iceland – Travel + Lifestyle + Architecture Blog

When visiting Iceland with a limited time only, here are some must sees and must do activities that should never be missed.

Golden Circle Tour. This is a whole day activity that takes you around Iceland’s famous natural landscapes. I booked mine with Reykjavik Excursions for 10,400 Isk (4,500 Pesos). Yep, the package might sound pricey, but I did not have much choice, as there are no public transportation in Iceland that goes to the specified destinations. It would have been cheaper also if I tapped with fellow travellers and just share on a rented car, but I did not find any on my scheduled date. So, there. Nonetheless, the guided tour by Reykjavik Excursions was quite relaxed and we were not really rushed to complete things; which is good. Tip: Wear something waterproof jacket and pants when going around Iceland, as the weather can be quite unpredictable with recurring rain and strong wind, especially on the mountainous areas, to which is what this tour is all about.

Gullfoss Waterfall is one of Iceland’s Iconic landscapes. this is around 30-40 meters drop in total.sobrang powerful

The Geysir is mother earth’s natural fountain. This is produced when hot air is formed underground and finds its way up pockets of water. Kaya tumasabog pa vertical when there is too much pressure already. Water is HOT!

Thingvellir National Park is significate, as it is there the continents of Eurasia and North America Split up, geographically.

2)Blue Lagoon Tour. Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland. The spa is located in a lava rock field in southwestern Iceland, thus the naturally black ground. The somewhat milky coloured of the water is a natural thing that is a result of the Silica-mineral rich ground of the lagoon. Warm water dun at around 39 degrees Celcius. It was raining heavily when I went there, and was super cold if you are not in the water. Nonetheless, the experience was great! 10,700 Isk (4,600 Pesos)

3)Northern Light Tour. Now here’s the tricky part, kasi the Nothern Lights are a natural phenomenon that is very much dependent on weather conditions. Experiencing this can never be assured. I myself waited for 4 nights, and wasn’t lucky enough to witness it. The whole Iceland was cloudy and rainy when I went there. 6,400 Isk (2,800 Pesos) for a light chase tour. Fully refundable if weather was awful during your stay.

4)Citywalk Reykjavik. This is a free tour that you can sign up with on the internet (Citywalk.Is). It is a 2 hours walking tour around the city that fully depends on donations. Any amount will be accepted after the tour. This one is a good activity especially for backpackers. Definitely a good venue to meet fellow travellers.

reykjavik62 — Reykjavik is actually a very artsy city with a fun vibe. You get to see a lot of interesting around. Here’s one example.

Hallgrímskirkja Church is another iconic must see in Reykjavik. This contemporary-themed catholic church may be odd looking outside, but inside has very clean and crisp art and accents. It is the only church I’ve visited so far that has somewhat a minimalist feel on its interior spaces. Visiting this could easily be fitted after the Citywalk tour. Entrance is free.

5)Harpa Concert Hall and the surrounding port is another must visit icon of Reykjavik. Visitors can marvel on the amazing contemporary interiors of this post-modern glass box building. Imagine when the Northern lights are up and this glass building reflects all the activities of the sky. Surreal siguro un. No entrance fees on this as well. The surrounding port is also worth a walk and probably have dine-ins there.

Food. Given naman na food in Iceland is expensive. Almost everything is imported, if not grown in a greenhouse. Though pricey, the portions naman are relatively big. Just to give you guys an idea, the cheapest that you can find along the street are hotdog sandwiches, for 450 Isk ( 180 Php/3-4 Usd), but it’s big na, like almost a foot long. Sample in the photo is Baejarins Beztu Pylsur, the famous Hotdog stand na masarap ung sauce and may crunchy fried onion bits sa bottom ng bun.

Baejarins Beztu Pylsur is the famous hotdog stand. it’s where famous international people had their bite, like Bill Clinton

Iceland people are fond of vegetarian menus din. As I’ve observed, almost always may vegetarian option sa menus. Vegetarian sandwiches are great on breakfast for 450 Isk ( 180 Php/3-4 Usd) . Basic black coffee is also around 450 Isk ( 180 Php/3-4 Usd)

Average-priced dine ins are at around 900 to 1,800 Isk (400 to 800 pesos). Bottomline, mahal ang dine-in sa Iceland because of labor and taxes. Here are a few snapshots.

20161005_203634 — A Hefty Chicken Doner from XO diner

20161004_185515 — Traditional Fish Stew with Rye Bread from Sjávarbarinn

They also have whale dishes, but I never dreamed of eating such. Haha. sorry.

reykjavik90 — Strawberry cream pie with meringue crusty topping from Oddsson’s cafe at the ground floor

Kung gusto makamura, grocery! And particularly sa Bonus Supermarket near the port or the BSI Bus terminal. Ito yung baon ko when I went to the Golden Circle Tour. hehe

20161004_184235 — You can also find cheap ready to eat at groceries. One Whole chicken only costs 1,499 Isk (650 pesos)

Accommodation. There’s not much choices on hostels in Reykjavik. The best na nahanap ko is Oddsson Hotel/Hostel, which is it at 10-15 minutes walk from the Port, and a little more from the city center. Waterfront ang Oddsson, so maganda ang view, and sobrang lamig talaga. May “Vida Express”Grocery at the front, and a little further, there’s “Bonus Supermarket”where the locals go. The hostel has a big kitchen and a balcony, with a heated jacuzzi pa. One night is around 1,500.00 Pesos, towel use excluded.

Airport Transfer. There is no train facility in Iceland, so the next best and secure option is by bus. Though minimal ang difference with others, the cheapest option is with Grayline Airport Express, and get the roundtrip (Airport-Reykjavik-Airport) package of around 4,000.00 Isk (Php 1,760.00, pwedeng sa website nila, or at the airport na by cash or credit card). For some reason, di ko naisip kunin ang round trip kaya napamahal ako.

Iceland was part of the 10 days Backpacking trip in Scandinavia. For the overall budgeting part, refer to this article : https://iamjosemanuel.com/2016/11/05/backpacking-scandinavia-10-days-in-swedennorway-and-iceland-magkano-ba/

Iceland. Wala na akong masabi kasi probably madami na kayong alam na facts and figures about this dream destination. Anyways, here are some things that I’ve learned from my visit, and some personal realizations that could have made my short trip better. Sa mga nagbabalak pumunta, sana may mapulot kyo dito.

TRIVIA: 10% nalang ng Iceland is covered with Glacier/Ice due to climate change. Lumalawak din naman to pag winter pero topical lang and is expected to be washed out by change of season. When I went there,only few snow-capped mountains can be seen from afar.
THE SAD PART: Iceland is majorly a cold-barren land, with large portion of it covered by volcanic rocks, making farming and vegetation close to impossible (which justifies why mahal ang pagkain dun. I swear, naka greenhouse sila even for tomatoes). There are minimal trees left, naubos na ng occupants during the early days, and later did they realise na they cannot regrow trees easily.
MAN AGAINST ELEMENT: Sobrang unpredictable ng Iceland’s wind and weather all year round. It was autumn when I went. Though the temperature is manageable at around 6-10 degrees C, it is the strong,piercing wind that challenges all living things. chot! Seriously, super strong wind expecially sa mountainous parts, some can actually tilt up to 70 degrees and not fall.
UNEXPECTED ACTIVITY: Iceland is a volcanic island. Don’t be surprised with recurring mini earthquakes almost everyday. Thus, madaming hot springs and thermal pools dun that local people enjoy, kahit within the city lang. Point is, bring your SWIMMING Outfit dahil mapapasabak ka talaga sa dipping. I swear naka boxer brief lang ako when I went to Blue Lagoon. Nilaban ko lang with Davao City-level of confidence. Sabi nga ng Indonesian friend ko, “That is very Filipino”.
OUTFIT: Given the weather unpredictability of this country, WATERPROOF COAT AND PANTS are a MUST! Yun ang kulang ko. I did not research good enough before I left. High cut shoes is also recommended, and preferably leather. Gloves and Ear muffs are recommended. Gloves, ideally the leather one with removable tips for easy camera use.
SKIN CARE: the cold can at times be more harsh than the heat. Bring moisturiser and lip balm. Don’t neglect your lips. Una yan dudugo.
UPON ARRIVAL: Walang train ang Iceland. Either you go by bus or pasundo ka sa daddy mo. And when you go by bus, whatever the company is, BUY ROUND TRIP pag early morning ang flight mo out of Iceland. Wag matigas ulo.
FOOD: Syempre kailangan nyo din ma experience dining in at Reykjavik. There’s Sjavarbarinn and Messin, among other mid priced restaurants in the city. But if trip nyo mag grocery para maka mura, go to the port, and malapit dun, there’s Bonus Supermarket. Don’t buy from convenient stores. Mahal.
CULTURED PEOPLE: Guys, walang Mcdonald’s sa Iceland. FYI Norman.
GENERAL TIP: Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate! and for free!!! Potable water in Iceland is clean enough to drink; The whole of Scandinavia actually.
PASALUBONG: When buying foodie pasalubongs, buy at the airport na before departing. Particularly the local chocolates in Duty Free are like almost 50% cheaper than in Reykjavik’s. Mataas kasi taxes ng city. And I swear, Icelandic chocolates are to die for. In the airport, you can actually buy Salmon meat and other meat products and even Icelandic breads pastries with proper travel packaging. Bsta, iba ang Airport dun in terms of items to buy. Bili din kayo nung Smoked Cod Liver na delata. Masarap pang appetizer. Cheaper din sa airport.
EMOTIONAL PREPARATION: Lastly, prepare yourself sa feeling na seeing the Northern Light is just a bonus in life and a blessing from the Lord Almighty. As it is a natural phenomenon dependent on the weather, not everyone gets to experience them. Personally, I did not see it even though I waited for 4 nights. What hurts is that I was just late by a weekend, kasi days before daw, the light was super strong that you can see them even from the city. Ohw, well, I can just revisit for that someday. And tours for the Northern Light are usually fully refundable when you don’t get to see them. September to March daw ang strong sightings of this elusive show. So book your tickets between those months and magpa-Novena kayo sa mga taga Dona Pilar Village of Davao for good weather.

Interested sa budget? read here, https://iamjosemanuel.com/2016/11/05/backpacking-scandinavia-10-days-in-swedennorway-and-iceland-magkano-ba/

Guy in yellow coat is Martin of Citywalk Reykjavik Free Tour, where me and 2 Indonesian friends joined. Check out their website sa google. Anyways, here are some more snapshots I took around Reykjavik.