36 Hours in Iceland
Making the most of a day and a half in paradise of free time before work starts.
Flying out of the Boston, Logan on Friday night with work beginning on Sunday afternoon I had a limited amount of free time to spend by myself on my first trip to Iceland. Iceland is hyped right now. From my limited experience, the hype is well deserved.
I caught a glimpse of a green streaking aurora out of the plane window an hour before landing and couldn't think of getting more sleep. It was a good sign. Clearing customs at 5:30am I make my way through the relatively small international airport and go through the internationally standardized process of renting a car. I am here for work but I am still on a budget, a manual Hyundai hatchback will do.
Do your homework before you drive Iceland. They have great resources, complete with a comical driving video featuring an accented elf that helps you navigate some of the unique features of the road and updated conditions of the major arteries connecting the island. http://www.road.is/For now at least, the most major roads are single lane, and getting more crowded each season.
Form the airport I opted to take the scenic root along the southern coast to the town of Vik, about 100 miles from the airport. From the beginning something became very clear, the views in Iceland are numerous and they are big. I stopped at the big sites. Skogasfoss, Seljalandfoss, the Black Sand Beach. I stopped just because. To buy some yogurt from a gas station at a fishing village, to check out some horses, and just to take in a new view.
Once at Vik, there are several hotels. A beautiful church at the town's high point. And cozy restaurants down by the beach. The night can be spent with seafood and Icelandic craft brews; which, its worth mentioning, are very tasty.
It is two and a half hours to the capital city, Reykjavic. The drive meanders through coastline and high mountain country. It rounds out an excellent 36 hours in an exceptionally beautiful country...all on one tank of gas and in time for lunch. The only problem is, I have to go back now. For as long as I can.
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
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