wyoming & the world
  • Home
  • THINK
    • Getting Started: Global Education
    • Global Education Assessments & Resources
    • Standards in Global Education
    • Research: Language Education & Bilingualism in Morocco & the United States
  • TEACH
    • Project-Based Learning & Teaching
    • Digital Learning Resources
    • Digital Learning Inventory
  • Globalized Unit Plan - Spanish
  • Travel
    • New Zealand & Australia: Journey Down Under
    • France & Spain Spring Break 2018
    • TGC Morocco Travel Blog
    • Athens to Rome Student Trip Spring Break 2016
    • Ecuador & the Galapagos - student trip 2016
    • Traveling like a Boss
  • COLLABORATE
  • Contact
  • Home
  • THINK
    • Getting Started: Global Education
    • Global Education Assessments & Resources
    • Standards in Global Education
    • Research: Language Education & Bilingualism in Morocco & the United States
  • TEACH
    • Project-Based Learning & Teaching
    • Digital Learning Resources
    • Digital Learning Inventory
  • Globalized Unit Plan - Spanish
  • Travel
    • New Zealand & Australia: Journey Down Under
    • France & Spain Spring Break 2018
    • TGC Morocco Travel Blog
    • Athens to Rome Student Trip Spring Break 2016
    • Ecuador & the Galapagos - student trip 2016
    • Traveling like a Boss
  • COLLABORATE
  • Contact

Traveling the World like a Boss

Visiting Iceland in November (2017)

4/25/2018

58 Comments

 
In November, I had the opportunity to travel to Iceland for my first time. For the past couple of years, I had read articles about Iceland, seen pictures on travel websites, and I was intrigued at the opportunity to see the northern lights in action! So off I went on an Icelandic Adventure! 

Luckily, I was able to meet up with an old traveling friend (if "old" can characterize someone you've just met in the summer of 2016 while traveling in Africa, and then later met up with in NYC for a girls' weekend?) - Sara! After having done my fair share of solo traveling, I have learned that having friends around you when you travel makes the trip SO much more enjoyable! 
Picture
Our first day in Iceland
We arrived in the early morning to Iceland and transferred to our hotel. For this trip, we stayed at Hotel Klettur (which apparently means "Big Rock" in Icelandic). It is a fairly centrally-located hotel, only steps from one of the main walking/eating streets in the capital city of Reykjavik. We spent the first few hours settling in, warming up, getting ourselves maps and a daily outline, then venturing out for coffee. I first stepped out wearing ballet flats and a light jacket, because the temperature read "30" degrees. It took about 1/2 a block to convince me to walk back and opt for my wool socks, Keen boots, and winter coat. I seriously underestimated the arctic chill of the air! When packing & planning, I thought, "no big deal - the 30's & 20's in Iceland? Meh." In my defense, I was raised in northern Montana near the Canadian border at a particular point where cold winds whip through the valley and sting your face. Dodson, Montana is undeniably cold and the winters are rugged and bitter. In my new home in Wyoming, I often feel like the winters are much more mild and the snow is wetter - thus making for a more pleasant winter experience. I thought I was tough. Really tough. And then --- Iceland happened. And I felt cold. Shaking off my disillusionment and my insensible ballet flats, I re-focused on touring Reykjavik for the day! Our first destination was Hallgrimskirkja! 
Reykjavik City Center
Reykjavik is a beautiful town. I imagine it would be beautiful in any season. It offers up the true European feel of a city and tall colorful buildings at every turn. It is clean, and even more importantly, it is friendly! It turns out that many people who live there are immigrants from other places - sometimes travelers who visited and loved the landscapes so much that they wanted to make it their home. 
Hallgrimskirkja is a beautiful Lutheran church that will not disappoint. It is the largest church in Iceland, and seems to be one of the very tallest buildings as well. On the outside, it is a bit plain by European "cathedral" standards, but the design is impressive. I would describe it as "powerful-looking." Like most churches, it is free to enter and look around. However, the best part of visiting this church is the view at the top of the bell tower. The fee to ride the elevator (the only point of access) to the observation deck at the top was 1,000 Icelandic Krona, equivalent to about $9.90 in U.S. dollars. The views back down were pretty impressive, but the wind at the top made me think twice about staying for long! The wind coming off the arctic sea at Reykjavik's coastline is seriously cold.
Next up for us was city-wandering and an attempt to eat and drink All. The. Things. So... we did!

We spent the majority of our day sightseeing throughout the city, visiting the coastline, and then having dinner out to sample Iceland's seafood scene and local beers. 
For the following three days of our time in Iceland, we took tours/excursions away from the city - or at least we attempted! And we spent our nights on "northern lights hunting excursions" via bus. My favorite day was our 12-hour long excursion around Iceland's Golden Circle paired with our evening of "Northern Lights Hunting."  This excursion introduced us to Thingvellir National Park, Gulfoss Waterfall, and several geysers. If you intend to take this same trip - I highly advise that you bring back up batteries, chargers, etc. It seemed a common occurrence that our phones' batteries died quite quickly (maybe because of the extreme cold?) - which can be a stressor when trying to capture all of your memories and still have the ability to take night photos of the lights! Before our night time Lights Hunting - we stopped for a local meal where we were served a wonderful lamb supper. In Iceland, expect to eat a lot of seafood, and a lot of lamb! I bet I ate lamb six times during our five-day trip, and it was excellent each time. What impressed me most about Icelandic cuisine was their use of extravagant sauces. Every time I ate lamb, it tasted completely different, unique, magical, etc. because each time it was accompanied by an exciting new sauce. That evening we also visited a local hot springs to enjoy the hot waters at night time under the starry sky. 
The Northern Lights
Okay - so... November is supposed to be a prime time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland. And we did see something each night we went out. But did I really see the Northern Lights? For me, this was the part of the trip where expectation did not meet reality. We met other travelers from other countries who would show us their amazing photographs of the lights and they would rave about how beautiful they were. Then when we saw them, they just looked like white streaks across the sky to me. They almost seemed like very strange clouds. Our guide assured us that they were beautiful and bright, but where were the colors? When using our cameras, we could get pretty shots of the lights, and they would glow green because of the camera lenses, but I saw no colors in the sky, and I felt let down a bit. I spoke with others who were out on the same nights from different groups, and they relayed that they had seen colorful lights, but all I ever saw were white streaks. Hmmmm. Makes me wonder if we were being duped, or if the northern lights really are mostly white when seen by the naked eye? I needed a science teacher with me to explain the effect. While I understood going in that seeing the lights in the arctic sky was going to be weather dependent, and there were no guarantees, I was still a bit bummed about the lights (or lack of colors) we did get to see. Perhaps this will require another trip soon to investigate? :-) 
The rest of my Iceland trip was spent eating, wandering, and exploring further out from Reykjavik. For one of our day-long excursions, we visited the Snaefellsness peninsula which was beautiful. I especially liked visiting Church Mountain, and eating the traditional plokkfiskur. 
Of course, no trip to Iceland can be complete without a stop at the famous Blue Lagoon. If this is on your list, I would recommend visiting on your arrival day, or on your final day. The blue lagoon is essentially between Reykjavik and the airport, so it makes sense to visit the lagoon directly following your arrival flight or before your departure. It also offers constant shuttle service between the airport and the lagoon. We visited on our final day, which worked out perfectly for us! With a later flight, we were able to spend all morning soaking and relaxing.  Then the facilities there are great for showering, preparing, etc - complete with toiletries, hairdryers, etc. - really anything you could need following your soak! For our final meal in Iceland, we dined at the Blue Lagoon's onsite restaurant, and I'm so glad that we did! 

Very rarely in this life do I ever feel like I'm treated like "first-class," but I absolutely loved my time at this restaurant, primarily by chance. We walked in at the perfect moment, when they were seating a two-seater table at the large window overlooking the lagoon. For me, it was a surreal experience to sit and enjoy my last meal of ----- you guessed it ------ LAMB!  We watched the unbelievably blue water strike a stark contrast against the dark black lava rock, and we toasted to another great trip before transferring to the airport and heading home.
58 Comments
Lirma link
11/12/2019 01:40:55 am

Thanks for sharing this article. It was informative. I am also writing a blog on places to travel around the world. Maybe you can check it out.

Reply
indian visa link
2/20/2020 11:02:58 pm



I know that some people may have their doubts on visiting Colombia, but it is truly a perfect place for a school trip. Only if we will give the country the chance to prove itself how beautiful it is in terms of tourism, even the kids will surely appreciate it! Of course, there are still people with different motives who are living there, and I guess all countries have it. Generally, these kinds of statement proves that a school trip there is ideal too. Besides, it’s full of beautiful people too!

Reply
Social traveler link
2/21/2020 10:10:17 pm



If, you are planning to visit Thailand, then you must know the right time to be there. It will be better to go for a trip in November, as it will provide you an opportunity to be a part of the Loy Krathong festival.

Reply
india visa eligibility link
2/25/2020 10:58:11 am

Thanks for sharing this article. It was informative. I am also writing a blog on places to travel around the world. Maybe you can check it out.

Reply
Cheap flights link
3/27/2020 11:58:14 pm

The west kayak fishing trip fiasco, the more objectives I have ever seen,thanks for making more info as well. The more college essays and more educationl reviews always,keep it up.

Reply
Compare Cheap Flights link
4/1/2020 09:12:02 am

I know that some people may have their doubts on visiting Colombia, but it is truly a perfect place for a school trip. Only if we will give the country the chance to prove itself how beautiful it is in terms of tourism, even the kids will surely appreciate it! Of course, there are still people with different motives who are living there, and I guess all countries have it. Generally, these kinds of statement proves that a school trip there is ideal too. Besides, it’s full of beautiful people too!

Reply
Roxy link
4/28/2020 05:40:45 am

Thanks for your helpful sharing. I have read that knowledge very much.

Reply
Best Barbados Resorts link
5/10/2020 11:13:08 pm

The author also emphasizes the importance of children’s involvement in surviving. The author will share 3 important lessons that will make your children more prepared and ready to get through extreme conditions.

Reply
thy uçak bileti link
6/6/2020 09:58:43 pm

That sounds interesting. You’ll have to share your blog link. Travel seems a bit like a fantasy at the moment. Would be nice. :-)

Reply
Pegasus uçak bileti link
6/20/2020 11:31:58 pm

Your article is an excellent showing of writing skills that my children should be using. I like it when I can tell a writer has poured him/herself into an article.

Reply
Todd
8/1/2020 02:31:44 pm

Get 10% off your next checkout https://www.bondswell.com with coupon code: SAVE10

Reply
lisa
8/2/2020 12:12:36 am

Our online courses are designed without walls and without invisible ceilings. And that means irrespective of who you are, you're going to have access to it all. Nothing held back, just empowering content that will not only teach you what's possible but also make you powerful. Distance learning can give you an online education. For more visit <a href="https://www.christinesanni.com/">online school</a>

Reply
Organic products link
8/17/2020 05:41:16 am

Finding professionals is easy with Organic Providers. Search our website to instantly connect with business and professionals. For professionals, our website works as a powerful tool for attracting more clients.

Reply
albania for tourists link
8/20/2020 01:59:11 pm

That sounds interesting. You’ll have to share your blog link. Travel seems a bit like a fantasy at the moment. Would be nice. :-)

Reply
Tripuck link
9/11/2020 08:32:46 am

Great Blog! I want to thank you for the struggles you have made in writing this post.

Reply
visit albania link
9/23/2020 07:49:18 am

I loved what you have done with the fabric! It looks amazing and it will definitely be fun to carry it around. I really liked how you showed the process step-by-step and your photographs are flawless. Great job! :

Reply
Phi Phi Island Holidays Package link
10/6/2020 01:12:10 am

I loved what you have done with the fabric! It looks amazing and it will definitely be fun to carry it around. I really liked how you showed the process step-by-step and your photographs are flawless. Great job! :

Reply
Will Mitchell link
10/6/2020 10:14:54 am

Easily, the article is actually the best topic on this registry related issue. I fit in with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your next updates. Just saying thanks will not just be sufficient, for the fantasti c lucidity in your writing.

Reply
Viaggio Baja California link
10/11/2020 09:37:05 am

Thanks for sharing this article. It was informative. I am also writing a blog on places to travel around the world. Maybe you can check it out.

Reply
albania tirana link
10/21/2020 01:20:20 am

I like the idea of turning the field trip into a fun game. My kid is going on his first field trip and I want him to have a good time. After all, kids remember hands-on experiences more than what they hear in the classroom.

Reply
La Paz Baja California link
10/21/2020 02:04:37 am

A road trip can make you feel the entire world. What I mean by this, is that you can have the feeling of freedom. Whenever my friends and I go on a road trip, I just feel like I am in the best time of my life. A road trip is the best activity if you want to meet other people and experience new things. While it is physically burdening, the memories more than make up for the hassle, promise.

Reply
La Paz Baja California link
10/21/2020 02:06:42 am

A road trip can make you feel the entire world. What I mean by this, is that you can have the feeling of freedom. Whenever my friends and I go on a road trip, I just feel like I am in the best time of my life. A road trip is the best activity if you want to meet other people and experience new things. While it is physically burdening, the memories more than make up for the hassle, promise.

Reply
instagram story viewer link
11/20/2020 07:44:07 pm

This article gives the light in which we can observe the reality. This is very nice one and gives indepth information. Thanks for this nice article. To find top account on instagram, please visit our site

Reply
Excursion Punta Cana link
11/24/2020 11:58:12 am



Thanks for sharing this article. It was informative. I am also writing a blog on places to travel around the world. Maybe you can check it out.

Reply
holidaydigg.com link
1/24/2021 07:42:03 am

Whether it is about a flight or hotel, about sightseeing or food, about packing tips or travel insurance holidaydigg.com is here to guide you to the best tips for holiday travel and vacations. We provide you information on vacation rentals, travel insurance, holiday package, airline or train tickets, cruises, car rentals, restaurants, tourist activities and so on.

Reply
holidaydigg.com link
1/24/2021 11:49:25 am

Whether it is about a flight or hotel, about sightseeing or food, about packing tips or travel insurance holidaydigg.com is here to guide you to the best tips for holiday travel and vacations. We provide you information on vacation rentals, travel insurance, holiday package, airline or train tickets, cruises, car rentals, restaurants, tourist activities and so on.

Reply
Viaje Baja California link
2/6/2021 08:56:25 pm

Our team can design and organize any type of self-guided trip through Baja California, for travelers arriving in La Paz, San José del Cabo and Tijuana, whether with family, children, as a couple or alone . We will recommend the best routes and places according to your needs, preferences and experiences as an independent traveler to guarantee an unforgettable vacation with maximum freedom. Baja California Travel is an adventure travel tour operator based in La Paz, Baja California Sur.

Reply
Viaje Baja California link
2/6/2021 10:33:05 pm

Our team can design and organize any type of self-guided trip through Baja California, for travelers arriving in La Paz, San José del Cabo and Tijuana, whether with family, children, as a couple or alone . We will recommend the best routes and places according to your needs, preferences and experiences as an independent traveler to guarantee an unforgettable vacation with maximum freedom. Baja California Travel is an adventure travel tour operator based in La Paz, Baja California Sur.

Reply
Viaje Baja California link
2/6/2021 10:34:37 pm

Our team can design and organize any type of self-guided trip through Baja Hi California, for travelers arriving in La Paz, San José del Cabo and Tijuana, whether with family, children, as a couple or alone . We will recommend the best routes and places according to your needs, preferences and experiences as an independent traveler to guarantee an unforgettable vacation with maximum freedom. Baja California Travel is an adventure travel tour operator based in La Paz, Baja California Sur.

Reply
Viaje Baja California link
2/7/2021 12:40:53 am

Our team can design and organize any type of self-guided trip through Baja California, for travelers arriving in La Paz, San José del Cabo and Tijuana, whether with family, children, as a couple or alone . We will recommend the best routes and places according to your needs, preferences and experiences as an independent traveler to guarantee an unforgettable vacation with maximum freedom. Baja California Travel is an adventure travel tour operator based in La Paz, Baja California Sur.

Reply
airbnb management melbourne link
9/24/2021 02:32:55 pm

We manage holiday homes and apartments for rent for people on holiday, like using Airbnb, in Sydney and Melbourne in Australia.

Reply
airbnb management melbourne link
9/24/2021 02:45:50 pm

Hi, We manage holiday homes and apartments for rent for people on holiday, like using Airbnb, in Sydney and Melbourne in Australia.

Reply
Airbnb management Melbourne link
10/15/2021 05:18:45 am

Babies adjust easily and seem to enjoy the new sights and sounds of camping. There are many items made for a baby and for use with a baby on a camping trip. Thanks for the amazing information

Reply
เที่ยวน่าน link
10/30/2021 06:48:16 am

Summer is a time to travel! School’s out, work slows down – it’s the perfect time for you to take the family vacation. Whether you're hopping on a flight over the next few months or traveling later down the line, the tips in this piece make air travel a breeze. Help you stress less in the air and have more fun on the ground as you take that big vacation that’s been planned for months!

Reply
ที่เที่ยวเขาใหญ่ link
11/5/2021 12:58:56 pm



Thanks for sharing this article. It was informative. I am also writing a blog on places to travel around the world. Maybe you can check it out.

Reply
flights UK link
11/26/2021 02:29:17 am

The author also emphasizes the importance of children’s involvement in surviving. The author will share 3 important lessons that will make your children more prepared and ready to get through extreme conditions.

Reply
colleges for surgical technologist link
12/23/2021 03:21:28 am

Dignity College of Healthcare online surgical technician training is far superior to other online Surgical Tech programs because it includes the training & exam review for the national certification exams. Register with Confidence & attend a nationally accredited, but affordable program. In just 4 months, you can finish with 2 certifications without a loan on your neck!

Reply
private jet flights link
12/30/2021 08:26:17 am

Travels and trips give us an opportunity to visit new places and meet new people. We try to learn every detail about them. Travels to new places sharpen our power of observation. We form in our minds a picture which may not be forgotten. Travels enable us to meet new people.

Reply
paint by numbers link
1/4/2022 06:46:40 am



I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post.

Reply
Hotels in Swat Kalam link
6/19/2022 09:18:48 am

You have written all the detail about travel that is very helpful for us. The information that you discuss in the article is really helpful for me.Visit here for more information.

Reply
Hotels in Swat Kalam link
6/19/2022 09:18:58 am

These are all great tips! I’ll definitely take note of them. I like the idea of going on a trip with the aim of making it a romantic holiday. Sometime in the zeal to see everything and miss out on nothing the romance does get lost.

Reply
puerto rico bioluminescent link
8/6/2022 08:20:39 am

Traveling with a toddle sounds daunting, however, you make it look simple! Great tips. :) Everyone should be able to experience travel and other cultures.

Reply
budget hotel link
9/17/2022 07:58:35 am

it was a wonderful chance to visit this kind of site and I am happy to know. thank you so much for giving us a chance to have this opportunity..

Reply
hotel deals link
10/16/2022 07:56:50 am

It is very good activity for young people! and I think it will be useful for themselves!

Reply
Christopher James link
11/13/2022 05:03:20 am

Note there indicate free development all push. That administration deep discussion decision cold agent.

Reply
all inclusive resorts akumal mexico link
11/15/2022 07:23:20 am

I was taking a gander at some of your posts on this site and I consider this site is truly informational! Keep setting up. Please visit our site about instagram.

Reply
praia da rocha holidays link
11/23/2022 04:20:26 am

I just couldn't leave your website before telling you that I truly enjoyed the top quality info you present to your visitors? Will be back again frequently to check up on new posts.

Reply
Real Estate company in Abu Dhabi link
4/3/2023 02:49:24 am

AZCB top Real Estate company in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Buy and Rent villas, apartments, offices best prices with Al Zaeem Commercial Brokers

Reply
travel now pay later link
4/4/2023 07:27:43 am

Excellent blog :) Thank you so much for this great blog. To apply for indian visa you must have valid documents. You need to upload a digital photograph with the head in the center of the picture and a light-colored background preferably white background.

Reply
kitchen cabinets store link
4/14/2023 12:06:22 pm

Stones and Cabinets City delights our customers and makes them proud of their houses by making the complex simple. Our expert designers are dedicated to producing layouts that ensure your design is distinctive to our clients’ liking as well as functional.

Reply
medical near me link
4/14/2023 12:13:02 pm

We are renowned for providing our patients with the most reasonably priced, painless medical care they have loved for years. Whether it’s a sports physical, routine physical, teen depression screening, or something else entirely,

Reply
mobile phone repair shop link
4/14/2023 12:19:05 pm

I-Cell Station identify your cell phone issues for free so that we can offer you the best possible solutions. We have expert-level solutions for all damaged cell phone devices, from screen replacements to charging ports and batteries, cameras speakers, back glass to motherboard level repairs.

Reply
sexual wellness for men & women link
4/14/2023 12:27:40 pm

A blog is a discussion or informational website published on the World Wide Web consisting of discrete, often informal diary-style text entries. Posts are typically displayed in reverse chronological order so that the most recent post appears first, at the top of the web page

Reply
Contact Us - HFC Pizza link
4/14/2023 12:32:33 pm

Click on the Order Online tab above and we'll deliver right to your office. And be sure to make use of our advance order feature to ensure that your food is delivered exactly when you want it.

Reply
house for sale in defence karachi link
4/14/2023 12:36:10 pm

Constructing a house in DHA (Defence Housing Authority) Karachi is a popular dream for many residents, as this well-planned area offers numerous facilities and modern amenities.

Reply
home remodeling specialists link
4/14/2023 12:38:53 pm

If you’re looking for reliable and professional remodeling services, you can’t go wrong with us We’ve been serving homeowners and businesses in the area for years, and our experienced team knows how to get the job done right.

Reply
canada consultant link
4/14/2023 12:40:57 pm

The CNC Immigration Dream Team is composed of Ashley, Johanny, and James, who make a Powerful trio of individuals dedicated to making the immigration process as smooth and efficient as possible. With their unique set of skills and experiences, they bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the field of immigration law.

Reply
Biker Jacket in Brown Color for Men link
4/17/2023 04:00:55 am

Curious to know about the latest fashion trends? Here are some of the best fashion blogs that'll help you know what's trending and elevate ...

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    This Blog

    Disorganized Thoughts on Travel - Memoirs of a sort...

    Archives

    April 2018
    February 2018

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly