Iceland (A Year Late)
- kendrickumstattd
- Sep 5, 2018
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 29, 2020
During my time away from posting to this site, I was working as a team member of Women of Silicon Valley, spearheading the summer intern series. The four posts I compiled are linked below:
Last March, I planned a trip to Iceland, which was subsequently cancelled when a surprise snowstorm decided it had different plans for me. This August, I had the chance to make a second attempt at the trip, and I was blown away by the unique landscapes, the sense of humor of Icelanders, and the natural wonders the country had to offer. As Iceland has temperatures in the range of 40-50-degrees Fahrenheit even in August, perhaps it was a blessing in disguise that I didn't make my first visit during winter.
Where to Stay
After landing in Keflavik International Airport, I took a shuttle run by the company Flybus to Reykjavik, the capital of, and largest city in, Iceland. For those on a short vacation, Reykjavik serves as a great cultural center and jumping off point for bus tours.
Hostelling International has hostels across the world. I have stayed with them in San Francisco, Paris, and Montreal in the past and thoroughly enjoyed the experience each time. Although Hostelling International has more than one hostel in Reykjavik, the Loft HI Hostel provided a great home base relative to some of the city's top attractions and most convenient bus stops.
Where to Go in Reykjavik
As of 2018, Reykjavik had a population of about 122,000, meaning that it is possible to soak in a considerable amount of what the world's northernmost capital city has to offer in a relatively short span of time.
For great views, make the ascent to the top of the church Hallgrímskirkja before visiting one of the many incredible coffee shops. Reykjavik Roasters makes amazing Americanos and cold brew coffee, while Mokka Kaffi, one of the oldest cafes in Reykjavik, has a cozy and quiet ambiance.
For those who are a bit braver, a few places in Reykjavik offer samplings of hákarl, fermented shark. The little cubes provided in a tasting start out with a texture and flavor similar to salmon, but after a bit of chewing, noxious fumes hit the back of your throat with a vengeance. I did my tasting at Cafe Loki, and my advice would be to do yourself a favor and also order rye bread. The rye bread doesn't make the shark any less intense, but Cafe Loki's rye bread is one of the best things I have ever eaten in my travels. In fact, everywhere I went in Iceland, I was amazed by the quality of the bread. For those who prefer sourdough, Sandholt Bakery is famous for theirs.
Which Tours to Do
Blue Lagoon
With easy access via bus from Reykjavik, there is no good reason to miss Blue Lagoon, Iceland's famous geothermal spa. Kristin Newman said it best in her book that partly inspired my trip to Iceland and the Blue Lagoon: "Go to Iceland. Get a floating massage at the Blue Lagoon. Don’t be dumb."
Glacier Hike and Waterfalls Tour
Although every part of the trip to Iceland was a highlight, the full-day glacier hike and waterfalls tour run by Extreme Iceland was truly special. The day ended with a 3-hour hike on a glacier, complete with hiking boots, crampons, a helmet, and an axe to assist in the process of climbing the ash-covered glacier.
With a Little More Time...
If I had more time in Iceland, I would have liked to drive around the Ring Road, the route that traces the coast of the island. Seems like a good reason to return at some point in the (hopefully near) future!