard to create this wonderful memory-making enrichment opportunity for our geographers, and we wish all on the trip a safe journey back.