babuamus

I went to Iceland last September for 10 days.

I've been a lurker for far too long! I would like to thank everybody on here for all your help regarding my trip and without all of you my trip would not have been the same. It was a trip of a lifetime! As well, thank you to all the photographers out there for picture ideas

http://foods-drinks-travels.blogspot...blog-page.html

Questions/Comments are welcomed!

Have a wonderful day, and happy travels!

tedgale

Your photographs are simply breathtaking. You should not lurk, you should post here often.

I worked for many years at Fisheries and Oceans in Ottawa, so I have many Canadian friends who have traveled to Iceland for fisheries and scientific exchanges.

I've copied the link to share with others.

tedgale

I've already had an ecstatic response from a shutterbug friend, a Director General in the federal government's Northern Program.

tailsock

Iceland really isn't my cup of tea but your trip report and photos are fantastic. like you photography is a big deal in my travels and I can see why you picked the tranquil beauty of this place. some places looked totally undiscovered by man. The Northern Lights looked magic

babuamus

Thank you tedgale for your kind words!

I am glad that you enjoyed my trip report enough to share it with your friends! (it wasn't my photography skills, Iceland was simply so beautiful that you cannot take a bad photo.

I am sure Iceland will be packed with tourists in the next decade. I am glad I was able to go there before it becomes super popular/commercialized

Doppio

Ttt

Leslie_S

Thanks for sharing your trip with us
It was a great report and the pictures are amazing. Sorry you had so much rain but it sounds like you put it into perspective nicely --being able to experience nature as Icelanders do.

xyz99

I really enjoyed the trip report, and the pictures are amazing.
Is September a common time for northern lights?

isabel

Really nice photos. Thanks for posting. I was in Iceland last July though only for two days and didn't get anywhere near where you went. Looks like you did a great job planning.

lualpache

How did you get such amazing Northern Lights in September? I was in Iceland in October, and managed to see faint Northern Lights at Dyrholaey/Vik- the beach there is stunning. We were lucky with the weather as it was sunny, so we could see the Northern Lights.

If you return to Iceland, you could take a special 4x4 to the top of an ice cap. I took one to the top of Myrdalsjokull, underneath which is the volcano Katla (due to erupt). The views were superb, and on a clear day, it can be a good photo opportunity.

Your photos are amazing.

babuamus

Thanks for your kind words!

@xyz99: No september is NOT the month to go if you want to catch the northern lights.. usually the winter months (ie Dec-Feb) because it is dark most of the day. That doesn't mean aurora doesn't happen during other months. I went in September because I wanted to experience more than northern lights.

I did a lot of research prior to going to Iceland regarding aurora borealis and it really boils down to luck because you need to have a relatively clear night + strong aurora activity. I checked the aurora forecast for the duration of my trip (http://en.vedur.is/weather/forecasts/aurora/), and because we did not commit ourselves to a specific location we could "chase" good weather.

I will definitely return to Iceland and hopefully this time I could see Myvatn

mxm

Where can you pick up the prepaid phone cards in Iceland? Do the carriers easily unlock the phones here in the US?

babuamus

MXM I can only answer part of your question:

1. You can pick up the SIM card in many places in Iceland such as gas stations. The carrier I used was called Siminn (Iceland company) and I picked up my SIM card on the IcelandAir Airplane for $20 USD. You can also buy it from other carriers such as Vodafone from the airport as well.

2. I am not from USA so I am not sure whether your phone is locked or unlocked... but you can usually get them unlocked for a small fee.

rllit

Love your report. We will be going to Iceland the end of September. It is a four day stopover on our way to Copenhagen. You mentioned that you picked up groceries/supplies from the supermarket when you arrived. Did you have a cooler along with you? I always like to pack a cooler when traveling but wondered if they sell bagged ice as we do in the states? Crazy question I know! Just a very minor detail in my planning!

babuamus

hi rllit thanks for your kind words,
In September it is often cold enough to not require a cooler to be honest. In terms of groceries it is nice to grab some basic supplies but since there are supermarkets in even medium sized cities you won't need to stock up (I am assuming you will be around the south only since you only have 4 days).

Let me know if you have any more questions (I don't check this thread often so it is easiest if you leave a comment on my blog... you'll probably get an answer sooner)