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scandiengbergs3 · 2 years

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Our Thursday and a too-windy hike!

Hello! On Thursday, we started off with big goals; we wanted to hike about a 4.5-mile roundtrip up Mt. Esja and see the amazing vistas of Reykjavik over the bay. Now, this length of hike, with its amount of ascent, is totally within our capabilities, but there was one factor that was quite an imposition on Thursday morning: gale-force winds (well, “gale-force” in probably a non-technical sense).

We arrived at the base of a hike in an area with a considerable network of trails and we started up a pretty steep initial ascent, on a trail with very high white and purple wildflowers (the purple ones are all over Iceland and on the sides of highways and al over the place in Sweden and Norway; I believe they are lupines). So, the first part was windy; my attitude was not great, but I was keeping it together. I happen to be very sensitive to wind; it is my least favorite weather, I think, because I get horrible ear aches from the wind, so I typically carry a hat. Anyway, our attire was suited for the occasion, and up we went, up, up, up 1000 feet. So, within 250 feet from the point where we turned around, there was no respite from the onslaught of the wind and we saw some people coming down who applauded the kids but also said it was only going to get windier at the top. The winds were probably 30 mph with gusts of 40 mph and it was really hard to even walk against them. Though we all would’ve loved to have gone up farther, it was unsafe, in my opinion, to do so. So, we trudged back down. But, we got some gorgeous photos along the whole, windy way.

After our hike, we took a detour that was actually a do-again for me, heading towards the westfjords of Iceland, which my dad, the kids, and I did when Cece was 15 months old. What I really remember about the beginning of that drive, then, was a very long tunnel. So, getting to do it again. we were able to time it. Now, a 5-minute,15-second, tunnel may not sound that long, but it is when you’re in it! After the tunnel, we went to a small town on the coast called Akranes. There, we went to a black sand beach and one thing we really noticed, though I failed to take a picture, was that among all of the kelp and seaweed there was a ton of plastic, broken down a bit by the water and tumult of the sea, but, still, super obvious. It reminded me of a book I had as kid, and that Cece and Rowan have, called Serendipity, about a pink sea monster who throws all of the garbage humans have dumped into the sea back upon them on the shore.

From Akranes (which also has a really cool, early-twentieth-century movie theater), we went back to Reykjavik, and the kids and I walked into the city center and went to the Laundromat Cafe, a place we went to on all of our previous trips (well, both, I should say, which isn’t really an “all”). We loved that place when the kids were younger because in the basement, they had a play room, with these cubbies in the wall the kids could climb up into, and a Moomin mural, but, alas, I think that area went the way of the wind due to Covid. It was all blocked off. We ate at the Laundromat Cafe anyway, upstairs like grown people and we we enjoyed ourselves. Then, we did some walking around on shopping streets, and we stopped, near the end of our jaunt, at a shop called Dimmalimm where they sold these adorable puffin-print shirts, designed in Iceland but made in Estonia.

After our walk in the wind in central Reykjavik, the kids and I went to the Perlan museum, which was totally amazing -- it showcased Iceland’s natural wonders and has a planetarium, where we watched a 25-minute film about the aurora borealis, and it has a 360-degree walkway around the base of the glass dome at the top of the museum, and the views of Reykjavik were stupendous.

Afterwards, we met Eric at the Sundlaug Setjarnarness, a pool that has a slide, a shallow kids’ pool, lap pool, multiple hot tubs, a cold tub, and steam rooms. We’ve been there on our other trips. The kids had such fun on the slide. It was suuuuper cold and windy (probably with temperatures of about 40 degree Fahrenheit) but that did not deter them from running up over and over to the top of the platform to go down the slide over and over. I stayed tucked down in the hot tub ;)

We didn’t get home until quite late, so, again, the kids had skyr and toast and fruit for dinner. I feel kind of like maybe I should’ve made a proper meal one of those nights, but, then again, the kids had so much fun at the pool and were wiped out. I was tired, too, from the hot water (geothermal heat, oh yeah) and the chlorine. Eric loves water, swimming, soaking so much, that he had a total blast too. What a full day -- again!!

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shamrockluck15 · 5 years

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Holiday to Iceland!

My Mum and I went on holiday to Iceland for a short break last month. We stayed in Reykjavik.

The first thing we noticed on arrival, is that of course Iceland isn’t covered in snow and ice like some may think. It is a vast land of beautiful scenery, very colourful. (Including the buildings!)

After a late flight in the night before, we decided to explore around the city. We found the Perlan, which is a large glass dome with multiple floors and plenty to do. From a real man made ice cave, an interactive model of Látrabjarg with the puffins, to the observation deck at the top and much more.

Our view on the observation deck wasn’t too impressive due to the rain and cloudy weather. But it still gave us a good view over Reykjavik. The man made ice cave was an experience in itself. It was freezing cold – as to be expected – and quite low in some areas. Made with real snow and ice taken from the Blue Mountains. I’d also highly recommend to go with the guided tour, because the guide really knows his stuff and it was very interesting.

We got a bus back to the city and spent the rest of the day wandering around the city. We found a nice little pub called The Irishman. As everyone says, Iceland is very expensive so definitely bear that in mind when going!

On our second day we had booked to go on the South Shore adventure. We booked through Reykjavik Excursions and highly recommend them. The guides are lovely and friendly, happy to answer any questions. They are very informative and added in funny little stories about different places.

While on the bus journey, we noticed that Iceland was very flat. There wasn’t many trees so you could see for miles and miles. One tour guide told us that if you got lost in one of the ‘forests’ they have, that you just have to stand up and you’d be able to see your way out!

Instead of fields of cows and sheep, the main animals to be seen were horses. With the odd field of sheep. What I find amazing is they don't allow any horses into the country, so they don’t have to worry about common diseases like we have here.

They also have it cracked in regards to drainage of their fields. They have ditches around almost every field we saw, to help keep the fields mud free.

Our first stop was at Skógafoss waterfall. Until you’ve seen it, you’ve never seen a real waterfall before! We were lucky that the sun came out long enough to give us a rainbow effect at the fall too. It is spectacular. And also where part of Thor: The dark world was filmed.

Next we went to Reynisfjara black sand beach. It is stunning, yet also fierce. The waves were crashing against the shore with such power, even without the warnings about going too close you would certainly think twice about it! At the beach we also saw the Reynisdrangar rocks and Columnar Basalt.

For lunch we stopped in a lovely little village called Vík. The church at the top of the hill looking over the village was lovely.

On the way back we stopped off at Sólheimajökull and had a short walk to the bottom of a glacier, which has formed a small lake with many icebergs floating down it.

The last stop of that excursion was another waterfall, Seljalandsfoss. Another beautiful waterfall that you can actually walk behind. We didn’t, however. Not fancying getting soaked! (There was also a small stall there that sold the best doughnuts I’ve ever tasted.)

On our third day we spent more time wondering around the city. We went to the Whale museum. Which, wasn’t really worth the entry fee. It was cool to see the model whales to real size, but there wasn’t much else there to do. But it certainly passed a little bit of time while it was raining.

We had a look around the shops, buying gifts to bring back and souvenirs. There is plenty of nifty little places with different kind of souvenirs to your normal holiday shops.

Our last full day we went on The Golden Circle & Friðheimar excursion. Our first stop was Friðheimar greenhouse cultivation centre, which was really interesting. It’s one of the largest in Iceland. Growing tomatoes using all natural resources that Iceland has to offer. As well as importing hundreds of bees to pollinate the plants. And no use of any pesticides.

Geysir geothermal area was our next stop. We got to see the active geyser Strokkur, which was quite the sight when shooting up water! We had lunch there too and had a look around the various shops on offer there.

Then we went to Gullfoss waterfall. If I thought the two previous waterfalls we saw were amazing, this was something else. It has three different levels to it ending into a deep canyon, and you are able to either look down on it from above or go lower down to the middle area. It was a bit of a hike down a rocky slope, but worth it to get closer to the waterfall.

Returning to the bus, rather soaked from being so close to the waterfall, we then went to Þingvellir National Park. Where we walked along by the Mid-Atlantic ridge which is The Eurasian and North-American tectonic plates pulling Iceland apart slowly.

Unfortunately we were not lucky enough to see the Northern lights on our trip, as it was cancelled each night because of the weather. But the beauty of the country more than made up for it. And it is somewhere I would love to return to at some point in the future.

#Iceland #reykjavik #Perlan #Skógafoss #Reynisfjara black sand beach #Vík #Sólheimajökull #Seljalandsfoss #Friðheimar greenhouse cultivation centre #Geysir geothermal area #Strokkur #Gullfoss waterfall #Þingvellir National Park #holiday #trip #wonders of iceland #travel

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logi1974 · 3 years

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Island 2021 - Tag 18 Teil 2

Herrschaften!

Am späten Nachmittag treibt es uns doch noch einmal vor die Tür. Es sind mehrere Kreuzfahrtschiffe im Hafen und die “Insassen"werden überall durch die Stadt gekarrt, demnach müssen wir uns wieder antizyklisch verhalten.

Uns zieht es jetzt zum 61 Meter hohen Hügel Öskjuhlíð. Dort befindet sich der höchsten Punkt der Stadt mit einem ganz besonderen Bauwerk, der Perlan (Perle).

Von der Perlan hat man einen schönen Rundblick über Stadt und das Umland. Aber es ist nicht nur ein einfacher Wasserspeicher. Die Perlan ist auch ein Museum unter einer rotierender Glaskuppel. Der Standort wurde auf den Wassertanks errichtet.

Sechs große Heißwassertanks fassen jeweils 4 Millionen Liter Wasser. Vom Vulkan Hengill gelangt 85 ˚C heißes, geothermales Wasser über das Heizkraftwerk Nesjavellir mit einer 27 km lange Pipeline nach Reykjavik zur Perlan und versorgt die Stadt mit Heizenergie.

Die Warmwasserspeicher, die seit Mitte des 20. Jahrhunderts auf dem Gipfel des Öskjuhlíð standen, wurden gleich mit erneuert, als die futuristische halbkugelförmige Glaskuppel aufgesetzt wurde.

Das Projekt wurde maßgeblich von dem beliebten Politiker Davíð Oddsson während seiner Amtszeit als Bürgermeister von Reykjavík kuratiert. Der Architekt Ingimundur Sveinsson entwarf das Gebäude ursprünglich im Jahr 1991.

Nachts werden die Wassertanks von Flutlichtern beleuchtet, die die Konstruktion über der ganzen Stadt erhellen. Oben auf der Kuppel befindet sich ein rotierendes Positionslicht für den Flugverkehr des nahe gelegenen Inlandsflughafen.

Mit dem Mietauto ist es ein Katzensprung. Sollte man allerdings nicht motorisiert sein, bietet es sich an mit den öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln bzw. ab der Harpa dem kostenlosen Shuttlebus dorthin zu fahren.

Der Fahrpreis ist im Eintrittspreis für das Museum enthalten. Ansonsten ist das Perlan natürlich auch eine der Haltestellen der beliebten Hop-On/Hop-Off-Tour.

Beim Betreten des Gebäudes vermutet man nicht, dass man mitten in der Wasserversorgung Reykjaviks steht. Im Erdgeschoss befinden sich die Aurora-Planetarium Show und das Wonders of Iceland Museum.

Auf unterhaltsame erfährt man viel über das Leben in, auf und am Wasser. Überall gibt es Dinge zu erkunden, Videos zu sehen oder interaktiv Informationen abzufragen.

Nun folgt das spektakuläre Highlight dieses Museums: die Eis-Höhle. Ungefähr alle 15 Minuten werden dort kleine Gruppen eingelassen.

Im Juli 2017 wurde die Glacier Exhibition of Iceland eröffnet. Dem Museum ist es gelungen, einen 100 Meter langen Eistunnel nahezu komplett nachzubauen.

350 Tonnen Schnee wurden dafür von den Gletschern nach Reykjavik gebracht.

Nach der Schleuse empfängt die Besucher klirrende Kälte und ein spannender Weg durch das ewige Eis.

Der Schnee ist an vielen Stellen von echter Vulkanasche durchzogen und beeindruckend ausgeleuchtet.

Kleine, verwinkelte Tunnel leiten die Besucher durch die künstliche Eishöhle, welche konstant bei -10°C gehalten wird.

Das Projekt ermöglicht den Besuchern einen Blick in die Vergangenheit, Gegenwart und Zukunft der isländischen Gletscher. Weltweit einzigartig!

Direkt neben der Kasse am Eingang befindet sich Islands erstes und einziges Planetarium.

Beim Betreten erwartet die Besucher ein sternenklarer Nachthimmel unter dem man in bequemen Sitzen Áróra, der Göttin der Morgenröte und des Nordlichts, auf ihrer Reise durch Zeit und Raum folgen kann.

Die Áróra, gesprochen von der isländischen Künstlerin Ragnhildur Gísladóttir, hilft das Geheimnis der Nordlichter zu verstehen. Wie bilden sich die Nordlichter im Weltraum? Welche Erklärungen hatten die Menschen in früheren Zeiten für das Phänomen? Gibt es Polarlichter nur auf der Erde oder auch auf anderen Planeten?

Viele führende isländische Künstler waren an der Entstehung der Show beteiligt. Herausgekommen ist ein beeindruckendes Erlebnis, während die Nordlichter wild um unsere Köpfe tanzen. Für alle die bisher auf echte Nordlichter verzichten mussten, eine tolle Alternative.

Die Perlan besitzt auch ein Modell der Klippen von Látrabjarg, die sich in den Westfjorden befinden. Diese Klippen sind als einer der weltweit besten Stellen für Vogelbeobachtungen bekannt.

Die Nachbildung ist zehn Meter hoch und ermöglicht es, lebensechte Präparate der dort nistenden Vögel zu sehen, ohne das ganze Land durchqueren zu müssen.

Dies ist Teil der Ausstellung „Wunder von Island“, die auch eine filmische Darstellung der Unterwasserwelt des Landes und eine Fülle von Darstellungen über Islands Geologie wie Vulkane, tektonische Platten, geothermische Stätten und Erdbeben umfasst.

Darüber hinaus hat die Perlan eine Ausstellung mit dem Titel "Wasser in der isländischen Natur".

Man erfährt wie sehr Wasser dieses Land definiert. Es nutzt modernste Technologie und interaktive Displays, um diese Konzepte zum Leben zu erwecken.

Oben in der aufgesetzten Glaskuppel befinden sich gleich zwei Restaurants, die vor allem bei klarem Wetter schon alleine wegen ihrer Aussicht einen Besuch wert sind.

Allerdings laufen diese aktuell nur im eingeschränkten Betrieb und schließen bereits um 18 Uhr. Der Eisstand hatte jedoch noch geöffnet. Eine Kugel Eis im Hörnchen mit View für günstige 4 Euro.

Im 4. Stock befindet sich außerhalb der Kuppel eine Aussichtsplattform.

Vom Café/Selbstbedienungsrestaurant aus kann man auf die Plattform gehen, auf der man 360-Grad um die Perle herumlaufen kann.

Die Aussichtsplattform hier bietet einen beeindruckenden Panoramablick auf die Stadt und ihre Umgebung.

An sechs Stellen sind Teleskope installiert, aber der Blick auf Reykjavik und Umland ist auch ohne diese Hilfsmittel großartig.

Verschiedene Beschilderungen erläutern die Orte der näheren und weiten Umgebung. An schönen und klaren Tagen kann man bis zu 100 km weit sehen.

Der neueste Schrei ist eine Zip-Line. Von der Aussichtsplattform können sich wagemutige Zeitgenossen für etwas über 20 Euro in die Tiefe stürzen.

Der Besuch des Perlan ist eine informative Angelegenheit für die man mehrere Stunden Zeit einplanen sollte. Immerhin kostet der Eintritt auch “schlanke” 30 Euro pro Person.

Unsere Empfehlung lautet hier: den Besuch in die späten Nachmittagsstunden oder frühe Abendstunden zu legen, dann hat man auch den nötigen Platz und die Ruhe, um das Gebotene zu genießen.

Spezial Tipp: Toilettenbesuch! So was will ich auch zu Hause haben ...

Bei unserer Ankunft gegen 17.30 Uhr standen dort sage und schreibe 7 große Reisebusse auf dem Parkplatz, die gerade dabei waren ihre “Deliquenten” wieder einzufangen.

Geöffnet ist bis 22 Uhr, so hat man auch dann noch ausreichend Zeit alle Angebote zu nutzen. Lediglich auf das gastronomische Angebot muss man dann verzichten, kann sich aber selbst etwas mitbringen und auf die Plattform setzen.

Gute Nacht!

Angie, Micha und der Hasenbär

#Perlan #Reykjavik #Island #Iceland

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hadi628 · 4 years

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Interesting Places In ℝ𝕖𝕪𝕜𝕛𝕒𝕧í𝕜

Solfar

The famous sculpture is called Solfar or Sun Voyager. It is described as a dreamboat or an ode to the Sun. It represents the promise of undiscovered territory, a dream of hope, progress, and freedom. It is a metal statue resembling a Viking longboat which sits on the seashore in Reykjavík. This piece of artwork by Jón Gunnar Árnaso is one of the most visited sights in the capital city and makes a great photo location with its view of Mount Esja in the background on the other side of the bay. The Solfar sculpture is a walking distance from the city center.

The photo above was taken at midnight. The best thing about Summer in Iceland is the endless amount of daylight. It's a staggering 24 hours of daylight. There was no darkness the whole time we were there and actually for the whole month of June. It was absolutely worked great for us. Because we had plenty of time exploring outside the city.

The Harpa Concert Hall

Walking towards Harpa, I stopped and just stared at it for a while as such an impressive structure demands that you do. I was captivated by its shimmering beauty set against the backdrop of Mount Esja and the Atlantic Ocean. Its irregularly framed windows continually changed colors which reminded me of the Aurora Borealis. By day, Harpa sparkles with reflecting light and by night it glows gently with different colored LED lights. Since its opening in 2011, it has become one of the most known architectural icon of Iceland.

The Harpa Concert Hall offers year-round cultural events as well as daily exhibitions during the summer months. This architectural masterpiece is a must-see when visiting Reykjavík.

Höfði House

The Höfði House was built in 1909. It is considered to be one of the most historically significant buildings in the city of Reykjavík. It is best known as the location for the 1986 summit meeting of presidents Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. A historical event that effectively marked the end of the Cold War.

The Höfði House is a walking distance from the city center of Reykjavík. It is overlooking the waterfront and currently used for official receptions and meetings. Unfortunately, it is not open to the public. But visitors are welcome to explore the house from the outside.

Perlan

Perlan Museum of Natural History with Planetarium show is a must-visit place while in Iceland. It is a modern interactive museum presenting variety of Icelandic nature. In the Wonders of Iceland exhibitions, you learn all about Icelandic nature in interactive and fun ways. Natural wonders come alive at your fingertips – volcanoes, northern lights, glaciers, ocean-life, seabirds, and so much more. You explore a real ice cave, sit back in a first-class Planetarium, have fun with interactive displays, and enjoy views all over Reykjavík city. On Perlan’s top floor, there is a café and fantastic views. Admission Fee with free parking.

Photo above courtesy of Perlan

The Yellow Lighthouse

As you go around Iceland, the chances are good that you will see a lighthouse or two. That is not surprising, considering there are over a hundred of lighthouses all along the coastline. For many, lighthouse structures seem to be a legacy of a bygone era. But if there’s one quality to Icelandic coastal towns that is consistent across the country, it’s the prevalence of lighthouses. These structures are symbolic of the county’s long history as a seafaring nation.

Ships and boats nowadays are equipped with advanced navigation systems, they might not need a lighthouse anymore to guide them. But lighthouses make good subjects for photography and became a popular tourist attraction. Iceland’s lighthouses will likely continue to be a source of fascination for years to come.

They say, "Be a lighthouse. Let your light shine and be the light to others.”

The Nootka Lupine

The purple plant is taking over the landscape of Iceland. They are everywhere and a sight to behold. The plant is called Nootka lupine. We learned from our tour guide and from reading that the plant is native to North America. They have spread wildly in Iceland since their introduction in the late 1970s to halt soil erosion.

To tourists and plenty of Icelanders, the lupine fields are a breathtakingly beautiful sight in midsummer. But for some natives, the plants are an alien blot on the landscape that need to be eliminated.

Why do they want to get rid of this attractive blossoms? They say the threat is growing. Encouraged by the warming atmosphere, lupine is spreading beyond Iceland. Within 30 years, under current climate change forecasts, it could colonize much of the highland interior.

There is another downside to lupine. After bloom, the lovely light green foliage and the flowers die an ugly death. They fade to dark grayish-brown spikes bearing seed pods. In public parks, admirers of the plants wait for the snow to cover up the mess. Opponent of the plant says, “Everything but the glaciers are potential lupine land.”

How about you? What is your take on these lovely plants?

Click on links below to read more:

The Best Of Iceland

City Tour In Reykjavík

Sand Hotel by Keahotels

𝗥𝗘𝗬𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗙𝗝𝗔𝗥𝗔: The Black Sand Beach

Click to visit Solfar Official Site Click to visit Harpa Concert Hall official site Click to visit Höfði House Click to read History of Nootka Lupine

#solfar #the sun voyager #harpa concert hall #hofoi #lighthouse #reykjavík #iceland #Travel Around the World #lupine

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nagaino · 4 years

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Perlan - Wonders of Iceland https://www.instagram.com/p/B8nkhlGJWW7/?igshid=1j389li3zhral

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icelandnews · 4 years

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Girls taking selfies on the Pearl, a great place in Reykjavik. Great view over the city. #icelandisopen #icelandair #primetours #reykjavik #follow_me #followme #holiday #vacation (at Perlan - Wonders of Iceland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBX7Tj0hSdq/?igshid=aud5gw7y82pm

#icelandisopen #icelandair #primetours #reykjavik #follow_me #followme #holiday #vacation

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sandhya0083 · 5 years

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Journey to these Incredible Icelandic Spots for the Ultimate Aurora Borealis Tableau!

The stunning display of ethereal lights in the broad expanse of the sky, the Northern Lights is sure to be on everyone’s bucket list! We at Pickyourtrail have compiled the best place to view the Aurora Borealis, read ahead and find out…

Aurora in Iceland

Without a doubt, the singular viewing spots for the Northern Lights are found in Iceland. The closer you get to the Arctic, the better your view of the Aurora Borealis. Known for its magnificent glaciers, gushing geysers, gregarious waterfalls, and sedate volcanoes, Iceland is also incredibly generous with its Northern Lights viewing! Do plan your trip between September and April to witness the lights in all their glory.

Seltjarnarnes

The Grótta lighthouse found on the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula is a fantastic spot to catch the lights - away from the city and the light pollution, you’ll get a clear view! Beat the cold by soaking your feet in a convenient geothermal tub while you wait for the lights to emerge. Close your eyes, wait until you’ve adjusted to the darkness, and be prepared to be spellbound!

Öskjuhlíð

Plan an Aurora adventure to Öskjuhlíð, a forest near a popular restaurant, Perlan. The night sky, the quiet sounds from the trees and wildlife, and several little clearings all provide you with the perfect ambiance to experience the Aurora Borealis in its splendor! Lay back on the ground, let your heart and mind expand along with the expanse of the sky.

Seljavallalaug

A truly unique place to view the Northern Lights is at Seljavallalaug Pool, the oldest Icelandic pool! Found nestled between South Icelandic mountains, the pool is naturally filled by geothermal hot water. Prepare to soak in this authentic heated swimming pool, your body in the water and your head tilted to gaze at the wonders playing across the sky!

Urban Viewing

We’ve taken care to suggest remote places away from the urban areas, as the city lights will affect your viewing pleasure. Besides, there is little mobility to follow the Northern lights while they dance in the sky. If you do choose to view the Aurora from the cities, we recommend you find a tall building with relatively less light pollution. An alternative is a city park, such as the Laugardalur Park or the lesser-known Klambratún!

The Northern Lights are truly a spectacle worthy of many a visit! Take time off from the hustle and bustle of daily life, pack your bags and winter jackets, and jet off to Iceland. Pickyourtrail will take care of the minutiae while you escape to the Aurora Borealis with your loved ones! Book an incredible Northern Lights tour with Pickyourtrail.

#Northern Lights tour #Northern Lights #Northern Lights tour packages #Northern Lights Tours #Aurora Borealis #aurora #arctic city of Tromso #Pickyourtrail #tour of Iceland #iceland #place to view the Northern Lights

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torontoseoulcialite · 5 years

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Next Stop: Reykjavik

Can you believe I made it to Osaka, Shanghai, Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Taipei, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Kota Kinabalu, Bali, Orlando, and Korea (duh!) over the past 3 years? When I was in Korea, all I wanted was to escape the freezing temperatures and fly to warmer climates. Now that I’m in Canada, I’m eyeing Europe – particularly the Nordic countries! While I only just started my “new” job in August, I’ve already earned enough vacation days to take a little trip. Hello – dream job! If you’ve been following along on social media, you’ll know that I just got back from Reykjavik, Iceland. With Wow Air flights this cheap, I couldn’t not go!

Toronto – Reykjavik

First things first – my flight to Reykjavik’s Keflavik International Airport was an absolute steal. I’m not fussed over having luxuries like in-flight entertainment or 5-star dining. Let’s be real – I flew Air Asia practically everywhere. I flew Wow Air and paid $235.92 CAD for my round-trip flight from Toronto to Reykjavik. This price was inclusive of HST, Airport Improvement Fee, Air Travelers’ Security Charge, ZU passenger fee, and IS Airport service charge).

Once I arrived in Reykjavik, I booked an Airport Direct shuttle from the airport to the Blue Lagoon at 7:30 AM. My total transfers from the airport to Blue Lagoon and then along to my hostel came to a total of ISK 5,500 ($58.35 CAD). Not exactly a steal, but a great option when things in Reykjavik can be quite pricy.

I decided to ball out at the Blue Lagoon and treat myself to the Premium experience:

Entrance to the Blue Lagoon

Silica mud mask

Use of towel

1st drink of your choice

Second mask of choice

Slippers

Use of bathrobe

Table reservation at Lava Restaurant

Sparkling wine when dining

From ISK 9 900 ($105 CAD)

The Lamb fillet and shoulder of lamb: Rutabaga, carrots, rhubarb, thyme set me back ISK 4 900 ($51.97 CAD). It’s a once in a lifetime event and I wanted to enjoy every second, but honestly? Not worth it to get the premium – don’t bother with the crappy food at Lava. It’s plated beautifully but lacks any sort of flavour whatsoever. Save your ISK and just get the comfort package. The only extras you get are flip flops, a robe, and an algae mask.

The lagoon itself is gorgeous and relaxing. I didn’t indulge in the spa treatments, but the silica mask you get leaves your face and shoulders feeling baby soft. Heed warning about your hair, though. I thought that covering it in conditioner would be enough, but my hair was a wreck. Trying to pull a comb through it was incredible painful wet or dry, and it lasted for days. Heed the advice of other bloggers and put your hair up in a bun!

Arctic Adventures – Iceland’s South Coast

4 days in Iceland is plenty to scratch the surface. I can’t imagine how many gorgeous places there are to discover. If you’re like me and have limited vacation days, Reykjavik is a great adventure destination even if just for a few days away! Over the course of 10 hours on an Arctic Adventures minibus, we got through the tight schedule of:

Skógafoss Waterfall

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

Sólheimajökull Glacier

Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Reynisdrangar Basalt Sea Stacks

Vík in Mýrdalur

Included

Pick-up & drop off from Reykjavík

Guided Visit to South Shore Highlights

English Speaking Tour Guide

Free WiFi on Board Your Bus

Seljalandsfoss

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I went chasing waterfalls in Iceland. I climbed icy rocks to step behind Seljalandsfoss and make my wish. I couldn’t find any evidence of Icelandic folklore to support the idea of making a wish behind the falls, but I had on my trusty HBC boots, my Columbia snowsuit, and propensity for mischief, so behind Seljalandsfoss I went. Can you guess what I wished for? Hint – it wasn’t surviving the climb up out and down the other side!

Skogafoss

Skogafoss waterfall (by the way – that’s redundant as “foss” means “waterfall”) was certainly safer than Seljalandsfoss! To get up to the top and get an aerial view of the falls, you can walk up some stairs. It takes about 5 minutes – the record is 3 minutes, apparently. Legend has it that there was once a treasure chest buried at Skogafoss and those trying to reach it would experience delusions. You can read all about it here. I’m sure glad that my wishes come from the heart, and not for the wallet!

Reynisfjara

The iconic black sand beaches and basalt sea stack formations featured in “Game of Thrones” are found at Reynisfjara. There are a few legends as to how the stacks were formed. One involves two trolls dragging a three-masted ship into land and failing. The other is of a free-spirited woman pulled away from her husband by the trolls, destined to spend eternity among the rocks and sea. As stunning as the landscape of Iceland is, I’m sure it would be even more breathtaking with a partner. I felt incredibly calm, but especially lonely at this beach as a solo traveler.

Vik

When I told people that I was visiting Iceland, they told me I absolutely had to go to Vik i Myrdal. I certainly wanted to see the iconic church (Reyniskirkja), but beyond that I wasn’t sure. We only stopped here for a quick view of Reynisfjara and the town of Vik, then we were on the bus and headed for a 3 PM “lunch”. The food in Iceland is already incredibly expensive, so imagine being in a town where a truck stop is your only option for food on the tour. I think I paid $25 for the crappiest, tiniest curry ever. Stick to the hot dogs and burgers, when available. They won’t be cheap either, but at least they’re dependable! I was surprised that in a country like Iceland their fish would be frozen, square, deep fried pucks. Bring food with you on the tour, for sure!

Aurora Borealis: The Northern Lights

If you really want great images you must really know how to use your camera and have a much better tripod than I did. Also – avoid these huge tour groups. They’re big ole money grabs. We were taken an hour in one direction to a chalet where we were expected to buy drinks and souvenirs. The lines were insanely long and it was just pretty uncomfortable. Then, we were brought back in the direction of Reykjavik and further down to the South Coast to a small area near a very brightly lit church. It was very hilly and quite windy – not ideal for a tripod and camera. With drunken idiots stumbling in front of your tripod trying to see the lights through your lens and littering water bottles full of vodka, we were incredibly lucky to actually see the lights dance! This is what it actually looks like chasing the Northern Lights with a tour group.

Photos from my Samsung S9 – I was pretty impressed with the image quality they were able to produce:

Food and Drink in Iceland

Since food and drinks are so expensive in Iceland, your absolute best is to stock up on vodka or even champagne when you get off the plane. Drinks at bars in Reykjavik will cost about $7 – $10 during “Happy Hour” (very common in Reykjavik due to the obscene prices) and $10 – $20 otherwise. Most people who have visited ask me if I survived on hot dogs. I must admit, I ate a couple as moderately cheap sustenance! I took myself out on my first night and a bowl of olives and a pint cost me $20. i suggest you pre-drink at your hotel or even get an AirBnB so you can cook. “Bonus” is the cheapest grocery store around, I’ve been told. Liquor stores are closed on Sundays, so prepare in advance. People in Iceland leave to go out quite late at night, too.

Last Day in Reykjavik

On my last day in Reykjavik I rounded out some of my other bucket list goals. I visited Perlan – Wonders of Iceland. I walked around the city getting great views of Hallgrimskirkja, the iconic Catholic church in Iceland’s capital city. On the way back to my hostel in Hlemmur Square, I saw an incredible mid-afternoon sunset behind the Sun Voyager.

Perlan – Wonders of Iceland is a museum which will really need a post all to itself. The incredible architecture makes way for a 360 observation deck, and since it’s up on a hill you get a phenomenal view of the city, the glacier, and the water. Ut i Blainn, the restaurant inside Perlan’s dome, was another example of overpriced food (better than Lava, however) and piss poor service, but the ambiance was nice and it was a good way to relax before making my way through the impressive exhibits and the brand new planetarium.

Reykjavik for Romance

Iceland is a wonderful place especially for couples and especially around Christmas. It’s an inexpensive flight from Toronto, you can get pretty good deals on AirBnB’s, and there are plenty of ways to relax together or get an adrenaline rush. I would absolutely suggest heading over even if you, like me, only have a few days to get away! Absolutely DO go chasing waterfalls. Let me know if you head to Seljalandsfoss and we can compare notes on waterfall wishes, too – I hope they come true ❤

Have you been to Iceland? Where was your favourite place to visit? Let me know in the comments!

The Perfect Stopover in Reykjavik, Iceland! Next Stop: Reykjavik Can you believe I made it to Osaka, Shanghai, Bangkok, …

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stuyalb · 2 years

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Not doing the farmer Giles any good on the ice throne in the ice cave (at Perlan - Wonders of Iceland) https://www.instagram.com/p/Caz8fc0owKm/?utm_medium=tumblr

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thrillofthechill · 6 years

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Day 4 Photo Dump:

Today we arrived in Reykjavík, encountered our Galaxy Pods, visited Hallgrimskirkja, learned the bus system, discovered some street art, found the Chuck Norris Grill, and went to Perlan to check out the Wonders of Iceland.

#thrillofthechill

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sierrasanator · 6 years

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at Perlan - Wonders of Iceland

#my photography #instagram #perlan #glaciers #ice caves #Reykjavik #iceland

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mikeandalejandragotoiceland · 3 years

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Hotels, Dining, Events, Sights: Our Daily Schedule at the End of the Page

Hilton Canopy Hotel

https://www.canopyreykjavik.com

Hotel Borg

https://www.keahotels.is/en/hotels/hotel-borg/

THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN REYKJAVIK

Dill

Galley of Food

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g189970-d1553026-Reviews-Dill_Restaurant-Reykjavik_Capital_Region.html#photos;aggregationId=&albumid=101&filter=7&ff=23089930

Apotek

https://apotekrestaurant.is

Food Cellar

https://matarkjallarinn.is/en/dinner/

Snaps Bistro Bar

http://www.snaps.is/english.html

Fish Company

https://www.fiskfelagid.is/en/dinner/

Grill Market

https://www.grillmarkadurinn.is/en

Seafood Grill

https://www.sjavargrillid.is

Messinn

http://messinn.com/english/

Tapas Barinn

http://www.tapas.is/en/Menu/Menu/Tapas_our_way/

Paris Bistro

https://parisbistro.net

REYKJAVIK MUSEUMS

The National Museum

https://www.thjodminjasafn.is/english

Reykjavik Art Museum

https://artmuseum.is/visit

Reykjavik Settlement Exhibition

https://reykjavikcitymuseum.is

Culture Hill

https://visitreykjavik.is/kopavogur-culture-hill

Harbour Village

https://visitreykjavik.is/hafnarfjordur-harbour-village

Harpa Concert Hall

https://en.harpa.is

Hallgrimskirkja

https://www.extremeiceland.is/en/attractions/hallgrimskirkja-reykjavik-iceland

Laugavegur

Main Shopping Street

PERLAN

https://perlan.is/?lang=en

BARS

Magic Ice Bar

https://www.magicice.no/listings/reykjavik-iceland/

NATURE TOURS

GOLDEN CIRCLE TOUR AND VOLCANO

If you only have time for one day tour while in Reykjavik, make it a journey around the Golden Circle, Iceland’s most popular sightseeing route. This full-day small-group tour checks off all the famous highlights such as Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geyser, and Gullfoss Waterfall, as well as visiting the spectacular Kerid Crater Lake. Full-day Golden Circle and Kerid Crater Lake tour from Reykjavik See the meeting point of the American and Eurasian tectonic plates in Thingvellir National Park Visit the highlights of the Golden Circle including the Geysir geyser and Gullfoss Waterfall Admire the little-visited natural wonder of Kerid Crater Lake Great-value tour includes pick-up service and round-trip transport Small-group tour limited to 19 people ensures a personalized experience

South Iceland Glaciers, Waterfalls and Black Sand Beach Day Tour from Reykjavik

Discover the scenery of southern Iceland on this full-day tour from Reykjavik. Journey past lava fields, icebergs, and glacier lakes as you explore the Sólheimajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. Keep your camera poised as you admire the black-sand beaches and dramatic rock formations of Vik, as well as the mighty Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls. Full-day tour of South Iceland from Reykjavik Marvel over the icy landscapes of the Sólheimajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers Walk along the black-sand beaches of Vik Visit the Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls Hotel pickup and drop-off are included