Flight from YUL to KEF
So Elliot and I drove from Lincoln NE to Omaha at 4am to catch our 6:05am flight to Montreal in order to catch our Iceland flight.
The night before, we were both busy working and packing so E got 2hrs of sleep while I only got one. While flying to Detroit, I was asleep and also during our Montreal flight.
When we arrived, my mother in law and brother in law Greg came to pick us up and took us for lunch before dropping us off at my father in law's office where he looked so lost with his luggages... He did not know what to pack so E started to unpack him and pack him into a bigger luggage to check in. (PHOTO)
While he went to the gym, E was working, G was working and I'm planning our last leg in Iceland.
The flight was not very good. Wow airlines seats are very narrow and for people that are over 6ft, your knees will touch the seat. I would strongly suggest people to just pass out during the whole duration of the 5 hours flight. I slept like a baby but my other travel partners, not so much... I would totally flight Icelandair next time. My Wow airline ticket was still expensive, around 950$
May 13th
As I said, I passed out during the whole flight and woke up 20mins before landing, I was VERY excited. The people seating in front of me were heading to Germany and got their tickets for only 89 Euros (Idk how they did it!!!!!)
When we landed, the boys (I travelled with 3 boys, lucky me, NOT) were very hungry, tired and slow like SLOTHS.
I gave E one job and its to book our SUV, he forgot which company he booked with (lol)
After an hour (6am) we finally took the shuttle to Entreprise (4th stop) and the helper, Arni showed us the Mitsubishi SUV, not what I asked for. After several questions, they did not have the Defender so we end up with the Toyota Land Cruiser, big and back seats were super comfy.
It was around 2500USD$ for 9 days and he put in the wifi for free.
At around 7:30am, we finally start our EPIC Roadtrip! I drove
Because Iceland is just so beautiful, it took us forever to get to a destination, we stopped all the time. I found a Bonus Market and decided to stop here instead of Kjaval because Bonus market is the cheapest you can find in Iceland.
We shopped and went on our way.
Seljalandsfoss Waterfall
We finally arrived at our first Waterfall even though there are so many when you drive...
This was a very touristic destination which I hated but I had one goal- find the cave and go under a waterfall which I did find and there were less people because tourists are lazy to walk a bit. G, E and I went under the waterfall, definitely bring your rain gear for this occasion, we were very soaked. (HOTO)
After that stopped, we decided to drop our stuff at our booking which was The Garage - people need to stay there, it was amazing. We met with Anna and she showed us around (around noon)
(PHOTO)
We head to another fall, this one had less people and we hiked up the steps to see above the Waterfall. J (father-in-law) was not happy but was a trooper and did it. In total- 537 steps! (PHOTO)
Black Sand Beach and Reynisdrangar (16:00)
We arrived here late but there were still lots of tourists. J and I took pictures with the rock formation while E and G flew the kite. (PHOTO)
Vik
We ended up at a town and decided to eat supper at Sudur Kir which was sooo yummy, The meat in Iceland is sooo good and their seafood soup is delicious. Beware, food in restaurants are extremely expensive, for 4 adults, we spent around 300USD$
After a very heavy supper, I passed out in the car while E drove us and took the decision to not go to the hot pools which I was very saddened about but I apparently passed out in the bed with all my clothes on.
Accommodation: The Garage
May 14th
Landmannalaugar
We walked for 2 hours into the Glaciers of Iceland where they were melting and had several big ice chunks floating.
Fjadrargljufur
The canyon which we hiked to the top and missed all the tourists group.
Did not have time to do this
Jokulsarlon Iceberg Lagoon
While driving towards our accomodation, we stopped by the icebergs and it was just magical seeing them moving with the tide and around. There were some seals and lots of different type of ducks.
Hofn
We went to this fishing village and ate at a really expensive restaurant where it was not that great called Parkhus - an old building built with very old wood.
Accommodation: Stafafell Cottages (very much like a cabin, dirty)
May 15th
Lækjavik
Djúpivogur
This was where we could have done the Papey Island tour but we were too tired and also we did not hike the famous mountain.
Egilsstaðir
We went directly to the town because we needed to grocery shop and we were just too tired to stop. The scenery was great and the driving was quite scary because the fog has kept us on top of the mountain. J was so scared of driving down the hill because he could not see anything.
Seydisfjordur
Did not wanted to go anymore
Dyrfjöll
Too tired and cold to hike
Accomodation: Blabjorg Guesthouse, AMAZING ikea place. We were in the hot tub too. E and G went on a jog in the rain to the Puffin island and J and I were supposed to go with the SUV to pick them up and could not find them until I decided to driver further up the hill and saw those two idiots. They showed us the puffin island which was amazing. They are such cute birds. I was maybe thinking of getting a puffin tattoo.
May 16th
Lake Viti
Did not do
Dettifoss
With all the pictures on trip advisor, somebody suggested to take 864 (east side) instead of 862 (west side) because the west side is more crowded with tourists due to the newly paved road.
While we drove on the 862, there were 2 signs of closed roads and beware of driving on it. Because I work in the mine, I checked the road conditions and it was dry so we decided to take the chance and go for it. AMAZING! When we arrived, there is a short hike amongst big rocks and we can almost touch the waterfalls. We saw the west side people and laughed at them because they were stuck on the decks that the tourist bureau built for their safety. It was such a magical place.
Mývatn
The sulfur land! While driving, the scenery was kind of like walking on the mars and volcano. While driving, we found a very secluded place and all of us dispersed to have our alone time and meditate with nature.
Hverfjall
Before checking in, we went on a hike which we all needed the exercise. Took about 2hrs, it was a hike on a crater. Totally worth it! We could see the whole region on top of that crater.
We finally checked in at 7pm and had an amazing supper in the Vogafjos restaurant and I got to pet the calf while they were eating their hay. At around 8pm, we headed to the Myvatn Natural bath for to relax which totally made me sleepy and happy.
Accomodation: Vogafjós Guesthouse, really comfortable.
May 17
Godafoss Waterfall
I was exhausted and we drove straight to the fall where G was jumping on the rocks while I was freezing my ass off.
Akureyri
We arrived in this big city where they advertised whale watching which only used to park our SUV and decided to go for a walk around downtown which we spent around 600$ of souvenir.
The boys were hungry so G got pastries at a nice bakery and J&E got curry food while I was annoyed and was driving the SUV because the boys were getting on my nerve especially the old one that could not stop criticizing.
Aldeyjarfoss?
Did not have time
Vatnsnes
I was asleep and G and E went to the see the big rock and there were tons of seal.
Geitafell Restaurant
Accomodation: Bessastadir Guesthouse, very adorable green roof old house on a farm which we got fresh milk from the owner. We also played heart and drank the night because it was pouring rain.
May 18
Holmavik, we decided to go to the witchcraft museum to support the local economy where we learned a lot about the legends and all. Back in the days, if you wanted to be rich, you have to ask for the skin of a dying man and if you wore it for a week, you would become super rich - I hope this was just a myth because that is just too freaky to think about.
Isafjordur
We shopped and stayed in this fishing town. E went on a hunt for seaweed while I was waiting to hike the steep mountain which we eventually did after supper, it was located just on the road and we met some school kids training for their Red Cross Certification for emergencies help. They climbed that steep mountain no problem. Don't get me wrong, E and I are pretty fit hikers but those kids were just superman! Jogging up the mountain.
Bolafjall
We also attempted to go here but it was covered in 5m snow and the road was closed. We also got a speeding ticket which really sucked because it was around 500USD. The ice was thicker than our 4Runner and we saw huge ice breaker machines. Quite spectacular.
Accomodation: Tangagata 10a, 400 (Private House with Private Garden) hated this house with tons of condescending notes left by the owner.
May 19
Kirkjufell (Most popular mountain in Iceland because of its symmetry) We only drove there and saw the mountain... It was not eventful or maybe we were just very tired from the roadtrip and just could not wait to be back home.
Gulfoss falls, we finally arrived to this destination late in the afternoon where there were TONS of vivid photographers waiting for the perfect sunset to take pictures of the rainbow on the falls. E and I explored the flat land and the father-in-law chilled behind us taking pictures of us.
Geysir, it smelt sooo bad... was kind of worth it to see it explode in front of us but seriously, the sulfuric acid smell was just unbearable. Some tiny trails to walk to different Geysir but I just wanted to get the F out of there.
Fridheimar Farm, we decided to not go and go directly to our rented house because the farm was just too expensive for the type of food that it was serving. The reviews did not really entice us to go.
Accomodation: Haholt Cosy house
May 20
Our last full day in Iceland, we are all very exhausted and just cant wait to drive to the city and check it out. Upon arrival, we stayed with the nicest family ever! Lina's Guesthouse was superbe! I would totally come back and stay with them again. We had the basement all to ourselves and the host thought about everything- from blackout blind to good coffee. Needless to say, we were super happy and grateful for everything!
We walked around town and went to check out the famous church and the museum. The next morning, we took a free walking tour and learned a lot about the politics in Iceland where people can just come with their pots and pans in front of the President's house and strike about anything. Also kids here can wander around without surveillance because Iceland is very safe. The water here is also super good to drink because it comes from the glaciers. Definitively a walking tour that I would recommend.
Afterwards, we rushed to the airport and almost missed our planes because we did not hear our names being called. Thank goodness, we made it! Off we go to Montreal. This was such an amazing trip and I am happy I got to share it with my Father and Brother-in-law.
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