Iceland & London 2018
6/17/18 Dulles to Reykjavik
I always prefer international flights to be in the morning or afternoon, because when they're in the evening or night, the entire day turns into a waiting game. The longer you wait, the more your excitement begins to fade away. That is, until you're finally in line and ready to give your boarding pass to the agent at the gate. Our flight to Iceland was at 8pm, which meant that we had to leave home at 3pm to drive to Dulles. But if you're like me, then you have finished all your packing the night before and had to just sat around all day until it was time to leave.
The drive to Dulles on a Sunday afternoon was definitely not enjoyable. There was so much traffic as usual. However, flying out of Dulles is much cheaper than connecting from Richmond, which is why we do it so often. It's weird to think that in 5.5 hours I could either fly to LA or to a whole new country. After the longest 5.5 hours I've ever experienced, we finally reached the destination. I'm glad I packed all of my winter attire, because from the sneak peek of the weather, I could tell that I would most definitely need it. The interest thing about the Iceland airport is that if you're not connecting, you can't get coffee or food from any of the restaurants or cafes in the airpot. That is, until you have proceeded through baggage claim and finally get to the ground floor, where there is only one cafe. Unfortunately, we had to learn this the hard way since at 7 in the morning, we were quite desperate for a cup of joe.
6/18/17 Reykjavik
The first day in Iceland was quite intriguing. Reykjavik reminded me of Dublin and Edinborough. The town was extremely small, but was filled with many restaurants, pubs, and cute little shops which sold scarves, wool sweaters and much more. We spent the morning eating breakfast at a cozy cafe and then exploring the city. However, jet lag and lack of sleep began to kick in and we couldn't fight it anymore. Luckily our apartment got ready in time and we were able to rest up for a couple hours before heading out to a Puffin Sighting Tour at the harbor. The good thing about staying in the city center was that everything was walking distance from our location. We were able to walk to the harbor and get coffee in time for the tour. It went from a pleasant morning to almost freezing cold by late afternoon and being on a boat at sea for an hour made us even colder. It was totally worth it though. Our tour guide had many interesting facts about puffins and how their behavior and adaptations changed based on season. We got to see the puffins in action as they flew past the boat and could be observed sitting in their boroughs on the secluded parts of the island. After the tour, we walked around Reykjavik to find a good and affordable place for dinner. The thing about Iceland was that even though the airfare was cheap, food and hotels and tours were so expensive. But if you stay away from the touristy places, you may be able to find good food for a good price. We ended our first day in Iceland with a memorable pan-fried salmon dish and an evening walk through Reykjavik. The cool thing about being close to the North Pole is that it basically stays light outside for all twenty four hours.
6/19/18 Reykjavik
Twenty four hours of light sounds like a fun experience, until you actually have to experience it and its 3am, but you can't sleep because its too bright outside. After a sleepless night, we rushed to see the Kerid Crater. It was a colder day than yesterday and to top it off, it was raining. Nevertheless, the crater's beauty made walking through the rain worth it. We even got to walk down into the crater and touch the water, which was surprisingly warm. There is a lot of geothermal activity in Iceland, which contributes to multiple geysers and hot springs. From the crater we drove an hour to the Gullfoss waterfall. It was absolutely breathtaking, powerful and straight out of a National Geographic magazine. As the time went on, the day just kept getting better. At 2pm, we geared up and got ready to drive snowmobiles on a glacier. The snowmobiles were extremely heavy and frankly, hard to steer. The first 20 minutes consisted of my mother and I trying to figure out how to use our body weight to guide the mobile, because simply turning the handle did nothing. Soon we go the hang of it and were cruising through the glacier, surrounded by snow and mountains on all sides with the icy wind kissing our face. It was one of the most thrilling things I've ever done and something I would never forget. I even switched off with my mother and drove the mobile for a little, but it was very tough and very bumpy. We descended the glacier, going full speed with adrenaline running through our veins ten times faster than the snowmobile. Unfortunately, it came to an end too soon and we had to leave for the geysers.
Only ten minutes from the waterfall and snowmobile site, the geysers reminded me of our trip to Yellowstone 6 years ago, but it was still intriguing to see how the earth creates these sites of thermal and volcanic activity. We could see the water bulging and bubbling as it prepared to shoot a column of boiling water up into the air. Even though the smell of sulfur was unbearable, the warmth from the geysers was very pleasant. Tired after a long day, we headed back to Reykjavik for dinner and drinks. We usually don't plan our days abroad minute by minute, but here in Iceland there is so much to see that you have to make room for everything.
6/20/18 Reykjavik
The weather in Iceland can be deceiving, so even though it may be warm and sunny when you step out at 11:30am, make sure you still bring gloves, a hate, and scarf with you. I made the mistake of not doing so. While driving to the site of our next excursion, the weather was absolutely gorgeous. When I got out of the car to take a picture of the empty rode (shown above), I was able to be sans jacket. However, everything changed once we reached our destination. Despite the sun shining brightly, the wind picked up as soon as our trek to the volcano began. My face was numb, my ears stopped working, and all I could think about how I foolishly forgot my warm hat and scarf in the apartment. The view, however, made me forget all of that quite quickly. If I looked to my right, there was nothing but rolling hills. On the left, there were only mountains with no trace of civilization. But our destination was a 45 minute trek straight ahead to the three peaked volcano, a phenomena that's one of its kind. The first eruption of the volcano left a peak from 40,000 years ago that still stands today. The second eruption left a peak from 10,000 years ago. Finally the last eruption from 4,000 years ago left a peak that today, would be explored by us.
Once we reached the base camp, we were all welcomed with open arms. The Icelandic people were very hospitable and kind. After some tea and coffee, we suited up with helmets and harnesses and finished the last part of our trek up the volcano. From the top, we could see all of Reykjavik and the blue water surrounding the coast reflected the clear sky. We took in the view and the peaceful quiet for a little before getting onto a window-cleaner elevator that would take us down into the volcano. As we descended, the rock structure began to change and we could start to see an array of colors caused by the various elements in the rocks and the effects of hot magma gushing past them 4000 years ago. When we hit the bottom, we were given the freedom to explore as long as we stayed near the ropes. I couldn't stop gazing at the beauty around me and how Mother Earth could create such art. Water droplets kept falling from above, illuminated by the light pouring in from the top of the volcano. It looked like stars falling from the heavens.
Seeing the inside of the volcano was one of the most memorable things I've ever done and I highly recommend it. We trekked back from the volcano, drank some hearty lamb soup, and drove off to our next destination. We went to the national park, but after walking 6 miles at the volcano site, we were kind of ready to head back to Reykjavik. Even though the park was beautiful, there wasn't much to see. So if you don't have time to do it, don't worry, because you aren't missing much. We ended our day by walking around in Reykjavik until 10:30pm, but it was so easy to lose track of time here because the evening sun would shine past 10pm.
6/21/18 Reykjavik
After a full year of barely any sleep (thanks junior year), I finally got to catch up on some much needed zzz's. It was raining so hard that we were unable to step out and enjoy Iceland until lunchtime. However, for a rainy day, I would recommend Suarta Kaffir for bread bowl soups. It seriously hit the spot. In Iceland, you must try the Icelandic meat soup. It's a mix of lamb and beef with onions, carrots and potatoes in clear broth. A very hearty soup, but the flavors are to die for because meat here tastes much better than in the US. After lunch, we drove all the way along the west coast to see the rugged and majestic terrain of this country. Even though it was raining, we could still enjoy the scenic drive. We stopped along the way at a place recommended by google. It was literally a tap, placed in the middle of nowhere, that allowed us to access fresh mineral water from the ground. To say the least, it was nasty. The water had a high iron content and was carbonated, which made it taste like fizzy blood. Unfortunately, other than this stop, most of the sites along the way were closed due to the rain so we headed back to Reykjavik. Another place I would recommended for lunch or dinner is the Icelandic Bar. We went there twice and were blown away both times by their food. My mother is vegetarian and had their vegetarian burger, but she said it was one of the best she's ever had. Additionally, their salmon dish and lamb burger were just as good.
6/22/18 Reykjavik
Today we drove to Vik to hike on a glacier. I've always loved watching the National Geographic shows about the arctic region and how global warning has been affecting Mother Nature's beauty. Seeing a glacier in real life made me understand the breadth of nature's magnificence and it hurt to see how far back this glacier receded in a mere 8 years. Global warming is a real issue. If we keep turning the blind eye to it, then before we know it, there will be not be a planet to save. The drive to Vik was very scenic and along the way there were many cute and fluffy lambs and even baby horses. Throughout the drive, we were surrounded by beautiful mountains, rustic homes, and the Icelandic wildlife. Our first stop was a set of three gorgeous waterfalls. I was completely awed by their magnitude and beauty as I have always been seeing these sights on TV, but now I got to see them in real life.
Our next stop was the glacier. Once again, we had to suit up with gear, which consisted of a harness (in case we fell into a crevice), ice picks, and spikes for our shoes. The idea of a 3.5 hour hike seemed daunting at first and even the hike up to the glacier was a little scary. There was nothing to hold on to on the sides, which meant that one misstep could lead to a 100m or more drop. It was tricky at first, but then we all got the hang of it. The trick was to step with force and with confidence, then to keep the rhythm going. The higher we got, the more breathtaking the view became. My dream job would be to travel with National Geographic and either take pictures with them or host a travel show. This hike made me feel like I had stepped into one of their episodes about the arctic region. I couldn't believe that I was standing on top of a glacier and that under my hiking boots was over 600m of ice. It was sad to see that something so beautiful was melting away and as the years would go on, the melting would speed up. Soon Iceland won't have any glaciers left and it will be our fault as the human race for the destruction of this planet's gifts. If anything, this hike made me want to advocate for efforts against global warming more than anything else. It seriously was a life-changing experience. The hike back down was ten times easier than hiking up and all of us seemed to have become pros at using ice picks and walking with spikes. Before heading for dinner, we saw one more waterfall, which looked like it was straight from the Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones.
6/23/18 to 6/24/18 Reykjavik to London
Our last day in Iceland began with a downpour of rain and strong gushes of wind. The three hour car ride back to Reykjavík was much less scenic, because the clouds were so low to the ground that most of the mountains were covered. Today was one of our more relaxed days. We grabbed soups from a nearby restaurant and packed our bags for London. Around 7pm, we left for the Blue Lagoon. One last excursion before leaving this country. However, if you don’t get the chance to see the Blue Lagoon, just know that you’re not missing out on much. I expected way more from the whole thing, because everyone hyped it up so much. We paid 100 dollars and all we got was a towel, one face mask that left our skin red, and a free drink (which was actually pretty good, if you get the SKYR smoothie made with traditional Icelandic yogurt) and some time in the blue lagoon. There were so many people there and the lagoon was basically one huge, hot pool. After a thirty minute soak in the lagoon, we headed back to our apartment and prepared for London.
I was so excited to go to London and to experience warmer weather. Two years was way too long of a time to be away from one of my favorite European cities. The reason I love London so much is because it takes everything I enjoy about New York and elevates it to a classier standard. We reached at 6pm and headed to a Lebanese restaurant called Ishbelia, which was highly recommended by the hotel concierge. To say the least, we were completely blown away. I ate so much food that my stomach was ready to explode. Their hummus was smooth and creamy and paired very well with their fresh pita. We also ordered a lentil dish, which was prepared by cooking buckwheat with the lentils and allowing the spices to marinate in that mixture. It was very aromatic and was complemented by a tomato and onion salad. We also had lamb kebabs with a spicy tomato sauce. To top all of that food off, the waiter gave us a free plate of Lebanese desserts. Once again, it was mouthwatering and unforgettable. Even though I was so full from the main food, I still ate most of the desserts. To ease our digestion, we walked all the way down past Harrod’s and along a street full of shops. London was bustling at night. All the tea shops were teeming with people and the streets were populated with expensive cars ranging from Lamborghinis to Rolls Royces to Ferraris and a countless number of the newest Mercedes models. Wow, I really do love this city!
6/25/18 to 6/26/18 London
For our second day in London we decided to hit the streets and go shopping, which is one of my favorite activities. The style of clothes, the fitting, the fabric, and designs are so much better in Europe than they are in the US. I went crazy in Zara and bought many new clothes for the coming school year. We spent most of the day enjoying the beautiful weather and the warmth of the sun. We decided to skip lunch because we wanted to fill ourselves with food from our most favorite restaurant in London: Dishoom. The restaurant is themed and designed to look like the Parsi cafes in India from the '60s. It was seriously one of the best Indian restaurants I’ve ever been to and the fact that there has always been an hour long wait (or more), goes to show how popular the restaurant is. They have a mixed menu of Indian foods from the north and west, but it’s still simple enough that you won’t get overwhelmed with what to pick. I suggest getting their rose cardamom lassi, Black daal, masala prawns, rumali roti, and either butter chicken or mutter paneer. There are two Dishoom locations in London and both are near Piccadilly Circus, so if you have the chance to eat here, you most definitely should.
London reminded me a lot of New York City, except it was cleaner and classier. Piccadilly Circus’ center was a lot like Times Square and was always teeming with tourists, but the streets branching out from the center resembled those of 5th Ave in New York. After some shopping we headed to Boroughs Market for lunch. It’s a very cute and bustling part of London, filled with stands and vendors selling everything from truffle oils to freshly baked breads. It’s also a great place for lunch with a variety of options. When we went, there was Ethiopian food, Thai food, Indian food, burgers, fish and chips, Scottish food and much, much more. You can’t leave London without a visit to the Boroughs Market, especially if you’re like me and enjoy artisan, hand baked goods. When we were here two years ago, we did all the sightseeing from the London Bridge to the museums to the Big Ben and Westminister Abbey, so on this trip we focused on finding great places to eat and great places to buy clothes. But if you’re visiting London for the first time, definitely go and see all the famous sights first.
6/27/18 to 6/28/18 London to Cotswold
Since we did not have the time to visit an English village on our last trip to London, we decided to go to Cotswold on this trip. The drive through the countryside took us through very small two-way roads, which were populated with adorable English cottages on each side. Before heading to Cotswold, we thought that it would be a good idea to take a detour to Stonehenge and see it, despite our family friends warning us of its tourist trap qualities. To say the least, they were not wrong. The fee was 21 pounds per person and on top of that, you had to walk for at least 20 minutes from the parking lot to Stonehenge itself. We decided to skip that and instead, we drove past Stonehenge, seeing it for free from our moving vehicle. When we reached the hotel in Cotswold, we were all excited to stay the night. It was one of the coziest and peaceful places I’ve been too. There were little cottages along with the main building that had vines growing on it and were surrounded by colorful flowers. The inside of the main building was like a huge English manor with antique furniture and the cutest little rooms I’ve ever seen. If you’re planning on visiting Cotswold, I highly recommend staying here at the Hare and Hounds Hotel. It was a very peaceful getaway from London. The town itself was tiny and the shops closed at 5pm, but we still decided to take a stroll in it and get some ice cream before heading back.
In the morning, we started our day with a wonderful spread of an English breakfast complete with eggs Benedict, baked beans, fresh baked breads, homemade jams, clotted cream, and of course...tea! On our way back to London we stopped at the Windsor Castle. On our last trip, we visited the Kensington palace, but since we had nothing else to do today, we thought that it would be worthwhile to see the other castle. The inside was so ornate and had that typical antique smell, but it looked as if it had simply been frozen in time. Everything was preserved very well and you couldn’t help but imagine yourself walking through the castle halls and dining with the royals. I was so glad that we stopped to see the Windsor castle, because I love indulging in a little history on my travels. For dinner, we went back to the Lebanese restaurant from the first night (Ishbelia) and I once again stuffed myself with food. This time we tried their spicy potatoes along with a different type of hummus and with dessert, I ordered their Arabic mint tea. It was the perfect way to end a perfect meal.
6/29/18 to 7/1/18 London to Iceland to DC
For our last full day in London, we continued to explore the streets and check out what the stores had to offer. At 3pm, we headed back to the hotel and I spent most of the afternoon having afternoon tea. The tea culture in England is popping, as modern lingo would say. Almost every restaurant offers afternoon tea and on the weekends, they’re all packed with nicely dressed people eating delicately prepared finger foods and scones with a hot cup of tea. This is one of my favorite things about London! The Sheraton Grand (our hotel) offered a pretty good selection of scones, sandwiches, and desserts with their afternoon tea. I ordered an Art Deco blend of Indian black teas from the 1920s and let London inspire me as I worked on my blog for a couple hours. For dinner, we went to another popular Indian restaurant called Roti Chai, which like Dishoom, offered Indian street food with a modern twist. However, the food was quite mediocre and I would still recommend Dishoom over Roti Chai.
I was really sad to leave London, but at least we had a late flight back to Iceland. One of my friends recommended visiting Camden Market, so we took the tube there. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to our liking. It reminded me of the street vendors in India selling off-brand clothes and fake remakes of designer brands. There was handmade jewelry and lots of foods, but Boroughs Market was better. Before we knew it, we were on the plane back to Iceland and almost on our way to the states. After a three hour flight, we were out from the warm and back into the cold. It was refreshing though, as London was much hotter than I expected. We repacked everything and prepared to leave for DC.
I still couldn’t fathom how two weeks flew by so quickly. Now that I look back at the trip, it seems like we did so much, but that it all ended too soon. I absolutely love traveling abroad and going to adventurous places like Iceland or exploring cities like London. All in all, it was a packed trip, but everything we did was well worth it. I hope that my recommendations will help you plan a trip to Iceland and London yourself, as they are must-see destinations.