Ice Covered In Darkness: Welcome To Iceland
A different world. Come let me show and tell you.
Imagine it’s 8:30 in the morning and you’re still surrounded in darkness.
What beauty to witness, but, I constantly looked at my phone to confirm the time versus what my eyes were seeing.
Were we the only flies in the buttermilk? Nope. But, you could count the flies on one hand🤦🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️ We kept laughing because their eyes would get big when they saw us! LMAO The people were very friendly and didn’t make us feel uncomfortable.
Hotel: Center Midgardur Iceland. This hotel is right in the heart of Reykjavik city center. You can walk to amazing restaurants, museums and stores. You can explore as much as your heart desires. Stop 13 is right outside the doors, and is where you meet for your excursions. For a one-time fee of $28 USD, you can schedule and use the open air hot tub throughout your stay, which gives you a lagoon feeling. The rooms are nice. The only negative was breakfast. It was not good. I ate pineapples, pear and peaches daily. The staff were very helpful and made reservations, recommendations for us gladly…well, they made you think they were happy to help.
Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis): Oh, how faint were the Northern Lights. No one I spoke to had the pleasure of witnessing while in Iceland. We had the barest glimpse. But, the clear night sky looked as if someone had sprayed the sky with glue and then took handfuls of glitter and threw them up. The North Star was so big and bright. We saw the Big Dipper and Little Dipper with such clarity. Now, I’m from Buffalo and, yes, I’ve been to a Planetarium. This was a must or need to see moment.
Quick Highlights:
Thingvellir National Park: North American Tectonic plate
Gullfoss Waterfall
Geysir
Downtown Reykjavik is covered in street art. It was a great testament to what they value. We kept finding buildings and streets covered with amazing art.
Celebrating the New Year is a sight to see! Starting as early as the 29th, you hear and see fireworks. On the 31st, as soon as the sun sets, the bonfires, which are a prelude to the fireworks, are ablaze. The fireworks start about 11:45pm, and for the next almost 2 hours, the sky is a spectacular sight. The bars were not open due to Covid restrictions, but the streets were filled with people.
BLUE LAGOON vs. SKY LAGOON
The case of Basic versus Bougie!!!! And, you know I’m here for all of this with my Bougie self!!! Make sure you have a waterproof case for your cell phone for pictures and videos.
BLUE LAGOON: Your comfort package gets you a Silica Face Mask and drink. You have to purchase a premium package to get a massage, Silica and Mud Face Masks, drink and robe.
They give you a bracelet that is used for your locker and to purchase drinks, robes, face masks and food. You change into your swimsuit, take a hot shower and then you run - I mean walk quickly because it’s icy out (and you don’t want to slip and bust that…), into the water.
When I saw the water, the song in my head was, “There’s some hoes in tha house!” Don’t judge me!
You enter the swirling geothermal pool and the water is hot and feels wonderful. The wind is blowing, your ears are cold, but who notices? If you love hot water, you keep moving around the lagoon searching for the very hot spots. You get your Silica Face Mask and keep on for 10 minutes. You will feel the difference in your skin! You’re only allowed 3 drinks while in the lagoon. The scenery was gorgeous and made for great pictures.
Side note: The day before and day of, drink a lot of water. I became very lightheaded due to dehydration after being in the water for a few hours.
Okay My Bougie Boos - SKY LAGOON: You change clothes and shower here as the other Lagoon, and you’re also given a bracelet.
Now, here are the very big differences. I purchased a Pure pass with transportation to/from the Lagoon. This included the seven-step ritual (details below). First off, you enter into the Lagoon from the inside, so by the time you’re outside, your body is acclimated to the water temperature and cold air. The Lagoon has steam rising all around you and it appears as if it floats right up to the ocean. This place is moody, sexy and picturesque. When I saw the sky, I felt they should have been playing Marvin Gaye’s, “Sexual Healing,” cause it was totally giving off those vibes! I was imagining all the things me and my dude would be able to get into - me and my dirty mind danced all around the Lagoon. You can dip off into the alcoves and watch the sunset. I took some amazing photos.
Now for the shenanigans of this seven-step ritual.
Float around in the Lagoon for a while.
Take a polar plunge. This is of the devil and needs to return to the pit of hell.
Enjoy the sauna that looks out onto a scenic and serene landscape.
Ice mist.
Body scrub - I tried to purchase it and could not find it. Pissed because it looked AMAZING.
Steam room.
Shower.
My body felt smoother than a baby's bottom…or something close to it. Afterwards, I went back to the Lagoon. This place fed my soul and made me long for a partner to share it with. God, I know you’re listening.
FOOD: Okay, Foodies, this is a paradise for you, but it comes with a very hefty price tag!
OLD ICELAND RESTAURANT: A great cozy restaurant with nice staff.
Cocktail: I had the Blueberry Martini. It was a mixture of sweet/sour and strong. Remember, I am not a drinker. I drink girly drinks where you can’t taste the alcohol, so take my “strong” drink assessment with a grain of salt.
Appetizer: Creamy Shellfish Soup. This soup was filled with chunks of fish! The white wine and dill oil made the flavors blend together, and almost had me slurping in public. Y’all know when you hold the bowl up to your face and go to town...no…just me…okay. Well that’s what I really wanted to do!
Main Course: Fillet of Cod. The fish was flaky, well seasoned and served with garlic mashed potatoes and parsnips. Yes, parsnips, that I had vowed I didn’t like and wouldn’t eat…whelp, I lied! They were very good and packed with flavor.
Dessert: Brownie. The strawberry and blackberry compote - Lawda Mercy - almost took me out. I was scraping the plate.
Now, all this goodness cost me a measly $80.00 USD. Yup, your eyes are not deceiving you - it was pricey. I was like, thank God the meal was really good cause otherwise I would have been flipping tables.
REYKJAVIK KITCHEN RESTAURANT: This restaurant was right across the street from my hotel. We got there shortly before their 10pm closing, so we were only able to order the main course and dessert. The music they played would have had you dancing in your seats if you're a 70's and 80’s music lover. Also, for birthdays they play Stevie Wonder's “Happy Birthday.” I’m sold and very, very happy!
Main Course: Lamb Ribeye. Baby, this lamb was so seasoned and tender! I savored every bite. Like, melt in your mouth. I should have taken an after picture to show how I tore my food up! LOL
Dessert: Chocolate Cake. This is more like a fudgy brownie. Very rich and the ice cream and fruit made me hum…okay lick the spoon! LMAO
This meal was $60.00 USD. I know, sticker shock. Once again, I didn’t feel the need to flip tables because it was soooo goodt!!!!!!!!
SANDHOLT REYKJAVIK BAKERY AND EATERY: We walked past here a few times and it always had people. When we left, there was a line out the door…in the cold no less.
Breakfast: Pancake with blueberries, cream and maple syrup…it was a Waffle. Like one of the best I’ve ever had, and that’s saying a lot because I’ve been to Belgium. Fluffy, lite and melt in your mouth.
Drink: Hot Chocolate was super rich and creamy.
Dessert: Lemon Tart was very “lemony” and tart with a flaky crust.
$36.00 USD for this. By this point, I was ready for the price. This place is a must! I also LOVE, LOVE breakfast, so I was a happy Fat Girl.
Listen Loves, I’m Bougie and love me some fine dining, but this ain’t that. These are locally owned and operated, good cooking provided restaurants. So, yeah, the price tag didn’t match the ambiance, even though the food was bomb!
Shopping: I didn’t find clothes for Curvy…okay Fat Girls. They have fly outerwear and winter clothing. The sweaters are so warm, but I didn’t find one I fell in love with. I did purchase a blanket for my bed in cream.
