The Iceland Experience: First Impressions, Favorite Food, Interesting Facts and More - TrotterHop
Go BackThe Iceland Experience: First Impressions, Favorite Food, Interesting Facts and More:
Green juice served from the bar on the Blue Lagoon
We flew with Icelandair direct from Chicago to Reykjavik. Although the flight was two hours delayed, the 6.5 hour flight was a breeze. The aircraft that was used for this flight was the aging wide-body 767-300 (I was actually expecting a smaller aircraft, the 757). To my surprise, the economy cabin was spacious with comfortable seats, great selection of in-flight entertainment, and even wifi on-board - a far cry from other airlines’ waning B767-300.
It was the after flight experience that left me stressed out. Read my review my experience with Icelandair here.
First Impressions:
Are we still on planet Earth?
When our plane was approaching for touch down at Reykjavik airport, I remember looking out the window and seeing the Icelandic landscape for the first time. It was flat, green and covered in mist - really felt like we were landing somewhere uninhibited.
The First Picture Taken:
Mind you, we had just landed from Chicago and left Keflavik airport not knowing where Icelandair placed my bag.
But all that frustration went out the window the moment the moment we got to the Blue Lagoon!
Blue Lagoon entrance sign
Favorite Food:
The lunch that we had at the Blue Lagoon after our morning was probably the best meal I had during my stay in Iceland. Granted this thing cost an arm and a leg (about 70$USD) - but that lamb with mushroom and bearnaise sauce gave me all the feels.
Delicious. Beef tenderloin with caramelized onions, wild mushrooms, bearnaise sauce and steak fries. #SOGOOD and #SOEXPENSIVE
Interesting fact about Iceland:
1 -There is an Iceland naming committee. This means any first names that has never been used in Iceland must be approved by the committee.
2- Iceland is a temperate country, not too hot nor too cold. The winter in Iceland is actually warmer than Chicago. #WHAAAT!!
3- There are no forests in Iceland.
4- Nor are there any McDonald’s
5- And no mosquitoes!
6- And to round up the list of no’s: No navy, air force, nor army in Iceland.
Some Useful PhraseS I learned:
Hello (Halló)
Please (Vinsamiegast)
Thank you (pakka pér)
Ok, everyone in Iceland speaks English and speaks it probably better than ME (or better than I?… meh). But shame on me for not attempting to learn the language. I think I was intimidated by knowing it’s Icelandic and it’s one of the most difficult language there is to learn….
Biggest Challenge:
Iceland customer service :0
On this trip, I tried:
Fermented shark, look I even have the proof below:
That’s a lie…I tossed that sucker out to the ground the moment I saw my friends closed their eyes and took a deep breath while they ate it. It was slightly entertaining watch them go through that experience though… #suckaaaa
Challenge: Eat this fermented shark (challenge denied).
Last Picture Taken:
Icelandair B767 sitting on the tarmac at Keflavik Airport
Most Memorable Experience:
The midnight sun !! Going home at 3 or 4am and bright as day was a triiiiiip. It was quite an experience 🙂
Also, the road trip exploring western Iceland and the Golden circle tour – some spectacular landscapes that will make your jaw drop. Iceland is nature on fleek (is the word fleek still a thing, or have the millenials moved on?)
Favorite Activity:
The road trips to Snaefellsness, the Golden Circle tour, and the Blue Lagoon - they were all just exceptional.
Unfortunately, because of the season, we were not able to see the the northern lights in Iceland. I believe this happens late October - so now I have a reason to go back to Iceland! #AddItToTheBucketList
Best sights to see:
The whole country is a sight to see. But considering we were only there for four complete days – we only had time to go around Western Iceland (Snaefellsness - where you’ll find the most photographed mountain in Iceland - Kirkjufell) and another day where we did the Golden Circle Tour.
Insider tips:
Iceland is expensive AF – don’t be surprised to pay an average of 30$ USD per meal and 20$ drinks! But the bright side, you never have to use cash because EVERYONE TAKES CREDIT CARDS! (IT’S ON CAPS LOCK BECAUSE HOW GREAT IS THIS!!!)
comment this post