3 Amphibians, Diamonds, and Lineage

Monday, 15 June 2026 

The morning began with another ritual run, another round of prayers, another breakfast that felt both familiar and foreign. But today’s jewel was waiting at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. We boarded an amphibian vehicle, a strange beast that rolled across land like a truck and then plunged into the icy lagoon, transforming into a boat. As we glided across the water, massive icebergs calved off the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, drifting like ancient sculptures. The silence was broken only by the crunch of ice against the hull and the occasional gasp of wonder from our group.

A short drive brought us to Diamond Beach, where polished chunks of blue ice washed ashore on pitch‑black sand, glittering like jewels scattered by the gods. The contrast was stark, surreal, unforgettable, and we lingered there longer than planned, unwilling to leave the sight of diamonds melting into the sea.

By evening, we reached Egilsstaðir and surrendered ourselves to the Vök Baths, geothermal pools floating on the surface of a cold lake. Soaking in hot water while gazing at icy wilderness was pure bliss, a paradox that only Iceland could offer. The steam rose around us like a curtain, blurring the line between water and sky, and for a moment, time itself seemed suspended.

Our guide shared a story that lingered long after the drive: Iceland’s genealogy database, a national treasure that allows every citizen to trace their lineage back centuries. He casually revealed that he and his wife shared a common ancestor seven generations ago. We listened in awe, reflecting on how heritage binds people across centuries, and how our own Tamil Brahm roots carried a similar weight of tradition.

The night at Hotel Smyrlabjörg felt like resting in an Arctic tea house, the silence outside broken only by the whisper of the wind. Tomorrow promised volcanic hells, waterfalls, and a birthday unlike any other…

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