Iceland Winter Wonderland

People ask, why Iceland... and besides why not; it was for scenic landscape and a truly relaxing experience. So my hunny and tried to split the cost of the trip and figure it out. Oh we did! We also spent a good bit of time preparing and packing for the trip. The only real hiccup was that our bags took and extra day to get there. Granted our connection was so close that we barely made the flight! Finding our hotel was no easy task, since Google maps did not realize the normal route was closed for the winter. Once we did find out hotel, it was the start of a pretty perfect vacation. Below are pictures of our first hotel.

 

We splurged at this hotel, it was top notch all around. The Ion Hotel's  service was fantastic, location, remoteness and with a great restaurant and spa. This was the view from our room:

Lucky for us, our hotel was already a bit on the outskirts so we were able to drive and see the local scenery. We also got to see the Aurora Borealis while we were at the hotel but that is for another blog. We spent a lot of time driving around and below are pictures from our first day there driving around: 

Representing my almamater the University of Oregon.

Icelandic horses are a pure breed that are stout and very hairy.

Pictures of Geysir, the one which all are named from are below:

Gulafoss:

Crazy maps:

Amazing views:

 

What I loved so much about Iceland, besides how amazing and sweet the people were, was the light; it was PERFECT! Every moment looked magical and so picturesque. It was crazy how much like walking in a painting being in Iceland was. Add that to the fact that the air was so crisp and clean The next day we took the long way to Reykajavik:

Hanging out at the lava pools.

Enjoying the black sand beaches!

Our next hotel was called OK Hotel. It was more of a 'studio' for the week, we did not have anyone clean up after us but we had all the amenities of home. Plus it was above a great Korean fusion restaurant and bar. Check it out:

A great place to call home, and had all the amenities of one with a restaurant/bar below. Though one should note that the cold water comes off the Glacier run off and taste delicious. While the hot water is from the thermal pools and smells like rotten eggs; granted makes your skin very soft. We really did not take many pictures of the city... but there was some great graffiti:

 A random office building that was also a rock climbing wall.

 All the while, being on an amazing lake with an incredible mountain rain on the other side.

 Plus a jewel of an opera house, that constantly changes colors and lights up.

 So the next day, the day between our 3 year anniversary and Mr.A's 35th, was supposed to be his best day ever. We ended up spending most of it in a record store, him pouring over record and myself talking to any random stranger who walked through the door. This happened to be the bunch of artist who were playing at the festival we were going to at the Harpa (above) called Sonar.

It was great! I got two CD's signed by the artist! Then we went to Tapas Barinn, where Mr.A got to get a special one on one with the local chef and we had an amazing dinner. I know we did not take much pictures while in the city, then we went to dinner and to our first night of the Sonar festival. Which was a lot of fun but we left a bit early so we could go on out the next drive on a drive to the Glacier...

Then randomly... a golf course sign, really wtf?

Our lunch spot:

Long open roads is all we go

The next two days we ran around the city and at night we went to Sonar to listen to amazing bands and DJs like the: Kiriyama Family (signed CD),  FM Belfast, Major Lazer with Diplo, and Trentmollar. On our last day, before heading out of the city on our way to the Blue Lagoon, we snapped a few shots.

Then to the spa to relax in milky steamy blue waters.

Where the air was freezing, the water so warm, and getting a massage while floating in the healing waters. It was so fun after a long weekend partying at a Icelandic festival, Overall, the trip was amazing and great to be out and about with my love, my rock and sweetheart.