Did you know Iceland has another side to its beauty?

I always thought Iceland was all about the icy chill of glaciers and the fiery heat of volcanoes, a desolate land where the wind carries a biting cold that seeps into your collar. But today, as I turned a corner on a gravel path, I was completely stunned—houses painted in berry red, sunny yellow, and deep ocean blue stood huddled together, their windows glowing with warm yellow light, as if someone had transported a fairytale town straight out of a storybook. A few steps later, I looked up and found myself face-to-face with Hallgrímskirkja. The stark white structure rises straight into the sky, its sharp spire resembling a glacier frozen in time, yet it somehow harmonizes perfectly with the colorful houses nearby. On one side, there's the soft, whimsical charm of a fairytale; on the other, the cold, majestic romance that reaches for the heavens. These two extremes of beauty blend seamlessly in Iceland's winds, instantly sweeping away the fatigue of travel. Only now do I realize that Iceland is far more than just 'ice and fire.' The hidden gems scattered across its streets are delightful surprises, gifts we often overlook until we experience them firsthand.