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Aurora, Storms, and Snowpants: An Icelandic Saga by Something Fishy, whYME, and ChAiM'l
@Yehuda
BrachaB
Ponash123

Airlines that fly to Iceland direct from NY:
1. Iceland Air
2. Delta
3. Wow Air
4. United (May 23 - Oct 4)

Hotels in the Reykjavik Area:
1. 101 Hotel (supposedly one of the best spas in Iceland)
2. Ion (set on a lava field and one of Iceland's newest luxury hotels)
3. Hotel Ranga
4. Blue Lagoon Clinic Hotel (provides exclusive access to a private lagoon for hotel guests only)
5. Radisson BLU 1919 (Can use Club carlson points and in the middle of town) Will warm and store food for a nominal fee.

Camper/RV Rentals:
There are several places where you can rent a camper truck or motorhome, including here:  http://www.campericeland.is/

Campgrounds:
The campgrounds in Iceland are large and never feel crowded.  Many offer excellent facilities and amenities.  You can drive in at any time of the day or night and pay the nominal fee whenever the office opens.

Kosher Food:
Kosher food is pretty much non existent in Iceland.  Even many American brands do not have a hechsher.  Some foods that have been found with a hechsher are Cheerios Cereal, Nature Valley Granola Bars, and Powerade.  That being said, several DDF members have been able to bring in kosher food/meat without being checked or stopped.  Just walk through the "nothing to declare" line.

Random tip of the day: if you are in the Reykjavik area and need to heat up a meal but don't have easy access to an oven, the Ikea food court has an oven for guest use. Right side, near the sandwich and pastry checkout.

Tons of great seating as well. (HT: SomethingFishy)

Language
Most of the populace speaks English and children are taught English starting in the sixth grade.  It is rare but you might find some older folks that do not speak English.

Communications:
The Iceland Air Saga shop sells starter Síminn branded sim cards for a nominal amount.  If you order in advance, they will even deliver the sim cards to you on your Icelandair flight (one of the cheapest options to get a starter sim card).  You can also find stores in the airport that sell sim cards.  Vodafone is the other major carrier in Iceland and also sells sim cards.  You can purchase the Saga Shop sim starter here:

http://www.sagashop.net/men/detail/?id=57860-0009

GPS - Navigation
Garmin Nordic Maps includes Iceland and can be purchased here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BS4Q3I?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Voltage
Iceland uses 220v.  Most cell phones, cameras and laptops come with a multi switching power supply (verify by looking at power supply) so you will only need to buy a cheap adapter such as this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058EG0KC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01

Currency/Credit Cards
Credit cards are almost universally accepted in Iceland.  As a result, you may find no need to exchange currency for the Icelandic Kroner (ISK).  If you use a credit card that does not charge foreign transaction fees, you should be set.  If you do decide to exchange currency, there are ATM machines in the airport right outside customs.

Activities:
1.  The Golden Circle Tour is very popular and takes you to Geysir (lame compared to Yellowstone), Gulfoss Waterfalls, and Thingvellir (where the continental drift between the North American and Eurasian Plates can be clearly seen in the cracks or faults which traverse the region.  You can dive in a lake and touch both plates). 

2.  Inside the volcano tour to Thrihnukagigur Volcano.  In this tour, you either hike ( a few kilometers) or take a helicopter charter from the Reykjavik airport to the volcano.  Once there, you are lowered by a construction type lift into the magma chamber.  The least expensive way to get a semi private tour of the magma chamber is with the helicopter, which takes you there in between the regularly scheduled tours.

3.  There are various Super Jeep Tours (vans and SUV's with tractor tires), including a tour to Langjokull Glacier, where you drive onto the glacier.  Private tours can be arranged.

4. Jokulsarlon - a large glacial lake in southeast Iceland, on the edge of Vatnajokull National Park.  Here, you can take a duck boat tour or a zodiac boat tour of the lake where you will see icebergs, seals, and various birds.  Across the road from Jokulsarlon is a black sand beach where you can see icebergs on the beach.

5. The Blue Lagoon - the public lagoon gets very crowded and if you go it is recommended to get there when they open.  If you can manage a stay at the Blue Lagoon Clinic Hotel (currently 15 rooms but they are expanding to 30 rooms) you will get exclusive access to the private lagoon for hotel guests only.  Since there are only 15 rooms at present, the private lagoon rarely has more than a handful of people in it at any time. Most people do not make a full day out of the Blue Lagoon and instead go on your arrival into Iceland or upon departure before the airport. All the Bus lines have stops to and from the airport. 3-4 hours is ample time.

6. Waterfalls abound including Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss.

7. Dog sledding in Skallafell.

8. Icelandic Horses - Horse back riding is extremely popular in Iceland. Most residents actually own a horse. Iceland is the only place in the world where you will find the Icelandic horse. It has 5 Gaits oppose to the 3 that most other horses have. They are gentle animals and very comfortable to ride.
« Last edited by yelped on June 21, 2021, 11:36:59 AM »

Author Topic: Iceland Master Thread  (Read 220500 times)

Offline Yoel1

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #600 on: November 16, 2017, 02:25:03 PM »
You are saying company a does x therefore company b should. I'm saying the same thing. Oh and since company b does it I am entitled to get it. From a too.

"...company a does x therefore company b should," since they are in same industry, shouldn't they try to compete ?..

"...entitled to get it?" who said entitled? I said offer an option to "buy and let me pay" for my kosher meals.

Offline Yoel1

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #601 on: November 16, 2017, 02:29:40 PM »
You are not merely asking or recommending. You are threatening. If you would have politely said, "other airlines offer kosher food, can you please do the same" no one would have freaked out. Your condescending, threatening, entitled tone is what sets you apart

threatening = showing an intention to cause bodily harm.
Please point me in the email where I am threatening them...

Offline noturbizniss

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #602 on: November 16, 2017, 02:31:34 PM »
your TONE.  I know you can't see it because you feel everything you do it perfect, but the TONE in you letter (as I and multiple others have said) reads of incredible entitlement and condescension.
Also - what Rabbi in iceland? There is no fill time chabad.

Quote
Due to budgeting concerns there is not yet a full time Minyan or Chabad House in Reykjavik, rather regular visits by Rabbi's around the Major Jewish Holidays. see below for a report of our latest visit.
so your letter is not only sanctimonious, condescending and entitled, but it is incredibly dishonest.
threatening = showing an intention to cause bodily harm.
Please point me in the email where I am threatening them...
stop playing semantics. or if you prefer, nobody can show you since we are not with you and by definitions "show me" has to be done in person.
READ THE DARN WIKI!!!!

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...READS THE WIKI!!!

Offline Yoel1

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #603 on: November 16, 2017, 02:39:38 PM »
your TONE.  I know you can't see it because you feel everything you do it perfect, but the TONE in you letter (as I and multiple others have said) reads of incredible entitlement and condescension.
Also - what Rabbi in iceland? There is no fill time chabad.
so your letter is not only sanctimonious, condescending and entitled, but it is incredibly dishonest.stop playing semantics. or if you prefer, nobody can show you since we are not with you and by definitions "show me" has to be done in person.

A Rabbi can only be called full time Rabbi?

Offline noturbizniss

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #604 on: November 16, 2017, 02:42:10 PM »
You said the rabbi in Iceland. Implies that he lives there and is a part of the community.
READ THE DARN WIKI!!!!

Chuck Norris...
...can still do FT method
...READS THE WIKI!!!

Offline Yoel1

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #605 on: November 16, 2017, 02:43:34 PM »
You said the rabbi in Iceland. Implies that he lives there and is a part of the community.

I'm sorry if you misunderstood, what I meant was a part-time rabbi..

Offline noturbizniss

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #606 on: November 16, 2017, 02:44:25 PM »
I don't care what you meant. Your letter does not say that. It's elitist
READ THE DARN WIKI!!!!

Chuck Norris...
...can still do FT method
...READS THE WIKI!!!

Offline Ergel

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #607 on: November 16, 2017, 05:55:17 PM »
threatening = showing an intention to cause bodily harm.
Please point me in the email where I am threatening them...
Since when does threatening imply bodily harm. It implies and harm, and you threaten to harm them by advising others not to book flights with them
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline ponash123

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #608 on: November 18, 2017, 10:55:46 PM »
How did you find driving in the winter? Is it dangerous?
I'm debating if it's worth it to rent a car, or to have tours pick us up each time. Of course renting a car is easier but I'm concerned about driving conditions, as well as the price of gas and potential traffic tickets.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #609 on: November 18, 2017, 11:01:21 PM »
How did you find driving in the winter? Is it dangerous?
I'm debating if it's worth it to rent a car, or to have tours pick us up each time. Of course renting a car is easier but I'm concerned about driving conditions, as well as the price of gas and potential traffic tickets.

Anyone have any thoughts?

If you have experience driving in NY winters you'll be okay. One thing that's different, is in some places they don't plow the roads; they grade it instead, but etching patterns into the ice. If your car has winter tires (with those little metal spikes in them), you'll be perfectly fine. By law all rentals must have that, but some of the cheap rental places don't. Makes sure you do.

Of course if a storm comes up you may get stranded, especially if you don't have cell service. That's a risk you need to decide if you want to take.

No need to worry about traffic tickets if you don't break the law... It's pretty difficult to speed there in the winter. And if you do, you have worse things to worry about than getting ticketed.
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Offline ponash123

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #610 on: November 18, 2017, 11:12:38 PM »
Thanks for your input.
I was hearing about the outrageously priced speeding tickets, but you're right that it will be a lot harder to speed in the winter.

Offline ushdadude

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #611 on: November 18, 2017, 11:57:57 PM »
Thanks for your input.
I was hearing about the outrageously priced speeding tickets, but you're right that it will be a lot harder to speed in the winter.

I got a speeding ticket. Was 150 bucks in 2008. That's including a20 percent discount for paying it on the spot. In hindsight I'm not sure I really needed to pay it.

Offline ponash123

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #612 on: November 19, 2017, 02:44:53 PM »
Someone else told me theirs was $650, and it was not for a bad speeding offense. They had to pay on the spot, or risk getting arrested

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #613 on: December 01, 2017, 12:40:58 PM »
Just made the "best" points redemption of my life :P: 4200 useless and expiring Icelandair Saga points to 748 Jetblue on Points.com.

Better than nothing, I suppose...
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Offline ponash123

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #614 on: December 03, 2017, 01:25:20 AM »
I have a tentative itinerary planned out and would love some input. Please let me know if you think I'm missing something spectacular that would fit my schedule, or I am grossly wasting my time. Keep in mind that I'll be there in February with a group of 6 (so everything will take a bit more time).

Friday:
Land in KEF at 6:15 AM.
Rent car
Head to the Blue Lagoon for sunrise.
Drive to Reykjavik and settle in Airbnb for Shabbos
(I'd love to find something nice or fun to do nearby, but can't seem to find something that's not too far out or time consuming)
Sunset: 5:19 PM

Saturday Night:
Go out and chase the Northern Lights (any recommendations on best place to go?) From what I can see, it doesn't make sense to take a tour.   

Sunday:
Snowmobiling on Langjökull Glacier
Ţingvellir / Snorkeling in Silfra

Monday:
Geysir
Gullfoss
Head back to KEF to return car and catch 5 PM flight


Things I would love to do but can't seem to fit them in:
Jökulsárlón
Dog sledding (only place I can find is in Hólmasel)
Seljalandsfoss


Thanks!!

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #615 on: December 03, 2017, 02:01:35 AM »
I have a tentative itinerary planned out and would love some input. Please let me know if you think I'm missing something spectacular that would fit my schedule, or I am grossly wasting my time. Keep in mind that I'll be there in February with a group of 6 (so everything will take a bit more time).

Friday:
Land in KEF at 6:15 AM.
Rent car
Head to the Blue Lagoon for sunrise.
Drive to Reykjavik and settle in Airbnb for Shabbos
(I'd love to find something nice or fun to do nearby, but can't seem to find something that's not too far out or time consuming)
Sunset: 5:19 PM

Saturday Night:
Go out and chase the Northern Lights (any recommendations on best place to go?) From what I can see, it doesn't make sense to take a tour.   

Sunday:
Snowmobiling on Langjökull Glacier
Ţingvellir / Snorkeling in Silfra

Monday:
Geysir
Gullfoss
Head back to KEF to return car and catch 5 PM flight


Things I would love to do but can't seem to fit them in:
Jökulsárlón
Dog sledding (only place I can find is in Hólmasel)
Seljalandsfoss


Thanks!!

- Friday: Skip the Blue Lagoon and do Gunnuhver instead. This will save you a pile of cash, give you something interesting to do on Friday, and allow you to skip Geysir completely.

- Saturday night: Anywhere outside the city; just head east and keep an eye in the sky.

- Monday: Skip both Geysir and Gullfoss and do Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrabui instead, as well as all the little pullouts en route.

The only way you can do Jokulsarlon is if you stay in Vik Sunday night. Head there straight from Silfra, and leave to Jokulsarlon in time to get there for sunrise (add 30% to whatever Google says). Leave Jokulsarlon early AM and stop by Seljalandsfoss and Gljufrabui (and Skogafoss) on the way back.
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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #616 on: December 03, 2017, 07:14:43 AM »
When I saw snowmobiling on Langjokull, I thought, "Do dog sledding there instead."  When we were on Langjokull, there were teams of dog sleds, but that was in summer.  Not sure about winter or how to find out.

If you want to do a Zodiac tour on Jokulsarlon (highly recommended), getting back to airport for flight home Monday will be tight.  It takes 6+ hours driving in summer, probably longer in winter. .... Just checked, no Zodiac tours until May 15.  Even the duck boat tours don't start until May 1. It's beautiful to see, but can't justify all that driving if no boat tour.

We stayed in the campground from where you hike to Svartifoss, and I remember seeing advertised trips out to the nearby glacier.  If you can do dog sledding/snowmobiling there (very likely), then head east to Vik or wherever Sat. night, Jokulsarlon + glacier + waterfalls Sunday, snorkeling Monday.  Gulfoss is skippable. 

https://www.visitreykjanes.is/en/what-to-see-do/reykjanes-geopark/geosites/index/place/gunnuhver
44/50, 46/63

Offline ponash123

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #617 on: December 03, 2017, 12:31:38 PM »
Thank you both for your input. As much as I'm dying to go to Jökulsárlón, I just don't think it makes sense. Next time!

I haven't seen anything about dog sledding on Langjokull but I've reached out to a couple of tour operators, so I'll see what they say. I don't think we'll do both snowmobiling and dog sledding, but one of those should give us a great experience.

Something Fishy: Can you expound on Gunnuhver? I haven't been able to find much about it. How does it compare to the Blue Lagoon? Obviously not price-wise, but is it a similar idea? I am all for skipping the Blue Lagoon but I need to please my crowd :) 
The same goes for skipping Geysir and Gullfoss. They both look slightly underwhelming to me, but am I missing the basics if I skip?

Thank you!

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #618 on: December 03, 2017, 12:51:47 PM »
Something Fishy: Can you expound on Gunnuhver? I haven't been able to find much about it. How does it compare to the Blue Lagoon? Obviously not price-wise, but is it a similar idea? I am all for skipping the Blue Lagoon but I need to please my crowd :) 
The same goes for skipping Geysir and Gullfoss. They both look slightly underwhelming to me, but am I missing the basics if I skip?

Gunnuhver is a replacement for Geysir, not the BL, which I suggest you skip due to being the world's greatest tourist trap and priced in the stratosphere. The reason I'm saying to skip Geysir, is, like you said, that it's entirely underwhelming. You want to see real geysers, go to Yellowstone. Don't waste precious time in Iceland seeing a relatively boring thermal area.

Now Gunnuhver, to be fair, is also a relatively boring thermal area. But it's close to the airport and Reykjavik, and just interesting enough for a Friday morning thing to see. The advantage over Geysir is less crowds, but more importantly, time. You don't waste an entire day on Geysir and the also-boring Gullfoss, when you can use that time to see the infinitely more interesting Seljalandsfoss, Gljufrabui, and the incredible landscape en route.
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Offline ponash123

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Re: Iceland Master Thread
« Reply #619 on: December 03, 2017, 01:07:10 PM »
Got it. Being that I will probably be crucified for suggesting skipping the BL, I'm thinking we can probably do both on Friday. Gunnuhver is only 20 minutes from BL, so we can go there after and then head to Reykjavik.
I definitely like your Monday plan better than mine, I felt like I was wasting time. If I stick Gunnuhver in on Friday, and far nicer waterfalls on Monday, I can get away with skipping the 'basic sights' of Geysir and Gullfoss.

Thanks a lot!