Adventurer of the Week: Eddie returns to Iceland!

man standing on Svínafellsjökull
Kvan Eddie
Eddie standing on Svínafellsjökull

Eddie and his wife spent their honeymoon in Iceland and had an amazing time together. For Eddie, it was his second time in Iceland but it was the first time for his wife. She really wanted to visit a beautiful country of Europe – and they could  not have choosen a more beautiful country than Iceland!

What motivated you to visit Iceland?

A few years ago I visited Iceland. It is a very nice place with amazing natural scenery but I did not have enough time to explore the whole country. My wife wanted to visit a European country with a beautiful scenery for our honeymoon, so Iceland was the perfect place for us and I got to explore more of the country.

Woman hiking up a snowy slope
Kvan Eddie

How long was your stay? Did you travel solo or with a group?

Our stay was about 8 days. It was only my wife and I.

Which tour did you take and why did you choose it?

We planned to visit the glacier in Vatnajökull Park, but then we understood that you can‘t go there without an experienced guide and glacier equipment, like crampons. We chose the Glacier Walk and Ice Climbing tour in Skaftafell on Svínafellsjökull and the Ice Cave Visit. It was definitely our most memorable experience in Iceland. 

During the rest of our time, we visited Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss, Kerið, Seljalandsfoss, Reynisfjara, Fjaðrárgljúfur, Jökulsárlón and the Blue Lagoon.

We rented a car and traveled from Reykjavík to Höfn along the south coast, then went back to Reykjavík during the 8 days. As the time was limited, we had to stay in different places every night.

About our tour I will always remember the magnificent glacier. Stepping on it made me feel that I am so tiny in this world. The strength of the nature here in Iceland is amazing.

Kwan Chun Pong Eddie

What is one thing you will always remember about your tour?

I will always remember the magnificent glacier. Stepping on it made me feel that I am so tiny in this world. The strength of the nature here in Iceland is amazing.

Man climbing up a glacier on a sunny day
Kvan Eddie

If you had to describe your experience in one sentence, what would you say?

I have eaten ice that is hundreds of years old!!! 

What is something that you learned about Iceland that surprised you?

When driving I was surprised how the coastal line in the south keeped extending. We spent some time driving from Reykjavík along the south coast until Höfn. There are so many amazing places to visit!

If you had more time in Iceland, what else would you like to see and do?

If I had more time in Iceland, I would like to do a road trip around the whole island. Part of this round trip would include the "Diamond Circle" in the north eastern part of Iceland. The circle starts and ends in Húsavík, in between one visits Ásbyrgi – a huge Canyon shaped like a horseshoe, Vesturdalur Valley with its bizarre rock formations, the impressive Dettifoss waterfall, the volcanic fields of Krafla, the stunning Lake Mývatn area, the Goðafoss waterfall, and  the lava fields of Dimmuborgir.

I would also continue my hunt for northern lights.

people walking through a snowy paradise nature in Iceland
Kvan Eddie

What tips do you have for people who want to visit Iceland?

For people who want to visit Iceland I have several tips:

  1. Prepare enough stuff to stay warm outside because there is always very strong wind.

  2. Another important thing is to plan more travelling time than you actually might need, as the road conditions are not good in the winter. The driving on an icy road is far slower than normal speed and sometimes roads are closed.

  3. To access some sightseeing points in winter, roads in very bad conditions must be passed through sometimes. So be careful and don‘t get stuck in the ice or mud. It is quite pleasant to have a four-wheel drive in these rough conditions.

  4. There is absolutely no need to bring cash. All my transactions in Iceland were by credit card.

What adventure are you off to next? What is your next dream adventure?

For our next adventure, we have not selected a place yet. But, I definitely prefer beautiful scenery just like Iceland - maybe Bolivia or Tibet. However, my ultimate place to visit is Antarctica.

Eddie's adventure  is only one of the many features that make for an unforgettable experience. Book your tour and join us for an excursion that is guaranteed to make memories that last a lifetime.  

About the Author

Joseph Mattos-Hall

Joseph Mattos-Hall

Hailing from London and born into a British/Brazilian/Italian household, Joseph came to Iceland originally to complete a master’s degree in Environment and Natural Resources from the University of Iceland: the rest is history.

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