Iceland experience anyone?

Heading to Iceland next week for my godson's confirmation. Staying in a small fishing town called Olafsvik Link about 3 hours northwest of Reykjavik. Anyone been there?

I've been to Reykjavik and along the western coast several times. It's a good time, plan on staying up late as there won't be much darkness, consuming a large amount of alcohol, and if you enjoy the company of beautiful blue eyed women I hope that you're single.

Make sure to take advantage of ALL THE FOOD. Amazing culinary experiences can be had in Iceland. I've only been to Rekjavik/Keflavik. As I recall, everyone there was either 6'4" or 4'6". And the language is fun. You'll be surprised to find how much you can figure out by context. Beer = Bjór. Wine = vín. Yes = Já.

We didn't make it to the West coast when we were there for 8 days. We never even made it into Rekjavik. we went up through the center of the island to the North coast and then down along the Eastern coast. Amazing, amazing country but not cheap. We camped and/or stayed in camping huts and cooked our own meals every evening. We were there in mid-June and the sun would go down around 11 PM and back up at 1 AM. Bring an eye mask.

If you have a chance to explore, do. The landscape and countryside are incredible and unlike almost any other place on earth. Great hiking and terrain with the lava and glaciers. Almost every town has a geothermal heated public pool which is a great way to spend an hour or so.

Take lots of pictures and share. It's been 11 years since I was there and I'd love to go back.

My friend went for his 30th. They camped around and had a great time.

Interested to hear. We are planning to do a 55KM ultra marathon up there this time next year so looking for ideas of things to do other than some jeeping prior to that.

Hmm. I want to go for the New Year (there is a Sigur Ros concert and I messed up and missed their North American dates this spring, plus I want to see the aurora borealis). But it aint cheap.

Thanks for your all your suggestions. Weather looks like it is going to be cooler then I expected. Highs in the low 50s and lows in the the mid 40s. Not a big swing due the the never realy setting! Big change from our current Mid 90s! Looking forward to staying in Olafsvik and getting to know the rest of our friends extended family.

Why is it so expensive there?

Island with no meaningful local manufacturing capability means everything's imported which means everything's expensive, I can tell you all about that.

Some pics from the trip

Sine_Qua_Non wrote: Why is it so expensive there?

Cause much like a strip-joint, "You cant eat the scenery" and that is about all that is manufactured or grown in country. Nice scenery though

GameboyRMH wrote: Island with no meaningful local manufacturing capability means everything's imported which means everything's expensive, I can tell you all about that.

Just like Hawaii.

NOHOME wrote:

Sine_Qua_Non wrote: Why is it so expensive there?

Cause much like a strip-joint, "You cant eat the scenery" and that is about all that is manufactured or grown in country. Nice scenery though

Was Bjork out of the country?

spitfirebill wrote:

GameboyRMH wrote: Island with no meaningful local manufacturing capability means everything's imported which means everything's expensive, I can tell you all about that.

Just like Hawaii.

What's weird is that because Hawaii is on a trade route, I think it does ok in terms of prices. I felt like food at the grocery, aside from milk and a few other things wasn't as ridiculously priced as expected. Restaurants were pricey, but beer and other booze not so much.

Honestly the Big Island didn't feel dramatically more expensive than San Diego.

That being said, food, gas and housing in Mid-Atlantic and Mid-West is about as cheap as it gets outside of central America, Africa and Asia.

My wife is traveling to Scandinavia next month. Luckily she isn't a foodie nor a big eater, and won't be drinking, so she'll save some money.