Iceland – Page 2 – Don't Stop Living

The Day I…Missed My Flight✈️In Iceland🇮🇸

Posted on February 22, 2013October 12, 2024 by Jonny Blair

The Blue Lagoon in Iceland — Iceland is a traveller’s paradise so an extra day there shouldn’t be a problem, savouring the Blue Lagoon.

Iceland is a traveller’s paradise and my 5 days there in 2007 were amazing. Geysirs, lagoons, waterfalls and craters, this is a country for the lover of landscape and countryside rather than your urban city buzz. However my 5 day stay turned into a 6 day stay on a morning where I stupidly and regrettably missed my flight, having to pay over 100 pounds for a new flight the next day.

Jonny Blair and a lifestyle of travel in Iceland — Touching the natural volcanic waters in Iceland the day before the day I missed my flight

After the Golden Circle Tour I was lucky enough to have free accomodation with a friend in the city of Keflavik. NEXT TO THE AIRPORT. Yes, Iceland’s national airport is in Keflavik so it would seem like an easy option for me. My flight was around 7am, but a quick taxi from my friend’s flat at 5 am would suffice and see my on my way back to London (my flight was due to land in Gatwick). Well that was the plan.

I lived in Bournemouth in Dorset, England at the time and was a keen football fan and season ticket holder for the Cherries (AFC Bournemouth). My flight was on the Friday morning at 7am giving me ample time to head back to my base in Bournemouth and head to the football the next day with my mates. But in life, and especially in travel what we plan can often go wrong…

I arrived in Keflavik before dusk, and was able to see some of the sights of the city. For me this included the football stadium and the pretty pedestrian streets in the town centre, including some random monument near a petrol station. However it was dark and cold, so we basically just headed to the pub!!! First I headed to my friend’s flat, dumped my bags off and we headed into town for food and drinks. That was around 9pm. I remember it was a freezing night and the town’s Irish Bar, Paddy’s was closed so we instead headed to another bar next door, called Rain.

Main church in Reykjavik, Iceland — The highest building in the world’s most northerly capital city, Reykjavik, Iceland

If you’ve been to Iceland you will know that drinking is an expensive pastime there, however there was some kind of promotion on and this was my last night in Iceland so I used up the rest of my Icelandic Kronurs. All good so far.
We head to a trendy bar and club with some live acoustic music on and the locals were loving it. Beers and whiskeys and soon it had gone midnight. The bar was called Yello. I don’t remember leaving the club but I knew my flight was in a few hours. I should have just got a coffee and stayed awake for it – or better still got an early taxi to the airport and waited.

The band playing in Yello Bar in Keflavik while I was drinking and losing track of the time…

But when we got back I konked out, falling fast asleep and not wakening until about 6.50 am. I missed my alarm and my flight was leaving in 10 minutes. I accepted the fact that I had missed it, and fell back to sleep. Then I awoke around lunch time and had to book another flight. In those days I didn’t carry a laptop, my travel blog had just started (this was September 2007 – my blog began a month earlier) and I certainly didn’t have internet access.

Gullfoss in Iceland in 2007 — Gullfoss Waterfall in Iceland – amazing – don’t worry I had already got my fix of the sights before I messed up and missed my flight.

I had a friend called Tim Beattie who was staying in Reykjavik at the time and was booked on a flight back to Gatwick the following day (the same one I had just missed). I owned a UK mobile phone at the time but it wouldn’t work so I borrowed my mate’s phone texted him, asked him to book me on the flight with him and I’d pay him back the next day.

That’s exactly what happened. I got one of the last seats on his flight and left Iceland a day later. This was 6 years ago on my travels and I learned a valuable lesson that day, something which I thankfully haven’t repeated. The day I missed my flight in Iceland was also the day I decided:
1. If I am drinking the night before an early flight, DON’T SLEEP (I did this in 2010 in Buenos Aires, Argentina).
2. If I have an early flight, try not to drink the night before (almost all flights I take now).
3. If in doubt, head to the airport the night before and stay at the airport (I did this in Taipei in Taiwan in 2009).
4. Always suss out your means of getting to the airport in advance.
The new flight cost me in excess of 120 pounds and on my budget at the time this was huge, I only had one more trip in the last three months of 2007 as a result (3 days in Stockholm, Sweden) and it changed me.

Advice – Think about my three points above and DON’T MISS YOUR FLIGHT!!! (it’s the only flight I’ve EVER missed that was my fault – I have had countless flights cancelled, rescheduled, delayed, postponed, changed airports and I’ve even got on flights that NEVER took off.)

Some of my Iceland stuff is here, I wrote it all 6 years ago, so it must have dated!:

Listening to live music in Yello Club in Keflavik on the day I missed my flight in Iceland:

Top 3 Waterfalls🌊I’ve Seen

Posted on November 11, 2012October 12, 2024 by Jonny Blair

I’ve seen dozens of waterfalls and as I mentioned once before “you rarely get a sh*t waterfall” (there was one on the Great Ocean Road in Australia actually, as it was literally just a drip of water falling…). But I’ve narrowed it down to a top three here as these three stand alone as easily the best hat trick of constant dropping water I have seen (I missed Angel Falls/Salto Angel in Venezuela and I haven’t yet been to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe/Zambia). In no particular order of wetness…

1. Gullfoss, ICELAND

Gullfoss you might think is a surprise inclusion, alas you may never even have heard of it. But this incredible endless flow of gushing water in Iceland is phenomenal!! As you walk up towards Gullfoss you have absolutely no idea of how much water is flowing. When you arrive at the first viewing point you can only gasp in awe. If you are ever in Iceland, don’t miss Gullfoss! To get there either hire a car, become part of a tour bus excursion to it or do the famous Golden Circle Tour (which I did). Entrance to the waterfall is FREE but you might feel obliged to have a coffee or buy a souvenir in the nearby shop.

2. Niagara Falls and Horsehoe Falls (CANADA and USA)

It was over 10 years ago since I was at the Niagara Falls. I did the Maid of the Mist tour and thoroughly enjoyed it. An amazing spray from these falls and the border town of Niagara is in an awesome location overlooking the spectacular waterfalls. It’s FREE to gaze down onto the waterfall itself, but to do the Maid of the Mist Tour is still under $20 Canadian Dollars and even cheaper if you’re a child, a student or a pensioner. I’d recommend it – you get up close to the falls and you get wet.

3. Iguazu Falls (BRAZIL and ARGENTINA)

There seems to be a debate or poll amongst travellers as to which is the best country to view the Iguazu Falls from, Argentina or Brazil. So when I was there I decided I had to see it from both sides of the border. I don’t believe that there should be a “better side” to view it from, and having seen it from both I just have to say WOW! These waterfalls are amazing whether viewed from Argentina or Brazil. The Brazil one is slightly dearer to get in. A brief description of each here:

Argentina Side:

To get there you need to get a bus along Ruta 12 away from the town of Puerto Iguazu. If you stay in the Hostel Inn Iguazu ( a former winner of South American hostel of the year) you can get a bus there from across the road. Once you arrive it’s a day ticket for entrance, this was 85Pesos when I was there in 2010. Once inside there are three main sights: 1. Get a train to Garganta Del Diablo (which is a couple of kilometre walk over wooden platforms to the waterfalls). 2. Do the lower walk at Estacion Cataratas and 3. Do the upper walk at Estacion Cataratas. There are countless other things to do and see inside, including shows, boat trips, animal viewing, souvenirs and restaurants.

Brazil Side:

The Brazil Side of the falls featured wooden platforms right up close and personal to the waterfalls and a decent view over the border into Argentina. On the Brazil side the method of transport was by bus when I was there in 2010. There are a few walks along the side of the waterfall.

One thing to note is that both waterfall viewings whether from Brazil or Argentina will be busy such is the marvel of these natural flows of water.

So those are the top 3 waterfalls I’ve actually seen. I hope to do more sometime soon as I just love waterfalls!

Here’s a couple of videos I made at Iguazu:

1. From Argentina:

2. From Brazil:

Backpacking in Iceland🇮🇸: The Blue Lagoon🔵🌊🏞️

Posted on October 31, 2007October 12, 2024 by Jonny Blair

A thermal swimming pool in Iceland! Most people have heard of The Blue Lagoon haven’t they? Well I’d heard of it and when I realised I was in Iceland, suddenly it would have been stupid not to visit it. So without swimming trunks I didn’t want to go in naked, so I had to buy a pair of pink ladies pants with I LOVE ICELAND written on them. Great stuff, though the mates I was with found them a little gay and didn’t actually think I’d wear them.

With the lads enjoying the thermal water of the Blue Lagoon.

I enjoyed wearing pink pants actually. Anyway it’s a thermally heated swimming pool, around 40 degrees Celsuis, couloured slightly blue and in the middle of hot volcanic rocks and activity. It’s not even that expensive to be honest as it’s a once in a lifetime visit and you can stay in as long as you like.

There is one main pool section, with many rocks and natural creams to rub on your face while you’re in the water. I did this as it’s good for your skin. The base of the pool is also soft white stuff, which is weird, but one of the unique things about TBL. I also tried the Sauna, the Steam Room and a wee waterfall as well as a cave (this would be ideal for a romantic snog or a wedding proposal). You can also visit the bars and restaurants if you have enough money.

It was great to see The Blue Lagoon. The only thing I can really say is if you go to Iceland, do it!

Bars Visited – None.

Beers Tried – None.

Transport Used – Car, Swimming.

Nationalities Met – Northern Irish, Icelandic.

Strange Currencies – Icelandic Kroner.

Where I Stayed – I didn’t, it was the last ‘stop on the Golden Circle tour.

Average Price of a Pint of Beer – No idea. Go there and buy some. Who goes to a swimming pool to get blocked anyway?

Favourite Food – Mars Bar.

Favourite Drink – None.

Favourite Thing About The Blue Lagoon – the fact it’s good for your skin. It did feel like that.

Moving Moment – My mates seeing the pink pants for the first time. They were in stitches laughing.

Key Song – The Pink Panther Tune.

FACT – The warm waters are rich in minerals like silica and sulfur and bathing in the Blue Lagoon is reputed to help many people suffering from skin diseases such as psoriasis. The water temperature in the bathing and swimming area of the lagoon averages 40 °C (104 °F).

Backpacking in Iceland🇮🇸: Stranger in Keflavik…

Posted on October 27, 2007October 12, 2024 by Jonny Blair

The main airport in Iceland is at Keflavik. Thats where I arrived into Iceland the day before Northern Ireland’s European Qualifier with Iceland in September 2007. I had stayed two nights in the Aurora Guesthouse in central Reykjavik, near the large church. Then by chance I met up with a young lady called Una whom I had met in Belarus. Una was working, living and playing football for Keflik Ladies team and when I mentioned I was planning on spending the whole night at the airport, she invited me to stay at her nice flat in Keflavik. As it happened, her flat was less than a 10 minute drive from the airport, so I would also be sorted for my flight back (or so I’d have thought…).

I arrived in murky, dreamy Keflavik just after 6 pm one night, having asked the kind driver of our ‘Golden Circle’ tour to drop me off to meet a friend. I then went to the football stadium and the local leisure centre for a drink to wait for Una and her friend. Una turned up with her housemate Beth in a van from work! They had also just played a ladies match at Fylkir and lost 3-0. In kind Irish spirit, Una kindly provided me with dinner and beer. It was Thule or Gull if I remember correctly. Then we went out to Paddy’s Bar, though as there was a charge to get in, we decided to go to ‘Rain’ instead. Rain was a quiet wee pub and I enjoyed a drink with the two ladies and also watched on TV the ladies football, very popular over there. After a few more beers (these ladies can drink!), we headed to ‘Yello’, what appeared to be the only nightclub in town! My balls were freezing, I guess that’s why its Iceland. We then had more beer and some Southern Comfort shots. I then watched a cool Icelandic band belt out some tunes on bongos and guitars including Oasis – Don’t Look Back In Anger. The lead singer also allowed me onto the microphone to sing “We’re not Brazil, we’re Northern Ireland” which was great craic! It was now gone 3 or 4 am. In Iceland this is when people party best! It’s a crazy place and it was mad being the only ‘tourist’ in Keflavik (as Una and Beth lived there). We drank long into the night and I had a flight to catch at 7 am. However I went to sleep at 5.30 am and didn’t manage to waken up in time!! Doh! So for the first time on my world tour, and ironically on the last flight I had booked, I ended up missing it! It is the only time I have ever missed a flight (In 2002 I was once banned from a flight though). Still it gave me a full day in Keflavik, though I spent the day relaxing and packing and then went to watch 3 filims at a lady called Mata’s house. Mata was a lovely Icelandic girl, who worked with Una and Beth. We had some beer and pizza, watched three filims and my mate Tim booked me on a flight the next day via the internet (I had no internet and he was staying in a hotel in Reykjavik at the time). Finally my world tour was coming to an end in the freezing conditions of Keflavik.

I had a great few days there, aside from the drunken-ness and missing my flight and have promised to buy Una some beer back, I owe her beer and pizza. To these beautiful people I meet in life, I am forever in awe and bow down to other people’s kindness, desire and passion.

“Your dreams are alcohol inspired, you cannot find another way to face it.”

Beers Tried – Thule, Bjor, Gull, Viking.

Bars Visited – Rain, Yello.

Transport Used – Taxi, Van, Mata’s Car, Golden Circle Tour.

Nationalities Met – Northern Irish, English, Icelandic.

Strange Currencies – Icelandic Kroner.

Where I Stayed – A nice flat in Mavabraut, Keflavik. Thanks to my friend Una.

Average Price of a Pint of Beer – 400 Icelandic Kroner (about 4 Quid). Though I didnt pay for most of them.

Favourite Food – Cheese on toast (Dont ever change).

Favourite drink – It was the cold beer.

Favourite Thing About Keflavik – Two nice nights of drinking beer and chilling.

Moving Moment – The Icelandic band singing “Who the fuck are Northern Ireland?” at me. Brilliant!

KEY SONG – Oasis – So Sally Can Wait

FACT – In Iceland everyone uses card to pay for everything. If you use money and coins in bars and shops, people think you’re foreign!

Backpacking in Iceland🇮🇸: Dodgy Geysir

Posted on October 26, 2007October 12, 2024 by Jonny Blair

I had seen the Pohutu and Prince of Wales Feathers Geysir’s in Rotorua in New Zealand’s North Island in July 2007. Both were fascinating, but you had to pay entry into a ‘museum’ at Te Peiua on the outskirts of the city, and then walk round a custom-built set which led to the geysirs. That made it feel less natural and slightly more ‘commercial’ if you like, even though the beauty of these natural geysirs were not lost on me at the time.

Then when in Iceland, it is of course famous for GEYSIR or THE GREAT GEYSIR (the eponymous name given to the large geysir at Haukadalur Valley in Iceland). It is the oldest known geysir in the world, dating back to 1294, and also used to be owned by Lord Craigavon from Northern Ireland, where I hail from. I visited it in September 2007 as part of the ‘Golden Circle’ Tour of Iceland and was suitably impressed.

We chanted ‘dodgy geysir’, which is a reference to a London term for a bloke who may not be trustworthy, but also a play on words of the football chant ‘dodgy keeper’ for a match when the bloke in nets is having a nightmare. Think Dean Smyth era Glentoran.

Anyway this Geysir erupts every 7 or 8 minutes throughout the day, there is no charge to see it, it lies in a freezing valley area of countryside conveniently bereft of civilisation. I touched the trickles of water, which despite the freezing weather proved their volcanic-ness by being HOT (see the photo), but I didnt dare touch the water where a DANGER sign was, I believe that water can be up to 100 degrees celsius. Definite signs of the volcanic activity in northly Iceland.

There is a wee shap/shop nearby and they have a cinema show dedicated to the geysir. By this stage of my world trip, my budgeting was at a premium, so I just bought a wee souvenir in the shap/shop and hopped off on the rest of the tour.

Worth seeing!

Bars Visited – None.

Beers Tried – Gull, had a carryout tin in the car.

Transport Used – Car.

Nationalities Met – Northern Irish, Icelandic.

Strange Currencies – Icelandic Kroner.

Where I Stayed – I didn’t, it was another ‘stop’ on the Golden Circle tour.

Average Price of a Pint of Beer – Don’t have a monkeys, but remember Iceland ain’t cheap.

Favourite Food – Didn’t eat there.

Favourite Drink – Gull.

Favourite Thing About Geysir – When it erupts obviously…

Moving Moment – Touching the hot water in the middle of a freezing place.

Key Song – ‘Dodgy Geysir’

FACT – Until 1894 the Geysir area was owned by a local farmer. In that year the area was sold to James Craig (later Lord Craigavon), a whisky distiller and future Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. Initially he erected large fences around the site and an entrance fee was charged for visitors wishing to view the geysers. The following year however Craig appeared to tire of his project and gave the area as a present to a friend, E. Craig, who dropped the entrance fees. Later Craig’s nephew Hugh Rogers inherited the site. In 1935 he sold the site to film director Sigurður Jónasson who subsequently donated it to the Icelandic people in perpetuity.

Backpacking in Iceland🇮🇸: Gullfoss, Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls…

Posted on October 25, 2007October 12, 2024 by Jonny Blair

The next part of the Golden Circle tour of Iceland took us to Gulfoss, an absolutely gorgeous waterfall in the heart of Iceland’s countryside. It is part of the Hvita River, in a canyon in South West Iceland. Upon walking towards Gulfoss, there is a strong wicked wind and a nice spray of ice cold water to prepare you for one of the most breathtaking sights in the world. Your dream can never earn enough. I think that was the Manic Street Preachers.

The waterfall appears completely randomly and more naturally, without the tacky razmatazz and commercialist appeal of Canada’s Canadian Falls and the USA’s Horseshoe Falls. Gulfoss is simply there to enjoy for free. A basic signpost verifies its existence. No tours, just a lovely wee restaurant, which serves some awesome soup and tea and offers a lot of traditional Icelandic souvenirs. We enjoyed a quick bite to eat there, and I also bought a pair of pink pants for swimming in, as we would visit the Blue Lagoon and I didn’t have any swimming trunks.

If you go to Iceland, I feel Gulfoss is a MUST. Down the waterfall, wherever it may take you…

Bars Visited – Gulfoss Cafe!

Beers Tried – None. I plumped for tea.

Transport Used – Car.

Nationalities Met – Northern Irish, Icelandic.

Strange Currencies – Icelandic Kroner.

Where I Stayed – I didn’t, it was another stop on the ‘Golden Circle’ tour.

Average Price of a Pint of Beer – Didn’t buy any, but a carryout beer was about £4 in the shap.

Favourite Food – Icelandic Pastry.

Favourite Drink – Icelandic Tea.

Favourite Thing About Gulfoss – There is no tacky razmatazz or commercialism involved, it’s a natural sight to be seen and enjoyed as nature intended.

Moving Moment – Getting my first sight of the amazing waterfall.

Key Song – U2 – Even Better Than The Real Thing

FACT – During the first half of the 20th century and some years into the late 20th century, there was much speculation about utilizing Gullfoss to create electricity. During this period, the waterfall was rented indirectly by its owners, Tómas Tómasson and Halldór Halldórsson, to foreign investors. However, the investors’ attempts were unsuccessful, partly due to lack of money.

Backpacking in Iceland🇮🇸: Touring Pingvellir

Posted on October 23, 2007October 12, 2024 by Jonny Blair

Pingvellir/Phingvellir/Thingvellir (Google that one people) is a beautiful little place in the South of Iceland. There are no houses there and no people! But it has some relevance. The Icelandic government was formed here in 1845 by a Danish King. Next to it lies a little river where people were hanged back in the days. Some beautiful scenery places Pingvellir in the top places I’ve ever seen. The lakes nearby and the montains of grass are breathtaking.

According to the Lonely Planet, the best way to see Iceland is on foot. It would take you forever, so I’d recommend the ‘Golden Circle’ cruise. Nothing is golden, nor is it a circle. But an Icelandic guy will take you the entire way round the South East corner for about £50 (Thousands of Icelandic Kroners).

At Pingvellir there is a small museum with TV screens and then you simply walk past the lake, the location of the Icelandic Government foundation (complete with Iceland fleg). Then its past another small river and back into mundane countryside. Dont go in a shorts and t-shirt. It’s bloody cold!

Bars Visited – None.

Beers Tried – None.

Transport Used – Car.

Nationalities Met – All tourists mainly from the UK and Europe.

Strange Currencies – Icelandic Kroner.

Where I Stayed – I didn’t and you won’t either as it’s in the middle of nowhere and simply a stop on the ‘Golden Circle’ tour.

Average Price of a Pint of Beer – They don’t sell any at Pingvellir.

Favourite Food – I didn’t eat.

Favourite Drink – Water.

Favourite Thing About Pingvellir – The fact it’s in the middle of nowhere.

Moving Moment – The wind blowing me by this massive lake on a cold day.

Key Song – Fat Les – Vindaloo to the tune of Pingvellir…

FACT – Iceland is the fifth most productive country in the world based on GDP per capita at purchasing power parity. It is also ranked second on the 2006 United Nations Human Development Index.

Backpacking in Reykjavik, Iceland🇮🇸: The World’s Most Northernly Capital City

Posted on October 15, 2007October 12, 2024 by Jonny Blair

Backpacking in Reykjavik, Iceland: The world’s most northerly capital city

So Iceland? So Reykjavik! I always wanted to go and so should you. It is the world’s most northerly capital city. The country is massive, but the population is low. The people are lovely and the scenery is amazing. I was lucky enough to end my entire World Tour in Iceland! What a way to finish…

I stayed in Aurora Guesthouse in central Reykjavik, which was lovely. It did the job and is also opposite the highest building in Iceland. An amazing church called Hallgrímskirkja. The streets of Iceland are incredibly tidy, colourful and gorgeous in their blandness. You’ll find some sort of affinity with the place if you have any desire for culture and people. The weather is also cleansing on the soul. I had a mixture of heavy rain, low sun and blistering winds in my two days in Reykjavik.

Backpacking in Reykjavik, Iceland: Hallgrímskirkja

The food and drink is expensive and the language can be hard to learn. Takk is thankyou, and you will find most speak a good amount of English. A far cry from my days in China, The Russian Federation and Belarus when communication was impossible. Like a few of the countries I’ve been to, I was there to watch my national football team, Northern Ireland. Supporting Northern Ireland was my life as a child and I can’t say I’ve changed. From Whiteside to Black to Lomas to Johnson, I’ve been there to support. It gives me a chance to see life, people and culture while enjoying my sport and my blatant patriotism for all things Northern Irish.

Anyway, if you do Iceland, you’re best to stay in Reykjavik and then do the Golden Circle tour, everything falls into place from there and you’d be a fool not to see these sights. In front of the large church, there is also the statue of Leifr Eirikson, a famous explorer. Like some of the statues I had seen on my travels, this was also a present….from the United States.

My only tips are bring a coat and a camera. It aint the sunshine state…

Bars Visited – Belly’s.

Beers Tried – Thule, Gull.

Transport Used – Bus, Car.

Nationalities Met – Northern Irish, Icelandic, English, Danish.

Strange Currencies – Icelandic Kroner.

Where I Stayed – Aurora Guesthouse near the city centre.

Average Price of a Pint of Beer – Around £8 normally but check out Belly’s Bar for your £4 pint. Lovely.

Favourite Food – Didn’t eat much due to the prices, but they love their whales…!

Favourite Drink – Concentrated Pineapple Juice (in Hostel)

Favourite Thing About Reykjavik – Safety, never felt at threat to terrorism or theft.

Moving Moment – Getting drenched while walking to the football stadium at Valur, to see where my football team, Glentoran FC once played.

Key Song –

Bjork – Army of Me. Interesting Bjor (no ‘K’) means Beer!:

FACT – The Hallgrímskirkja church took 38 years to build. Abverse weather conditions played a part. It’s beautiful.

A VIDEO FROM REYKJAVIK AFTER THE FOOTBALL MATCH, SEPTEMBER 2007: