opaldog

Sounds good. I'm looking forward to it. Is there a place to leave your luggage if coming from the airport or does the bus store it for you?

Patti

HI Opaldog,

Yes, you heard correctly, the water at the Blue Lagoon does a big bad number on your hair. I didn't listen and got it wet in the pool and it was days and a bottle of conditioner later before I could get a comb through it. Wet your hair in the shower and put conditioner on it (don't rinse it out) before you go into the pool. I wish I'd done that--in the first couple days' pictures I look like Bozo the clown!

Patti

opaldog

Patti:
Good idea about the conditioner. My hair isn't very long, but certainly don't want it to be like straw for days. Thanks.

lavici

dear patti & other members of the club: i'm from caracas, venezuela & have enjoyed your report inmensely! i've been thinking of going to iceland for a very long time, and i think it has finally come, but it has to be either late september or early october, it's my birthday gift to myself. i will be going solo, so i have a few questions i would like to ask you guys... i was thinking of staying 4-6 days but i'm worried about expensive icelandic prices. so do you think it would be worthwhile for me staying solo at a room with a view? would the apts. be too big for me, myself and i? i'm a craniosacral therapist so i was thinking of enjoying the hot geothermal pots, spas and blue lagoon's experience, but i also want/love to go into the interior part of the island, should i rent a car and drive out, or take one of the icelandair tours? south shore, akuyeryi,or east fjords? i promise you i will eat a lot of skyr in your name. the person who suggested to try fago greek yogurt was right on the dot. it IS delicious and tastes exactly like yogurt and sourcream !!!!
i just have a month left to plan my trip so i would throughly appreciate any comments for this south american who wants to spend a wonderful birthday in a very different landscape/weather/food and people after a VERY difficult year! many thanks in advance, love...jjjjj

lavici

thanks also for the hair situation at the blue lagoon, should i also take some body oil or lotion to put on the skin afterward or does the skin remain soft?... jjjjjjjjjjjj

Patti

HI Lavici,

Well, I don't know your budget but there are smaller studio apartments at Room with a view that are 95 Euros per night. Space-wise I don't think they're too big for one person.

Driving was easy, the roads are well marked, and there aren't that many of them, so it was easy to get around. Since you're going to be solo, maybe you want to take a day tour to mingle with other people. We got as far east as Vik, didn't get to Akuyeryi or the East Fjords so I can't advise you on them. I think Akuyeryi was just a smidge too far for us to drive in the short time we were there so we didn't go. I know there is a flight you can take from Reykjavik to save time.

The water at the Blue Lagoon didn't bother my skin, in fact there are these big pots of mud around that you put on your skin while you're floating around--supposed to be good for it.

Have a great time! Iceland is a special place!

Patti

kay6213132

Lavici,

I am returning to Iceland this September. I will spend one night in Reykjavik at this place: http://www.guesthouse.is/
It is a great location, as is Room With a View but a fraction of the cost.

Last year I got bored after two days in Reykjavik. If you want to leave the city & head north I'd highly recommend Osar Hostel. It is about a 2.5 hour drive from Reykjavik: http://www.hihostels.com/performLoca...iliateID=97026

Any direction you decide to take will be incredible. I hope to hear about your trip when you return!

Kay in Michigan

lavici

thanks kay... that is precisely what i was looking for! a room with a view type at a fraction of the price. my venezuelan bolivares don't buy much!!!
i'll let you know as soon as i arrive... jjjjjjjjjjjj

PalenqueBob

But would you want to live there? Pretty bleak - nice to visit but no trees, little vegetation, mainly dark in winter - constantly dreary - never cold enough to snow in Reykyavik - never warm. A great place to visit though.

kay6213132

Lavici,

Have you set your travel dates yet? I will be in Reykjavik on September 20th. If you are there then, maybe we could meet for a Bæjarins Bestu (Icelandic hot dog!)

Places to eat in Reykjavik:
http://www.budgettravelonline.com/bt...060400818.html

I do appreciate your desire to travel alone. It is good for the soul. Have a great trip!

kay6213132

PalenqueBob - I very much desire to live there.

Michigan is nice for many reasons but our winters can be severely cold. Trees are gorgeous, but wreak havoc on sinuses and cause allergies.

I've only experienced two weeks in Iceland, but it was the first time I did not suffer from allergies in many years! Very crisp, clean air. We also enjoyed some sunny, warm days!

I don't know that I would want to stay there forever, but I'd love to try at least a year to experience every season. Ah, well. Maybe when I become independently wealthy....

lavici

kay... i'm trying to get there around that date! the flights leaving out of venezuela to miami are still very expensive because of the back to school rush from the summer so i'll have to wait a bit an see. but if i can go and be there by that date for sure we could meet for this lamb icelandic hotdog lunch for sure!!!!! i'll let you know!i will check out the hotel you recommended and sites from budget travel. thanks.. jjjj

kay6213132

lavici,

here's another good site for budget accomodation: www.hostel.is

Good luck finding a flight thru the U.S. The effects of the awful Hurricane Katrina disaster are causing some travel problems.

Kay