When in Iceland we had our camping plans disrupted upon our return back last year. We had split up our trip in half to see my parents in Ireland. So the first half was magical and the second half felt like we had the rug pulled from under us.
British Airways lost the bag we checked with our tent. When we arrived from our lengthy layover in London, we were rightfully pissed off because we had to stay in an entirely different city than I planned. The only positive was that we didn’t reserve our campsite. I wanted us to travel to the south of Iceland and camp in the countryside. Instead of letting my head explode, we made lemonade out of lemons and stayed at Alex’s Guest house. It’s a little motel with outdoor cabins less than half a mile from the airport. We got lucky and were able to book a night there in an outdoor cabin until our bag arrived.
We ended up walking because anyone in the airport we asked to call for our motel shuttle, told us we needed to buy a SIM card. Of all the countries I’ve been there’s never been a lack of willingness to make a local call so that was a bit shocking.
Our second arrival impression of the airport was a disappointment that even the miles of the fields of Alaskan lupine flowers couldn’t soften.
A part of me understood that it must be hard to see the leagues of frat boys and their sorority cohorts arriving with zero regard for their culture, but it kind of saddened me that the chance for hospitality as a traveler is being tainted.
In my post on the Blue Lagoon, I briefly mentioned the frat bros who arrived in American flag speedos that almost ruined a peaceful day in such a beautiful place. It was a disgusting show that no one appreciated. And I’m sure at peak travel times, the shows of tourist stupidity are overwhelming.
Beyond the airport, however, it was a nice breathe of fresh air to be somewhere so uncrowded and unlike a tourist trap. There weren’t many cars once we got near the motel and as we kept working further after check-in, it was entirely peaceful.
We had spent a lot of time in crowded airports and hotels and tours so this was surreal. The midnight sun and a coast to explore. We ended up finding a boat, the Baldur, that was brought on land and completely open to exploration, and at the end of a private pier, there was a cave devoted to a mythic, child eating, giant. Giant footprints led up to the exhibit. There was even an actual robotic giant in a dark ‘cave’ behind bars and it was all very awesome. Outside there was this pop up that we took a picture in. The gender role switch was unintentional 😉
For all the things that went poorly on our spur of the moment trip, it was certainly filled with some amazing and unusual finds off of the beaten path. We enjoyed the structure of taking bus tours and certainly loved not having to rent a car. Plus it might just be the most lovely night’s sleep to be in a cabin, in Iceland away from everything.
It took me awhile to write about Iceland and I’m certainly not even close to finished blogging about our time abroad but I’m glad none of our photos involved anything that we’d be embarrassed of.
I hope everyone is having a happy Monday and a beautiful new start to the month.
Some new products I’ve tried in my efforts to minimize all my beauty clutter have placed me in a fantastic (and inspired) mood, so expect an update on Wednesday on beauty and Friday on a quick but delicious chicken and bacon dish!!
G & Explore { Keflavík } When in Iceland we had our camping plans disrupted upon our return back last year. We had split up our trip in half to see my parents in Ireland.