Our first destination in Iceland is
the famous Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa.
We drove from Reykjavik to Blue
Lagoon; Approx 45 minutes drive, Distance 50km.
It is a very worthwhile visit, we
spent approximately 4 hours there, and we are totally rejuvenated from the long
flight journey fatigue after taking a dip in the geothermal pool and applied
their soothing relax mud mask. Tip: Do book your day pass (55 Euros) to Blue
Lagoon early, typically it gets fully booked 1-2 days in advance.
Let's take a dip in the insanely blue lagoon and relax!
When it comes to Golden
Circle route, how one can miss the Þingvellir National Park, Geysir and Gullfoss
waterfall? As it was snowing heavily, we had to give a miss to Þingvellir
National Park and head to Geysir and Gullfoss waterfall. Geysir is one of the
greatest natural attractions in Iceland and it can erupt and hurl boiling water
up high in the air!
Along our way to Þingvellir National Park
Along our way to Geysir
Along our way to Geysir
The little steaming Geysir, with temperature ranges between 80-100 Degree Celsius
Waiting for the right moment
So near yet so far. We were disappointed that we did not manage to see the almighty Gullfoss waterfall, as it was still winter, the whole path for walking to the viewing point is too icy slippery; we could barely walk down the path safely to see the waterfall, hence we had no choice but to throw in the towel. Tip: Gear your boots with ice shoes spikes which will come in handy when walking the icy slippery path.
The icy path towards the almighty Gullfoss
Scenery around Gullfoss
Sunset dusk around Gullfoss area
Driving towards Vik after sunset and the beginning of our first night driving in Iceland
Although we did not
get to see Gullfoss, we managed to see the classic Skogafoss in the South of
Iceland. It is one of the biggest
waterfall in Iceland. At the right side of the waterfall, there is a hiking and
trekking trail which you can walk up to see Skogafoss from another point of view.
At Skogafoss: One of my must-do during my travel - jumpshot
One of my favourite shot: Live in the moment, right here, right now...
Can't take my eyes off you.. You are just too stunning!
Take a short hike up to see Skogafoss from another point of view, is still as stunning...
As we drive further
south, we visited the must-go
site when travelling in South Iceland; Wrecked DC-3 Plane on Sólheimasandur. There is no proper signage and visible road marker, and one can easily miss the path to turn
in. Once on right the track, you will be heading to a vastness of black sand
wilderness and there you will see the wrecked aircraft. Do note that this path is only accessible by 4WD cars, not suitable for normal car, beware of big rocks.
Challenging road condition as we drive through the vastness of black sand towards the wrecked plane site.. Actually it is not even a road per se, there isn't even much visible road markers, just some visible wheel tracks left by previous cars
Our reward for driving through the challenging gravel road..
A different point of view of the wrecked plane: How often do we look at the inside?
"Admiring" the crashed plane...
Solitude is the only word I can describe this place
Reynisfjara beach (Vik
black sand beach) has been known as one of the 10 earth’s most famous beaches
is our next stop along the main Ring Road of Iceland. Over here you can see the
remarkable basalt columns cliffs on the left side of the beach, while out in
the sea are the stunningly shaped basalt sea stacks Reynisdrangar. The sea
around this area is rather wild and stormy. The sea waves here are very strong and
unpredictable, where big waves crashing more than 50 metres onto the shore, so do
take extra care when visiting this area; we were caught in one of the sudden
big waves along the shore with ankle-deep icy seawater seeping into our boots.
As we walk towards the black sand beach
Leaving marks behind, no matter how small...
The stunningly shaped basalt sea stacks Reynisdrangar
The foot prints which were washed away by the sudden big waves...
One of my favourite shot... Approaching the big waves
Wefie with the basalt columns cliffs
Lookout for thenext upcoming post on the East of Iceland...
What triggered us to start and plan
this road trip in less than 2 months after we came back from our New Zealand
road trip? I guessed my travel buddies have also been infected by my travel
bug.
Well, seeing Aurora has been in my
bucket list, and so are my travel buddies’; we did not manage to catch any Aurora
Australis (Southern Lights) during our trip to New Zealand, as lady luck is not
with us back then. After back from our New Zealand trip, a post shared online about
the top 5 destinations to see Aurora inspired us to head north and then we
started checking each of our schedule, planned our travel dates, decided to go Iceland
and Norway which both are well within the arctic circle; all these happened
over a dinner, impromptu seriously!
I did some quick research on the best
time to see Aurora in the Arctic Circle regions which would be during the
months between September and March. Hence, we decided to travel during March,
when this month is drier and less extreme arctic winter.
Less extreme winter does not mean that it is not so cold; thank goodness that the car comes with seats heater and the accommodation we stayed have heaters too. For outdoor, wear proper winter clothing and bring more heat packs please!
We embarked our journey to the
Northern Europe to the land of Vikings and our chase of the Aurora Borealis
a.k.a Northern Lights. It took us a total of 24 hours of
flights, transiting from Singapore to London to Norway then finally arriving
Iceland. The drive from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik city central is about 1
hour. As it is late evening, we decided to
head straight to our accommodation followed by dinner before getting our first
proper sleep and start our real exploration of Iceland the next morning.
While awaiting for our flight to Norway Oslo at London Heathrow Airport: Morning caffeine and cocoa charging in-progress.....
Achievement of the day: Travelling to 3 different countries in 24 hours...
Breathing in the cold chill air outside Norway Oslo International Airport before we head to Iceland.
So exciting as we board Iceland Air.. Iceland here we come!!! Lookout for Iceland Air very own in-flight Aurora display...
Beautiful ice crystallised on the airplane window as we approach Iceland Keflavik Airport...
The easiest and most convenient way to travel around Iceland is by car. Self-driving gives you the flexibility to manage your time at your own pace and stop whenever you want to see the mesmerising views and snap away with your camera.
Our sturdy 4WD SUV that brought us around Iceland
Driving in Iceland has put us into another whole new level of challenge on our driving skills. Driving in Iceland ison the right hand side of the road (opposite of Singapore’s left hand side driving). This was the first for all of us to drive on the right hand side of the road. Iceland roads are often subjected to weather condition where roads may be closed due to bad weather, poor road condition or caught in the bad weather when it is not safe to drive.
Tips: Do check regularly on the Icelandic local weather forecasts (www.vedur.is) and road conditions (www.road.is) before heading out for the day, and stock up some food and water supplies in car in case you encounter severe weather condition and you cannot continue to drive till the weather turns better.
Latest weather info posted at the car rental place. How often we are "so lucky" to encounter heavy snowstorm and hurricane like windgusts?
The heavy snowstorm we encountered during our drive from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik city central. Kudos to my travel buddy who drove that stressful tiring long day to brave through the snowstorm with safety in mind.
I have put together a little video to recap of the road trip at Iceland (via the Ring Road). However, nothing can beat to experience this incredible beautiful place in person!
Nevertheless, enjoy the video!!!
Look out for my upcoming posts on my journey to the land of Vikings and my chase of the Aurora Borealis
a.k.a Northern Lights and get inspired by
Iceland!!!
Live today. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. Just today.
It so happened that Sydney is
having their annual Vivid Sydney event while I was travelling there. This event
was organised yearly to welcome the winter (usually held between May to June) when
Vivid Sydney shines and warm up the city with vibrant lights, music and ideas. Take
your time to get yourself mesmerized in the animated lights along the buildings from the
Sydney Bridge to the Opera House at Circular Quay. You can also catch the weekend fireworks from
Darling Harbour which happens on every Saturday at 8.30pm.
Buildings at Circular Quay are vibrantly lighted up for Vivid Sydney
Night shot of the Sydney Bridge is pretty too
Vivid Sydney at Opera House
Vivid Sydney at Opera House
Fireworks at Darling Harbour
How one can miss the iconic
Opera House and Sydney Bridge when travelling at Sydney?
You can take a ferry either from Circular Quay
to Harbourside in Darling Harbour or Circular Quay to Manly, on your way you
can take great shots of both Opera House and Sydney Bridge.
The iconic Sydney Opera House
One shot is simply just not enough
On the way to Manly via Ferry
Approaching Manly
Coastal walks anyone? I
love majestic coastal cliffs. You can do a picturesque coastal walk in Sydney
starting from the Watson Bay to Bondi Beach and if you have the stamina,
continue to walk from Bondi Beach followed by Coogee Beach.
I started off my day early with
a sumptuous breakfast at Circular Quay before taking ferry to Watson Bay. Followed
by having lunch at Watson Bay’s fish and chips from Doyles Fisherman Wharf Cafe
Bar; highly recommended! Time to burn off some fats and coastal walk here I come!
The BIG breakfast, yummy!
Doyles Fisherman Wharf Cafe at Watson Bay
The highly recommended Fish and Chip from Doyles
The Gap at Watson Bay. Stunning isn't it?
Dramatic coastal formations
Lighthouse along the coastal walk from Watson Bay to Bondi Beach
Simply love lighthouses - Macquarie Lighthouse
This marks my last entry for my solo trip to Australia. Hope you have enjoyed reading my entries on my solo trip to Australia as much as I had enjoying this solo trip. This is my first solo trip but definitely not my last. I have learnt more about myself than I could ever imagined and lessons that you can't get out of a book.
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. – Mahatma Gandhi Lookout for my next upcoming entries on my recent journey to the Northern Europe (Iceland and Norway) to chase the mysterious Northern Lights a.k.a Aurora.
