Going to Iceland!
10-11-24, 02:00 PM
#1
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Going to Iceland!
A disclaimer- a non cycling tour! I am thinking I am going to have a problem going somewhere where I won't be riding my full loaded touring bike!
10-11-24, 04:20 PM
#2
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I found from my Iceland trip in 2016 that food cooked by others was quite expensive. I think in one month, I had as many meals cooked by others as I can count on one hand. My go to meal if I bought food cooked by others was fish and chips.
But grocery store food (main grocery store in Reykjavik area is called Bonus) is quite affordable.
https://bonus.is/english/
I had no trouble using plastic, every one was happy to take it. If you get any cash out of an ATM, unless things have changed, I would suggest you minimize cash so you have less to exchange at the airport before you leave.
It is my recollection that tipping service staff in Iceland is not expected, I never tipped there and did not see anyone else do it either.
If you plan to drive anywhere in a rental car, make sure you do not take the car where it does not belong. If you take it into the interior and it breaks down, you purchased that car.
The signs warn you to turn around if you have a rental car.
When you land at the airport, you walk thru a duty free store before you go thru customs. You can buy alcohol at very good prices upon arrival that way. Once you pass through customs, booze or beer will cost much more.
The liquor stores in Iceland are state run.
https://www.vinbudin.is/english/home
I have enough Scandinavian blood in my veins, that I suggest Scandinavian spirits, but if you are not Scandinavian, you might hate it.
The beer was also expensive after you have passed customs.
Hostels were quite affordable. If you brought your own bedding, they were cheaper.
Even though you do not plan to bike there, if you see the cycling map available somewhere, grab one. It will be quite useful.
Every community has a public pool, most have hot tubs. Showering is a must before you use the public pool, they use minimal amounts of chlorine, so everyone is expected to be clean before going into the pool.
They use the standard EU electric plug in Iceland.
I think this is the app I put on my phone for weather forecasts. It was very useful, but wind speed I think was in meters per second, which I had to think about a bit to translate to something that made sense to me.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...droid&hl=en_US
The knob on the left (below) is on and off and flow rate. The knob on the right is like a thermostat to control the water temperature coming out of the shower head. This knob was unusual, as the printing had not warn off yet, you can see the temperature scale (in C) on it.
Most heating systems and hot water systems are geothermal, hot water is piped to buildings, you can usually smell sulpher in the shower because of the sulpher in the hot water.
You are going to have a great time.
But grocery store food (main grocery store in Reykjavik area is called Bonus) is quite affordable.
https://bonus.is/english/
I had no trouble using plastic, every one was happy to take it. If you get any cash out of an ATM, unless things have changed, I would suggest you minimize cash so you have less to exchange at the airport before you leave.
It is my recollection that tipping service staff in Iceland is not expected, I never tipped there and did not see anyone else do it either.
If you plan to drive anywhere in a rental car, make sure you do not take the car where it does not belong. If you take it into the interior and it breaks down, you purchased that car.
The signs warn you to turn around if you have a rental car.
When you land at the airport, you walk thru a duty free store before you go thru customs. You can buy alcohol at very good prices upon arrival that way. Once you pass through customs, booze or beer will cost much more.
The liquor stores in Iceland are state run.
https://www.vinbudin.is/english/home
I have enough Scandinavian blood in my veins, that I suggest Scandinavian spirits, but if you are not Scandinavian, you might hate it.
The beer was also expensive after you have passed customs.
Hostels were quite affordable. If you brought your own bedding, they were cheaper.
Even though you do not plan to bike there, if you see the cycling map available somewhere, grab one. It will be quite useful.
Every community has a public pool, most have hot tubs. Showering is a must before you use the public pool, they use minimal amounts of chlorine, so everyone is expected to be clean before going into the pool.
They use the standard EU electric plug in Iceland.
I think this is the app I put on my phone for weather forecasts. It was very useful, but wind speed I think was in meters per second, which I had to think about a bit to translate to something that made sense to me.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...droid&hl=en_US
The knob on the left (below) is on and off and flow rate. The knob on the right is like a thermostat to control the water temperature coming out of the shower head. This knob was unusual, as the printing had not warn off yet, you can see the temperature scale (in C) on it.
Most heating systems and hot water systems are geothermal, hot water is piped to buildings, you can usually smell sulpher in the shower because of the sulpher in the hot water.
You are going to have a great time.
10-12-24, 12:38 AM
#3
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You are going to have a great time.
Last edited by Aubergine; 10-12-24 at 12:58 AM.
10-12-24, 05:37 AM
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I forgot to mention that you did not say when, but I assume soon.
I was there a few weeks before and after the summer solstice. Iceland is south of the Arctic Circle, but it is close enough that when I was there it never got dark. Yes, the sun set, but was close enough to the horizon that we were in civil twilight where it is still light outside at 1am.
But, if you are there over the next several months after the autumnal equinox, if you see the sun it will not be for long.
I was there a few weeks before and after the summer solstice. Iceland is south of the Arctic Circle, but it is close enough that when I was there it never got dark. Yes, the sun set, but was close enough to the horizon that we were in civil twilight where it is still light outside at 1am.
But, if you are there over the next several months after the autumnal equinox, if you see the sun it will not be for long.
10-13-24, 11:16 PM
#5
Senior Member
Have a good trip. Iceland is a beautiful place.
We were using every layer we had with us while watching the Northern Lights in early September.
a couple of the many water falls.
Hiding from the wind
We were using every layer we had with us while watching the Northern Lights in early September.
a couple of the many water falls.
Hiding from the wind
Last edited by Doug64; 10-15-24 at 10:34 PM.
10-17-24, 03:34 AM
#6
I've been there twice. I recommend renting a 4x4 and taking the southern rim road sightseeing for a day, and be prepared to park and hike up to the top of various waterfalls and cliffs to get amazing views.
I did that last time, and walking along the black sand beaches was a highlight.
It's the only place in the world that I'll repeatedly visit before seeing new countries, because every kilometer it's like another biome. It might as well be another planet.
The Blue Lagoon is touristy, but still, I'd consider going to it. I've been to saunas and bath houses in many countries, and it's unique.
I did that last time, and walking along the black sand beaches was a highlight.
It's the only place in the world that I'll repeatedly visit before seeing new countries, because every kilometer it's like another biome. It might as well be another planet.
The Blue Lagoon is touristy, but still, I'd consider going to it. I've been to saunas and bath houses in many countries, and it's unique.
10-17-24, 05:12 AM
#7
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10-17-24, 12:04 PM
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We are packing some of our touring gear for this trip! Rain gear,lots of wool clothes and our camp stove for making coffee in out of the way places!
10-17-24, 03:50 PM
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I only saw the larger canisters sold there.
When you are done and ready to leave the country, most campsites and hostels had a free shelf where people left things that they did not plan to use any more, but still might be useable for others. I picked up a lot of half full canisters off of free shelves. I saw some of the midsize butane canisters on free shelves, but I have no clue where they were sold.
And free shelves are a good place to get rid of your half full canister before you fly home.
I found almost everyone I talked to spoke English. Most of those that did not speak English were tourists from other countries.
10-18-24, 07:52 AM
#10
aka Timi
^^^ The gas canisters above are Campingaz’s proprietary valve “Easy Click”, not the ones that screw on.
If your stove screws on, this adapter is a good solution. Very well engineered
If your stove screws on, this adapter is a good solution. Very well engineered
10-18-24, 02:10 PM
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^^^ The gas canisters above are Campingaz’s proprietary valve “Easy Click”, not the ones that screw on.
If your stove screws on, this adapter is a good solution. Very well engineered
If your stove screws on, this adapter is a good solution. Very well engineered
I saw both in the campgrounds, I took a photo of both, below:
The threaded on on the right has an aluminum color top, the Ezy Clic has a brass colored top.
But, you were right to raise that issue. Camping Gaz makes both types and you have to be careful to buy the threaded ones.
The ones sold at Bonus stores in Iceland when I was there 8 years ago all had the threaded canisters. The non-threaded ones that I saw on some of the free shelves, I have no idea how they got there.
10-18-24, 08:50 PM
#12
aka Timi
I would have guessed the threaded valve was standard on Iceland, as in Northern Europe
I hadn’t realised there was a colour difference (aluminium/brass). Good to know! 👍
I just got back from a tour in France and Spain. The best place to buy gas is the huge Decathlon stores. However, some only had Easy Clic (Camping Gaz), others only threaded (Forclaz, Decathlon’s own brand and a bit cheaper), and others had both.
The small adapter was worth it’s weight in gold
If you’re in France, the chain of hardware stores “Mr Bricolage” also carry Campingaz (Easy Clic) canisters. There are 324 stores in France. Decathlon has 336 stores.
Last edited by imi; 10-19-24 at 01:20 AM.
10-19-24, 01:33 PM
#13
FYI:
The current issue of Adventure Cyclist has an article about a couple of guys cycling in Iceland. They were kind of hard men, 1,300 miles of Icelandic gravel roads in 13 days, but the sidebar has information on getting there, lodging, food, etc.
It sounds like a place where you pack your down jacket, full rain gear, and your swimsuit (for hot springs).
The current issue of Adventure Cyclist has an article about a couple of guys cycling in Iceland. They were kind of hard men, 1,300 miles of Icelandic gravel roads in 13 days, but the sidebar has information on getting there, lodging, food, etc.
It sounds like a place where you pack your down jacket, full rain gear, and your swimsuit (for hot springs).
10-19-24, 02:33 PM
#14
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FYI:
The current issue of Adventure Cyclist has an article about a couple of guys cycling in Iceland. They were kind of hard men, 1,300 miles of Icelandic gravel roads in 13 days, but the sidebar has information on getting there, lodging, food, etc.
It sounds like a place where you pack your down jacket, full rain gear, and your swimsuit (for hot springs).
The current issue of Adventure Cyclist has an article about a couple of guys cycling in Iceland. They were kind of hard men, 1,300 miles of Icelandic gravel roads in 13 days, but the sidebar has information on getting there, lodging, food, etc.
It sounds like a place where you pack your down jacket, full rain gear, and your swimsuit (for hot springs).
Me in the photo below.
10-19-24, 02:44 PM
#15
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Sorry, I saw Camping Gaz and assumed it was the unthreaded valve.
I would have guessed the threaded valve was standard on Iceland, as in Northern Europe
I hadn’t realised there was a colour difference (aluminium/brass). Good to know! 👍
I just got back from a tour in France and Spain. The best place to buy gas is the huge Decathlon stores. However, some only had Easy Clic (Camping Gaz), others only threaded (Forclaz, Decathlon’s own brand and a bit cheaper), and others had both.
The small adapter was worth it’s weight in gold
If you’re in France, the chain of hardware stores “Mr Bricolage” also carry Campingaz (Easy Clic) canisters. There are 324 stores in France. Decathlon has 336 stores.
I would have guessed the threaded valve was standard on Iceland, as in Northern Europe
I hadn’t realised there was a colour difference (aluminium/brass). Good to know! 👍
I just got back from a tour in France and Spain. The best place to buy gas is the huge Decathlon stores. However, some only had Easy Clic (Camping Gaz), others only threaded (Forclaz, Decathlon’s own brand and a bit cheaper), and others had both.
The small adapter was worth it’s weight in gold
If you’re in France, the chain of hardware stores “Mr Bricolage” also carry Campingaz (Easy Clic) canisters. There are 324 stores in France. Decathlon has 336 stores.
And MSR used to make the Superfly model that works on both, the MSR Superfly below:
I bought a used Superfly (in the photo) for too much money, but I was thinking about a trip in France. But that was pre-covid, that trip never happened.
More on the Superfly which has been out of production for probably a decade or so:
https://www.tahoesportsltd.com/superfly-stove.html
