The Land of Fire and Ice

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

** 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.

Words by Vee Dorado, Benj Ramos, Ayen dela Torre
Photos by Paolo Cuarteron, Raniel Hernandez, Ayen dela Torre, Rachel Halili
Art by Rachel Halili
Lonely Planet for providing facts about Iceland

25002 comments



Your comment was posted successfully. We will publish it in a little while, as our blog is moderated.

  • studybayws

    NEED ESSAY WRITING HELP?

    Andrew jackson essay outline .

    Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co

    ]

    Does the quick and simple course work
    Employers resume sorters
    Big green help essay

    Help writing u.S. History and government paper
    Good geography dissertation topics
    My personal idea about education essay

    College term papers macbeth
    Purdue thesis latex format
    Professional admission essay ghostwriting websites au

    writing single parents ookxs 2021[/url] essay statement of purpose dzckf 2021[/url] paper non plagiarism vfeon 2021[/url] blank functional resume template ebffy[/url] 9c5_23c

    Professional critical analysis essay writing services for school
    Way to write an essay for kids
    Literature review of checklists for auditing

    HGtYUPlKMnGFW
    [url=https://m.facebook.com/StudyBay-studybaycom-107621224747270/]studybay[/url]

    jackson essay outline [/b] login[/url]

    Greg graffin essay
    Thesis on english idioms
    Cheap definition essay editor website us

    of a thesis title page kwrst[/url] to write an article review example sgmid[/url] description psychiatric nurse resume iuphf[/url] social worker resume template mikbd[/url] revisor douio 2021[/url]

    tghuTRTjigFIr6F
    e learning dissertation

    jackson essay outline [/b] university essay ghostwriting for hire online juipa[/url] argumentative essay writing website gb[/url] plan competition finalists gbabj[/url] home work ghostwriting website ca vxqgz[/url] pro[/url]

    https://www.atlasobscura.com/users/justanvmose
    https://dragonpansy9.werite.net/post/2021/05/06/The-Ultimate-Guide-To-StudyBay
    https://wanelo.co/yearfrown17

    Article review ghostwriting website ca
    Resume jacques le fataliste diderot
    Pay for cheap school essay on donald trump

    онлайн[/url]

    [url=https://zaimoff.ru]быстрый займ на карту без отказов онлайн[/url]

    http://www.e-la.fr/index.php?p=/profile/studybayscom
    https://snegad.com/qtoa/index.php?qa=1162&qa_1=easy-facts-about-studybay-essay-writing-service-described

    Sample discussion section of a research paper
    Malthus essay on the principle of population summary
    Term papers in apa format

    https://protector.com.ua/diski/kyowa_KR-522_BKF
    https://daydreamrepublic.com/blogs/dr/ways-to-keep-your-wanderlust-alive-at-home?comment=123380858957#comments
    https://www.wildlifewilly.com/topic/best-paper-ghostwriters-websites/

    Andrew jackson essay outline
    [url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
    https://swingdish.com/blogs/blog/beginners-guide-to-golf-rules-of-golf?comment=122598686794#comments
    https://hufgefluester.eu/benutzer/877/gaestebuch
    http://massprint.ru/forum/index.php/forum5/topic67991/

    park essay writing mexican episode – Type my drama papers kwwmw 2021[/url] and professional goals essay sample cgsaz 2021[/url] academic essay writers service for school – How to write a summary lkymk 2021[/url] shrugged literary analysis[/url] jackson essay outline [/b] essay writing for hire for masters hmkmc[/url] curriculum vitae nursing yzloh[/url] to write ur name in graffiti[/url] to write a good why this college essay[/url]

    Popular thesis statement ghostwriters sites usa
    Rhyming homework sheets
    Esl reflective essay writer sites for college

    jackson essay outline [/b] phd essay ghostwriting services for masters mlixc 2021[/url] to write 23 million hzynm[/url] university essay editing for hire for university nnvqu[/url] to make a police resume kysfe[/url] of cv resume pavpb 2021[/url] example of customer service resume[/url]
  • KentTaf

    Which of the next is (E) Ziprasidone probably the most acceptable remedy for this man’s situation. Long-time period alcohol abuse can result in poor dietary habits, lack of bodily exercise, despair, and general poor bodily and psychological situation. Judges generally require a conservator to establish blocked accounts to carry all or part of a conservatee’s cash assets [url=http://campingcamino.com/exploration/part33/order-levaquin-online-no-rx/] medications covered by medicare buy 500 mg levaquin otc[/url].
    Behaviours caregivers use to find out pain in non-verbal, cognitively impaired individuals. Here, the trapezius is proven elbow and shoulder joints when a high diploma of flexion stabilizing and holding the scapula in place. Assess higher limb energy by checking for pronator drift and strength of wrist or finger reflexes [url=http://campingcamino.com/exploration/part33/purchase-cheap-donepezil/] treatment nausea proven donepezil 10mg[/url]. Prior to the common administration of varicella vaccine, approximately 4 million circumstances of varicella occurred yearly within the United States. VeraFlo Therapy hebben bepaalde patienten een hoog risico op bloedingscomplicaties. The youngster’s emo feel caught in the course of ongoing conficts between their tional adjustment to divorce is carefully predicted by the mother and father’ divorced mother and father, behavior or emotional problems are much adjustment so dad and mom ought to be inspired to get assist for extra likely [url=http://campingcamino.com/exploration/part33/purchase-online-ventolin/] bacterial asthmatic bronchitis 100mcg ventolin otc[/url]. By taking part in with medical equip6-month-old toddler about ordinary development and ment and appearing out the experience with dolls, improvement. But there are many constructive issues you can do to assist them: • Try to be patient – if your beloved is struggling to take care of their feelings, attempt not to become involved in an argument within the warmth of the moment. Malignant tumors of the oral cavity and oropharynx: medical, pathologic, and radiologic evaluation [url=http://campingcamino.com/exploration/part33/purchase-finast-online-in-usa/] hair loss cure pgd2 5mg finast with amex[/url]. Improved kidney graft operate after preservation using a novel hypothermic machine perfusion device. When eight,14–sixteen choline receptors in the neuromuscular junction weakness is caused by myasthenia gravis, a dramatic (see Fig. The external genetalia kind from a pair of labrioscrotal folds, a pair of genital folds and an anterior genital tubercle and are similarly structured in women and men till ~eighth week of growth [url=http://campingcamino.com/exploration/part33/buy-vigrx-plus-online/] erectile dysfunction causes purchase generic vigrx plus online[/url].
    Trauner, R, Obwegeser, H: the surgical correction of mandibular prognathism and retrognathia with consideration of genioplasty. Electron microscopy demonstrates hemosiderin in lysosomes within hepatocytes and to a lesser extent in Kupffer cells and in liver cytoplasm. Functions of mind: Brain receives signals through nerves arriving from the sensors of the physique [url=http://campingcamino.com/exploration/part33/order-zestril-no-rx/] arteria renal order line zestril[/url]. Intra-stomach and retroperitoneal lymphangiomas in pediatric and adult pati-ents. A subcutaneous injection of 50 mg golimumab to wholesome subjects produced a mean commonplace deviation most serum concentration (Cmax) of 3. Combination of nitrates and beta blockers could have cumulative effect on cardiac output [url=http://campingcamino.com/exploration/part33/buy-cheap-xenical/] weight loss 3 months xenical 60 mg without prescription[/url]. Reliable and rapid prenatal diagnosis could be performed by testing amniotic fluid across the 14th week of gestation. One choice for this kind of disaster assist is that it may come from the local assessment and therapy unit, the place inpatient health employees could be seconded on a short-time period basis to provide disaster assist to community placements. Occupational Exposure to Heat and Hot Environments 149 Appendix A could be calculated by the next equation: Fpcl = 1 / 1 + zero [url=http://campingcamino.com/exploration/part33/order-online-micardis-cheap-no-rx/] high blood pressure medication z discount 20 mg micardis visa[/url]. This chapter will address the normal adjustments in the constructions of the attention from findings in untimely infants via to finish maturation of those structures, together with the globe, anterior segment, pupil, retina, neurologic development, orbit, and refractive modifications. In a small proportion of people the situation could observe a continual course over a few years, with eventual transition to a permanent character change. Increased 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid excretion is the consequence of decreased activity of 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase due to insufficient availability of its prosthetic group biotin (Mock et al, 1997) [url=http://campingcamino.com/exploration/part33/order-diclofenac-gel-online-in-usa/] rheumatoid arthritis hand exercises purchase diclofenac gel master card[/url].
    Several commented that they’d be higher ready to cope with their youngster getting most cancers than their dad and mom had due to their very own expertise and resulting strengths. Your lo cautions that need to be taken, including an infection cal council, who have licensed your premises, will prevention and control measures. Organelles typically present in larger eukaryotic cells have been identified and embrace a Golgi advanced, clean and tough endoplasmic reticula, free ribosomes, digestive vacuoles, mitochondria, and microtubules [url=http://campingcamino.com/exploration/part33/order-cheap-atorvastatin-online/] cholesterol levels ldl vs. hdl generic atorvastatin 10mg[/url].


  • KipplerErevell

    Vasectomy does not harm the testicles that are organs that produce male hormones. Terapy Hyperbaric oxygen should at all times be supposed as complementary to other therapies (antibiotic, surgical procedure, and so on. Erythromycin and ampi Symptoms include discomfort in the throat, cillin could also be wanted for resistant cases [url=http://campingcamino.com/exploration/part18/order-gasex-no-rx/] gastritis symptoms headache cheap 100 caps gasex[/url].
    Most promoter- associated CpG islands are freed from methylation, whatever the expression state of the related gene. En cas d echec des anthracyclines (environ 50 % des patients), on peut proposer l usage des taxanes, paclitaxel ou docetaxel, qui ont montre une effcacite de l ordre de 60 % dans cette situation. Identity Specifcations Cultural Response Bacto Casamino Acids Bacto Casamino Acids or Bacto Casamino Acids, Dehydrated Appearance: Very light beige, free-fowing, homogeneous [url=http://campingcamino.com/exploration/part18/order-cheap-prazosin-online-no-rx/] cholesterol test cvs cheap prazosin 1 mg with mastercard[/url]. Mental health and substance use issues are serious, In 2014, $34 billion was spent on substance use dysfunction doubtlessly disabling or deadly, and dear on a personal and treatment, representing 1. Need the excuses you come up with to leave alone collecting adversary thoughts as cues to moving into reaction behaviour. A 58-12 months-old girl with renal failure develops acute dyspnea 7 days after hip substitute surgical procedure [url=http://campingcamino.com/exploration/part18/order-cialis-no-rx/] impotence essential oils order cialis pills in toronto[/url]. Those with balanced structural chromosomal defects are phenotypically regular but have some 15% fewer liveborn offspring than their chromosomally regular siblings. The reoperative mortality for elective and the necessity to use enough heparin doses. With regard to diet, the same common recommenda tions as in persistent viral hepatitis or liver cirrhosis apply [url=http://campingcamino.com/exploration/part18/buy-online-sustiva-cheap/] medicine x stanford buy genuine sustiva on-line[/url].
    Terefore, serology is typically not helpful in relying on the assay and the circulating strains. Before the polymerization step in the manufacturing of polyvinyl chloride, it may be absorbed by way of the skin or lungs. They also support the cartilages that form the lateral walls of the nose (be aware Diagram 7 [url=http://campingcamino.com/exploration/part18/buy-online-zenegra-cheap/] erectile dysfunction age young zenegra 100mg overnight delivery[/url]. Reflux is characteristically worse at night time, so ask about diurnal variation of symptoms. Aer the arch at fault is identfed, an attempt is made to find out whether or not the crossbite is bilateral or unilateral. Suojaa janteet, ligamentit ja hermot: Janteet, ligamentit ja hermot eivat saa olla suorassa kosketuksessa V [url=http://campingcamino.com/exploration/part18/buy-online-serpina/] anxiety and chest pain buy cheap serpina 60 caps on line[/url]. Global Health Risks: Mortality and Burden of Disease Attributable to Selected Health Risks. Although the sample scope was immature and these differences did not reach statistical importance, eloquent differences not later than treatment group did transpire when subjects were stratified by cold-bloodedness of cocaine berate. Agreement between magnetic resonance imaging and arthroscopic analysis of the shoulder joint in main anterior dislocation of the shoulder [url=http://campingcamino.com/exploration/part18/purchase-bupron-sr/] depression symptoms major buy bupron sr with a mastercard[/url].
    Lactic acidosis, with or in sufferers receiving rimantadine in contrast with amantadine. Three had en bloc resection of either bowel and/or bone, or different viscera, and 1 affected person had in continuity resection of an exterior iliac vein concerned with tumor. Bullinger M, Quitmann J, Power M, Herdman behavioral primarily based group intervention for children M, Mimoun E, Debusk K, Feigerlova E, Lunde C, with a chronic illness and their dad and mom: a multicentre Dellenmark-Blom M, Sanz D, Rohenkohl A, Pleil randomized managed trial [url=http://campingcamino.com/exploration/part18/buy-lipitor/] boost good cholesterol foods order lipitor once a day[/url]. The labeled red blood cell method has the advantage of a longer potential period during which bleeding could also be visualized. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Seafood. Portalveinflow Portalflow — D ecreasedportalvein R eversal/retrograde — — flow portalveinflow Throm bosis/em bolism Throm bosis/em bolism — D eep veinthrom bosisor D eep veinthrom bosisor E m bolic eventincluding D eath (vascularaccess-associated) (vascularaccess) cardiac throm bosis; cardiac throm bosis; pulm onaryem bolism or intervention [url=http://campingcamino.com/exploration/part18/buy-beloc/] hypertension word parts effective 40 mg beloc[/url]. The deer tick, I scapularis, is now recognized to be the first vector of Lyme disease within the northeastern and north central United States ure 25-4). Subject to Notice of rights 256 Pancreatitis Management of small-duct disease in individuals with chronic pancreatitis 25 Management of small-duct disease in folks with chronic pancreatitis 25. Complete eradication of deep adenomyosis is troublesome and results in excessive remedy failure [url=http://campingcamino.com/exploration/part18/order-cheap-lansoprazole-no-rx/] chronic gastritis months order 15mg lansoprazole free shipping[/url].


  • VideoDownloader649

    Dear friends, just came across this site and would like to share some handy website resource which might be help, thanks!
    The online [url=https://videosolo.org/download-video-from-pornhub]YouTube to mp4[/url] support all web browsers to Download YouTube to MP3 & MP4.
    [url=https://y2mate.ch]Online desktop video downloader[/url] website.
    Best online [url=https://flvto.ch/de]YouTube converter[/url] website.
    [url=https://listentoyoutube.ch/id1/]youtube to mp3[/url].Miglior YouTube libero per MP3/MP4 Strumento scarico
    Top ten [url=https://topten.ai/image-upscalers-review/]image upscaler[/url] review.
    Best [url=https://keepvid.best/]youtube video downloader[/url] of 2021.
    Best [url=https://makemkv.us/]makemkv[/url] review site.


  • matildajk60

    Daily updated super sexy photo galleries
    http://hotsoxballerina.danexxx.com/?faith

    gay sexy cartoon porn moms porn boj 100 nude girls stripping no porn 3d porn twelve years free video aria valentino porn

  • ThomasGaund

    ремонтные и монтажно-наладочные работы со спецоборудованием. Техническое обслуживание и планово-предупредительный ремонт. Подадут работники с высшим либо средне особенный дипломам сообразно профессии связист, знаток по АСУ, электрик, инженер, механик, радиотехник. Некоторым нужна лицензия ФСБ. Разработка, проектирование и монтаж пожара-охранной сигнализации требует специальных навыков и знаний Федеральных основание, норм ГОСТа, НБП и СНиПов. Иногда лицензию для строительных организаций называют лицензия ФСБ на строительство, что это обычная лицензия для гостайну. Чаще всего лицензия ФСБ это известный контроль, кто служит регламентом ради проведения работ с закрытой информацией. Как проверить разрешения у фирмы?Монтаж, техническое обслуживание и улучшение противопожарных занавесов и завес, включая диспетчеризацию и проведение пусконаладочных работ;копии документов, подтверждающих квалификацию работников, осуществляющих лицензируемую деятельный, – ради юридического лица;
    лицензия на гостайну
    [url=https://intech-rf.ru/licenziya-minpromtorga]лицензия военная техника[/url]
    https://intech-rf.ru/licenziya-fsb-na-gostaynu/spravka-na-gostaynu – допуск к гостайне

    Согласно постановлению российского правительства №1225, принятому 30 декабря 2011 возраст, и приказу МЧС №665, изданному 16 октября 2021 возраст, организации нуждаться выучить лицензирование в МЧС, если она:Этот бумага МЧС выдает организациям, труд которых связана с пожарной безопасностью. Ни одни консультант сообразно получению лицензии к гостайне не имеет привилегия упражняться этой деятельностью. Разве всетаки в наличии и документы в порядке, то будто в течение 45 дней вы получите желаемую лицензию. По нему компания может пропускать совершенно причина о себе – присутствие необходимости. Измеритель электричества. Наши аккредитацииоборудования и систем охранно-пожарной и пожарной сигнализации;


Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published