Adventures in Iceland

I can’t think of a place I’ve been on this incredible planet that is quite like Iceland. It is so unique! The rocky landscape with its geothermal features, volcanic rock, waterfalls everywhere, and adorable Icelandic horses and sheep around every corner… #dreamy

I took a LOT of photos and videos. Big surprise, right? 🙂 I also did more solo hiking than I usually do. I’m trying to become more comfortable with the idea…Iceland felt REALLY safe. If there are people, they are often friendly tourists doing the same thing I’m doing! There is a certain camaraderie about passing someone else who is SOAKED and has a couple miles to go before they will reach the destination you are returning from. Yeah, it rains in Iceland! :p BIG heads up — don’t bother hiking to the hot spring river (like I did) if it’s raining!

I was only in the country for four days [not counting travel days] and didn’t have time to drive the entire ring road (the island is HUGE), but I did get as far as Diamond Beach. This super neat destination is about a five hour drive from downtown Reykjavik, and will look different depending on the season. I think summertime is the time to see these chunks of ice on shore.

Again, can we talk about unique landscapes?? Have I seen anything like this before in Canada or Alaska…no!! I regret not booking a Zodiak tour to go out into this lagoon to see the icebergs up close and visit the seals! There are at least two tour options for getting out on the water. Next time I visit Iceland, I’ll do it [and also rent a 4×4 vehicle so I can take the dirt roads up into the highlands]!! The main “Ring Road” circumnavigates the island and is almost completely paved, but there are LOTS of other gravel roads to explore if you have the right rig!!

One of my favorite activities was taking the ferry over to the Westman Islands [free parking at Landeyjahofn] and then walking across Heimaey Island from top to bottom [about 11 km round trip]. I saw gorgeous scenery, cute sheep, and beautiful horses…oh and puffins!! I had good weather on this day and loved my adventure so much!

Of course, it wouldn’t be possible to have good weather for all four days, so I powered through the rainy, cloudy days, trying to have as much fun as possible, but it was a bit rough! I just didn’t take as many photos on the grey days and was very thankful for a car with a heater to dry out my clothes! Let me tell you, the Tesla model Y is GREAT for sleeping in!!!

Have YOU seen any place like this before??? Yeah, it’s super cool. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to go see even just a piece of the country. I spent a few hours in the city of Reykjavik as well…cool architecture and vibe! There were things I wished I had more time for [like the live lava show]! I stayed at a new property — Nordic Hostel — which was absolutely fantastic!!! Great value and so comfy!! I used the scooter rental system [Hopp] in order to zoom over to Sky Lagoon [expensive, but very nice]. And I rented a Tesla through Hertz [expensive, but allowed me to sleep for nearly free for three nights!]. Charging an electric car was cheaper on the island than buying gas [$9/gallon]. Iceland is the coolest but also the most expensive country I’ve ever visited… I brought lots of bars and dehydrated food from home to try to save money!!

Here are the apps I recommend:

Parka app [for parking and some campgrounds]
Hopp app [for scooters]
KLAPPID app [for public transportation]

I can’t say enough about Nordic Hostel — you should definitely stay there if you don’t mind a bunkbed in a shared room. The beds have privacy curtains and super comfy pillows/duvets/mattresses. Check out their website for even better prices… nordichostel.is