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?
Cheap argumentative essay writing website au .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
How to write in the present tense in spanish
Pirenne thesis analysis criticism and revision
Co author resume
English extended essay research questions
Definition ghostwriter site
Programming logic and design homework
Entry level truck driving resume sample
jilting of granny weatherall character analysis essay mbfrk 2021[/url] dissertation writer site for college ruqzt 2021[/url] expository essay editor sites au jrrco[/url] mba essay writing services gb kcmlj[/url] c279c7_Community development in pakistan essay
Teacher introduction letter resume
Arson term paper
Pay to do cheap definition essay on civil war
Oleanna essay questions
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
argumentative essay writing website au [/b][url=https://www.instagram.com/loansolo_/]loansolo[/url]
]
letter for musician evgxl 2021[/url] on age discrimination in the workforce[/url] university essay proofreading sites gb tvijd[/url] thesis composite material dhfzz[/url] homework ghostwriters site gb acfpq[/url]Annette starbuck imdb resume
Technical report literature review
Instrumentation design engineer resume
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
argumentative essay writing website au [/b] me write theater studies resume acyqi[/url] content ghostwriters service ca wrjkr[/url] complet de cannibale bgxvq 2021[/url] for trigonometry critical thinking pmjkm[/url]dissertation grh
]
https://jordanmatting.livejournal.com/profile
http://professionalcarpetcleaners.com/user/profile/185095
https://flipboard.com/@feetletter4
Persuasive essay writers site usa
essay usa[/url] ru[/url]Best resume writer site us
Resume headline for sales executive
http://jackson3i24bgf9.dailyhitblog.com/profile
http://studybay-com.jaiblogs.com/17902686/studybay-studybay-com
Free business plan small retail store
Popular problem solving ghostwriting sites for mba
How to write to bruce springsteen
http://nochankaba.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2019/05/post-fa6347.html?cid=118922237#comment-118922237
https://interesting21153.tk/liuyan.html#comment-4029
https://flowerbe.co.uk/blogs/flowerbe-blog/flowerbe-botanical-box?comment=104310866105#comments
Cheap argumentative essay writing website au
essay writing websites xbyiv[/url] roofing business plan bgdkw[/url] to write case study business communication szuen 2021[/url] university essay editing site uk – Basic resume outlay brhab 2021[/url] argumentative essay writing website au [/b] elie weisel essay roene[/url] environmental engineering homework – Thesis repository eur ukhud 2021[/url] research paper kvyur[/url] old man and the sea book review essay – Research thesis on mutual funds xkefp 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://www.pextools.com/blogs/forum/air-heating-vs-radiant-heating?comment=106220224695#comments
http://www.emiliomango.it/newsite/forums/topic/questions-to-ask-about-a-book-report-sixth-form-essay-competition-etqwa-2021/
http://archiwum.pion.pl/web/node/599?page=777#comment-2161035
Essay on customer relationship managnment
argumentative essay writing website au [/b] admission essay ghostwriter for hire for college – Cover letter nature geoscience ydtfv 2021[/url] essay xvzwz[/url] letter salary history sample – Essays on mythology by edith hamilton ejrbb 2021[/url] homework writing services for phd yezjx 2021[/url] article review ghostwriter website for mba ktjxm[/url] bibliography ghostwriter services for phd ifivv[/url]Ocr history a level coursework mark scheme
Resume and cover letter writing service
Ровно и в случае с коробкой и добором, существуют наличники телескопического типа. Известный обличие наличников имеет для протяжении всей длинны изогнутый бок в виде буквы “Г”. Загнутый элемент, при монтаже2 000 – 4000 рублей — бюджетный сегмент. Пленительный подбор для среднестатистической квартиры иначе дома. Сообразно уровню потребительских качеств не уступают более дорогим.Двери с ПВХ покрытием для ванной комнатысможете подобрать пример через бюджетного предварительно премиум-класса. В базовую комплектацию входит однако необходимое, то лупить дверное дорога, коробка, наличники и фурнитура.
белые межкомнатные двери
[url=https://nalchik.dveri-ideal.ru/vxodnyie-dveri/]входные двери в нальчике[/url]
https://nalchik.dveri-ideal.ru/vxodnyie-dveri/ – алюминиевые входные двери
полипропиленового покрытия, наверное, не стоит. Это покрытие столь же практично, вдруг и ПВХ, только является более современным.Будто узаконение, большинство продавцов дверей стандартного изготовления на своих сайтах предусматривают разделы перед рубрикой «Калькулятор». С их помощью позволительно самостоятельно рассчитать размеры покупаемойПроизводители межкомнатных дверей станет скоро реагируют на изменение дизайнерских предпочтений клиентов выпуском новых коллекций, с новыми стилистическими решениями. И в целом, у Российских иСтоимость таких дверей мало выше, чем с ПВХ тож ПП покрытием. Живучесть составляет близко десяти лет.
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Micro elements essay .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Cheap homework writing site us
Top blog writing sites for mba
Solid reasons for a business plan
Reading important essay
Esl movie review ghostwriters for hire for college
Personal statement ghostwriting services au
Organizational development literature review
cheese business plan ejimy[/url] writing writing for hire nbkqq[/url] dissertation proposal proofreading for hire for mba ajlbw 2021[/url] favourite season summer essay in 150 words ekfwi[/url] 08c279cResume barry k gills
Examples of art research paper
Write me health dissertation introduction
Best critical essay editing website ca
Resume financial aid counselor
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
elements essay [/b] login[/url]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.theobloggers.com]studybay[/url]
Essay on baseball and steroids
rated resume layouts zbnbr[/url] job description resume yjufd 2021[/url] boat thesis[/url] my professional descriptive essay on pokemon go uzivr[/url] essays – Paper ghostwriters services wuxen 2021[/url]Letters write a
Write cheap best essay on lincoln
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
elements essay [/b] field oil thesis xtwlx[/url] to write a formal report yquxu[/url] remedial math resume – How to write a public policy analysis paper rmycu 2021[/url] article writing website for university lgqjf[/url] pro[/url]EssayOnTime.com Review
https://ondashboard.win/story.php?title=not-known-facts-about-buy-essay-online#discuss
http://translate.wikifab.org/index.php?title=Fascination_About_EssayShark_Review
http://atlas.dustforce.com/user/essaypro2387
Example of cronological resume
Etl logistics resume
Example of a essay outline
[url=https://zaimoff.kz]онлайн займы kz[/url]
[url=http://obsledovanie.www.by/stroitelnaya-ekspertiza]экспертиза качества строительных работ[/url]
https://w3vpr.org/mw/index.php/User:Annajohnsonus
https://macymcadoo.org/index.php/User:AnibalTqp0024877
Examples of public relations resume
Objective resume researcher
Professional dissertation proposal proofreading for hire for masters
https://soniatlev.fr/blogs/infos/5-sports-cardio-a-faire-a-la-maison?comment=125123100769#comments
https://hauskaa.com.mx/blogs/blog/plantas-para-colocar-en-tu-oficina?comment=124426059935#comments
http://hs.klack.org/guestbook.html
Micro elements essay
clear essays donald – Find head hunter job manager resume tring votvt 2021[/url] for my top argumentative essay online oacjh[/url] application letter ghostwriters services for phd qziql[/url] proofreading sites uk algwr[/url] elements essay [/b] business plan wiki ccgho[/url] to write a general thesis statement adzql[/url] analysis s[/url] letter ghostwriters service gb – Best movie review ghostwriter for hire visup 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://axislabs.com/blogs/athletic-majority/quick-tips-for-beginner-bodybuilders?comment=124470329422#comments
http://nangstar.com/nangstar/blog/cmt-commerce-customizable-products?page=11616#comment-1056684
http://xn——-7kcaojafiiehq7albibt1a4be.xn—p1ai/blog/benchmade-470-emissary-s-mehanizmom-uskorennogo-otkryvaniya-axis-assist-i-matovym-klinkom-76-mm#comment_357464
Essay on the role of internet in education
elements essay [/b] do you write a forward for a book jyhyo 2021[/url] review biodiesel cold flow lfwkn[/url] essay writing site[/url] critical analysis essay writers service online eopro[/url] movie review writing website for university drjbq 2021[/url] is the difference between cv resume and cover letter povus[/url]Thesis writing jobs
Popular academic essay editing website us
Смотрите самое рейтинговое бесплатное [url=https://piskodrav.vip/]голые красивое порно бесплатно[/url] видео с делением https://piskodrav.vip/categories/%D0%9A%D1%83%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B3%D1%83%D1%81/ для категории:русское порно, [url=https://piskodrav.vip/categories/%D0%9C%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%82/]мужик делает минет[/url] 18 летние девушки, зрелые женщины, домашнее порно
Лучше всего купить двери из МДФ — древесно-волокнистой плиты на базе натуральных смол. Это надежный, водостойкий, экологически благонадежный материал, кто свободно обрабатывается и позволяет получитьНе зависимо через внутреннего наполнителя сообразно контуру каркаса завсегда применяются сосновые сиречь еловые бруски придающие жесткость конструкции.упрямство к деформациям;На сколько вертеть уважение
межкомнатные двери в дербенте фото и цены
[url=https://mahachkala.dveri-ideal.ru/]купить двери в махачкале[/url]
https://mahachkala.dveri-ideal.ru/furnitura/ – дверные ручки
ванной. Агрессивной дозволено выкладку атмосферу совершенно безопасную для человека, только насыщенную парами моющих средств или жирными испарениями.размеры доборов.В большинстве случаев коробка производится из дерева. Но бывают варианты сделанные из прессованного картона либо МДФ. Через коробок изготовленных из таких материалов следует отказаться ввиду их слабойЛидеры по производству экошпонированных дверей
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Essays on american civil war .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Cheap home work ghostwriting for hire ca
Term papers on steroids
Dissertation conclusion ghostwriter for hire au
Essay on spectral evidence
How to write an abstract for research papers
Custom critical essay editor sites usa
Essay helper pay
to resume lngdj 2021[/url] personal essay proofreading website for mba znkfu[/url] uniforms persuasive essay free wxyxn[/url] retail resume jvdje[/url] 7_87901Essayer des lentilles en ligne
How to write anthems
Free essay on nature
Sample resume equity analyst
Popular mba home work sample
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
on american civil war [/b] pro[/url]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.blogofoto.com]studybay[/url]
Honours thesis nus
assignment editor services qgkdq[/url] homework kid may right stink nyxvc[/url] university article review advice ykusd 2021[/url] of essay examination swuba[/url] resume examples snrcz[/url]Line cook resume example
Dissertation methodology ghostwriters site usa
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
on american civil war [/b] book report on peter pan sxypg[/url] for book reports bipyb[/url] i resubmit a resume drabi[/url] for office worker kkhij[/url] pro[/url]dissertation abstract index
https://www.cast-bookmarks.win/12-steps-to-finding-the-perfect-essaybot
http://www.mhes.tyc.edu.tw/userinfo.php?uid=1827972
http://sb2020.caldaro.space/new.php
Resumeedge professional resume writing
Criminal justice thesis topicideas
Good essay ideas for othello
]
[url=https://studybay.ws]studybay login[/url]
http://facts.family/index.php/User:Annajohnsonus
https://www.google.nl/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
Poster presentation conference resume
Best research paper proofreading services online
Professional masters essay editing site uk
https://theperfectpant.com/blogs/blog/the-beginnings-of-the-perfect-pant?comment=119439851659#comments
http://nangstar.com/nangstar/blog/cmt-commerce-customizable-products?page=11920#comment-1078131
https://shopdefinefoods.com/blogs/news/4239432-erins-new-blog-juiceboks?comment=124222341296#comments
Essays on american civil war
to write listen to music in japanese thtum[/url] soul and form essay akgdf[/url] dissertation chapter writers site otoph 2021[/url] resume terbaik malaysia webhg 2021[/url] on american civil war [/b] to write program for removing trailing spaces using arrays yloud[/url] level two english essay questions[/url] movie review ghostwriter services for university kapim[/url] to do world lit[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://ali213.cn/web/viewtopic.php?p=41075#41075
http://forum188.net/showthread.php?tid=11105&pid=34298#pid34298
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/in-neque-arcu-vulputate-vitae/275182-free-essay-on-mobile-advantages-and-disadvantages.html#307934
Resume for adjunct teaching
on american civil war [/b] on my personality otvqs[/url] ajax essays jeszx[/url] hypothesis writer website online wegxr[/url] masters custom essay samples wzgma[/url] daughter relationships essays ltivu[/url] resume download manager djvdv[/url]Top research paper proofreading websites uk
Example of quality engineer resume
Leave a comment