With a five-day holiday to plan on short notice, Iceland immediately sprang to mind: the Northern Lights were on my bucket list, and I’d heard the country was dead easy to figure out. Everyone speaks English, and with about 10 lakh visitors annually vs. a native population of three lakh, everything’s accessible, even for solo travellers. Schengen visa quickly acquired, off I went!
Weathering the weather
Despite being located way north, Iceland’s cold is, surprisingly, not terribly frigid — though, as a Mumbaikar, I borrowed a friend’s jacket from her graduate school days in Chicago, and packed extra scarves, gloves, and leggings just in case! Hiking shoes sufficed for footwear both in and around town.
Capitalising on Reykjavík
I found Reykjavík clean, orderly, safe, and navigable. Downtown, the streets are an easy, flat grid, dotted with hotels, hostels, and Airbnbs. I stayed at hipster central KEX, paying about ISK 4.400 (Rs 2,500) for a dorm bed (they also have private rooms).
Wonderful views
Walking down the main drag, Laugarvegur, I spotted a mix of tourist booths, cute cafés, designer boutiques (no kitschy trinkets, here; even the souvenirs were classy!), sit-down restaurants, and fun-looking bars with lengthy happy hours. On a brisk, bright day, I paid ISK 900 (Rs 500_ to go up the clock tower at Hallgrímskirkja church for spectacular 360º views. On a colder morning, I ventured to Harpa Concert Hall — passing the starkly beautiful Sun Voyager sculpture against the backdrop of Mount Esja — and watched the Iceland Symphony in open rehearsal.
Food facts
Stopping for a meal, I got budget-conscious, as food (mostly imported) is expensive in Iceland. I found Sandholt Bakery’s sandwiches (ISK 1300/ Rs 750) and Noodle Station’s veggie soup (ISK 900/`500) relatively cheap and yummy too.
Looking back
Most memorable was a mid-day visit to the Sundhöllin baths. Every Icelandic town features a swimming pool for folks to get exercise, sunshine, and a break from the cold. Sundhöllin featured outdoor hot tubs, heated mostly by renewable geothermal energy — very cool!
Get Outta Here!
Several tour companies (notably Reykjavík Excursions, Sterna Travel, and Your Day Tours) run daily outings to the Golden Circle (Gullfoss waterfall, Strokkur geyser, and Thingvellir National Park) and the South Coast (black sand beaches, more waterfalls, wildlife spotting). But other options are endless: ATVs, horseback riding, glacier hikes, boat rides, snorkeling, etc. Best of all, the landscape along the main highway, Route 1, is gorgeous and ever-changing, so even if you’re headed far out for your adventure, the journey is a pleasure, and you’ll pit stops for photos all the way!
Explosions in the Sky
Keen to spot the famous (but elusive) Aurora Borealis — caused when energised solar particles meet earth’s magnetic field — I went out on bus tours three consecutive nights. I was blissfully rewarded with the glorious sight of dancing streaks of colour and shadow across the starry sky. One of the most majestic sights I’ve ever seen. Worth a visit for those alone!
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