Iceland & Amsterdam April 2019 planning

[love_the_life]

We had a few days in Reykjavik a few years ago after a cruise to Svalbard and around the northern coast of Iceland. As we were unsure where the ship would dock we thought we should err on the safe side and ordered a private transfer on the ship ($US150). We were staying at the Borg and although the driver did have to drive around in a circle with some one way streets, when we got out of the car we looked back and there was...the ship! About 400 m away but to be fair you couldn't walk straight there.
Loved poking around the city and our reindeer rug comes from there.

 

[Denali]

Told hubby he has to have at least 10 logged drysuit dives for Iceland. He reminded me he use to teach drysuit diving. I reminded him its been a couple of years and Iceland uses neoprene suits (hes use to trilam).

Now hes looking for his teddy. Thats scuba polartec teddy, not kids toy or sexy lingerie kind.

Im also following a couple of Iceland aurora sites and even in May, they have a few lucky nights and a solar storm is coming in the next ten days. So I guess I'll plan for a few night to chase clear skies.

 

[Denali]

Has anyone visited Blue Lagoon?

I see there is now a more limited access Retreat Spa, which includes Retreat Lagoon with private changing rooms, less hoards. We can enter the public Blue Lagoon area if we want to.

Will we be missing out on any jaw dropping experience by paying more for the private access only?

As a side note, had to laugh at this review - tourists! Who would have thought

 

[get me outta here]

@Denali, I have been doing a bit more reading, and the locals say that for a fraction of the price you can visit the many thermal pools that the locals use. Apparently there are a lot of them.

I got a pair of wellies at BigW which I'll wear with 2 pairs of mountain climbing socks and padded innersoles. Cost $15, and I will give them away the first oppo I get once finished there.

 

[Denali]

The accommodation Im eyeing off is approx 200mtrs from a local pool. We can buy 10 or 20 entry pass as hubby likes to swim every other day so with touring, we can go there in the evening to relax.

I havent tackled boots yet, hubby already has leather hiking boots but I hoping to get away at slightly cheaper but still waterproof. Was thinking about gumboots but worried they dont give ankle support.

 

[deejo77]

Iceland is lovely - we did it for my 40th also to SCUBA dive which was a nightmare.

Short story: i am open qualified - didn’t have to be dry suit when i booked - some people died so rules changed had to be dry suit qualified - flew to Sydney did a weekend course - qualified. Two weeks before departure they advised I was too fat according to BMI and cancelled my booking (even though they had my weight/height for 12 mths earlier).

I would have loved to do the dive but even there in late May it was bloody cold. Do not use DIVE IS they were horrible to deal with especially the refund.

 

[Denali]

Thanks for the info and so disappointing for you.

Ive been reminding hubby that he needs to do at least 10 drysuit dives before we leave - he was a PADI instructor up to a couple of years ago (got tired of weekend classes) so he "thinks" he can get away with it but I'll be nagging him no end until he does it. One small issue is his drysuit is a tri-lam and not neoprene, which is what I think they use in Iceland. Also thinking of blowing the budget to have private guide because we're not going to go there a 2nd time so I prefer some one on one for the cold conditions/equipment.

 

[VPS]

The world's most expensive tourist destination's boom may be over
@Denali

 

[Denali]

Prices are ridiculous. I was quoted $3Kaud for a private day tour with car.

 

[tgh]

I was looking at driving around Iceland , but the hordes of tourists and the costs make it unattractive
I think we will just skirt around the edges on a cruise ship before wafting up to Svalbard….
We will still have "chronic sticker shock" working our way back down the Norwegian coast.

 

[drron]

Came across this as a link to an article I was reading.Iceland in January.

.

 

[Denali]

Although I get it, its what they do, Im opposed to eating whale and puffin. That would be like eating panda for me so no thanks.

Wasnt a huge Bourdain fan but had a sad moment when I first heard his voice.

 

[get me outta here]

In Bergen at the little market I had a morsel of whale meat and did not like the taste. It's a mammal after all.

 

[get me outta here]

I was looking at this 1 day tour. These guys have quite a good TA rating and offer $20 rental hiking shoes for the glacier walk. I plan to ask them for a picture of the hire shoes.

Nicetravel (Reykjavik): 2018 All You Need to Know Before You Go (with Photos)

Glacier Hike Tour from Reykjavik Summer South Coast | Nice Travel

 

[Denali]

Thanks and I'll put them on the list to look into for some day tours.

Had to laugh at one of their negative reviews, "We realize that Nicetravel can't control that but we feel that they might have emphasized the necessity of bringing proper rain gear on this trip. We were wearing jackets. My wife had a hood and I had a knit cap. We both had umbrellas. Yet on the first day of summer, we were assailed by harsh winds and pelted by icy needles of rain. By the end of the day, we were completely soaked."

If they bothered to do some research they would be prepared for sun, rain, snow and winds during a 8hr period and most locals dont bother with umbrellas. My plan is to pack rain gear in my backpack every day for just in case.

 

[get me outta here]

I rec'd the photo of the "shoes" and it turns out they are substantial hiking boots up over the ankle, called Grisport Gritech. I did see Grisport online. I'm tempted as I have never found a comfortable pair of boots so may as well wear theirs. Their email was polite and a fast reply - that is a good start. Maybe I can get away w' not carrying such a large heavy things all 'around the world'.

I was looking at this 1 day tour. These guys have quite a good TA rating and offer $20 rental hiking shoes for the glacier walk. I plan to ask them for a picture of the hire shoes.

Nicetravel (Reykjavik): 2018 All You Need to Know Before You Go (with Photos)

Glacier Hike Tour from Reykjavik Summer South Coast | Nice Travel

 

[Denali]

I would just buy my own boots and use/keep them. You put those clamper/spikey things on the bottom of your shoes with straps for the hike. dont you?

Wearing 2nd hand shoes 1, spray/powder with cleanser and 2, will can screw up your arch/ankles in how you walk. All you need a waterproof with tread and ankle support.

Hubby already has high ankle leather boots, he wears them on our flights over, I have to get something but I have no plans to hike glaciers.

 

[get me outta here]

I didn't ask about crampons (sp?). This is all still a bit speculative still. I would of course wear very thick smartwool socks and wash them after in case they don't use a spray cleanser. I have bought too many hiking type boots, they just don't suit my feet. I'll be taking my waterproof shoes.

 

[JessicaTam]

I didn't ask about crampons (sp?). This is all still a bit speculative still. I would of course wear very thick smartwool socks and wash them after in case they don't use a spray cleanser. I have bought too many hiking type boots, they just don't suit my feet. I'll be taking my waterproof shoes.

I bought crampons when I was in Norway. They were excellent on the icy roads/footpaths. The do spread gravel to help with grip, but nothing like with crampons on. I had no trouble taking them through various airport security screenings either.

 

[VPS]

I bought crampons when I was in Norway. They were excellent on the icy roads/footpaths. The do spread gravel to help with grip, but nothing like with crampons on. I had no trouble taking them through various airport security screenings either.

Were they easy to get on an off eg if you were going inside could you just slip them off