Iceland

Submitted by jyang201 on Mon, 07/31/2017 - 09:26

Just returned from a thoroughly enjoyable week-long vacation. I wholeheartedly endorse Iceland as a place to empty your bank account (everything is expensive) and see beautiful waterfalls, geysers, natural rock gardens, puffins, etc. 

If there is ever a next time we will:

Opt for GPS in the rental car. We couldn't rely on getting a cellular signal. Fortunately, my husband had printed out maps so we didn't get lost, although we weren't always sure of that.

Bring a picture book of native plants. There were a few familiar plants (how did dandelions get to Iceland?) but many more I didn't recognize.

Bring some hair elastics. The wind turned my hair into a mass of knots. It was so strong in one place, I took off my glasses so they wouldn't be blown off my face.

Bring some disposable gloves and bags, and remove garbage left by other tourists. :(

We hoped to buy Icelandic sweaters or some other archetypical souvenirs, only to find that most were made in China. I finally found a winter hat made locally of wool from Icelandic sheep. It didn't have a traditional snowflake pattern, but that's okay because it has puffins, which have to be some of the most appealing birds ever.

Janet

Comments


Submitted by NC Wolverine on Mon, 07/31/2017 - 17:45

Congratulations that you were able to visit the island of Iceland.  My sister is planning on visiting there in the next few weeks. 

Yes I am envious of her.


Submitted by RickR on Tue, 08/01/2017 - 17:17

I've seen pics of dandelions in Iceland....  they look huge!  Always nice to hear the "highlights" from anywhere, and thanks for the friendly advice, too.

 

  What kinds of plants were blooming at this time of year there?


I guess the icelandic dandelions were brought there by the vikings ages ago. "Modern" Norwegian whalers brought dandelions to the island South Georgia where the plants but not the whalers still flourish!