“There is no moment of delight in any pilgrimage like the beginning of it.” – Charles Dudley Warner

Arrived to Keflavik around 415am...like a deer in the headlights at first wondering where to go. The Icelandic language and accent is just beautiful.

It’s rainy and only like 45° ❄️❄️ I brought rain gear and multiple layers but I still am not ready for the cold. Teeth were chattering almost instantly.

Shuttle driver to rental car spot was a little hottie lol very nice. Also the woman helping me at rental car spot was very helpful, Letting me know little about the coming weather and handle points of sale while shopping, etc.

Just waiting for the car to go go go 😬😁🙃

 “A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” Lao Tzu

No destination in mind...just going

Gorgeous scenery already 😱

I wish the camera could capture the beautiful colors of the water

Signs I saw within my first 90mins of driving

“Home of Vikings”

“Town of Elves”

Still just driving, taking it all in

This was nearing the capital city of Reykjavík

Stopping at a grocery store—Krönan

Everything here is pretty expensive...but their minimum wage and average income is higher as well.

And who cares with scenery like this?! Lol

I think I’ve pulled over to take pics about a dozen times already...and they will never compare to what is/was really seen in REAL LIFE

 “The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready.” – Henry David Thoreau

I decided to book a countryside horse back ride and farm raised lamb dinner to start my trip.

This was on my way to see Sveinn and his horse farm

“To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world” – Freya Stark

Having ALOT of trouble with my phone yesterday. Found a last minute “rare find” on Airbnb and went to sleep at 630pm til 630am.

Starting my downtown adventure for a few hours

Dude. Look at the address... haha. I love it here.

Stopped for some “dirty fries” and a Viking red ipa

Decided to head toward Reykhólar...some pretty awesome scenery yet again on the way too dark to see anything any more right now.

These were all views as I headed out of town towards Bogarnes.

Went through a 6km underwater tunnel.

The weather is a little ornery today but I’m making my way up to Reykhólar nonetheless

On my way to Reykhólar, everything is so peacefully gorgeous but with an undertone of potential treachery. Completely mesmerizing.

I’m a total wimp with these half-paved half-gravel “roads” that are barely wide enough for one car, let alone having oncoming traffic or going around a curve on a cliff...I have to turn around lol

Kept driving past Reykhólar and saw some pretty waterfalls and another picnic area with a great view.

Arrived at the Airbnb but NO ONE here...kinda weird. Just waiting now

Happy September!!!! I’m still amazed of the views that bless those that live here EVERY DAY. I’m so thankful to see them once and hope to cement these images in my mind (the camera helps a👌🏽).

Met Rene from Germany last night staying in the same hostel room as me. He’s heading in the same direction today that I attempted yesterday before fear got the best of me. So today’s adventure is with him to Latrabjarg, then to a huge waterfall that I will figure the name later!

Here we go!!! (845am)

Halfway to Latrabjarg

On the way to Latrabjarg, the sights did not disappoint

THIS is Latrabjarg!!! The western-most point of the country. Cliffs are 200+ feet high...just amazing. The winds are STRONG! I feel like I could be carried away—there are signs warning of being knocked off the cliffs by the wind.

No pic opps with any puffins. We spotted two of them though.

Sights from Latrabjarg to Dynjandi

High up in the mountains on my way back to Reykjavík

Having something like sea sickness or even jet lag, but from bumpy driving and a massive headache \240😨🤢😰 decided to stop for a break from the road and a good bite to eat

Hraunsnef Sveitahótel.

They were so nice—I didn’t realize the time and they were closing in 5mins so I said it was okay, that I would just leave. But the 3women that greeted me (1hostess, 2servers) insisted that I stay and order since they had a big party in a private room that would keep them and the kitchen there for quite a while. So thankful for that.

I wanted to try more than one thing, so I ordered a burger with Brie, red onion, lettuce, tomato, and some sort of homemade sauce, cooked to a PERFECT med rare, and they allowed me to order a kids’ fish&chips. I ate a little of each. Both were sooooooo good.

I felt so much better after stopping, but I think it was the 2liters of water I drank that helped more than anything.

Continuing on to Reykjavík!!!!

I just had an Icelandic hot dog “pylsa” and a 12oz Coke with a Prince Polo candy bar for over $8 lol the pylsa had a crunchy bite and it was topped with onions, some sweet sort of caramel-ly mustard, also some other sort of creamy sauce, and some sort of crunchy topping. Interesting and filling...I’m pretty sure I would never repeat those toppings lol

Been enjoying myself today. Walked around downtown for over 3hours. Stopped in the oldest café in downtown Reykjavík and had a shot of fernet branca at 11am and oooooh it was sooooo good 🤣

On the way to attempt to hike to the Glymur waterfall. These images captured on the way there.

Took a detour on the way from Glymur to Mt. Esja to Reykjavík. There is such beauty in every direction you go. Hidden gems waiting to be seen

So my “taste of Reykjavík” experience fell through😑 dammit. Address was wrong... so now I’m all dressed up (kinda lol), with lipstick and everything, sitting in a coffee shop looking at Icelandic mags and books, etc. whilst charging my stupid phone🙄🙄🙄hate this necessity.

And this cup of coffee was $4.20 lol

Returned a couple of sweaters to Rosalyn just now—I would’ve been in very bad shape going up north without those!!! Wanted to capture a pic with her to put on here but just her roommate was there. ♥️many thanks to her

I met Ruth, from Birmingham, England who accompanied me to the south coast!!!

I started VERY early and hiked to what I thought was the Glymur trail at 8am 🤣🤣🤣 didn’t realize it was the wrong trail til about 75mins in. So I made my way back 75 mins and proceeded to embark on the accurate trail.

But here is what I got to lay my eyes on going where no one else was. I was completely alone, in awe.

“Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.” – Jack Kerouac

Dude...this was unbelievable. About an hour and 15 up and another hour and 20-30 back down. I would do this again in a heartbeat.

BREATH-TAKING...literally and figuratively💜

Got to the Airbnb;

here I met Vilbert...also met his awesome girls—Birta and Harpa. They gave me an priceless Icelandic language lesson! I wish I would’ve booked 2nights here. They and their dad were pretty awesome people. Birta and I discovered we have the same birthday.

Up early having to rise out of bed to return the car rental and get to the airport...booooooooo

It was just [insert adjective understatement here] (I will use—>) MARVELOUS meeting you dear Iceland. Your beauty is unmatched. My heart will always long to return. Most humble regards

Checking in at the airport....😩😩😩

I WILL be back. Iceland you have my heart🖤

Seen upon entering the plane. I’ll consider it my hug goodbye ☺️

🇮🇸🛫✈️Touchdown in the States🛩🛬.🇺🇸

Good flight home conversating with Dennis, very cool, young cat from Holland/Netherlands. Exchanged email addresses so I will have a contact when I make it to Amsterdam 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽