Happy Birthday to me! It's my 32nd birthday and what an awesome way to spend the day driving through the Snæfellsnes Peninsular to Hafnarfjörður, the city of elves, where we had the most incredible accommodation at a Viking Village. Followed by a late night dip in the Blue Lagoon, this was definitely up there with the best birthdays of all time. 

We spent the previous night in an AirBnb in Grundarfjörður, at the top of the Peninsular. We left super early as we had a jam packed day of fun. We stopped off at a supermarket for breakfast and ended up with the most delicious pastry consisting of a mix of croissant, donut, and iced bun. What is this witchcraft? Divine!! We headed south to Reykjavik as we had booked an escape room. I was so pumped for an Icelandic escape room, but it ending up being terrible. OMG we may be smiling in this pic but we were actually proper disappointed. Look at that time! We got out with THIRTY SIX minutes to spare! Don't get me wrong, I'm glad we got out but wish we got our money's worth.  We shopped for a bit in town before having a delicious noodle lunch and then headed into Hafnarfjörður, about 20 minutes south of Reykjavik.

Hafnarfjörður is known as the city of lava, city of vikings and city of elves. Hafnarfjördur is famous for having one of Iceland's largest settlements of elves, dwarves and Hidden Folk. Do all Icelander's believe in the Hidden Folk? I don't think many would openly admit to believing, but they certainly wouldn't deny their existence either.  Sarah purchased the Hidden World's map and we did a tour around town in search of the Elven Church and home sites. This was taken in the elven park in the middle of town.

We tried to be as cheap as we could with accommodation during our trip, with the exception of this night where we stayed in a cottage in the Viking Village. Because why the hell not! Sometimes you just gotta splurge, and why not treat yo' self on your birthday? Honestly, it was worth every single cent. It was themed to within an inch of it's life, but managed to do so without being tacky or Disney-fied. We had dinner at the Viking restaurant, which got off to a bad start when we were ignored by the  hemp sack wearing waitresses who wanted nothing to do with us. They then seated us in a small table at the entrance, and we felt like we were on display the whole time. Chinese and German tour groups walked past us and unsubtly stared at us eating our food. I death-stared down two Chinese ladies who were eyeing me up as I ate my lamb. I just picked up the leg of lamb and started chomping on it without breaking eye contact. I then snarled a bit (hey, we're at a viking village) and narrowed my eyes enough to make them go away. The food was incredible, they gave us shots of Black Death and ended up having an awesome night.

 We tried so hard to be fierce. Fiercely failing.

That Icelandic sky!

We had pre-booked the Blue Lagoon for a 9pm start which meant we got to stay away from the crowds, and enjoy the midnight sun. We drove the main road and all the turn offs into the Blue Lagoon were blocked. We were semi-freaking out that there was no way to get there when we saw a roadwork crew flanked by 15 cars and a very animated argument was taking place. It turned out that they were repaving the road and expecting all guests to travel the long way around which would add 45 minutes to the journey to the lagoon. FORTY FIVE MINUTES are you joking? The Blue Lagoon is not cheap, and you want to get every single minutes worth there. Some of the ladies who were arguing were fierce, and demanded to be taken through the newly paved road which was met with replies of how much it will ruin tyres, you better have insurance etc. We ended up all going across as Fierce Lady 1 was not going to give in, and the paved surface? About 30cm long. Not even joking. By the way the road workers were going on about it, I honestly thought it was the entire length of the road. And furthermore, why would you block off the entire road to the most popular tourist attraction in the country? Do one side of the road! WTF.

Anyway, we got into the lagoon and relaxed our now stressed and frazzled selves in the calming warm water of the lagoon. We had paid for the more expensive package (treat yo' self birthday) which included alcohol, silica mud masks, algae mask and towels. I just kept slathering the masks on, they had buckets of it by the sides of the pool where you could just reach in, grab a handful and just slather it on all over your face. I knew you could buy the masks and they are expensive. I'm talking $100 for one tube of silica, so when they're handing that shit out - you take it. It was such a relaxing night and the best way not just to spend my birthday night, but also the last night of our Iceland trip.

Quite often we would see guests standing on the edge of the lagoon taking photos, so Sarah and I awkwardly posed in as many as we could. Random people now have photos of us with white silica faces strangling each other, waving, back to back posing and just general tomfoolery.

We were there until midnight and it was still light. What a magical place.

Can you spot me? 

2 am sunset on the way home from the Lagoon. The long way home from the lagoon.

So it finally happened. 15 long years of dreaming of visiting Iceland, Sarah and I have finally made it. And let me tell you this: it does NOT disappoint. Iceland is the 48th country I've visited and without a doubt one of the most incredible places I've ever been to. I saw things I've never seen before, and experienced things I never even imagined. 

We drove a total of 2,140km in 7 days and saw everything from the largest ice cap in Europe, to dolphins swimming in a fjord, lava caves, elf churches, black sand beaches, puffins and the world's largest display of penises. Iceland is weird, random and freaking awesome.

Let's begin!

Our first day was spent travelling the major tourist route from Reykjavik, following The Golden Circle. First stop is Þingvellir National Park, site of the oldest existing parliament in the world (first assembled in 930AD) and also home to the canyon created by the North American and Eurasian teutonic plates.

FUN FACT 1: Þ is pronounced as "th" so Þingvellir is spoken as "Thingvellir"

FUN FACT 2: Arya and The Hound walked through the Þingvellir plates on the way to the Eyrie.

The Golden Circle also takes in Geysir and Gullfoss. We stopped at Geysir, walked around and breathed in the revolting sulphuric air while waiting for the geyser to do it's thing. It made a small eruption before we decided to give up on it and drive to Gullfoss. Look, we've both travelled a lot and no offence to the geyser at Geysir but you just weren't worth hanging around ten minutes for.

The waterfalls however, were a whole other story. LOOK AT THEM! Oh my word I've never seen so many waterfalls in any one place before. Every few kms we spotted another waterfall. But the three we saw on day one were some of the most amazing waterfalls I've ever seen in my life. First up was Gullfoss, the most famous waterfall in Iceland. Followed by Seljalandsfoss and my absolute favourite: Skogafoss.

On our way to the waterfalls Sarah discovered the Icelandic Saga Centre at Hvolsvollur which explored the mythology, legends, ocean voyages and land discoveries that make up the great and heroic Sagas of Iceland. They also had costumes.... so.... when in Iceland!

My favourite waterfall in all of Iceland: Skogafoss!

 

I booked the 7.45 ferry from Oban to Craignure on the Isle of Mull. The sun is out and the sky is blue and it is going to be a beautiful day! I know Scottish weather is temperamental and wanted to enjoy Iona in the sunshine, so I headed west for the ferry across. The 1.5 hour drive to edge of the Isle was absolutely breathtaking, more mountains and lochs, rugged coastlines and signs warning of otter crossings. Stopped by traffic jams of sheep and highland cows, one of them tried to ram my car as I was driving past. I made it to Fionnphort, parked the car and just casually walked onto the ferry to take the crossing over to Iona. The water was GORGEOUS! I had seen photos of this area and how incredible the beaches were, but if I’m honest I just thought they were photoshopped. WRONG! White sands and crystal blue waters. 2 degrees and I’m still wearing my snow jacket. Ah Scotland. Now let’s talk about Iona. Home to only 120 permanent residents, this tiny island off an island off the mainland of Scotland was the site of the creation of the Book of Kells. THE Book of Kells and I hadn’t known that until I got to the Abbey. Holy crap *cue chihuahua excitement*. It was then moved to Ireland due to Viking raids. Iona is also one of the most historically important spots in Scotland, and is known as the “Cradle of Christianity” in Scotland and well, most of Europe considering it was one of the only bright spots of Christianity during the Dark Ages. Columba (later St.Columba) was a missionary monk who was exiled from Ireland and ended up in Iona where he established Celtic Christianity that worked it’s way up over Northern Scotland. Iona means “thin place” in Gaelic referring to the belief that Iona is covered by only a thin veil separating Heaven and Earth. I spent so much time in Iona, it’s just so beautiful with so much to explore. I dipped my feet in the beautiful blue waters and it was cold as ICE.

I stopped off at Duart Castle on the way to Tobermory, the main town on the island. I was walking around town when I passed a screaming child begging his mum for ice cream. I thought you know what, ice cream is a great idea. So I walked into the shop, got my ice cream and walked out licking my double scooped salted caramel goodness right in front of the annoying kid, who looked at me with spite and envy. Haters gonna hate.

Driving back to Craigmure I found another sign to another castle! Hello Aros Castle! I got back on the ferry and head over to Oban. Stopped off at a fish and chip shop for dinner before heading back to the guesthouse. I stayed at Elderslie Guest House just out of town, and the couple running it couldn’t have been nicer. When I told Lorna that I wouldn't be joining them for breakfast that morning due to my super early ferry, she sent up a cool bag with a sandwich, yoghurt, cake, muesli bar and water bottle for me to take on my trip. This place was so great. I had a really small single room (on a tightass budget!) and everything was decorated like it was a retirement home. It looked like all of the decor was inherited from their grandparents. But everything was clean and quiet and I loved staying here!

I came upon this castle by accident while driving around the seaside village of Tarbert. I was driving through the narrow streets trying to find a good spot to take a picture when I noticed the crumbling ruins and set out determined to find a way to get to it. Walking up a narrow cobblestoned staircase and past scary wild goats, I finally got to Tarbert Castle. It started to rain, and I had left my jacket in the car as I didn’t think I would need it. Hello, this is Scotland, of course I need it!

Tarbert Castle became a royal castle in 1292, and underwent a major renovation rumble in 1325 by Robert The Bruce (I must find out what “the Bruce” means. Could he not decide between Robert or Bruce? Pick a name Robbo!) Then, about 150 years after King Rob completed The Block: Brucie Builds a Castle, James IV took over renovation duties and extended the fort and increased facilities for artillery and gun powder. It was all over for Tarbert Castle in 1760, when the people of Tarbert decided that the castle’s stone would be more useful in building materials for the harbour and village. And now it sits atop a hill, nothing but a crumbling ruin.

BLUE MOUNTAINS 2015
Visiting the Blue Mountains with my favourite road trip buddy Lauren Wolfgang Olaf EwanMcGregor Terfker. I will miss our road trips so much! These photos include our walk to Wentworth Falls, which was actually a mistake of a walk as I drove us to the wrong entrance point. Oops. What was meant to be a casual 30 minute stroll ended up being a 3 hour trek through the wilderness! But the mistake was worth it. Despite the fact that Terfker kept running up the steps while I was outwardly groaning just looking at them (who is she??), it certainly was a great misadventure. Also shown are Mr. Pickwicks Bookstore, the Toy and Railway Museum in Leura and the fact that my face only has one look :)

TASMANIA APRIL 2014.
An epic impromptu and spontaneous 5 day road trip around Tasmania.  Here are some of the highlights!
Grindlewald, wine tasting, Bernard the Sea Lion, Drunken Admiral, walking the Dove Lake Circuit, Cradle Mountain, Port Arthur on a rainy day, world's best vanilla slice in Ross (that's official! There was a sign!) Ross is also the tidiest city in all of Australia (again - sign!), house hunting in Launceston.