ThisandThat

Iceland. Land of fire, ice and expensive dairy (read: expensive everything).

Are you an adventure seeker looking for your next destination? Look no further because Iceland has got you covered! After watching countless TikTok videos of the stunning Blue Lagoon, my family and I decided to book a trip to Iceland in December 2023. 

I was in charge of planning everything, so we booked our flights, car rental, and accommodation separately in advance. We decided to wing it when it came to excursions, but I did book the famous Blue Lagoon in advance. Unfortunately, it got cancelled, but we didn’t let that dampen our spirits – we found an even better alternative: the Secret Lagoon. And as we got closer to our trip, we also booked a pony riding and quad driving experience, which was an absolute blast!

Of course, packing for Iceland in winter is no easy feat. We made sure to pack thermals, snow boots, and plenty of layers to keep us warm. I brought a ski jacket and trousers to wear over my clothing. And let me tell you, a head torch and crampons definitely came in handy when we were out exploring. We even packed some packets of soup, noodles, tea, coffee, and other snacks to save some money.

When it came to our accommodation, we stayed in a cosy wood cabin called the “Viking Lodge”. It had everything we needed: underfloor heating, a jacuzzi, a barbecue, and even a Northern Lights viewing area (although we weren’t lucky enough to catch a glimpse). As a group trip, we appreciated having a living room and kitchen/dining space where we could all hang out and bond over our adventures.

Day 1 Golden Circle

Day 1 of our Icelandic adventure started with a flight from Edinburgh to the international airport, Keflavik. The excitement was palpable as we checked out the other passengers’ outfits and assessed if we had packed correctly. After arriving at the airport, we contacted the rental car company. We were on our way to explore the beautiful country in no time. 

Driving on the right side of the road was challenging, but we managed to navigate through the snow and the limited daylight hours. We started our journey by partially driving the Golden Circle route, a must-visit on any Icelandic itinerary. 

Our first stop was supposed to be the Blue Lagoon, but sadly, it was closed due to recent eruptions. However, we managed to get a slot at the Secret Lagoon, which turned out to be an ideal alternative. The changing rooms at the lagoon were quite a shock, as there were no cubicles, and people walked around naked. But once we got over the initial surprise, we enjoyed the lagoon’s warm waters, which were perfect for the chilly weather. 

We skipped the Kerid Crater and headed to the Gullfoss waterfall, which was huge and awe-inspiring. Though it wasn’t our favourite waterfall of the trip, it was still a sight to behold. Next up was the Geysir, which we could see from a distance before arriving. The geyser erupting out of the earth was like watching a scene from a fantasy movie. We spent some time observing other geysers and even visited the visitor centre, which had a shop and restaurant. 

Our day ended with a quick visit to the budget supermarket, Kronan, before heading home to make dinner. Overall, day 1 was packed with adventure and new experiences. The best part of the day was visiting the Geysir, while the worst was definitely the changing rooms and driving on the right side of the road. Stay tuned for more updates from our Icelandic journey!

Day 2 South Coast

I’m excited to share my experience of the South Coast, which has been one of my life’s most exhilarating and memorable trips so far. 

On the second day of our journey, we drove approximately 2.5 hours from our cabin in Mosfellsbaer to reach Reynisfjara, the famous black sand beach. The drive was a visual treat, and we were able to spot numerous ponies on the way. As we arrived at the beach, we were awestruck by the stunning view in front of us. The black sand beach with its rocks and mini caves was a sight to behold. 

I was thrilled to compare shots from Game of Thrones to the beach and figure out where the actors had actually been. The pentagonal/hexagonal rock formations were a sight to behold and reminded me of the Giant’s Causeway. We spent so much time exploring the beach that we had no time to enjoy a delicious meal at the restaurant/coffee house, which served soup, burgers, and cake. 

As we made our way back to the cabin, we stopped at two more incredible waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Kvernufoss & Skogafoss. Although we couldn’t walk behind Seljalandsfoss due to the icy conditions, we still managed to follow the trail into a little cavern that took us under the smaller waterfall. It was a surreal and magical experience. 

After a long day of exploring, we stopped at Selfoss to buy some food and drinks. We also visited Bonus, the other leading budget supermarket, and bought a bag for life with a pig on it, which we still use. Finally, we stopped at Vinbudin to buy beer, wine, and fruity drinks. 

We ended our day with burgers on the barbecue and a relaxing soak in the hot tub at our cabin. It was the perfect way to end an incredible day of exploring. 

I hope my experience has inspired you to embark on your own South Coast Expedition and create unforgettable memories. 

Day 3 Reykjavik Part 1

Today, we started our day off at the top of Perlan, which offered breathtaking views of the city and surrounding landscapes. As we explored the museum, we were fascinated by the ice cave and felt right at home on the ice throne. Although the Northern Lights and Volcano shows were underwhelming, we enjoyed exploring the various exhibits and learning more about the city’s culture and history. 

Afterwards, we visited the whale and maritime museums, both offering unique and exciting displays. My favourite exhibit was the life-sized models at the whale museum. At the same time, my sister enjoyed playing the shrimp/fish game at the maritime museum (even though the camera wasn’t working for the fisherman scene). 

Next, we embarked on an adventure on quad bikes, which was an absolute blast! Our tour guide provided us with everything we needed, including snowsuits, helmets, and gloves. We rode along snowy landscapes and visited a frozen lake, where we took some fantastic photos. Our guide also shared with us the fascinating history of the British army’s equipment left behind in Iceland during World War II, which is still there today. 

As the sun began to set, we made our way to Hallgrimskirkja and climbed up to the top of the bell tower, where we were treated to stunning panoramic city views. We admired the unique architectural design of the church and spent some time in the central part of the building before heading back down. 

For dinner, we found ourselves at Bastard Brew & Food, which had a cool and relaxed vibe. We indulged in some delicious food and drinks before walking down the vibrant Rainbow Row and doing some shopping. 

Overall, today was a day filled with adventure, culture, great food, and fascinating history. Reykjavik has so much to offer, and we can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Day 4 Reykjavik Part 2

On day 4 of my trip, I decided to get up close and personal with nature by experiencing the Icelandic Horse Riding experience at Ishestar. 

After packing up and tidying our lodge, we headed straight to Ishestar to meet our beautiful ponies. We watched an introductory video, got equipped with additional layers and helmets, and were asked about our level of experience before selecting our ponies. I was paired up with a pony called Patty, who, although primarily well-behaved, had a bit of a competitive streak at the start of the ride. 

As we journeyed through the scenic routes, I loved learning about the unique Tölt gait that only Icelandic ponies can do. However, the chilly weather started to get to me towards the end of the ride, and I couldn’t wait to warm up with a delicious meal. So, we decided to stop by the iconic Hardrock Café in Reykjavik for a fulfilling lunch.

After lunch, we explored the city and its stunning landmarks, including the beautiful Harpa Concert Hall, the Sun Voyager Statue, and the Hallgrimskirkja. We also indulged in some hot chocolate and ice skating at Ingolfstorg Square, which was a delightful afternoon of taking in the city’s feel and architecture.

On our way to the airport, we stopped at Kambur at Njarðvík, where we walked around the hill, took some stunning photos and even went sledging after spotting some local children doing the same.

Time flew by so fast, and before we knew it, we were already at the airport. However, we made sure to make the most of our time there, exploring the airport’s unique elf and Viking-style house exhibit/decorations.

Final Thoughts…

Life is all about exploring, discovering, and experiencing all the amazing wonders that this world has to offer. And while we may not always get to see everything that we want to, we should never let that stop us from chasing our dreams and living life to the fullest. For example, we were determined to witness the stunning beauty of the aurora borealis. Even though the strength was too low, I was checking an app every day, ready and waiting for our chance to see the northern lights. And even though it didn’t happen on that trip, I know that there will always be more opportunities to witness the magic of the aurora. We should always keep pursuing the things that we truly desire, whether it’s seeing the aurora borealis, visiting a diamond beach, or something else entirely. We should always keep pushing forward with determination and passion because who knows what amazing things may be waiting just around the corner. So, let’s keep exploring, learning, and growing, and always remember to chase our dreams with all our hearts. Because, in the end, it’s those experiences that truly make life worth living.

Overall, our Iceland trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we will never forget. The stunning landscapes, thrilling activities, and cosy cabin all made for an unforgettable trip. So, if you’re looking for your next adventure, Iceland is definitely worth considering.