Joking aside, this app was a vacation saver with its accurate GPS regardless of network or WIFI connection. Do not assume that you will be able to get online when you're not in Reykjavik!
Here's what we were actually able to see and do during out 8-day vacation in Iceland:
Wed. June 15 2016
Arrive in Keflavik & pick up rental car 6:00 – 8:45
Lief the Lucky Bridge between continents
Gunnuhver mud pools and steam vents, former farm
Mystery cemetery
Blue Lagoon geothermal spa 10:30
Selatangar fishing village ruins
Krysuvik (Seltun) geothermal fields
Return Reykjavik around 18:00
Dinner at Hresso (traditional Icelandic meat soup, fish stew)
Thurs. June 16 2016
Leave for Thingvellir National Park/Silfra 8:00
Silfra snorkeling 9:00
Hiking in Thingvellir
Raufarholshellir lava tube caves
Return to Reykjavik around 15:30
Hallgrimskirkja church
Hang out at hostel
Secret Solstice:
Flatbush Zombies (Valhalla)
Some chick tried to buy my panda hat off me!
Gisli Palmi (Valhalla)
Secret headliner Sisters Sledge (Valhalla)
Fri. June 17 2016
Tea and pastries at Kaffitar
Icelandic Independence Day parade & festivities
Beers & Euro cup game
Secret Solstice:
Skip insane line for Radiohead (VIP, baby)
Lady Leshurr (Valhalla) 18:40
Ulfur Ulfur (Valhalla) 21:10
Action Bronson (Valhalla) 22:30
Sat. June 18 2016
Breakfast at 24/7 grocery store
Befriended sudsy Icelandic football enthusiast
Iceland v. Hungary Euro cup game in outdoor square
Drinking at the game
Beers & doner kebab
Drinking at the hostel
Making friends!
More drinking, details hazy
Sun. June 19 2016
Painfully awake around noon
Scheme to sneak our new buddy Matt into Secret Solstice
Brunch at the Gray Cat diner (Eggs, bacon, tomatoes, toast)
Diarrhea and nap time
Swiss v. France Euro cup game
Secret Solstice:
Skip insane line for Die Antwoord (VIP, baby!!)
Roisin Murphy 20:30
Pulla with sweet mustard, mayo, and something crunchy like fried Dorito’s
Drinks at the VIP bar
Of Monsters and Men (Valhalla) 22:00
Die Antwoord (Hel) 23:00
Late night drink on the roof terrace of the hostel
Mon. June 20 2016
Up early to finish packing
Dan picked up our next SADcar (also criminally neglected)
Drive out of Reykjavik on the Ring Road
Kerid/Crater Lake
Geysir/Strokkur
Gullfoss
Secret Lagoon/Gamla Laugin
Gjain gorge
Urridafoss
Camping overnight at Arhus campgrounds
Tues. June 21 2016
Scavenged breakfast at the campground restaurant
Seljalandsfoss
Rutshellir cave
Skogafoss
Solheimajokull glacier
Solheimasandur beach/ abandoned plane wreck
Dyrholaey sea cliffs/beach
Vikurfjara black sand beach & Memorial for German sailors/fisherman [who wrecked offshore] and their Icelandic rescue team
Icelandic licorice/chocolate candies (we loved the licorice-filled chocolates)
Fjadrargljufur Canyon/scenic deathtrap
Wed. June 22 2016
Morning hike to Svartifoss & Sel
Zodiac boat tour of Fjallsarlon glacier lake
Glacier lagoon (Jokulsarlon)
Grocery shopping: bread, pulla, mustard, arugula, kartoffelsalat, charcoal starter, chicken, & apple juice (for our sleeping vodka)
Reynisfjara black stone/puffin beach
Camping overnight at Hamragardar (near Seljalandsfoss)
Craic with groundskeeper James, who always loses his phone after 6
Camping, grilling, & huddling over our hot cooking stone |
Wake and pack soggy gear promptly
Leftovers for breakfast on the Ring Road back to Reykjavik
Icelandic Phallological Museum
Mink whale and horse tartar at Saeta Svinid gastropub (best food of the trip!)
 |
FIN
While this may seem like a lot, you'll have the midnight sun on your side when visiting June through August. Also, bear in mind we didn't even make it to Hofn, let alone to the gems of Northern Iceland (like Akureyri) or the majestic Westfjords. So I guess what I'm saying is, prepare to be blissfully busy.
All photos courtesy of DT Explorer, 2016. All rights reserved.
