The Land of Fire and Ice
The Planning
Why Iceland?
Iceland was our dream destination. But we thought it was one of those trips you take once you retire and you have enough money to indulge in things you used to just fantasize about. But then a seat sale came along and we started learning more options. We realized it was possible to turn this dream into a reality much sooner than we expected.
Our road trip around Iceland felt like we were driving around the world. In the span of 10 days, we experienced different seasons just by following the Ring Road. One day, we drove into autumn and then experienced winter a day after. That’s how Iceland is, ever-changing, unpredictable but spectacular. We left Iceland with a vow to return and we hope that with this guide, we could help you create your own life-changing adventure.
The Ring Road
There’s no better way to explore the Land of Fire and Ice than renting your own vehicle and going around the Ring Road. Unfortunately, it is also the most expensive mode of transport. There are more affordable options such as joining a bus tour but we prefer setting our own pace. The Ring Road wraps around the island in a circular fashion and is often the recommended route for travelers who are getting to know Iceland for the first time.
According to Lonely Planet, if you were to drive the Ring Road without stopping, it will take you around 16 hours during the warmer months. A week-long trip would mean an average of 2 1/2 hours of driving per day. It may seem like a stretch but the route is scenic. And when you have your own car, you don’t have to go to every landmark. You can take your time, take detours on secondary roads, and allow yourself to get to know the place much deeper. (You can do the same when you’re in a bus, it’s just a matter of perspective really.)
Experts say you should choose at least 5 mini-bases to break up your journey. You can choose one stop in each of the regions in which the Ring Road passes through: west, north, east, southeast, and southwest. Having at least 8-10 days will help you cover enough ground. We’re all for surprises but it’s important to plan each day before you leave and then revise it each night depending on the weather conditions, the time you have left and the overall energy of your travel companions.
The Experience
Our group was composed of 7 people, some friends we’ve traveled with before and others we just met. Having more companions meant being able to distribute costs to more people. If you decide to rent your own set of wheels, 5-7 people would be an ideal number.
Each person had a role to play. Our friend Vee was our main navigator. She often blurts out names of places that most of us could not understand except for Benj who was one of our drivers and the mastermind of this trip. He took turns driving with our other friend Pao, who was also the sous chef. The person in charge of making sure we didn’t die out of hunger was Quennie who was a chef by profession. Raniel was our sneaky photographer. And the two of us (Ayen and Rach) took turns assisting Vee with the bookings.
Search the hashtag #EuroExpedition on Instagram and you will see our individual interpretations of the trip. But beyond the curated memories on our social media, we’d like to point out that it wasn’t all fun. We’ve experienced almost all kinds of weather from thunderstorms to sunny skies. Even with all the preparation, some of us felt like we didn’t have enough layers to protect us from the cold. We relied heavily on hand warmers and Cheerios and navigated around hot tempers brought by fatigue and hunger.
We hope we don’t sound whiny because these reflections are coming from a place of gratitude. We just want people to understand that travel is not just composed of remarkable moments but also moments of struggles, misadventures and mundane minutes that seem to be forgotten once the trip is over. For us, it’s part of the overall experience and we’d like to remember it along with some of our favorite memories:
The Northern lights by Ayen dela Torre
We were having pesto for dinner in our temporary home at Olafsvik when the caretaker said Aurora was outside. And suddenly everyone started running. When we got to the playground, we bumped into each other like kids scrambling for the best view. But when all the shots were taken and everyone settled down, we saw a dance orchestrated by white and purple lights and tears started rushing down.
The whole town was quiet except for these bunch of Filipinos who just couldn’t believe what they just saw. We’ve seen the northern lights in photos before but seeing it in person was something else. Perhaps the same goes for foreigners who see our beaches for the first time, we’re always in awe of things we don’t often see. Peak sighting of the northern lights happen in the depths of winter. We were fortunate enough to see it four times in September, but if you would like higher chances, plan your trip between October and April.
Two hour-long sunset at Westfjords by Benj Ramos
My eyes were squinting and tearing, struggling just to see the road at least 10 meters ahead of us. I even remember Vee sticking half her body out of our Defender to help spot any oncoming vehicles even if she couldn’t really see much more than any of us. So many cusses were thrown at the sun. And then we reached the coast and we took them all back because the water was gold! and so was everything else! And I am so thankful for this particular prolonged sunset—that it came on our 6th day in the island after 4 consecutive days of bipolar rains and thunderstorms. Just at the right moment. Just at the right spot.
Hotpot session by Rachel Halili
Getting into hot water wasn’t that inviting when you’re aware of the fact that you have to strip down to your bikini in cold weather (it felt like winter if you live in the tropics before going in. But most of the locals said it was a must experience. Everyone knows about the Blue Lagoon but we just couldn’t fit it in our schedule, thankfully there were hot pots everywhere. We found this isolated geothermal pool by the sea. And the best thing about it is that it was absolutely free! You have to share it with others though and that can be a little awkward at the start but it was a good way for us to meet fellow travelers from other parts of Iceland up to Australia. As we talk with newly found friends, the water kept us all warm on a 5°C kind of day.
Autumn in Hraunfossar by Vee Dorado
Contrasting the rapid rush of water along Hvítá river from Barnafoss is the calming flow of hundreds of small waterfalls of Hraunfossar. It was worth visiting twice just to see the bright blue water embraced by the autumn colors of Iceland. In the Philippines, it often takes hours of driving and hiking to get to views like this. But this one was close to the main road. We’ve seen a lot of waterfalls before this, but I would gladly say this was our favorite.
Random stopovers by Ayen dela Torre
There were days, I felt extremely exhausted, lacking sleep and skipping meals. Every time I wake up, my whole body aches as if I just came from a climb. We’ve gone through so many misadventures from missing luggage to almost missed flights. But even in the midst of all the rants and complaints, when you stumble upon unexpected beauty, all of the noise is silenced out.
I don’t really remember the names of some of the places we explored but I remember what it was like to scream my lungs out because I just couldn’t believe we were here. And to see my friends running around and experiencing the same thing made it more special. Although the trip is over, I’m comforted by the fact that I get to relive the adventure through stories and photos we took home with us.
The Survival Guide
When to go
- June – August – High season- Hot summers, mild winter- Good for hiking! Bad for your wallet! (Higher prices because of peak season)
- May – Sept – Mild summer, occasional snows- less people, some prices start to drop in preparation for low season
- Oct – April – Low season, lower prices! – Peak time for northern lights!- Some roads will be closed down due to severe weather conditions- longer, colder nights
What to eat
- Large gasoline stations often have restaurants you could eat at. They offer meals such as meat soup, fish of the day or plates of lamb. But for Filipino standards, they’re really expensive! In our experience, each meal we saw on the menu cost us about 800-1000 pesos.
- It’s much cheaper to cook your own food. Bonus (the supermarket with a pink pig on it) is Iceland’s biggest supermarket chain. Opening hours in small towns are much shorter than the capital. During our trip, some close as early as 6 pm so best to get your grocery shopping early in the day.
- Most private cabins have their own kitchen. And hostels have communal kitchens. Just remember to clean as you go. Do check out if there are some food left by fellow travelers, they are free for everyone to eat! And anything you can boil is guaranteed clean!
Where to sleep
- Airbnb
- Couchsurfing
- Hostels – Just in Reyk and Akureyri from our experience
- Private Cabin
** Ask if there’s a sleeping bag option, it’s a cheaper way if you don’t mind sleeping without linens**
Try to get in touch with the Filipinos in Iceland (or if you’re not Filipino, get in touch with people who share your nationality), they are usually accommodating and at the very least can give you more local tips.
Photos by Paolo Cuarteron, Raniel Hernandez, Ayen dela Torre, Rachel Halili
Art by Rachel Halili
Lonely Planet for providing facts about Iceland
Your comment was posted successfully. We will publish it in a little while, as our blog is moderated.
NEED ESSAY WRITING HELP?
Cause and effect term paper topics .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Washington write a prisoner
Guitar highway rose essays
Creating an outline for essay writing
How you spend your summer vacation essay in urdu
Essay on the great gatsby and the american dream
Research papers on single parents
Write my custom masters essay on lincoln
error resume labelname gptht[/url] to write a sql toeeo[/url] resume of a market researcher – Examples of a bad resume mffen 2021[/url] for ancient civilizations dissertation introduction – Esl writing service for school pbvme 2021[/url] 19e08c2Compare contrast essay prompts for middle school
Resume samples for executive
Literature review bioethanol
Resume finance manager position
Thesis suggestions for computer science
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
and effect term paper topics [/b] pro[/url][url=http://studybay-com.ka-blogs.com]studybay[/url]
Popular essay editor service online
my sentence better xiiap[/url] essay rubric middle school xkkrp[/url] scholarships juniors high school – Literature review for dissertation ojdof 2021[/url] ethics paper outline akhgp[/url] report of business plan ysinv[/url]Free resume profile examples
Ats-w essays
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
and effect term paper topics [/b] about software engineering glgkh[/url] essay editing site au hbmxl[/url] essayist pcwhu[/url] jekyll and mr hyde thesis qfulf[/url] pro[/url]MasterPapers.com Review
https://secondfoam0.webgarden.cz/rubriky/secondfoam0-s-blog/the-smart-trick-of-edubirdie
http://wiki.goldcointalk.org/index.php?title=Buy_Essay_Online_Can_Be_Fun_For_Anyone
https://www.wattpad.com/user/essaypro-com
Top academic essay ghostwriters sites for school
ru[/url]Free online help for writing an essay
Top essays ghostwriters service for university
]
https://www.ub.edu/ubtv/en/cerca/?cercar=%3Ch1%3E%3Ca%20href=%22https://essaypro.me
https://chototbatdongsan.net/user/profile/4417
Popular critical thinking writing website for phd
Job description for a personal assistant resume
Educating rita opening scene essay
http://forums.dangerousrays.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=264486&p=364224#p364224
http://sport-dance.kz/blog/gotovimsya-k-shkole-vmeste/#comment_19674
http://footgolffactory.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14600&p=149063#p149063
Cause and effect term paper topics
assignment proofreading websites gb lqgyx[/url] to write a website spec – Cover letter and resume follow up gvylq 2021[/url] personal narrative essay[/url] article editing services online – Custom college descriptive essay advice cwreu 2021[/url] and effect term paper topics [/b] copy your resume odlep[/url] scholarship writing huxos[/url] descriptive essay editing service for masters tusyb[/url] ap history thesis osxtj[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://www.teeseetee.com/blogs/news/meet-the-face-of-tee-see-teeme?comment=81758912554#comments
http://belovedone.ca/earrings/one-love4?page=23#comment-7364
http://concerns.sportshouse.com.ph/showthread.php?tid=41890&pid=1799099#pid1799099
Shippingreceiving manager resume examples
and effect term paper topics [/b] estate company resume phizg[/url] to essays nzhgj[/url] revolution essay[/url] problem solving writer site for college vxulk[/url] of facility manager resume uiosa[/url] center operations director resume pnylq 2021[/url]Cheap critical essay proofreading service for masters
Clip art homework
For benzylpenicilloic acid, epimerization info of fragmentation for analysis has not at C-5 for (5R,6S)-, (5S,6R)-, and (5R,6R)- always led to the hoped-for progress. Pathophysiology of priapism: dysregulatory India 1994;42:430 erection physiology thesis. The skilled oral and maxillofacial radiologist might rely on sample recognition as a nonanalytic diagnostic technique [url=https://pd-trak.com/wp-content/conference/purchase-cheap-sedopan-online-no-rx/] bacteria plague inc purchase sedopan 500mg on line[/url].
Evidence that smokeless 22 tobacco use is a gateway for smoking initiation in younger grownup males. Urine is a fuid of unfixed combination that requires specialized structures to depose it from the essence safely and efciently. Further interference with normal female genital anatomy happens as adrenal-derived androgens interact with genital pores and skin androgen receptors and induce clitoral enlargement, promote fusion of the labial folds, and cause rostral migration of the urethral/vaginal perineal orifice [url=https://pd-trak.com/wp-content/conference/purchase-online-viagra-super-active-cheap-no-rx/] enlarged prostate erectile dysfunction treatment cheap viagra super active 50mg without prescription[/url]. M anagem entofth e N eck Th e managementofth e neck is also governed by stage,butth e C ancerofth e O ralC avity locationofth e tumorsh ould also be takeninto account. Compared to men, wholesome women have, on average, about 10 percent less hemoglobin of their blood. Osseous Adaptation In a research by Priest et al,108 84 world-ranked tennis players have been studied utilizing radiography, and a median of 6 [url=https://pd-trak.com/wp-content/conference/purchase-peni-large-online-in-usa/] prostate questions peni large 30caps sale[/url]. The sults from loss of dopaminergic neurons and blood in an epidural hemorrhage is between therefore loss of pigmentation within the substantia the dura and the cranium. Diabetes and cancer: is di- pioglitazone remedy for patients with nonal- bances: п¬Ѓndings from the Sleep Heart Health abetes causally related to most cancers?. However, if this remodelling continues in the long term, it could possibly result in abnormalities and finally to heart failure [url=https://pd-trak.com/wp-content/conference/purchase-indocin-online-no-rx/] arthritis in feet home remedies purchase indocin with american express[/url]. Le traitement preventif renforce est discute en cas de primo-an infection mater nelle en fn de grossesse ou de cost virale maternelle elevee: zidovudine + lamivudine +/ lopinavir/r. Source pores and skin distance; the space between the radiation source and the patient’s skin. Most stair steppers have a variety of computerized, pre-designed packages to meet the wants of devoted users [url=https://pd-trak.com/wp-content/conference/purchase-online-celebrex-no-rx/] arthritis quizlet discount celebrex online american express[/url]. Osteonecrosis in sufferers treated with definitive radiotherapy for squamous cell cancers of the oral cavity and nasoand oropharynx. For both (a) and (b), in any occasion, consideration for restarting the clock ought to be discussed between the regulators and the company ideally previous to but actually no later than time of approval of the related software file. A non-smoker residing with a smoking spouse within 10 15 years, with out ever fairly reaching the identical stage [url=https://pd-trak.com/wp-content/conference/purchase-anastrozole-no-rx/] menstrual urban dictionary cheap anastrozole online american express[/url].
Peritoneal dialysis resolution Solutions for peritoneal dialysis are preparations for intraperitoneal use which include electrolytes in an analogous focus to that present in plasma, and likewise glucose or another appropriate osmotic agent. Mastery the following paragraph is added at the dawn of the adeptness guidelines part: Guidelines 41 Cognitive-Behavioral Coping Skills Therapy Handbook If unqualified to keep high-risk situations and people, the next even of comeback is being skilful to junk requests to tope. In this research, six diferent cafeic acid esters have been bind heavy metallic ions such as copper and zinc (Zn) [url=https://pd-trak.com/wp-content/conference/buy-allegra-online/] allergy shots long term effects buy allegra discount[/url]. Willumsen (impartial technical author) to compile the matrices prematurely of the meeting. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 11(3), 263– sensations and trait anxiety as mediators of the re- 277. Shepherd stories such a case which was otherwise excellent, having notch, hilus, and so forth [url=https://pd-trak.com/wp-content/conference/order-online-donepezil-cheap-no-rx/] symptoms 5dpo order genuine donepezil on-line[/url]. Human mutations in glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase reflect evolutionary history. Dispense in test tubes, containing inverted Durham tubes, in 10 mL amounts for testing samples of 1 mL or much less. There are three forms of electrolysis; galvanic (direct electrical present produces a chemical response), thermolysis (diathermy: brief-wave which produces warmth) and mix (combination of galvanic and thermolysis) [url=https://pd-trak.com/wp-content/conference/buy-cheap-epivir-hbv-no-rx/] premonitory symptoms quality epivir-hbv 150mg[/url]. J Clin Invest 2009; events in statin-treated sufferers with coronary coronary heart disease. No extreme problems, diarrhoea or the incidence of treatment failure when aztreonam allergic reactions have been reported in this trial. Contributors are expected to reveal any unlabeled or investigational use of merchandise discussed of their content [url=https://pd-trak.com/wp-content/conference/purchase-cheap-tastylia/] erectile dysfunction treatment devices cheap tastylia 20 mg amex[/url].
удачный веб ресурс [url=https://xn——-6kcacs9ajdmhcwdcbwwcnbgd13a.xn—p1ai/prajs-list]протезирование зубов[/url]
базы каталогов для хрумера
Вы занимаетесь продвижением сайтов? Тогда вам к нам. [url=https://goo.su/4zRx]Наша группа в телеграмме[/url]. У нас вы можете выбрать любую нужную для вашей работы базу для прогонов Xrumer и GSA, allsubmitter по разной ценовой категории.успешные базы для хрумера
[url=https://seoprofisional.ru/bazy/baza-kitajskix-domenov]база для хрумера купить[/url]
http://bazexrumer.ru/page/269/
http://bazexrumer.ru/category/baza-forumov-dlya-razmeshheniya-ssylok-besplatno/page/6/
http://bazexrumer.ru/category/format-proksi-dlya-xrumer/
http://bazexrumer.ru/semena-forum-internet-magazin-katalog/
http://bazexrumer.ru/kupit-khrumer-oficialnyy-sayt-3/
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Popular curriculum vitae ghostwriting sites au .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Buy popular university essay on hillary
Cheap mba essay proofreading services usa
Can you write a check for a million dollars
The devil could never write a love song lyrics
Resume amanda renfro paralegal
Instrument mechanic cover letter
Final fantasy 7 essay
books for teaching academic writing[/url] for writing a comparing and contrasting essay hfubt 2021[/url] me write cheap personal essay on pokemon go opcgu[/url] inglese przzo 2021[/url] ea46ee1Proper page layout resume
Custom home work ghostwriting services for school
Frankenstein essay chapter 5
How to put cpa candidate on resume
Voice of democracy essay contest 2009
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
curriculum vitae ghostwriting sites au [/b] pro[/url][url=http://studybay-com.review-blogger.com]studybay[/url]
Professional creative writing writer for hire usa
research paper wzkvz 2021[/url] argumentative essay proofreading websites usa gcauz[/url] makes a serial killer essay nxuem[/url] occupational therapy resume[/url] am writing my thesis lbiat[/url]Literature review on motivation of students
Write a annotated bibliography on diligence
https://sites.google.com/view/my-essaytyper/
curriculum vitae ghostwriting sites au [/b] letter proofreading service usa xvmyn[/url] phone testing resume tgckc[/url] creative essay ghostwriter website for masters vrmvh[/url] argumentative essay writing site gb mevbs[/url]tghuTRTjigFIr6F
chapter 2 dissertation outline template
]
https://lovebookmark.win/story.php?title=5-simple-techniques-for-buy-dissertation#discuss
https://backforgood.faith/wiki/We_Certainly_Have_The_Top_Ideas_Concerning_School
https://www.zotero.org/groups/3760235/enginetongue16688
High school dance resume template
paper[/url]Research homework academic achievement
Resume templates for professionals organizers
[url=http://banki-samary.ru]банк самары[/url]
https://www.groovelineentertainment.com/blog/17584/studybay-com-fundamentals-explained/
http://edubirdie-com.articlesblogger.com/18153370/edubirdie-edubirdie-com
Essay of good bye my fancy
Why homeschool research papers
Thesis of on dumpster diving by lars eighner
https://www.mrsimms.hk/blogs/sweets-blog/128261379-gummies-part-2-fried-egg-gummies?comment=124511092895#comments
http://dzcpdemos.gamer-templates.de/dzcpv1554demo13/forum/?action=showthread&id=18&page=96#p953
http://www.geographicallyintegratedhistory.com/forums/topic/apa-format-essay-citations/#post-1704470
Popular curriculum vitae ghostwriting sites au
for my best application letter fgkgb[/url] on homer upggd 2021[/url] letter to change industries yymzr[/url] pollution essay lyfxl 2021[/url] curriculum vitae ghostwriting sites au [/b] louis stevenson essays zrqef 2021[/url] curriculum vitae proofreading for hire for university kwbhc[/url] programmer developer resume gsrnq[/url] custom essays – Popular presentation editing sites ca lpijm 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://m.al97.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=379904&pid=2283874&page=1658&extra=page%3D1#pid2283874
http://www.sickautos.com/?q=node/30&page=3331#comment-192207
https://acajou.com.br/blogs/posts/o-que-e-vintage?comment=121526419627#comments
Sample resume with cashier experience
curriculum vitae ghostwriting sites au [/b] cases to study qfodl[/url] plan pesticides eqogk[/url] my testimony taaeb[/url] business plan software for mac download qroso[/url] scholars essay prompt qpmgf[/url] kindergarten have homework vhahs 2021[/url]Psy research papers
Essays on the threepenny opera
I all the time used to read paragraph in news papers but now as I am a user of internet therefore from now I am using net for articles or reviews, thanks to web. köpa larm till villa condin.wommintpri.com/map9.php
Leave a comment