Exploring the Land of Fire and Ice: Iceland!
July 5, 2023
After a long day of travel on Monday and a 45-minute ride from the airport, we finally arrived at our hotel in Reykjavik. Starving and eager to check in, we couldn’t wait to grab something to eat.
Our hotel, the Apotek Hotel, is located in one of the most popular areas of Reykjavik. After dropping off our bags, we headed straight to Saeta Svinid (which translates to ‘The Sweet Pig’). I have to say, it was the best burger I’ve had in months—and I couldn’t resist ordering ‘the boot.’
We were exhausted and called it an early night.
Briana’s mom, Cathie, had gifted our family a special trip to the famous Blue Lagoon. However, Briana and I both mistakenly thought it was scheduled for Tuesday when, in fact, it was planned for Wednesday—today. This mix-up left us scrambling to make last-minute plans for a Golden Circle tour. Instead, we decided to explore Reykjavik, a charming little town filled with rich history and unique shops.
Our hotel is located in a bustling square, where Briana and I decided to enjoy some drinks, spend a little quality time together, and do some people-watching.
We continued on touring around town with the girls and Briana’s dad Stephen.
My day began at 5:02 a.m. with our bed—and the entire building—shaking from a 4.2 magnitude earthquake. While this is normal for Iceland, it was anything but for me. After breakfast, we experienced an even stronger quake, measuring 4.5. In fact, over 1,200 earthquakes have occurred since 10 p.m. last night, which could be a precursor to a volcanic eruption. With such an exciting start to the day, we set off for the Blue Lagoon.
We arrived at 9:45 a.m. for our 10 a.m. reservation. I highly recommend checking in online before you arrive; otherwise, you’ll find yourself stuck in a long line. With only two days in Iceland, visiting the Blue Lagoon was a must-do—and I can’t recommend it enough.
Our reservation included one clay mask and one drink, conveniently accessed by scanning a bracelet provided by the attendants. We also enjoyed access to the steam room, sauna, and a unique sauna cave—a dark, cave-like structure that offered a truly relaxing experience. It was incredibly soothing and absolutely worth it.
To top it all off, we had a small-world moment when Sienna bumped into a fellow student from her high school while enjoying the lagoon!
After spending two hours soaking in the warm, relaxing waters of the Blue Lagoon, we returned to our hotel, where the girls promptly collapsed in their room. Meanwhile, Briana and I ventured out for some last-minute shopping and discovered the most amazing fresh cinnamon buns I’ve ever had at a little bakery. I also have to say, I absolutely love the graffiti art scattered throughout the town—it adds so much character.
We met up with Briana’s dad for our 5pm pint/wine before dinner. I’m gonna miss this ritual.
For our final dinner, Stephen had made reservations at an incredible seafood restaurant called Messinn. And wow!
As this amazing trip comes to an end, I want to express a heartfelt thank you to Briana’s parents, Stephen and Cathie, for inviting us to join them on this unforgettable vacation. We’ve created such wonderful memories, and the girls have even added some new foods to their repertoire!
Tomorrow, we leave this land of fire and ice to return to the hustle and bustle of the DC Metro area. While we’re all excited to reunite with our amazing Australian Shepherd, Kota, we’re definitely not looking forward to tackling all the laundry!
So remember regardless of where your travels take you, why not just go?