# Wherein I Contemplate a Possible Trip to Iceland **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 25, 2009, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wherein-i-contemplate-a-possible-trip-to-iceland/490797 "2009-03-25T21:53:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![WormTheRed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbe5ce/32.png) [@WormTheRed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WormTheRed)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2009, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wherein-i-contemplate-a-possible-trip-to-iceland/490797/41 "2009-04-26T02:31:14Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Need some help, please. > > Frommer’s Guide says I might need an ethernet cable for my laptop while I’m in Iceland. I have 2 questions: > > 1. Do I or can I rely on WiFi? > > 2. If I do need one, which kind do I buy for my MacBook? > I am going to start to pin down my destinations and itinerary tomorrow (as much as one can). It all looks very expensive… But I am still going! There’s wifi in ALL cafés in d/t Reykjavik and in all hotels that I know of. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2009, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wherein-i-contemplate-a-possible-trip-to-iceland/490797/42 "2009-04-26T02:57:01Z")
Yay! And now I just need to rob a bank to pay for this trip. It looks like I will have to rent a car for at least one day, if only to get out of Reykjavik. I think I want to see the volcano on top of the glacier–I don’t have my guide book with me, but I think it’s Mt Hekla? Here is what I’m thinking of (so far; set in jello, may change entirely etc): 1. FREE walking tour of Reykjavik–it lasts 90 minutes or so. Advertised on the Icelandic tourism site. Good overview of city and people and sites etc. 2. Settlement museum–doesn’t really matter which. I don’t care if Leif Eriksson set sail from it or not etc. I just want to see some turf houses and contemplate our creature comforts a bit. 3. An art museum of some kind. 4. A “swim” in the Blue Lagoon or similar (I’m not picky). And here we enter into the murky realm of speculation because I am not sure of the budget. 1. A hike of some kind, preferably to Glymur to see the falls. OR (and) Mt Hekla OR (and?) some other stunning site that is unforgettable. That’s as far as I’ve gotten. I am happy to tag along with someone, but don’t particularly want to drive on my own (the last 4 wheeling I did was in Hawaii 30 years ago). So, I make progress (of a sort). I am somewhat stuck in that I (stupidly) booked my hotel in Reykjavik for the 5 nights I’m there, thinking to use it (like in London) as a base. That may not be the most practical, but it may turn out to be ok. Stay tuned. ---
**Author:** ![WormTheRed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbe5ce/32.png) [@WormTheRed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WormTheRed)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2009, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wherein-i-contemplate-a-possible-trip-to-iceland/490797/43 "2009-04-26T18:02:48Z")
Ok, let’s check this out and see what advice I have to offer 🙂 > [@eleanorigby](#): > > 1. FREE walking tour of Reykjavik–it lasts 90 minutes or so. Advertised on the Icelandic tourism site. Good overview of city and people and sites etc. My mom took a trip like this a couple of months ago and really liked it. So that’s a good one! > [@eleanorigby](#): > > 1. Settlement museum–doesn’t really matter which. I don’t care if Leif Eriksson set sail from it or not etc. I just want to see some turf houses and contemplate our creature comforts a bit. There’s a museum on the outskirts of Reykjavik (you can take a city bus, only costs about 300 ISK) called [Árbæjarsafn](http://randburg.com/is/arbaejarsafn/)which shows how things used to be. I haven’t been there lately but it’s supposed to be pretty good. They even moved some old houses there. Also, there’s a museum in d/t Reykjavik about the first settlers, but no turf houses there 🙂 > [@eleanorigby](#): > > 1. An art museum of some kind. Plenty of art museums in and around d/t. It just depends upon what type you want to see. > [@eleanorigby](#): > > 1. A “swim” in the Blue Lagoon or similar (I’m not picky). There are about 20 thermal pools in the greater Reykajvik area, with the [Vesturæjarlaug](http://www.spacity.is/index.php?Itemid=32&id=16&option=com_content&task=view) and [Sundhöll Reykjavikur](http://www.sundlaugar.is/index.php/en/reykjavik-and-capital-area-pools/7-sundhollin) being the ones, closest to you. The Blue Lagoon, however, is well worth a visit since it’s pretty durn special. > [@eleanorigby](#): > > And here we enter into the murky realm of speculation because I am not sure of the budget. > > 1. A hike of some kind, preferably to Glymur to see the falls. OR (and) Mt Hekla OR (and?) some other stunning site that is unforgettable. Hmm… loads of unforgettable sights around Reykjavik. I’ve actually never been to Mt Hekla myself (only seen it at a distance), but I’m not sure there’s actually so much to see or do close to it. Glymur is a decent hike from the bottom of Hvalfjörður, but not sure how to get to the parking lot without a car. A cool thing you can do, on the cheap, is to trek up the [Esja](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esja)! The city bus goes there and it’s a very popular hiking trail to the top with a splendid view in good weather! > [@eleanorigby](#): > > That’s as far as I’ve gotten. I am happy to tag along with someone, but don’t particularly want to drive on my own (the last 4 wheeling I did was in Hawaii 30 years ago). I’m afraid I can’t go trecking with you, since I’ll be leaving the island at the end of May. I’m moving abroad… But you won’t be needing a 4WD for the things you’ve mentioned, a Yaris (or similar small car) is plenty unless you want to drive across the Highlands. > [@eleanorigby](#): > > So, I make progress (of a sort). I am somewhat stuck in that I (stupidly) booked my hotel in Reykjavik for the 5 nights I’m there, thinking to use it (like in London) as a base. That may not be the most practical, but it may turn out to be ok. > Stay tuned. Using Reykjavik as a base sounds perfectly ok with regards to what your plans, so far, look like. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2009, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wherein-i-contemplate-a-possible-trip-to-iceland/490797/44 "2009-04-26T19:07:51Z")
:: wants to go to Iceland :: If I wasn’t laid off… I actually have sufficient money to go now, but I have to live on it for a year while making further plans for my life. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2009, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wherein-i-contemplate-a-possible-trip-to-iceland/490797/45 "2009-04-26T23:19:34Z")
I don’t effing believe this. I think I must be some kind of foreign travel repellant. **Worm** has just added himself to the list of people I was hoping to see when I traveled, but is leaving the country just as I arrive. I swear I shower daily. I’m NICE, dammit! But thanks for the input. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![WormTheRed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbe5ce/32.png) [@WormTheRed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WormTheRed)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2009, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wherein-i-contemplate-a-possible-trip-to-iceland/490797/46 "2009-04-26T23:26:57Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > I don’t effing believe this. I think I must be some kind of foreign travel repellant. **Worm** has just added himself to the list of people I was hoping to see when I traveled, but is leaving the country just as I arrive. > > I swear I shower daily. I’m NICE, dammit! > But thanks for the input. 🙂 Of course you are 🙂 So when you coming to Sweden 😉 ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wherein-i-contemplate-a-possible-trip-to-iceland/490797/47 "2009-04-27T12:00:56Z")
> [@WormTheRed](#): > > Of course you are 🙂 > > So when you coming to Sweden 😉 Oh, no you don’t-I’m on to you now. I’d go to Sweden and you’d be in Minsk. I’d go to Minsk and you’d just HAVE to go to Singapore for business. I’d follow you to Singapore, but you will have just left for Toronto. I get to Toronto to find you were sent to Chicago. And then I’d be home, without seeing anything but airports. Effing Icelanders. Can’t stay put. Must be all that wanderlust and saga making. :mad: 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wherein-i-contemplate-a-possible-trip-to-iceland/490797/48 "2009-04-27T12:59:27Z")
\*\* tunes up \*\* Ahem! " **Eleanorigby** Goes to Iceland to pick up an aluminum elf All by herself. **Eleanorigby** Props up an economy that’s gone all to dust Because she must. All the Doper people…" ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wherein-i-contemplate-a-possible-trip-to-iceland/490797/49 "2009-04-27T13:13:11Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > 1. An art museum of some kind. If you hire a car, you can visit Iceland’s [most eclectic museum](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandic_Phallological_Museum). It’s very artistic 😉 ---
**Author:** ![WormTheRed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbe5ce/32.png) [@WormTheRed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WormTheRed)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wherein-i-contemplate-a-possible-trip-to-iceland/490797/50 "2009-04-27T13:32:47Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > Oh, no you don’t-I’m on to you now. I’d go to Sweden and you’d be in Minsk. I’d go to Minsk and you’d just HAVE to go to Singapore for business. I’d follow you to Singapore, but you will have just left for Toronto. I get to Toronto to find you were sent to Chicago. And then I’d be home, without seeing anything but airports. > Effing Icelanders. Can’t stay put. Must be all that wanderlust and saga making. :mad: 😛 Come to think of it, Minsk is a truly great city 🙂 But as a matter of fact, I think Hong Kong would be more likely than Singapore 😛 And now, where’s the fun in staying put? I’m staying put when I can afford that beach front property on St. Lucia and build my bar on it 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2009, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wherein-i-contemplate-a-possible-trip-to-iceland/490797/51 "2009-04-27T13:41:18Z")
I have long wanted to go to Iceland. Now that I am a knitter\*, it makes me twitch that much more. This thread is making me wish to win the lottery so I can go ALL SUMMER because I have the funds to GO ALL SUMMER. And what would be better than telling the lower caste people that I slum around with that I SPENT THE ENTIRE SUMMER IN ICELAND? Other than, I spent the entire summer in Greenland or Somewhere Other Than DISNEY. \*I am a sucky knitter, but I wants yarn and stuff. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2009, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wherein-i-contemplate-a-possible-trip-to-iceland/490797/52 "2009-05-10T22:17:19Z")
It looks like the dollar is doing well next to the krona, so that perhaps I can afford much more than I thought at first. Stay tuned! ---
**Author:** ![WormTheRed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/bbe5ce/32.png) [@WormTheRed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WormTheRed)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2009, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wherein-i-contemplate-a-possible-trip-to-iceland/490797/53 "2009-05-10T23:16:58Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > It looks like the dollar is doing well next to the krona, so that perhaps I can afford much more than I thought at first. Stay tuned! Steadily tuned to this bat-channel 🙂 And how’s this for a plummeting [currency](https://www.kbbanki.is/default.aspx?PageID=2149&FlokkurID=USD)? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wherein-i-contemplate-a-possible-trip-to-iceland/490797.md?page=2)