Iceland still in my memories and always been brought up to our conversation very time we talk about travel. This is the most beautiful sceneric countries in the world I’ve ever been in my opinion. A fantastic land when I know the fact Iceland appears by rifting and accretion through volcanism along the ridge between Europe and America. It has been almost 2 years already when we were there in 2016. Though the time we were there not the best time. I still miss this place and if I have chance will plan to visit there again for sure.

Iceland is such unique country with many surprisingly incredible nature. The wide landscape 360 degree endless neat land. Some say that it is land of ice and fire and it’s true! One purpose of our trip other than knowing better this country is hunting northern lights or aurora borealis. I never saw northern lights with my own eyes, never know how hard to find.

There are many good places, many beauty locations to go it seems that only traveling around golden circle may not enough for us. This is once at a time, we never know when will be here again so we decided to explore ring road counter clockwise for 14 days. Our plan was quite tight because I tried to plan where to visit, tickets, hotel, etc. in advance just try to be on top of the unknown. That’s make the trip to tight in overall and spent less time or missed some awesome places. There were snow storms in someday that change our plan and canceling hotel. Those are the taste of traveling. I gathered information and plan trip for months, do not expect too much that everything has to be follow by the plan coz you may missed some of places depending on whether but do not too serious until you forget to spend time with all the beauties you can find right there in front of you. Check out itinerary from our trip. 

Which period should go?

Some people says travel around during cold months, end or early of the year would have more chance to see northern lights more clearly because during summer day time would be longer. I personally think probably we could travel this country for whole year even in summer should have different scenic and you can go to high land where close in the winter time and some plants and flowers you may not see during in winter.

Driving in Iceland

There is one main road (highway number 1) so it is easy to drive, but you might enjoy the view until you forgot to control speed. Usually outside city, speed limit is at 90 kph. There are autometic speed camera along the way you can easily see your current speed on the screen, if not slow down and if you see flash then you end up with ticket which directly charge to your card.

The car rental company staff was waiting us at arrival area though our flight was late. Their office is located nearby airport. We hired 4×4 at good price also we add pocket wifi for everyone to stay connected and for in case any unexpected things happening and we need to contact hotel and change itinerary. Be conscious and careful when open and close car doors because its windy and this may not covered by insurance. We spent sometime to carefully check when picking up a car to ensure that everything in good condition. You may consult car rental staff whether tire chains are necessarily. There are gas stations located around in each city. You usually see N1 or Olis most frequent. N1 may offer N1 pre-paid card but if your credit card works fine, N1 card not necessary.

Some snowy day, you can check road condition from this web site http://www.vegagerdin.is before departure. This website provide almost realtime if any road may closed.

Supermarket

Restaurant in Iceland can be pricey but you can taste and explore around local food by your choice. We decided to cook most of our meals. Who don’t like cooking ? We bought ingredients at ‘Bonus’ with piggy bank saving logo is best supermarket with reasonable and friendly price tags that can save money in your pockets. However, open hours can be challenged. In suburb area opening hour can be 12PM-6PM or close earlier during weekend or winter period.

Golden Circle

If you have few days visits you can plan for Golden Circle area start from Reykjavik. There are many companies that offer this tour which are cover attractions you should visit and you can experience the same adventurous and impress with this country not different from ring road trip.

Dyrhólaey cliffs

Driving on road up there was quite steep, angle and you need to be careful other car those coming down. Its worth to check out this beautiful view. Though, it was not puffins season (The local guide said in April) but we can see lots of sea birds. You can walk down trials toward lighthouse and to view the criffs. Do not forgot to check out.

Reynisfjara basalt beach sand

Basult columns on black sand beach are a fantastic backdrop for visitors. An amazing basalt cave form like we were in other planet and the surrounding too. You need to take some walk on the beach but be careful, you do not need to play with strong waves that can suck you down to the ocean.

Waterfalls

Iceland has many fascinating water falls, all has own uniqueness and beauty. Some are so powerful and when you are there you feel you get authentic power from them. You can spend all day watching but with the time limit which make you move on to the next place. Many moments I think to myself, I wish to stay here. Anyway, there are waterfall I selected from our trips. Some I missed because of it closure during my visit and some are the hidden gems which I could not find it.

• Öxarárfoss: The waterfall within Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park where you can walk as it not far from the parking lot. It was the most easy hiking, not big or most beautiful one but it was already a good introduction chapter for traveller while absorbing some history of this place.
• Brúarfoss: One of most beautiful. We went to this waterfall early morning follow google map which brought us to one neighborhood. It was raining and cold. Its a shame that we could not find it finally. There are many expert traveller provide trial to this waterfall in details that you should check them out before visit. She calls me all the time. I know I will return to her someday.
• Gullfoss: Absolutely cannot miss it. One of highlight of golden circle. This place can be windy by the force of waterfall with massive amount of water flow down through canyon.
• Seljalandsfoss: This waterfall is easily to be seen from distance. You may need raincoat and waterproof shoes to get to a path that you can walk behind waterfall. Do spare sometime to visit another waterfall beside. You can go into narrow canyon and see hidden waterfall Gljúfrafoss
• Skógafoss: Also the traveller check point. We went in the morning and it was raining. If you go in the right time you can see rainbow on it or a good shot with northern lights at night. There is a short trial beside you can walk up to see top view of waterfall. Do not forgot to look back to the view in front of it you will see where river goes along to ocean.
• Svartifoss: I could not say enough amazing words to describe how much quality of waterfall in Iceland. This one is unique you need to hike up there 1.8km within Vatnajökull National Park. You can enjoy nature along the way, you will not get tired before getting to it.
• Litlanesfoss & Hengifoss: Need a bit hike to see this twins waterfall. I could make only hike to Litlanesfoss and return because it was snowy a time and almost could not see trials down to parking lot. This is one of waterfall surrounding by basalt columns.
• Goðafoss: We got tiredness from snow storm and cloudy dark. Northern of Iceland can be colder and snowy but I told myself no matter what I will visit this waterfall. It’s so windy and snowy still but this waterfall is easy to access. There is parking lot and does not need a lot of hike. Absolute stunning waterfall again!.
• Hraunfossar & Barnafoss: We had breathtaking walk here. It was enjoyable trial along the river. There are two waterfalls here made the wider scene. Blue water and white bubbles splash surface contrast with black lava make them good already on camera without any light adjustment needed but I would say no camera captures picture better than our eyes.

Wreck Plane Dc-3

If you are lucky you will be allowed to drive down to the plane otherwise you need to walk around 3 miles down there for oneway. Be sure you spare sometime to walk back. There is nothing along walk side just empty wide landscape. This place became popular and people just want to have a shot with haunted wreck plane scenes on black sand. 

Ice Cave & Glacier hiking

It was raining when we visit black sand and the next day we will take Ice Cave tour where is one of highlight for our trip. It was surprised that our booking was cancelled. The ice cave is currently flooded, preventing safe access. Nature can be unpredictable! That night, We contacted lots of company where they are be able to operate Ice Cave. We believe that there should have many Ice Cave here. Lucky enough, one available after the next day. We also got offered for alternative hiking tour near Skaftafel. We have not plan for this however this is incredible experience so far for waking on glacier. The Ice Cave we visited was in Vatnajokull with Local guide. This was one of our best experience. The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable which high recommended. This cave is not that big while our guide said it was in the past years but it gradually melt and become smaller year by year the same as glacier. I love travel in nature and this made me sad when knowing that this thing impacted by global warming.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon & Diamond beach

There are many glacier around here the most wider glacier that connected to lagoon and the ocean. This place is also the last check point for traveller. There are many ice chunks that broken from glacier and float around on lagoon surface and out to ocean. The scenery was amazing. You can also join boat tour here. Do not forget to visit diamond beach right across the road for a walk along black sand and see sunset light hit icebergs.

Whale watching

We imagine that we can find hump back whale playing waves. Those are pictures on our heads and on the ads. I want that scene so bad. However, in reality we saw a couple of orca whales for me this already fantastic and so exciting. It was difficult to chase them around and stay close to them. They are so fast. I am happy to see them here in nature not in aquarium. This was also amazing experience for me.

Kirkjufell mountain & Kirkjufellsfoss

This place is highlight in Iceland. I really love the landscape here. So Iconic, so Iceland!. The waterfalls located just exactly it should be in an angle that we see unique witch hat shape of Kirkjufell mountain. The land at front of waterfall has beautiful pattern. They are brown and black land with white with some snow, yellow from dried grass and river down to ocean. I was impressed by everything that made me here until this moment. We travelled around ring road and Reykjavik in the next day, we could not find that strength of northern light until today at KP6-7. We were so exciting to see. Only one camera that still able to use, it was on took pictures until norther light fade away. You can see picture of northern light over Kirkjufell mountain taken by my friend @sicbo. We stay at base of mountain Kirkjufell. Its really fantastic location with outdoor hot bath tub with Mountain view. It was fantastic experience so far. I am not sure why we usually see northern light at this place. Do you think there is any scientific reason behind that ? 

Blue Lagoon

Last day we spent relaxing time at blue lagoon before we leave this amazing country. You need pre-booking before arriving. We enjoyed blue nourish milky water that good for your skin, mud mask and drinks inside lagoon. I want to be there now! Do not forget to check out scenery of moss fields and blue lagoon overall from the outside. Apart from blue lagoon, there are many other natural hot spring that you should check out. They are also awesome.