ABD Iceland: Just some information I have gathered for trip- 7-14-18

[aggiedog]

Many companies can rent boots. Perhaps find out what company will be doing the hike and ask them.
The ankle requirement might help ensure people don’t turn up in tennis shoes.

 

[hygienist999]

Wow, you are excited, aren't you. You should be. Iceland is amazing. I"m working on how to get over there for a third time.

A few extras -
Bring an oil treatment for your hair after the Blue Lagoon, even if you'd never use one normally. It will get your hair back to normal within 1-2 washings.
You can bring a towel and flip flops with you to the BL, but then will you need them for the rest of the trip? If not, consider renting them the price of less luggage.

At Seljalandsfoss waterfall is Gljufrabui waterfall, down the trail to the left of Seljalandsfoss. Don't miss it, but wear waterproof shoes and clothes, as you must walk in a few inches of water as you go thru the crack in the cliff to get to it. Once inside, there's no hiding from the spray. It's worth it though, and truly magical. You'll need a water proof shell to go behind Seljalandsfoss anyways, which is also worth it for the sheer power you feel as the water comes over the cliff.

The weather can easily change every 10 minutes. Beginning of June it was rain, sleet, sun, and repeat. Do not bring an umbrella. The wind will eat it in an instant, as it has been known to rip car doors off when opened into the wind. Umbrellas don't stand a chance.

My lightweight down jacket was perfect, with a rain shell, along with gloves, scarf, hat. Our family picture of our "summer" trip for our Christmas card was us in Iceland, bundled up more than our Texas winters.

Beware the waves/water at the Black sand beach, Reynisfjara. The undertow is deadly, and tourists die there every year. Always keep an eye on the water line and do NOT get in even the smallest amount of surf. There are occasional very big waves that don't obey the "every 7th one" rule that seems to happen in the US. It's also really windy at the beach, as that is where the Gulf Stream hits Iceland before turning east.

Don't walk on the moss. The Icelandic ecosystem is fragile and slow growing (decades for the moss.) Stay on marked trails, especially in lava fields. The locals take this VERY seriously, and are very offended by tourists that don't respect this.

Try their famous hot dogs, with all the trimmings. They can be had from any gas station, and there is a hot dog stand in Reykjavik that our guide told us is more their true "religion" than their churches. Baejarins Beztu Pylsur. Try the rye bread ice cream with rhubarb syrup at Cafe Loki. It was amazing, seriously.

Watch these Iceland Academy videos by their tourist office. I think there are around 5 of them. They are both hilarious and completely on point:

Icelandic is the globe's closest language to old Norse/Viking. They spent so long isolated that the language evolved slowly. Their phonebook is arranged by first name, since family names can change from child to child due to cultural norms (son's surnames based on the father, daughter's on the mother.) Because the weather is so extreme most of the year, and they evolved in a culture where shipwrecks were considered a natural resource (due to their lack of many natural resources), the locals are a wonderful combination of independent and super helpful. When the drive to the next town over could take a few hours or a few days (for the weather to calm down) they tend to not have a very urgent sense of time, but at the same time can be very punctual when weather permits. Case in point, if you have an independent shuttle scheduled for the airport, know that pick up time can start 30 minutes BEFORE the scheduled time. The scheduled time is the LATEST they will come.

Enjoy your trip! Truly, I'd probably retire to Iceland if my dh would let me.

Wow, thank you for the extra tips. I know I need all I can get. If you can think of anything else please add. I'm working on getting the correct layering. Living in the South we do not require a lot of layering.

 

[hygienist999]

I have been researching adapters/converters needed for Iceland, so hopefully this will be useful for someone.

I have to use a hair straightener on my hair or I will scare people. So, I started researching what adapters are needed. The following is what the travel board for Iceland stated.
-
Quoting from the Iceland Tourist Board North America Web site http://www.icelandtouristboard.com/

"Icelandic electrical standards are European (50Hz, 220 volts) so many North American electrical devices will require converters and all will require plug adapters. Most laptop computer and phone and MP3 player charges have the converter built in, so you just need a plug adaptor to fit in the outlets. These are usually available at airports. For the converters, it’s best to buy one in North America and bring it with you. They’re usually found at US and Canadian electronic specialty stores and sell for around USD 25."

I chose to buy a dual voltage Hair straightener from Amazon. It was half the price of a converter, and it has everything needed for European travel as well as being light weight. The one I bought was -

UPGRADED 2018 VERSION Hair Straightener - 1" Titanium Flat Iron hair straightener and curler Worldwide Dual Voltage 110-240V with Heat Resistant Travel Bag
Salona

• 

The adapter I bought to charge phone and camera batteries is the following -

Ceptics CTU-9 USA to Schuko Germany, France, Russia Travel Adapter Plug With Dual USB - Type E/F - Ultra Compact

 

[carpenta]

I would check with the guides or the management in each hotel if private hair dryers / straighteners are allowed. In some older hotels in Europe it is forbidden to use some items for the hotel electrical wiring systems are old and can't handle the high current such items need to operate.

 

[aggiedog]

I can't speak to straighteners, but the adaptor will work fine. That's similar to what I have.

If you're from the south, and don't consider 50 degrees balmy: For layering, on top I'd do a light shirt, a light fleece, (or warmer shirt and no fleece) then a light weight jacket (we have a light weight down that worked well), with a rain shell. On bottom, non-jeans pants and a rain shell. It really shouldn't be bitter cold, but it could easily be wet with sideways wind. I found myself shedding and adding layers continuously all day long.

It can get expensive outfitting a whole family. We got Land's End jackets that pack into their own pocket, and have found we use them a lot at home too. They're the perfect weight for most Texas winter activities, and my kids take them to late fall marching band activities, early spring track, etc. I'd go cheap on rain shell tops and bottoms. I have a $7 fleece jacket I brought last March from Wal-Mart, that went under a heavier down jacket for my March trip. Don't skimp on good footwear if you'll be hiking much. Warm and dry is important.

 

[sayhello]

That's a lot of research!

Just remember, most restaurants on the ABD, you won't be ordering from the regular menu. There will be a set menu with 2 or 3 choices.

As far as the Blue Lagoon is concerned, the package provided by ABD includes the use of a bathrobe, the use of a towel, and flip flops that you get to keep. No need to bring your own towel. Do you really want to be shlepping a bath towel around with you for 9 or 10 days?

Most hotels do not want you bringing your own hair dryers. They definitely require a converter, and I know several people who have blown the fuses in their hotel rooms using their own hair dryers, even with expensive converters. Hotels provide blow dryers for a reason.

Looking forward to hearing your report and those of others who start taking this trip!

Sayhello

 

[sayhello]

dup. Oops!

 

[hygienist999]

I can't speak to straighteners, but the adaptor will work fine. That's similar to what I have.

If you're from the south, and don't consider 50 degrees balmy: For layering, on top I'd do a light shirt, a light fleece, (or warmer shirt and no fleece) then a light weight jacket (we have a light weight down that worked well), with a rain shell. On bottom, non-jeans pants and a rain shell. It really shouldn't be bitter cold, but it could easily be wet with sideways wind. I found myself shedding and adding layers continuously all day long.

It can get expensive outfitting a whole family. We got Land's End jackets that pack into their own pocket, and have found we use them a lot at home too. They're the perfect weight for most Texas winter activities, and my kids take them to late fall marching band activities, early spring track, etc. I'd go cheap on rain shell tops and bottoms. I have a $7 fleece jacket I brought last March from Wal-Mart, that went under a heavier down jacket for my March trip. Don't skimp on good footwear if you'll be hiking much. Warm and dry is important.

Actually to me 50 degrees is fabulous, lol. I bought a waterproof jacket and pants for our trip to Norway, so thankfully I won't have to buy that. The only clothing items I've bought are a few long sleeve shirts to go under my fleece and another pair of hiking pants. Jeans will not make it into my suitcase as they are miserable to wear if wet. I think the main concern for me is keeping my clothing and my camera stuff dry. I've got to pack as conservatively as I can with the 44 pound limit and the 10 pound limit for carry-on. Mainly because of my camera gear. I will wear my hiking boots, as they have a good weight to them. I did buy a good pair of Keen waterproof hiking boots, so I should be set there.

 

[hygienist999]

That's a lot of research!

Just remember, most restaurants on the ABD, you won't be ordering from the regular menu. There will be a set menu with 2 or 3 choices.

As far as the Blue Lagoon is concerned, the package provided by ABD includes the use of a bathrobe, the use of a towel, and flip flops that you get to keep. No need to bring your own towel. Do you really want to be shlepping a bath towel around with you for 9 or 10 days?

Most hotels do not want you bringing your own hair dryers. They definitely require a converter, and I know several people who have blown the fuses in their hotel rooms using their own hair dryers, even with expensive converters. Hotels provide blow dryers for a reason.

Looking forward to hearing your report and those of others who start taking this trip!

Sayhello

Thank you for adding to this post. That is wonderful we won't have to worry about the robe, towel and such. And no, I do not want to keep up with a towel, lol. I was mainly going by the blogs I've read. I am not bringing a hair dryer as I have never been to Europe and there not be one provided. Which is a great relief.

 

[kristilew]

For those of us who are picky about hair dryers (read:me), I use the BabyBliss Pro dual voltage travel dryer. It folds tiny, has good ionic anti frizz tech, and won’t turn on unless selected to the correct voltage- so no worries about blowing a fuse or overheating.

Thanks for all the research- I’m glad we aren’t going til August so there will (I hope!) be some reports in by then. Your lists are a great way to start focusing now, though!

 

[carpenta]

The Blue Lagoon supplies locked lockers for your clothes as well as shower monitors. They make sure you shower before you enter. They are really serious about that. August the daylight will be the same as Alaska where there is only a dusk at night. All the hotel we stayed had bock out shades but we slept with the windows open so it was light in our room but we were pretty spent at the end of the day so we zonked out no matter what the light situation was.

 

[sayhello]

For those of us who are picky about hair dryers (read:me), I use the BabyBliss Pro dual voltage travel dryer. It folds tiny, has good ionic anti frizz tech, and won’t turn on unless selected to the correct voltage- so no worries about blowing a fuse or overheating.

Thanks for all the research- I’m glad we aren’t going til August so there will (I hope!) be some reports in by then. Your lists are a great way to start focusing now, though!

Cool! I was needing a new travel hair dryer. Is it the BabyBliss Pro Tourmaline Titanium travel dryer or the BabyBliss Pro Nano Titanium travel dryer?

Sayhello

 

[kristilew]

Cool! I was needing a new travel hair dryer. Is it the BabyBliss Pro Tourmaline Titanium travel dryer or the BabyBliss Pro Nano Titanium travel dryer?

Sayhello

I have the tourmaline titanium- the red one I think the nano is a newer model maybe?

 

[hygienist999]

Thanks for all of this information. Re: hiking boots must cover ankles - does anyone know why is that required? We all having hiking shoes but not boots, and it's hard to imagine buying 4 pairs of hiking boots for one glacier walk. Especially for kids who outgrow shoes faster than you can blink.

The blog said it was because of the crampons that attach to your boots for the glacier hike. The shoes must cover the ankles to use them.

 

[sayhello]

The blog said it was because of the crampons that attach to your boots for the glacier hike. The shoes must cover the ankles to use them.

Seriously? I just bought a new pair of waterproof hiking shoes for this trip. I sure hope I can take them back & get over-the-ankle ones...

Sayhello

 

[hygienist999]

Seriously? I just bought a new pair of waterproof hiking shoes for this trip. I sure hope I can take them back & get over-the-ankle ones...

Sayhello

This is what I found on the website for Icelandic Mountain Guides-


I know this probably isn't the people we will be with but the information may still apply.

 

[sayhello]

This is what I found on the website for Icelandic Mountain Guides-
View attachment 323808

I know this probably isn't the people we will be with but the information may still apply.

Thanks! I think a call to ABD is coming up....

Sayhello