What You Need for your Iceland Trip, Part Two

What You Need for your Iceland Trip, is a guide to help you prepare for your trip to Iceland which is made up of mostly green moss, and NOT ice. Now that your wardrobe is sorted out thanks to my first guide. And if you listened and rented a car, well then you will be beyond lucky at all the wonderful things that await you on your adventure.

Don’t be afraid to stop and take pictures.

Don’t be afraid to stop.  There will be so many breathtaking landscapes, adorable little churches, and cute little horses.  Please stop, but just don’t stop in the middle of the road.  There are tons of pull off spots for pictures.  Take advantage of those spots.  On our second day in Iceland, we did tons of driving, all along the southern sections, and had lots of spots to visit.  Whether it was the Icelandic horses who look like ponies all warm in their fleece like fur, or if it was to actually take a picture with ICE- It was a rare spotting, so it drew a crowd, there is so much to capture.  So much of Iceland looks like a movie set or a backdrop.  Just know that no picture is going to due Iceland any real justice in a photo.  A hard but true reality. But somethings are better in memory anyway!

Eat ALL the chocolates!

Iceland is known for their chocolates.  I thought that was cool, but I was not jumping at trying it because I am picky.  But I was DEAD wrong.  We discovered in Selfoss, a great restaurant that had the BEST hot chocolates I have EVER had.  (All capitals are a must to truly emphasize just how good these were.)   We stopped at Cafe Mika in Selfoss just after we got settled into our country house.  Not being a coffee drinker myself, I was channeling my inner 12 year old self and ordered a hot chocolate. Once I ordered it, the idea spread in my group and once a few of us were served, everyone had ordered one.  Some added to their coffee just to get a Mocha feel.  The homemade whipped cream was perfection on top what I believe to be a slice of heaven.  I will forever dream of this hot chocolate.  So leave the diet at home folks, because all Icelandic chocolates need to be tried.  Oh and throw in some Digestives for fun.

Elves, Trolls, Humor, and Chill

The Icelandic people are very funny.  They have a dry sense of humor and like to poke fun.  But something they don’t joke about is their very serious belief in elves and trolls.  No, you didn’t read that wrong.  The supernatural is believed here, and many say it is because Iceland has been so secluded from other civilizations that the belief is deep rooted.  But I don’t blame them, for the magic of Iceland is in the beauty.  How can so much beauty and amazing things be in one spot and how does one explain it? If it is the Northern Lights, or the rainbow forming over the waterfalls, or the cotton candy skies at sunset over the black sand in Vik.  The other thing is mention is the speed of which Icelandic people move.  Coming from the Northeast, where if we are not in a hurry, then we are sleeping.  Things move slowly there.  There is no rush to do much of anything.  So try to be patient, and enjoy the slow life.  You’re on vacation, what’s the hurry?

The Blue Lagoon is man made, but go anyway!

We came to the Blue Lagoon on our last night, just at dusk.  It was such a surreal experience. The Blue Lagoon only take reservations, so make sure you do that before coming.  And you are supposed to shower without a bathing suit to clean your self before going in (we just washed off in bathing suits) and make sure you put your hair up and slather tons and tons of supplied conditioner on your hair to protect it from the waters.  It is great for your skin, the lagoon waters, but not so much your hair.  The Blue Lagoon is powered by geo thermal heat and is filtered completely every 40 hours. We did the mud masks, as well as the algae masks.  A bar is in the blue lagoon so enjoy your spirits, and going at night was super cool.  Looking up at the beautiful night skies in the warm blue lagoon was a favorite memory of mine.

Experiencing Meraki in our Iceland trip with such a wonderful bunch of ladies was such a gift. We were all meant to be in each other’s lives to experience this trip. We went from not knowing each other, to leaving lasting footprints on our hearts and forever friendships with each other.  I am forever impressed with their God given skills, weather it be their photography, kindness, fun, authenticity, or teaching skills.   So much fun!!!

Go check out these amazing photographers who I shared this amazing experience with…

Christina Zen Photography, Spanki Mills Photography, Josephiny Photography, Seneca Ryan Photography, Patty Schmidt Photography PLUS Aaryn and Melissa!!

What You Need to Travel to Iceland, Part One

Everything you might need to travel to Iceland…Let’s start off by saying, you will need a passport. You are going to another country. But don’t stress, the Icelandic people are super friendly and everyone speaks English and all signs are also labeled in English.

The different seasons

What you are bringing depends on when you are traveling to Iceland.  I went in early March so it was still winter, but close to the end so the wind was not as extreme, so they said.  The temperatures and wind chill can be unpredictable, but in the winter, the temperatures stay around the low 30s (Fahrenheit) and in the summer months, they climb to the 50s.  If they get a 70 degree day, they say people will be in bathing suits. My best advice is LAYERS.  In March, I brought several fleece leggings that went under weather/waterproof pants for exploring waterfalls, geysers, etc. Jeans for exploring Reykjavik.  And for tops, I wore a thermal undershirt as well as a top layer or sweater.  Plus a heavy parka or down jacket plus hats, scarves, and warm gloves.  Also, my smart wool socks plus my Sorel hiking boots were worn everyday.  If you are around Reykjavik first, they have lots of shopping for Iceland’s famous wool sweaters, hats, and gloves. If you are doing waterfalls, a thing to pack is spikes to add to your boots while you are walking around the ice.

Food can be expensive

When you convert your money to Icelandic Krona, you think it seems like a lot because the prices are labeled differently. (1000K). But food at restaurants is splurge worthy.  A typical meal can be about $35-50 U.S. dollars. While I did see a fast food place in a few towns, it was not cheap either. We did AirBnB and the best prices were in the food stores.  Making breakfast helps avoid one meal out, and renting a car allows you to do all your transportation. A GPS works there as long as you have a portable hot spot of internet or pay for international coverage.  But there are not many roads in Iceland so getting around is not complicated.  If you are a person who was interested in Iceland, you already are adventurous so embrace that spirit and rent a car! While enjoying Reykjavik allows for walkability, most of the other amazing things you will want to see are at least an hour (or more) drive.  But the journey is amazing and the views are just breath taking!

Essentials

A travel adapter for your plug ins, aka, your phone charger! Iceland uses the Europe two prong plug.  You might need a nose plug. Kidding, not kidding.  Iceland produces most of their hot water from geothermal energy, and while it is a great low cost and natural form of energy, it smells.  Like sulfur, or rotten eggs. It is great for your skin, but tastes yucky.

On the other hand, the cold water is fresh from the springs and one of the cleanest in the world. So bring your refillable water tins as water is LITERALLY offered for free anywhere– Airport, shopping at the food store, and no, I am not kidding!  They offer lemon, cucumber and plain water so lots of choices.

Enjoy the photos from our first day of Iceland around Reykjavik….I traveled with some of the best girls and photographers out there! Head over to my next post on my Iceland trip here.

Thanks to Spanki Mills Photography, Patty Schmidt Photography for the shots of me!