Tag: Iceland
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Museums, Cathedrals, and Ice Bars
With just one full day left in Iceland, we decided not to spend it driving and simply discover what the capital city, Reykjavik, had to offer. It’s easy to rise early in the morning as it’s daylight 24 hours a day here at this time of year. Jason got up a couple of times in the night to get photos of how light it was late into the night. The Hallgrimskirkja is a tall cathedral at the end of one of the main streets of Reykjavik. We entered the main church and were struck by what we saw. Instead of…
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Farewell Norway, Hello Iceland
Today, we were off to our final destination, Iceland. We ended last night at our hotel with a drink in the hotel bar, reminiscing about the 3 1/2 weeks we spent in Norway and all that it gave us. We were sorry to have to leave, but good things come to an end, and Jason will probably return one day with his family. We love to get off the main roads into the back areas, hoping to see new things, and today did not disappoint. Hundreds of sheep lined the road, some with their young ones resting on the…
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Finding Comfort in Norway: From Glassblowers to Paragliders
When you think of visiting a few outdoor museums and markets, and it’s pouring outside, you quickly change your mind and drive all day. That’s what we did today. The skies were dark, and there was little hope of sunshine, so we decided to make the long trip through Sweden and back to Oslo in one day and stay there for our final three nights. We barely stopped along the way except for the mandatory breaks, like food and stretching, and with not much to see, it was an uneventful drive. As we crossed the border back into…
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Volcanic Vibes 🌋
Another round of volcanic eruptions in Iceland and more warnings issued yesterday! It’s not like I’m losing sleep over Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula drama. Our trip is still months away, so there’s little chance it will affect us. But it definitely is interesting to watch and see how all of this plays out. Fiery Facts 🔥 Unlike the Eyjafjallajökull eruption that turned Europe into a no-fly zone in 2010, the Fagradalsfjall volcano near Grindavik isn’t covered with an ice cap, so even if there is a major event, experts don’t expect the same apocalyptic ash clouds. Close Enough to Toast Marshmallows…
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Discovering Family in Norway
“I hear you are looking for your relatives in Norway. Well, here we are!” Those were the words that brought so much emotion to me when I received an e-mail from someone in Norway. How did I realize who he was? In my previous writing, I wrote about a lady, Jan, who gave me so many interesting facts about my family and told me that her dad was the keeper of all the family history and would love to talk to me. She asked if she could pass on my e-mail, and she gave me her dad’s. His e-mail address…
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Twenty-two hotels!
I think we’re pretty much all set for the trip! Got every hotel booked (yes, twenty-two of them!), covering four countries. We’ll only stay a night in most places, but a few spots we’ll stay two or three nights. It was a bit of a puzzle sorting out locations and timing, but I think we nailed it. Unlike my last month-long trip which was completely planned for me, this one’s all on us to plan. Flexibility is going to be key; there are so many things that could throw off our schedule (weather, road conditions, ferry schedules, etc.). Good thing…
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Making a list, checking it twice
Embarking on a journey like this requires careful attention and thorough planning. I am typically a ‘figure-it-out-as-I-go’ traveler. However, in this case, we have planned each step of the trip to ensure ample time for all the sights we wish to see. While unforeseen circumstances like weather or other factors may disrupt our plans, we have allowed for plenty of flexibility. We’ve purchased our flights to Oslo with a short stop in Reykjavik on the way back to Canada. We’ve also arranged transportation by renting a car and obtaining an international driver permit. We plan to explore and having a…
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Here we come, Norway!
In May 2024, my mom (Cheryl) and I have an exciting adventure planned as we embark on a month-long journey to explore the landscapes and cultures of Scandinavia. Our first destination will be the city of Oslo, Norway. We’ll be sure to visit landmarks such as the Royal Palace and the Oslo Opera House (where we already have tickets for a show). But our exploration won’t be limited to Oslo alone, as we have an entire region of Norway to discover. From Norway, we’ll journey to Denmark, a country famous for its castles, coastlines, and the capital city of Copenhagen.…