#ended up passing out at like 10am and waking up at 7pm

[twinknote]

i love trying to ask my mom for help in the form of Literally driving me to the ER and/or picking up some gatorade after throwing up constantly and being in the worst pain of my life and she’s just doing art stuff all day and doesn’t check her phone and then isn’t willing to make the literally 2 min trip to walgreens

[slcwshow]

Danny is a villager that runs a travelling shop out of the van he lives in, which appears in Cindersap Forest three times a week. He is one of the characters available to marry.

Due to his nature as a traveller, Danny can be a little hard to pin down, but when he's in town and isn't working, he likes hanging out at the beach, the Stardrop Saloon and the park. It is only possible to enter Danny's van during cutscenes.

Once Ginger Island is unlocked, Danny may randomly spend the day there. He will never visit the resort on days he is meant to be in Cindersap Forest, nor on festival days. He doesn't keep a regular appointment at the clinic, because he's an idiot.

NORMAL SCHEDULE

🚐 Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays

Danny does not appear in Cindersap Forest on any of these days, but once the player has three hearts with him, they have a 10% chance of receiving a postcard from him while he's visiting another town. These postcards can be displayed in the player's home on the corkboard which may be purchased from Danny's shop.

🚐 Wednesdays

9AM - Danny's alarm clock goes off, and can be heard by the player if they enter the Cindersap Forest at exactly 9AM.

10AM - Finally wakes up and immediately goes to work. Danny never seems to be in any particular hurry as he sets things up on the grass outside his van, but he can be interacted with during this time, and will usually lament to the player that his alarm clock didn't go off.

1PM - Takes his lunchbreak, where he will sit and smoke in a lawn chair near the van. If the player has three hearts or more with him, he will continue to sell to them during this time ("seeing as it's you~").

2PM - Goes back to work. Danny will usually be visible doing another activity through the hatch in the side of his van to pass the time (sketching, noodling on his bass, playing a handheld videogame), but sometimes he's straight up taking a nap. Interacting with him twice in a row will wake him up.

6PM - Packs up the van for the day, and moseys into town to get some dinner at the Stardrop Saloon. The player may still approach him to buy something during this time, at which point he will promise to deliver it to their house before he leaves town. Their items will appear in their mailbox the following morning.

9PM - Leaves the Saloon and goes to the beach. Danny sits at the end of the pier with his shoes off, smoking and listening to his walkman.

11PM - Returns to his van for the evening. Interacting with the van causes the player to comment on a 'strange smell' coming from inside, and opens the shop window (with a note from Danny asking to leave any money in the tin he's left out, and the same promise to deliver before he leaves town the next day).

1AM - Lights go out.

🚐 Saturdays

Follows his Wednesday routine until 6PM.

6PM - Packs up the van for the day, at which point the travelling shop is closed, because Danny wants to have a fun Saturday night in town. He immediately heads to the Stardrop Saloon for his dinner, which he eats sitting at the bar.

7PM - Danny orders a beer and will head off to the game room, where he will either bogart the Journey of the Prairie King machine (at which he's amazing) or play pool with any of the other villagers (at which he's god awful).

9PM - A little tipsy at this point, Danny will get down and boogie to whatever's playing on the jukebox! He will happily dance with a willing player or any willing villager!

11PM - Goes outside for a smoke break. Here the player can ask him for 'one last dance' before the saloon closes, at which point he will jokingly ask if they're flirting with him (he does this even if he's married to the player). He never says no, even if the player is seeing someone else romantically in town.

12AM - Goes back to the van and crashes.

🚐 Sundays

6AM - Interacting with the van provides the player with a message from Danny ('Sunday vibes, honour system in place!'). Similarly to the system in place on Wednesday evenings, on Sundays the player will be able to purchase things from the shop without Danny's presence, but they will not be delivered until the following day.

11AM - Wakes up and heads to the General Store to get groceries. He buys a lot of cereal. Like a lot.

12PM - Goes to the beach to get a free lunch from Cordelia, and will eat it sitting on the pier outside the fish shop. He never smokes in front of her store, out of respect, but will comment that he's craving one if approached by the player.

2PM - Hangs out on the swings at the park, doodling in his sketchbook.

From 6PM onwards, Danny will follow his Wednesday schedule until he goes to sleep.

WINTER & RAINY DAYS

On any days it's too cold or wet for Danny to hang around outside, he will stay inside his van all day, where he can be seen and interacted with through the hatch in the side. When the player speaks to him, he will always be making big plans for the next good weather day, which he never follows through on.

VARIATIONS

🚐 Festivals

Danny works at the Night Market and the Desert Festival as a vendor, during which he'll be confined to his van. Every other festival Danny will attend as a guest, regardless of his usual schedule, where he'll greatly enjoy getting involved with local customs.

🚐 Winter 1 - 14

For the first two weeks of winter every year, Danny goes out of town to do a big restock to prepare for the upcoming Night Market and Winter Star Festival. During this time, he only visits once so he can hang out at the Festival of Ice.

🚐 Sundays (Summer)

On Sundays in Summer, Danny will follow his usual routine until 12PM, and then spend the rest of the day chilling at the beach. He only leaves the beach once at 3PM to visit the ice cream stall, and can otherwise be found sunbathing or paddling his feet in the water. If the player interacts with him between 3PM and 4PM, he has an ice cream for them too (only slightly melted).

[heavenlysan]

Cruel Love [4]

Mafialeader!San | Detective!Reader | Soulmates | Choi San x female reader | NSFW | Explicit language? |

Words: 2,494

Chapters:

1 | 2 | 3

(Y/N's POV)

Through all my life I've been always treated like garbage but tonight… what a fucking night. What a fucking exhausting ugly night. I was kicked in the ribs and slapped on the face I haven't felt so humiliated in a long time if this whole fake identity is gonna keep me feeling this way I don't know what I'm gonna do and for how long I'll be able to keep it, I admit that it could've been worse but it wasn't and that was thanks to Choi San.

At least the way back home was in complete silence this man Wooyoung didn't say much he just gave me his jacket to cover my legs and after dropping me off at home he just waved goodbye and disappeared.

I decided to take a long bath and a shower after that mess. Being around men and being treated like meat and just like shit in general definitely made me upset. But then there was Choi San, his behaviour confused completely an old man got shot by him and then the same old man apologised to him and then the owner he called him Mister and I swear his hold felt shaky he was scared of him too. But to me he was a completely different man he didn't seem scary he was… a gentleman.

My old phone started ringing I tried to reach for it as it kept ringing and vibrating but when I finally got it whoever was calling hung up. I looked at the screen to see who it was. It was Irene. But I didn't call her back because I didn't feel like talking to people right now the exhaustion was draining me completely and I just wanted to sleep.

I dropped on the bed to try to sleep but the only thing on my head was Choi San. If he is a cold blooded murderer the big head of a Mafia and a most wanted why was he so nice and even charming? And why was he so nice to me.

As I kept moving and rolling on my bed to find a good position to sleep I abruptly got up remembering that I forgot to put on all the artefacts that were given to me to record my first meeting with Choi San. I fucked up big time. If I didn't die at the bar I'm surely going to die when the moment to give all my reports to Irene comes.

"You think somebody is going to love you? You really think that? just look at you you're nothing an animal has more value than you do. You're ugly and you don't behave like a normal human being. If someone ever shows affection to you is only gonna be out of pity." I look around and I'm in a big empty room the lights are pretty dim and across the room there's that man laughing hysterically at me, the room feels extremely cold and I'm shivering and crying, as I try to hug myself to make myself warmer I realise that I'm tied up in chair. Why? "y/n you're still pretty naive if you could only be smart enough people would consider adopting you" he laughs "But you're ugly and stupid and that's why you're still here and you'll always be here" The lights go off but they come back on in seconds but now I'm no longer tied up and the man is now dead in front of me. And then I hear in the distance "RUN"

I wake up abruptly when I hear there's someone knocking on the door. I get up to open the door and before opening I check the clock it's 10am? When did I sleep so much?

I look through the peephole and I fall on my butt. What is he doing here? He knocks harder after the noise I made by falling down and I'm unable to comprehend what's going on why is Choi San at my door?

"I'm coming" I run to hide all the papers and my old phone under the mattress making sure this place doesn't look like a detective is living here. And I try to look a little bit decent before opening the door.

I shyly open the door "Hey"

He looks so well dressed he's wearing all black and his shirt is unbuttoned just enough to expose a little bit of chest.

"Hi" He says with a smile on his face, "I'm sorry, I hope you don't mind, Wooyoung told me where you live, I just wanted to make sure you were alright"

"Oh you didn't have to, everything's alright after he dropped me off I just went to sleep" I say awkwardly and then I remember that we're still on the door "Shit I'm sorry you wanna come in? I can make you some coffee" He smiles again and just enters.

"You have a nice place" he says and I get so embarrassed because all my normal clothes and my fake ones are all scattered around.

"I'm sorry for the mess let's stay in the kitchen please"

I'm doing a terrible job I'm supposed to be a confident and sexy woman but instead I'm being my normal awkward self, he's gonna find out that I'm a detective and he's most likely going to kill me.

"Don't worry about that princess I don't mind, it's making you blush and you look adorable"

I don't even want to answer that "So how do you like your coffee?"

"Black is alright" He sits and stares at me.

I try to analyze him he's staring at me but it's not the way my boss stares at me or they way Dylan does or the way any other man has ever stared at me. His stare feels… Kind and just different and Choi San keeps confusing me. I snap back when I get embarrassed and turn around breaking our staring contest.

"By the way, it's good that you're here your friend gave me a jacket last night you can take it with you" I say still not looking at him.

"That was my jacket, before you got on your car I gave it to him for you, your dress looked like it was making you uncomfortable"

"Oh" I genuinely don't know how to keep the conversation going I turn around to face him and he smiles really big… he has dimples, beautiful ones "Thanks and thanks for everything last night" I give him his coffee and I sit down next to him.

He sips the coffee and looks back at me "You were new right?"

"Yeah it was my first day there"

"No no I mean new as a…" He tries to find a better word than prostitute.

"A prostitute"

"A sex worker"

"It's the same thing but yes I'm new why?" I try to figure out where this is going to.

"It's nothing princess" He smiles and flips back his hair "I just knew it the moment I saw you"

And then I laugh not so much since I don't want to offend him "Then I probably looked lost"

"Not exactly princess you looked fierce like you weren't up to let anyone touch you and if someone even dared to you'd probably jump on them, you have this gaze that amazed me"

I look at him almost confused and lost. Choi San what do you mean with that and why did you have to appear here. I know that he's lying just to make me feel better about myself If I had looked fierce like he said nobody would've touch me but two men did.

"But anyways, another reason I'm here is because last night I paid for your services" He looks at me and I freeze completely he wants to have sex? As in right now? If he tries something what am I gonna do? I realise that I probably look like a fool when he starts laughing.

"What things are you imagining in your head? I'm not here to have sex princess I want to take you out for dinner"

"Dinner?"

"Yes" He puts a single piece of my hair behind my ear.

He is so close I can see every detail of his face he has a mole close to his eye and I must admit Choi San is extremely good looking and I kind of want to punch him in the face for that nobody should be that handsome.

"I'll go" I say and he opens his eyes not believing what I just said I give him a shy smile and he does the same.

He finishes his coffee and gets up to the door "I'll come back tonight to pick you up at 7pm" he gently holds my chin and I thoughtlessly hold my breath. "I'll see you later princess" And then he walks away.

I close the door and I drop on the floor holding my legs astonished not knowing what just happened confused it's not even the word to describe what I'm feeling right now what am I even feeling right now?

My old phone starts ringing and it brings me back to this dimension.

"Hello?"

"Miss y/ln, it's Irene I called you yesterday but there was no answer everything went alright? We don't expect you to meet Choi San right away that would be impossible he's definitely unreachable but we'll get ther…"

"I met him" There's a silence on the phone

"You what? You recorded everything right? That's crucial for this investigation"

Fuck

"No I didn't" I pause and I close my eyes with fear "I forgot to put on the mic"

There's another silence. She's pissed.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that, today you're completely free I want an extremely detailed report I told you this is important and you're not in the place to fuck this up"

"I'm actually not free I'm seeing him again tonight"

"That is not possible we've been trying to get slightly close to him for the last 2 years and you got this close in one night? There is no way" She pauses "You had sex with him didn't you? After all you're pretending to be a prostitute I guess you played too well your new role"

Her words are hurtful and I take a moment to absorb what she just said.

"Okay I want the report tomorrow morning" Before I speak she ends the call.

No I did not have sex with him you stupid bitch. "you played too well your new role" that was disrespectful and so unprofessional just because she has a higher position than I do more money than I do and more in general than I do doesn't give her the right to talk to me like this.

I get in the shower and after that I quickly grab something to eat if I'm gonna be busy with Choi San and I have to send my report in the morning I need to start writing now.

Choi San

…

Hours pass and absolutely nothing comes to my mind what should I even write? Choi San is a charming man that respects women? They would laugh at me. I can't write about him shooting a man it would be just like the people that tried to report him we have no evidence without evidence we're back to zero I don't know who's the man that he shot to have him as the victim so that's not really an option besides that man looked frightened he didn't even want to make eye contact with Choi San I'm pretty sure he would deny everything or blame someone else.

There's a knock on the door is that him? No way it's still too early and I look like trash. I see through the peephole and there's a delivery guy. He probably has the wrong address but I open the door anyway.

"Hello package for y/n" Says the delivery man.

What?

"You have the wrong y/n then, I didn't order it"

"No ma'am I got specific instructions to send it exactly here just sign here please" Oh shit I don't have a fake signature, I improvise one and the man gives me a big red box I say thanks and I close the door.

I've watched a lot of movies and I just know that this is from him but this can't be good a mysterious box out of the blue is a big red flag, he totally found out about the real me and he probably sent a snake, a deadly one to kill me. I stare for too long at the box across the room he was too nice to be real it was just a facade.

After over thinking for too long I grow a pair and I slowly open the box there's thin paper covering whatever it's inside but thankfully there's no sign of a snake I remove all the paper. It's a dress and at the bottom of the box there's a card.

Just a little something for tonight you can wear this or whatever you want, I know you'll look beautiful regardless of what you choose

San

Wait… I take a few steps back not believing what I'm seeing. I jump on the bed and I put a pillow on my face and I let out a big and loud scream. First of all what the fuck.

I get up again and I hold the dress pressed against my body in front of a mirror it's a beautiful tight black dress with long sleeves and exposed shoulders. It's so pretty and it isn't too short and that's such a relief it's the perfect length for me.

It's 6pm he'll be here in an hour so I have to hurry up. I put on the dress and must say I don't look bad at all it fits so well it's as if it was designed just for me I check tutorials on the Internet to do my makeup no the one I'd usually wear to work or any other simple day but something more fitting to the occasion. I look at myself in the mirror I feel weird in all this since I don't think I've ever looked like this but I feel confident and happy with myself.

I look up to the clock and I apparently took too much time on my appearance it's almost 7pm and he'll be here any moment now. I run back to the room opening the briefcase and search for the artefacts to actually record my meeting with Choi San this time I grab the mic and the mini camera that look like earrings and I put them on.

I hear a soft knock on the door and I stare at myself one last time on the mirror and I turn on both the mic and the camera before finally opening.

Oh shit

[thevelvetseries]

The Halstead’s (Part 1)

Overall Summary : This story will follow Will Halstead, Jay Halstead and Y/N Halstead. We all know Will as being a Third-Year Attending Physician in Emergency Medicine at Gaffney Chicago, and Jay Halstead as a detective at the 21st district. Y/N Halstead is a 17 year old girl about to start her senior year of high school. She is a grade A student and always does the right thing. One night her friend hosts a party and Y/N loosens up and get a little drunk. What consequences will follow?

Pairing : Jay Halstead x Sister Reader / Will Halstead x Sister Reader

Warnings : Fluff, Angst, Implied Smut, Pregnancy, Brotherly Love, Natalie Bonding, Passing Out

Series Masterlist / Main Masterlist

Chicago. The Windy City. The home of the bears, and where I have lived my whole life with my two older brothers Jay and Will Halstead. I’m there little sister Leah Halstead. I’m currently in my last coming weeks of junior year before summer vacation and I head face first into my senior year of high school. At this moment in time I’m living with my older brother Will in his house, and spend weekends round Jays apartment, since I have a room at each place. I stay with Will during the week since it’s closer to school, longer time to sleep.

 It’s an early Friday morning. I can hear a loud ringing by my head. I know its my alarm clock, its time to get up. With my eyes still close I blindly. After a few minutes my eyes start to open. The glare of sunshine starts to burst through the window and blinds me, I shut my eyes and rub them. Once my body has adjusted I remove my duvet from my body and slip on my slippers that sit by my bed, and starts to walk downstairs to the kitchen. The smell of waffles feel my nose. Will was making his famous blueberry waffles which I’ll admit everyone loved.

 “Morning Will” I say while thinking about the science test I have to take today during 3rd period. Will turns around with a plate full of food and places it down in front of me and does the same for himself. 

 “Morning kiddo, you ready for today” he asked while eating his own breakfast. I nod. 

 “Yeah, I’ve studied. I think I’m going to do ok.” 

 10 minutes pass and I’m now done with my breakfast and headed upstairs to get ready for the day. While I was doing my hair my phone goes off and it’s a text from Veronica. ‘Hey, we are all going to get ready at Shay’s tonight for her party. Meet me after school at the gate, bring everything you’ll need’

 I finished getting ready and get out the outfit I had already got together for the party. It was a simple red maxi dress and some black heels. I placed them in my bag and added my makeup bag as well for retouches. Jay and Will already said I could go, when Shay came up with the idea, we never normally would host the party’s but this time we were. Since I was driving myself to school today, I’d just leave everything in the boot of the car to keep everything safe.

 Once I was ready I collected everything I need for tonight and that I needed for school and made my way downstairs. Where I found Will in the front room getting his shoes on, getting ready to leave for work himself.

 “Hey Will, instead of come home after school and getting ready here, we’re just gonna go straight to Shay’s from school to save time. Oh, and don’t forget I’m staying over after so I’ll be home sometime tomorrow morning, early afternoon.” I tell Will  

 He got up from the couch and out his coat on. “Yeah ok, just text me or Jay so we know you are safe and sound please.” I smile and nod and say goodbye before heading out and going to school.

 On the way to school I stop by and pick up Veronica and Shay like normal, Shay was going on about how she was really excited about tonight since it was her first time throwing a party and she couldn’t wait. While Veronica was reading over her science notes so she could ace this test. Once we finally arrived at school we all head to our home room. I go inside and sit at the back of the classroom like normal. I’m scrolling through Instagram while the bell rings and Mrs Boden walk through the doors. She take all our attendance gave out important messages for the day before we all headed off for our first lesson of the day.

 Once the school day was over, we all gather up our things and head towards the school gates, I turn left towards the parking lot and wait for Shay and Veronica in my car since it was cold. Suddenly a loud bang came from the passenger side window, I jumped 10 ft in the air and looked and saw Shay and Veronica laughing there heads off, and getting inside.

 “OMG! Guys you’ve got to stop scaring my like that. I’m going to die from it one day.” I say while starting the car up and headed out the school parking lot.

 When we got to shays we all gather around in the kitchen eating the left over pizza Shay had from last night and talking about random things. When it got to around 5pm we all thought that we should start to get ready for the party tonight before setting up everything. We each took shower and redid our hair and makeup before getting dressed. Around 7pm Jeff, Dean, Spencer and Chloe arrive with the keg and some extra snacks. The boys tap the keg and place it in the backyard while the rest of us finish getting ready. I started putting chips into different bowls and ordered some different pizza’s for everyone to enjoy.

 The party was now in full swing, people dancing, drinking, talking just having fun. Relaxing. I’m currently sitting outside by the pool talking to Jeff and was on my 4th drink of the night. I’m starting to feel a little buzz from the alcohol that I’ve consumed in the past few hours, but was still alert to know what was going on around me. I was feeling happy. The cool breeze hits my body and goosebumps arose on my skin. I’m wearing a maxi dress in Chicago, of course it’s cold but I didn’t care, the alcohol was definitely taking affect. 

 Me and Jeff kept talking, laughing and just having fun like we always do. After about 30 minutes me and Jeff start to kiss, it wasn’t the first time either. Me and Jeff have had a sexual relationship for a year now but we aren’t dating. When things start to get a little heated we headed upstairs and found a vacant bedroom and locked the door behind us. Next things next we are both naked on the bed, what I didn’t know was that this decision would cause a huge bump in my life later down the road.

 I was awoken by daylight coming through the window. I was in Shay’s bedroom laying next to Veronica on the floor surrounded by pillows. While Shay and Chloe and Spencer where in the bed. I look up and see Spencer on he phone and Chloe watching TV on mute. I sit up and put on my hoodie to warm myself up a little, since the window had been left opened all night long. “Morning Y/N/N” Spencer said while getting up to use the bathroom.

 “Morning Spenc” I yawn as I head over to Shay’s vanity and brush all the knots out of my hair. Bit by bit all of us girls wake up and head downstairs to Shay’s kitchen to find something that we wanted for breakfast. Shay and Veronica decided to get McDonald’s for breakfast so why the rest of us where waiting for them to come back with breakfast we starting watching a movie in the front room and talking about the party last night.

 After breakfast we all got cleaned up, and watched a few more movies before all heading home. I dropped Veronica back at her house and continued until I reached mine. One I turned down my street and got closer to the house I notice that Jay’s car is parked out, he’s probably came over to have breakfast with Will before work. When I finally I entered the house it was 10am and I came home to the sound of the TV, and found Jay and Will eating waffles and watching the news. 

 “Hey guys” I say while taking my shoes off and hanging up my coat on the hook by the door.

 “Hey” they both say in unison. “How was the party? Hope you had fun.” Jay said while taking another bit of his waffle.

 “Yeah, I had fun. It was nice to just relax for once.” I say while taking a seat between will and Jay and taking part of Will’s waffle. He gave me a little looked, like he was annoyed but he couldn’t hold it and smiled.

 An hour later Jay left for work and me and Will stayed relaxing on the sofa watching the horror movie channel. At some point in the movie I feel asleep and woke up with a blanket covering me and no Will in sight and hearing the front door close.

 “Will?” I voiced loudly to see if her was still home. I heated footsteps coming closer Jay and Will both came in into the front room.

 “How long was I asleep?” I say while sitting up.

 “4 hours, you must have been really tired from last night? How much. Did you drink?” Will asked. I rubbed my eye and started to sit up. 

 “Errrmmm. I didn’t have a lot. 4 drinks altogether.” I say even though I know I had about 6 by the end of the night. I know it may not seem like a lot, but for me someone who doesn’t drink that often it was. He looked at me suspiciously and nodded.

 I placed my head on Jays lap and continued to watch the TV. After about an hour and Jay tells me it’s time to leave. Since it was Saturday I stay with him. I get up and pack some things I need and put on my coat and shoes, say goodbye to Will and head down to Jays car. 

 “Jay can we get Chinese for dinner?” I ask while trying to look as innocent as possible to try and get my way. He looked at me with raised eyebrows. 

 “Fine, only because I want an egg roll.” I giggled at his response.

 We got to Jays around 6pm with dinner in our hands. We go inside and eat and relax in the front room watching Netflix. I’m sitting on the other end of the couch to Jay, I can see him thinking things in his head. Everything since I was little Jay has always been the brother I go to when I want to talk about my feelings or when something was bothering me ever since I was little and Will was more the one who would help me out with my problems, so I could always tell when something was bothering Jay like he could with me. 

 “Jay, what you thinking about?” I said while looking at him.

 “It’s nothing sweetie, it’s just a case I’m working on. Nothing for you to worry about” he says. I move up the couch and cuddle into him. He stokes my hair and I start to get tired and end up falling asleep in his lap.

The Halstead’s Tag-List

@ms-reader @thatwrestlingfan91 @shootingcosmos @graziapetrova @graciecliffx @myhre99 @novelty-keeper @wdwiskey @gushinim @immis95 @jellyfish-0fficial @fwirwin @aspiring-fangirls-world @qualitypolicelady @livibrendlinger @angelreyesgirl100 @scatchia​ @angie1djonasgg​ @vxxn128​

[theritualofourexistence]

The Mountaintop

This spring my brother wrote a poem. My family has always felt and appreciated the weight of history and this spring, as we recognized the passing of the 50th year since Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, it’s hard to keep from wondering how the world would be different if his light wasn’t so tragically and abruptly extinguished. It is hard for me to use the word “anniversary,” because an anniversary is meant to be a celebration of sorts. This is no celebration. Below is the poem written by my brother, memorializing the man who faced the world, boldly determined to change it, while honoring his students facing that same world, still undeniably against them.

---

April 3rd, 1968, 7PM

Quote.  “Something is happening in Memphis; something is happening in our world.”  End quote.

A thunderous rain is beating down on the roof of the Mason Temple, not far from downtown Memphis.

It’s the type of storm that feels like it wants to tear everything down—one of those storms that you can’t see through.  Where it feels like there is more water than air.  It feels like the water will crush everything—pull everything towards the earth with destructive force.

A man is speaking inside the temple.  He speaks about the promised land.  He speaks about death.  He speaks about hope.  And he speaks about the world he’ll leave behind.  His voice is louder than the rain battering everything down.  The voice of the water overhead screeches and volleys barrage after barrage of sound.  But the man is still heard.

Quote.  “I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!” End quote.

April 4th, 1968, 6PM

Quote. “I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light.”  End quote.

Evening sunlight falls on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel.  The only sound is of the men on the balcony talking and laughing.  Their dark suits stand out against the pastels of the walls behind them—a perfect scene to capture in black and white.

The man with the patterned tie calls down to the man in the parking lot beneath them.  He requests a song that he wants to hear that night.  “Take My Hand, Precious Lord.”  It’s his favorite hymn, and he wants it to be played like never before that night.  The man looking up at him promises he’ll do just that.

A harsh popping sound cuts across the sky.

Quote.  “When the darkness appears and the night draws near, and the day is past and gone, at the river I stand, guide my feet, hold my hand.” End quote.

March 29th, 2018, 10PM

There’s a young boy at his standard spot—a store he finds himself in almost daily.  The only light a block in any direction comes from stores like this one.  They’re like lighthouses; the neon light from the signs out front commingled with the grainy, fluorescent light from inside pulses constantly—off-white streaks of light across a sea of darkness and concrete.  The only sound on the street is of the humming of the lights.

The boy is feeling bold.  Mostly thirsty though.  He grabs a can and runs.  There is a chase.  A chorus of pops erupts into the darkness of the night—flashes of light and sound signalling some warning to the lighthouses on the block.

The signal isn’t heard.  The boy is left to die.  It rains on his wake a few days later.

April 3rd, 2018, 9AM

We’re writing stories about people watching speeches in Creative Writing class.  Some folks will use the MLK anniversary as inspiration.  Some won’t.  That’s fine.  As long as they create a picture of whatever story they tell.

We watch clips from the Mountaintop Speech.  I tell them the story.  You know the one.  There was a terrible storm.  They thought no one would show up.  But hundreds did.  So the speech was given, with no preparation or writing ahead of time.  

I tell them to pay attention to the weather tonight.  It’s supposed to rain.  If it does, let the rain remind them again of what happened fifty years ago—coincidental weather complementing prophetic words.

April 3rd, 2018, 10AM

Quote.  “What do you think about it, Mr. Rosenberger?”  End quote.

We’re talking about the boy who was shot.  There is confusion, pain, and exhaustion.  We’ve had a lot of conversations like this one this year.

Quote.  “‘What do I think about it? I get scared for y’all.  And I love you.’

‘We love you too,’ you replied.”  End quote.

April 3rd, 2018, 8PM

Quote.  “What dreams may come, both dark and deep, of flying wings and soaring leap, as I surrender unto sleep.”  End quote.

I’m sitting at my desk listening to this song that always makes me cry thinking about the past few days.  I’m thinking about what I didn’t say when you all asked me what I thought about the shooting.  What I didn’t say… or couldn’t say… is that I see each of your faces in his face.  And I imagine the phone call.  And the name I recognize—as opposed to the name that becomes one of the other names.

The name that gets added to the list.  The list that doesn’t stop growing.

One day I see your name at the bottom of that list.  And the next morning I see his name.  And that evening I see her name at the bottom.  And as sleep overtakes me that night, I see their names appearing there too. We’ve built this indescribable thing, this strange, dark, ugly, towering structure.  We crafted it rapidly at first.   But now, we’re building it more slowly—moving to hidden sections, nooks and crannies, any place away from prying eyes.  We expand it.  We undo sections only to change them slightly and hide them in harder to find places. It’s raining on this thing—this building—we’ve built.  And after each storm.  After each surface, crag, and protrusion has been wiped raw by the force of the rain, the new names can be seen—etched in order following the others—the ones that have always been there—and the ones that just appeared after the latest storm.

Fifty years ago, Martin was jolted to sleep by popping and tearing, metal and bone.  And his name was added.  Five days ago, Dorian was jolted to sleep by popping and tearing, metal and bone.  And his name was added.  Each storm passes, and these people pass too.  The water disappears, replaced by their names.

It’s raining tonight too.  Tonight and on every night like this one, this city will hide its tears in the rain.  That’s what it’s been doing for as long as it can remember.  And it’s been raining that whole time too—harder on some days but still.

Quote.  “‘Is that the universe?’ you say.  ‘It’s not nothing,’ I reply.”  End quote.

---

Today I challenge you to take stock of your privilege. Then, and most importantly, use your privilege to balance the scales.

[celawrites]

Day 5

I was wrong. So so wrong. 365 days is going to pass slower than expected, and thinking of new ways to confess every day is even harder than expected. Someone let me commit not alive I’ll pay you. My alarm rips me out of my sleep as usual and at this point, I’m not even going to complain about it.

I decided to take longer on breakfast today. Actually making a sandwich instead of heating up a store-bought hot pocket or something. That costs me 5 minutes of being early to school but I don’t mind that much, I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to see me anyways.

The drive to school is chaotic. I had decided to let one of my classmates carpool with me and while I’ve almost crashed the car 20 times, I don’t regret anything.

“stOP SCrEAMiNG EVeRY tIMe I hIt tHE brAKeS dAMmIT” “I dOn’t KNOW WHY I TRUSTED YOU WITH MY LIFE HHHH”

“ThaT’s oN yOu bUddy” I paused. “We’re both 17 and only one us can drive. So please. If you’re scared for your life, I suggest you learn how to drive.”

“Would it be strange to say I trust you with my life more than I trust myself?”

“I- I’m honored?”

“Don’t let it get to your head”

“Oh shut up”

It was silent before I had decided to speak up again.

“oH lOOk wE’Re 20 mINuTEs EarLY. Let’S grAb A slUShIE”

“oMG BET”

I was thankful for my school’s position. Next to 7/11, Paul’s Place, Weinersnitchels, AND A BOBA STORE?? THIS WAS HEAVEN.

“Blue? Really?”

“Says the one with red.”

“Hey if we made out would it make purple?” We were awfully close to the tables.

“Idk wanna try?” I winked, on the verge of dying.

In the corner of my eye, I see him leave. He seems upset. Is it because I was joking about making out with someone else?

“nOOOooO coME bAcK bBy iM sORRY. I would nEvER cheAT oN yOu. I toLD yOU yOu’RE the oNLY onE foR mEeE” I chased after him.

“How do you even speak in contorted letters?” he scoffed.

Choosing to ignore the question, I gave him the best puppy eyes I could muster. “yOU know I could never cheat on you. You mean too much to me”

“That didn’t seem like the case a second ago.”

“Stop being a salty child. You know that I love you too much to cheat on you” I stop to think. “we”RE YOU PERHAPS JEALOUS?”

“Where is that thought even coming from”

“My intuition”

“I thought we agreed that you shouldn’t trust your intuition?”

“Eh. noW STOP AVOIDING THE QUESTION AND ANSWER ME”

“No.”

“Whatever you say you tsundere”

And so the day passes. Screaming, yelling, scolding, talking, and the dreaded AP classes. School ends and my phone gets a ping.

I got my first college letter today

Clown: oOO

Clown: I got mINE tOO!

Clown: Wanna open them together?

Clown is now calling…

“Which college is it from?”

“I think it was CIT”

“oMg yOU inTELlECTUAL. It’s first of many letters”

“Which college is yours from?”

“UC Berkely. You wanna open it first?”

“Sure”

The sound of an envelope opening was heard and a soft gasp.

“I’ve been accepted. With a scholarship”

“Not to be dry but I’m not surprised”

“No worries. I think you’re already thinking that I’m going to get accepted into any college I apply to”

“Pretty much”

“Your turn”

I cut the letter open and scanned the page.

“I’m accepted”

“With the novel you published on your blog years ago? Not that surprised either. You have like 200k votes and kudos or something. And then 28,930 reblogs”

“Wow you’ve been keeping count?”

“I liked the story. Though it was more of a crackfic, it was still nice”

“I’m touched”

“Anything else? I’m going to go to bed.”

“Alright genius. Goodnight”

“You better not text me to go to McDonalds tonight again”

“Watch me”

Call ended

7pm. It would cut off into my sleep but I don’t mind. Speaking of which, where’s my mom? I thought she said she would visit soon. It doesn’t matter, she’s probably in Italy having the time of her life or something. 7pm. Brush my teeth, shower, go to bed.

3am. Wake up. Grab my Chromebook, scream, grab my backpack, start the car, off TO MCDONALDSSSSSS!

Clown: Hey

Clown: Hey

Clown: Wanna get McDonalds with me?

No

Go to bed

Clown: You’re no fun

Seen at 3:10am

“mY FAVORITE EMPLOYEE!”

“Hello to you too darling”

“Can I get the usual?”

“Do you want a coffee with that?”

“Oh yes please”

I drove up to the second window.

“Have I ever told you that you’re a lifesaver?”

“Plenty of times. Now good luck typing at school, and stay safe darling”

“You too”

And just like the last, I’m gone again.

Previous : Masterlist : Next

[tamboradventure]

Visiting Iceland in 2019: Detailed Itineraries for the Land of Fire and Ice

Posted: 1/24/2019 | January 24th, 2018

Windswept volcanoes. Black sand beaches nuzzled against rugged coastlines. Secret hot springs hidden in misty valleys while majestic waterfalls cascade from every hill.

Welcome to Iceland.

It’s a destination unlike any other in Europe. Its unique landscapes and natural wonders perfectly complement the modern capital of Reykjavik with its café culture and boozy, rambunctious nightlife.

Iceland is known as both the Land of Elves and the Land of Fire and Ice. It’s a country where you’ll find smoldering active volcanoes and vivid blue glaciers side by side. Horses and sheep dot the countryside, colorful puffins flock along the cliffs, and whales breach the choppy Atlantic waters that envelop this tiny island.

It’s easy to see why Iceland has become such a popular destination in recent years (all those cheap stopover flights have helped greatly too).

And, while it’s not the most budget-friendly country in the world, there are still ways to see the sights without breaking the bank!

If you’re planning a weekend getaway or want to drive the entirety of the island, this list of Iceland itineraries will ensure that you see the best the country has to offer!

Table of Contents

One Weekend in Reykjavik

Four Days in the South

Four Days in the North

One Week: Golden Circle and Southern Iceland

Two Weeks: Exploring the Ring Road

One Month: Everything!

  What to See and Do in Iceland: One Weekend in Reykjavik

Day 1

Take a tour of the city I always like to start my trips with a free walking tour. They’re a fantastic way to see a destination, learn about its history and culture, and get all your questions answered by someone who knows what they’re talking about. City Walk and Free Walking Tour Reykjavik both offer great free tours of the city. They’ll help you get a sense of Reykjavik so you can decide what you want to revisit later. The tours are donation based, so just make sure to tip your guide!

Explore Laugavegur When you’re in need of a coffee or snack, go for a stroll down Laugavegur, a shop- and café-lined street in the center of the city. This is the oldest (and coolest) street in Iceland, and you’ll find everything from expensive couture to dollar stores here. Be sure to stop in a bakery for a pastry or a coffee. My personal favorite is Mokka Kaffi.

Visit a museum After that, make your way to the National Museum of Iceland, where you will learn everything you need to know about this tiny Nordic nation. The most famous piece in the collection is the Valþjófsstaður door, a piece carved in the Middle Ages that illustrates the saga of the lion and the knight. The museum does a fantastic job of giving you a robust history of the country without being boring.

If you’d rather visit a more unconventional museum, consider a visit to the Icelandic Phallological Museum instead. Colloquially known as the Penis Museum, this small institution is home to the world’s largest collection of penises and penis-themed art. Yes, you read that right! There are almost 300 items in the museum, including whale penises and (allegedly) troll penises! It’s a small museum, but it’s actually incredibly informative — if you’re not too shy!

National Museum: Suðurgata 41, +354 530-2200, thjodminjasafn.is. Open daily 10am-5pm (closed on Mondays in the winter). Admission is 2,000 ISK (1,000 ISK for students/seniors).

Icelandic Phallological Museum: Laugavegur 116, +354 561-6663, phallus.is/en. Open daily 10am-6pm. Admission is 1,700 ISK per person.

Go for a swim Once you’ve gotten tired of walking, go for a refreshing swim in the Laugardalslaug Geothermal Pool. Swimming and saunas are how locals relax and unwind after work. It’s basically a national pastime. This pool is Iceland’s largest and was built in 1968. It’s actually a whole complex with hot tubs, a thermal steam bath, a waterslide, and even mini golf! If you have extra time, check out the nearby garden and zoo too.

Sundlaugavegur 105, +354 411-5100, reykjavik.is/stadir/laugardalslaug. Open weekdays 6:30am-10pm and weekends 8am-10pm. Admission is 625 ISK, though if you have the Reykjavik City Card, it’s free!

Take in the nightlife End your day enjoying the city’s famous nightlife back around Laugavegur. This is one of the best party cities in the world, so there’s something for everyone. Just make sure to go during happy hour so you don’t blow your budget (alcohol in Iceland is not cheap!). Here are a couple of my favorite hotspots in Reykjavik:

Kaffibarinn – This café transforms into a dance club on the weekend, and it’s a great place to party. The space is divided into three different sections (bar, dance floor, and lounge), so you can find a section for however you want to spend your night out. It’s small, so seats can fill up quickly. Bergstaðastræti 1, +354 551-1588, kaffibarinn.is.

Lebowski Bar – Yes, this is a Big Lebowski–themed bar. The inside looks like a vintage American diner and bowling alley. And, since The Dude drinks a lot of White Russians, its menu includes a wide variety of different ones. Its signature Lebowski cheeseburger is pretty good too. Spin the prize wheel to win up to 10 free beers! Aim for happy hour, which is held daily 4pm–7pm, as drinks are cheaper then. Laugavegur 20b, +354 552-2300, lebowskibar.is.

Slippbarinn — This is the first proper cocktail bar in the city and boasts live music and DJs several nights a week. Happy hour is daily 3pm-6pm. Myragata 2, +354 560 8080, slippbarinn.is.

Where to stay in Reykjavik: Hlemmur Square – If you’re looking to splash out, this is both a cozy hotel and an upscale hostel, so you have options for your type of stay. There’s a great bar here, plus traditional Icelandic communal dinners several times a week.

For a more standard hostel, stay at Kex Hostel. It has a café and bar with an awesome happy hour, a comfy lounge, and a heated patio.

Day 2

Explore the Golden Circle The Golden Circle — comprising the Gullfoss waterfall, the Strokkur geyser, and Þingvellir National Park — is the biggest tourist draw in Iceland, so you’ll want to start your second day early and head out of town in a rental car (or on a tourist bus). As tourism booms in Iceland, these sites can get a little crowded, so make sure you get there early (especially in the summer and on weekends).

The round-trip journey is around 250km, so plan accordingly when it comes to food and fuel (if you’re driving). If you’re driving, you’ll also be able to stop regularly to see the many Icelandic horses that you’ll pass by.

Experience the famous Blue Lagoon This is one of the most iconic destinations in Iceland. The pools are quite large, and the whole area is steamy, with the water a stunning milky-blue color that is rather photogenic (which is why the lagoon is so popular on social media). It’s a beautiful and luxurious way to end the day, and a great place to relax right before you depart.

Personally, I think the place is a bit overhyped, as there are tons of free, secluded hot springs all around the country. Of course, if you’re short on time and don’t plan on leaving the city, then it’s the perfect way to end your trip!

Fun fact: The Blue Lagoon is simply runoff from the nearby geothermal plant. Icelanders just found a way to monetize it for tourists! Thank you, Instagram? Ha!

Norðurljósavegur 9, +354 420-8800, bluelagoon.com. Open daily, but hours vary, so check the website for an up-to-date schedule. Admission starts at 9,990 ISK per person, but it can be cheaper if you go during certain hours.

READ MORE: How to save money in Reykjavik  

What to See and Do in Iceland: Four Days in the South

In addition to the itinerary above, here are some activities you’ll want to add if you plan on getting further outside of Reykjavik to explore the southern region of Iceland.

Day 3

Experience nature Head southeast on the Ring Road from Reykjavík to scout out some waterfalls. Be prepared and bring swimsuits, towels, a waterproof camera, and a jacket.

Reykjadalur – Stop in the town of Hveragerði to visit the Reykjadalur hot spring (or hot pot, as they are known locally). It offers a gorgeous backdrop of rolling hills and mountains, and it’s free to enjoy. You’ll need to hike a bit to get there (30-40 minutes), but it’s worth it! Keep in mind that there’s not a private changing area here, so you may want to wear your swimsuit under your clothes.

Seljalandsfoss – Continuing on the Ring Road, you’ll come to the picturesque Seljalandsfoss waterfall. It has a drop of 60m and is another highly photographed spot in Iceland, so try to get there early before the tourist buses. You have to pay for parking, but otherwise it’s free. If you’re hungry, there’s a food vendor that sells delicious lamb stew (among other things).

Skógafoss – Another epic waterfall is Skógafoss. Legend says that you can find a treasure chest behind this massive waterfall. This is also the starting point for a long, multi-day hike, but you can also just climb to the top and walk for as long as you’d like before returning. There’s a small museum nearby as well if you want to learn more about the history of the waterfall.

Seljavallalaug – This hot pot is located a short walk off the Ring Road. It’s not super hot, and the change room has seen better days, but it’s secluded and it’s worth it just for the scenery, as its located at the bottom of a deep valley.

Make Your way to Vík Head to the charming little town of Vík and spend the night there. Vík is a seaside village with a glacier that covers the Katla volcano. It’s also home to some amazing black sand beaches and a DC-3 plane wreck in Sólheimasandur (located on the coast between Skógafoss and Vík).

Where to stay in Vík: Vík HI Hostel – This charming hostel has a café/bar, a female-only dorm, rooms for families, and a kitchen so you can cook your own food if you’re on a budget.

Day 4

Chill at the beach Wake up in Vík and go for a stroll on the otherworldly Reynisfjara black sand beach. There are some offshore rock formations you can see from the shore and from the cliffs above if you feel like a hike. If you’re here from May through August, you may even get to see some puffins!

Take in the view If there’s time, head up the hill to see the small Vík i Myrdal Church. It overlooks the town and gives a complete view of Vík and the ocean. Grab a coffee at a local café and enjoy the scenic vista.

Head for home Head back to Reykjavik. See more sights, chill in more cafés. Do whatever you want before you head home! (sad)  

What to See and Do in Iceland: Four Days in the North

If you want to get away from the crowds, go north. Northern Iceland is one of the least-visited regions of the country and has a lot to offer the intrepid adventurer, including majestic hikes, more varied landscapes, whale watching, fewer people, and a better chance to see the Northern Lights!

Day 1

Travel north to Akureyri Start your adventure off by flying north to Akureyri from Reykjavik. If you don’t want to fly, it’s a 5-6-hour drive from Reykjavik up the west coast, which can easily be done in a day. You’ll just want to factor in a few stops along the way to sightsee!

Explore Akureyri Take a self-guided tour of the town, visit the Akureyri Botanical Gardens, get an espresso from the picturesque Laut Café, hop in the local swimming pool, or just explore the relatively small town and sip on some kaffi (coffee) and “happy marriage cake” (rhubarb jam–filled pastry with a buttery oat crust) from Kristjánsbakarí. Soak up local life as much as you can before you go!

Where to stay in Akureyri: Akureyri Backpackers – This is a laid-back hostel with a cool bar, great staff, and really hot showers!

Day 2

Visit the Waterfall of the Gods Make your way to Goðafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods. It’s a majestic semicircular waterfall that’s close to Akureyri on the Ring Road. The waterfall is over 12m tall and 30m wide, and (not surprisingly) is highly photogenic! Enjoy the view before heading onward to Mývatn.

Head to Mývatn Spend the day in Mývatn, starting off with a hike around Lake Mývatn. There is an easy trail you can follow that lets you stretch your legs and enjoy the natural beauty of the region. You can easily hike the lake in a few hours if you go at a leisurely place. Then head to the Mývatn Nature Baths geothermal pool, which is much quieter (and cheaper) than the Blue Lagoon.

There’s not much else to do here. It’s a quiet town for relaxing, but the lack of lights makes it a wonderful place to see the northern lights!

Spend the night in Mývatn at one of the many Airbnbs, guesthouses, or farm stays in the region.

Day 3

Pretend you’re on Mars Next, you’ll want to head toward the coastal town of Húsavík. On your way there, stop at Hverir and Krafla, two geothermal areas with Martian-like craters and lakes. Steaming sulfur fills the air, giving this whole area an otherworldly ambience. You can just stop to take photos or go for another hike.

Visit Dettifoss Next, head to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall. There are two roads leading here from the Ring Road: 862 and 864. The latter is ridden with potholes, but in my opinion offers the better view. Just drive slowly and keep an eye on your tires! Enjoy a snack by the waterfall and take in the scene. When you’re ready, drive to Húsavík (you can take the 864 north from Dettifoss).

Visit the Whale Museum Whaling has been a part of Icelandic culture for centuries. And while there is a global moratorium on hunting whales, it’s still worth learning about these massive creatures, their habitat, and their impact on the country. They also have a full blue whale skeleton!

Hafnarstétt 1, +354 414-2800, hvalasafn.is/en. Open daily with hours varying depending on the season. Admission is 2,000 ISK per person, with discounts available for seniors, families, and kids. If you go whale-watching with Gentle Giants, you’ll get 20% off your museum ticket.

Where to stay: Spend the night in sleepy Húsavík at a local guesthouse or Airbnb. If it’s northern lights season, stay at Arbot HI Hostel. The hostel is in a relatively secluded spot outside of town so you’ll have a great view of the dancing lights without having to worry about light pollution.

Day 4

Watch the whales and explore the coast Wake up early, head to the coast, and go whale-watching. There are a few different companies you can book tours with here, including Gentle Giants, who have a partnership with the Whale Museum (see above). Whale-watching tours usually last around 3 hours. Expect to pay around 10,400 ISK for adults and 4,400 ISK for children.

When you’re done, explore the hiking trails around Húsavík. You can find a list of the trails on the Visit Húsavík website. Pop into some of the local shops and cafés to get a sense of small-town life here in Northern Iceland.

See some unique architecture Travel to nearby Laufás, which is located west of Húsavík. Here you’ll get to see the old turf houses, traditional Icelandic homes that are timber framed and covered in grass. The furnishings are from around 1900, and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time. While in Laufás, take a small detour and check out the church. Inside is a decorative pulpit from 1698!

Have an Icelandic feast Go back to Akureyri to explore the city and dine on fresh fish and chips from Akureyri Fish & Chips. Don’t forget to sample the country’s famous ice cream from Brynja too!

Note: I know it sounds like a lot, but if you have a car, this itinerary is very doable.  

What to Do In One Week in Iceland: Golden Circle and Southern Iceland

Day 1-2

Head East Fly into Keflavík International Airport and rent a car (SAD Cars and Car Rental Iceland are the companies I recommend). Head east from Reykjavík along the Ring Road to start your adventure!

Soak in the hot springs and search for puffins Head east for a soak in the Reykjadalur hot springs in Hveragerði. Camp or stay at the hostel nearby so you can get another soak in before heading onward.

To get a bit off the beaten trail, take the ferry to the Westman Islands for the afternoon or an overnight stay (you’ll find plenty of puffins here during the summer season!). There are very few tourists here, so it’s a nice way to escape the crowds and relax.

Chase some waterfalls Venturing onward along the Ring Road, head to Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. At Skógafoss, the 29km Fimmvörðuháls Trail begins. If you want to hike the entire trail, you can stay at the Volcano Huts at the end of the route and then take a bus back to Skógafoss in the morning. If you’re fit, you can do this hike in a day. Otherwise, you’ll need to bring tents and camp halfway. If an epic hike isn’t in the cards, stroll around the area before continuing east toward Vík.

Tour a crash site Before you get to Vík, you’ll want to check out the DC-3 plane wreck in Sólheimasandur. It’s about a 45-minute walk from the Ring Road, but it’s worth it to see the crash up close (you can no longer drive directly to the site). Dress appropriately, as it can get windy near the coastline.

Spot puffins Continue on to Vík and stop to see the black sand beaches. There are also two short hikes nearby that take you up the cliffs. They offer incredible views of the areas, and if it’s the right season, you can go puffin spotting!

Where to stay: For your first night, stay at the Hot Springs Hostel in Hveragerði (right near the hot spring). That way you can wake up early and go for another soak before you leave. If you’re on the Westman Islands, stay at Aska Hostel (or book one of the many private guesthouses for a cozy local experience). When you get to Vik, stay at Vík HI Hostel.

Days 3-4

Hike Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon This 2km-long canyon dates back to the Ice Age. It’s over 100m deep and makes for a great place to hike or have a picnic and enjoy the view. The road to get there is full of potholes, so drive carefully.

Explore Vatnajökull National Park Hike in the Skaftafell wilderness area to see the glaciers of Vatnajökull National Park. There are plenty of hikes here, both long and short, for outdoorsy types. For a shorter hike, head to Svartifoss, another photogenic waterfall surrounded by long columns of black basalt (the waterfall’s name literally translates to “the black waterfall”).

Klapparstígur 25-27, +354 575-8400, vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is. The park itself is open 24/7 however the Skaftafell visitors center has limited hours (usually 9am-7pm in the summer and 10am-6pm in the winter). See the website for more details, including camping information and weather updates. Parking is 750 ISK per vehicle per day.

Visit Jökulsárlón Lagoon The Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon borders the national park, and you don’t want to miss it. The waters are blue, and there are huge icebergs from the nearby glacier floating in the water. The lagoon flows into the Atlantic Ocean, and you’ll see lots of seals in the winter. You can follow the stream out to sea and watch the glaciers as they meet the ocean. Best of all, this is right on the Ring Road and it’s all completely free (though if you want to take a boat out into the lagoon, you’ll have to pay — I don’t think it’s worth doing, though!)

Tour the coast Continue on the Ring Road to Höfn or Djúpivogur, two tiny coastal towns. Get a taste of what life is like in small-town Iceland while exploring the winding coastline. There’s a hidden hot spring outside of Djúpivogur to reward you for making it so far up the coast too!

Where to stay: If you’re ending your day in Höfn, stay at Höfn Hostel. You can see the Vatnajökull Glacier from the town, and everything is within walking distance. If you’re heading on to Djúpivogur, Airbnb will be your best choice.

Days 5-7

Return to Reykjavík Hop in the car and head back to the capital city. Stroll the cozy streets, take a free walking tour, and enjoy some of the city’s plentiful happy hours.

See the Golden Circle Wake up early and drive out to see the three main sites of the Golden Circle. The sooner you start, the better, as you’ll be able to beat the tourist buses there and get some photos without the crowds. You’ll also have time to hike in Þingvellir National Park if you want to stretch your legs. Stock up on snacks for the day in Reykjavik to save some money (the cheapest supermarket is Bonus, so shop there!).

Relax at the Blue Lagoon If you’re craving another dip in a hot pot, head to the Blue Lagoon before your flight home. You’ll be able to end the trip on a very relaxing note!  

Two Weeks: Exploring the Ring Road

With two weeks, you will be able to drive the entire Ring Road without rushing too much. You’ll have time to enjoy the rugged east coast and places like Seydisfjordur, explore the second-largest city Akureyri, hike around the Snæfellsnes peninsula, and maybe even dip into the Westfjords.

Start in Rekyavik, head east, see Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, explore Vík, visit the Jökulsárlón Lagoon, detour over to Seyðisfjörður, then head over to Dettifoss, Mývatn, Goðafoss, and Akureyri.

After exploring Akureyri, continue west to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula for some hiking. Make sure you stop off to see the iconic Kirkjufell mountain, which is one of the most photographed spots in all of Iceland (plus, it’s where they filmed some Game of Thrones scenes, too). Snæfellsnes National Park is home to Snæfellsjökull, a 700,000-year-old volcano capped by glaciers. You can book a glacier hike here or just explore the rest of the park on your own. It’s right along the coast too, so you’ll be met with some gorgeous views. Stay at The Freezer hostel (it has great live music.)

If you have time and want to get off the beaten trail, detour into the Westfjords in the northwest, or visit the Westman Islands off the south coast.

If you want to be more focused on your trip, you can split Iceland up into smaller geographic areas. One fun route to take is to head west to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, then up into the Westfjords for some hiking and relaxing before flying back to the capital. This will be the most remote part of the country, so you’ll have a lot more space and privacy to enjoy your trip.  

One Month: Exploring All of Iceland

With one month, you can see the entire island of Iceland. I’ve met quite a few people who have decided to spend this amount of time in the summer months. They’ll rent a car or camper van, pack a bunch of camping gear, and drive the Ring Road at a leisurely pace. But even if you aren’t renting a van or car, you can get around by bus, air, or hitchhike!

Take multi-day hikes, visit to the less-explored Westfjords, an area many tourists skip due to a lack of time (and paved roads); visit Hrísey and/or Grímsey, the very remote islands in the north with fewer than 100 inhabitants each; or the Westman Islands, or explore more parks in the interior of the country (it’s very remote, very unvisited, and very, very awesome).

If you’re traveling on a shoestring budget and planning to camp and hitchhike in Iceland, you’ll need this longer travel time to make sure you aren’t rushed, as sometimes you’ll be waiting awhile for a lift.

But with a month here, there’s very little you can’t explore!

***

Iceland really does have something for everyone. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or spending an entire month exploring this rugged landscape, you’ll be able to have an amazing experience.

While it’s not cheap, there are tons of ways to save money in Iceland to make these itineraries doable for even the most frugal budget traveler. But don’t take my word for it. Get out there and explore the Land of Fire and Ice for yourself!  

WANTMORE? GET ALL MY TIPS AND ADVICE WITH MY GUIDEBOOK TO ICELAND!

Want to plan the perfect trip to Iceland? Check out my comprehensive guide to Iceland written for budget travelers like yourself!

It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money in one of the most beautiful and exciting destinations in the world.

My favorite things to see and do

Money-saving tips

Budget advice

Transportation advice

My favorite non-touristy restaurants, markets, and bars

And much more!

Click here to download the Iceland guide now!

  Book Your Trip to Iceland: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines, because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use these all the time. My favorite places to stay in Iceland are:

Hlemmur Square (Reykjavik) – A posh hotel with a great bar and traditional Icelandic communal dinners several times a week

Kex Hostel (Reykjavik) – Has a café and bar with an awesome happy hour, a comfy lounge, and a heated patio

Akureyri Backpackers (Akureyri) – A laid-back hostel with hot showers, a cool bar, and helpful staff!

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Looking for more information on visiting Iceland? Check out my in-depth destination guide to Iceland with more tips on what to see and do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

Photo credits: 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12

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Visiting Iceland in 2019: Detailed Itineraries for the Land of Fire and Ice

Posted: 1/24/2019 | January 24th, 2018

Windswept volcanoes. Black sand beaches nuzzled against rugged coastlines. Secret hot springs hidden in misty valleys while majestic waterfalls cascade from every hill.

Welcome to Iceland.

It’s a destination unlike any other in Europe. Its unique landscapes and natural wonders perfectly complement the modern capital of Reykjavik with its café culture and boozy, rambunctious nightlife.

Iceland is known as both the Land of Elves and the Land of Fire and Ice. It’s a country where you’ll find smoldering active volcanoes and vivid blue glaciers side by side. Horses and sheep dot the countryside, colorful puffins flock along the cliffs, and whales breach the choppy Atlantic waters that envelop this tiny island.

It’s easy to see why Iceland has become such a popular destination in recent years (all those cheap stopover flights have helped greatly too).

And, while it’s not the most budget-friendly country in the world, there are still ways to see the sights without breaking the bank!

If you’re planning a weekend getaway or want to drive the entirety of the island, this list of Iceland itineraries will ensure that you see the best the country has to offer!

Table of Contents

One Weekend in Reykjavik

Four Days in the South

Four Days in the North

One Week: Golden Circle and Southern Iceland

Two Weeks: Exploring the Ring Road

One Month: Everything!

  What to See and Do in Iceland: One Weekend in Reykjavik

Day 1

Take a tour of the city I always like to start my trips with a free walking tour. They’re a fantastic way to see a destination, learn about its history and culture, and get all your questions answered by someone who knows what they’re talking about. City Walk and Free Walking Tour Reykjavik both offer great free tours of the city. They’ll help you get a sense of Reykjavik so you can decide what you want to revisit later. The tours are donation based, so just make sure to tip your guide!

Explore Laugavegur When you’re in need of a coffee or snack, go for a stroll down Laugavegur, a shop- and café-lined street in the center of the city. This is the oldest (and coolest) street in Iceland, and you’ll find everything from expensive couture to dollar stores here. Be sure to stop in a bakery for a pastry or a coffee. My personal favorite is Mokka Kaffi.

Visit a museum After that, make your way to the National Museum of Iceland, where you will learn everything you need to know about this tiny Nordic nation. The most famous piece in the collection is the Valþjófsstaður door, a piece carved in the Middle Ages that illustrates the saga of the lion and the knight. The museum does a fantastic job of giving you a robust history of the country without being boring.

If you’d rather visit a more unconventional museum, consider a visit to the Icelandic Phallological Museum instead. Colloquially known as the Penis Museum, this small institution is home to the world’s largest collection of penises and penis-themed art. Yes, you read that right! There are almost 300 items in the museum, including whale penises and (allegedly) troll penises! It’s a small museum, but it’s actually incredibly informative — if you’re not too shy!

National Museum: Suðurgata 41, +354 530-2200, thjodminjasafn.is. Open daily 10am-5pm (closed on Mondays in the winter). Admission is 2,000 ISK (1,000 ISK for students/seniors).

Icelandic Phallological Museum: Laugavegur 116, +354 561-6663, phallus.is/en. Open daily 10am-6pm. Admission is 1,700 ISK per person.

Go for a swim Once you’ve gotten tired of walking, go for a refreshing swim in the Laugardalslaug Geothermal Pool. Swimming and saunas are how locals relax and unwind after work. It’s basically a national pastime. This pool is Iceland’s largest and was built in 1968. It’s actually a whole complex with hot tubs, a thermal steam bath, a waterslide, and even mini golf! If you have extra time, check out the nearby garden and zoo too.

Sundlaugavegur 105, +354 411-5100, reykjavik.is/stadir/laugardalslaug. Open weekdays 6:30am-10pm and weekends 8am-10pm. Admission is 625 ISK, though if you have the Reykjavik City Card, it’s free!

Take in the nightlife End your day enjoying the city’s famous nightlife back around Laugavegur. This is one of the best party cities in the world, so there’s something for everyone. Just make sure to go during happy hour so you don’t blow your budget (alcohol in Iceland is not cheap!). Here are a couple of my favorite hotspots in Reykjavik:

Kaffibarinn – This café transforms into a dance club on the weekend, and it’s a great place to party. The space is divided into three different sections (bar, dance floor, and lounge), so you can find a section for however you want to spend your night out. It’s small, so seats can fill up quickly. Bergstaðastræti 1, +354 551-1588, kaffibarinn.is.

Lebowski Bar – Yes, this is a Big Lebowski–themed bar. The inside looks like a vintage American diner and bowling alley. And, since The Dude drinks a lot of White Russians, its menu includes a wide variety of different ones. Its signature Lebowski cheeseburger is pretty good too. Spin the prize wheel to win up to 10 free beers! Aim for happy hour, which is held daily 4pm–7pm, as drinks are cheaper then. Laugavegur 20b, +354 552-2300, lebowskibar.is.

Slippbarinn — This is the first proper cocktail bar in the city and boasts live music and DJs several nights a week. Happy hour is daily 3pm-6pm. Myragata 2, +354 560 8080, slippbarinn.is.

Where to stay in Reykjavik: Hlemmur Square – If you’re looking to splash out, this is both a cozy hotel and an upscale hostel, so you have options for your type of stay. There’s a great bar here, plus traditional Icelandic communal dinners several times a week.

For a more standard hostel, stay at Kex Hostel. It has a café and bar with an awesome happy hour, a comfy lounge, and a heated patio.

Day 2

Explore the Golden Circle The Golden Circle — comprising the Gullfoss waterfall, the Strokkur geyser, and Þingvellir National Park — is the biggest tourist draw in Iceland, so you’ll want to start your second day early and head out of town in a rental car (or on a tourist bus). As tourism booms in Iceland, these sites can get a little crowded, so make sure you get there early (especially in the summer and on weekends).

The round-trip journey is around 250km, so plan accordingly when it comes to food and fuel (if you’re driving). If you’re driving, you’ll also be able to stop regularly to see the many Icelandic horses that you’ll pass by.

Experience the famous Blue Lagoon This is one of the most iconic destinations in Iceland. The pools are quite large, and the whole area is steamy, with the water a stunning milky-blue color that is rather photogenic (which is why the lagoon is so popular on social media). It’s a beautiful and luxurious way to end the day, and a great place to relax right before you depart.

Personally, I think the place is a bit overhyped, as there are tons of free, secluded hot springs all around the country. Of course, if you’re short on time and don’t plan on leaving the city, then it’s the perfect way to end your trip!

Fun fact: The Blue Lagoon is simply runoff from the nearby geothermal plant. Icelanders just found a way to monetize it for tourists! Thank you, Instagram? Ha!

Norðurljósavegur 9, +354 420-8800, bluelagoon.com. Open daily, but hours vary, so check the website for an up-to-date schedule. Admission starts at 9,990 ISK per person, but it can be cheaper if you go during certain hours.

READ MORE: How to save money in Reykjavik  

What to See and Do in Iceland: Four Days in the South

In addition to the itinerary above, here are some activities you’ll want to add if you plan on getting further outside of Reykjavik to explore the southern region of Iceland.

Day 3

Experience nature Head southeast on the Ring Road from Reykjavík to scout out some waterfalls. Be prepared and bring swimsuits, towels, a waterproof camera, and a jacket.

Reykjadalur – Stop in the town of Hveragerði to visit the Reykjadalur hot spring (or hot pot, as they are known locally). It offers a gorgeous backdrop of rolling hills and mountains, and it’s free to enjoy. You’ll need to hike a bit to get there (30-40 minutes), but it’s worth it! Keep in mind that there’s not a private changing area here, so you may want to wear your swimsuit under your clothes.

Seljalandsfoss – Continuing on the Ring Road, you’ll come to the picturesque Seljalandsfoss waterfall. It has a drop of 60m and is another highly photographed spot in Iceland, so try to get there early before the tourist buses. You have to pay for parking, but otherwise it’s free. If you’re hungry, there’s a food vendor that sells delicious lamb stew (among other things).

Skógafoss – Another epic waterfall is Skógafoss. Legend says that you can find a treasure chest behind this massive waterfall. This is also the starting point for a long, multi-day hike, but you can also just climb to the top and walk for as long as you’d like before returning. There’s a small museum nearby as well if you want to learn more about the history of the waterfall.

Seljavallalaug – This hot pot is located a short walk off the Ring Road. It’s not super hot, and the change room has seen better days, but it’s secluded and it’s worth it just for the scenery, as its located at the bottom of a deep valley.

Make Your way to Vík Head to the charming little town of Vík and spend the night there. Vík is a seaside village with a glacier that covers the Katla volcano. It’s also home to some amazing black sand beaches and a DC-3 plane wreck in Sólheimasandur (located on the coast between Skógafoss and Vík).

Where to stay in Vík: Vík HI Hostel – This charming hostel has a café/bar, a female-only dorm, rooms for families, and a kitchen so you can cook your own food if you’re on a budget.

Day 4

Chill at the beach Wake up in Vík and go for a stroll on the otherworldly Reynisfjara black sand beach. There are some offshore rock formations you can see from the shore and from the cliffs above if you feel like a hike. If you’re here from May through August, you may even get to see some puffins!

Take in the view If there’s time, head up the hill to see the small Vík i Myrdal Church. It overlooks the town and gives a complete view of Vík and the ocean. Grab a coffee at a local café and enjoy the scenic vista.

Head for home Head back to Reykjavik. See more sights, chill in more cafés. Do whatever you want before you head home! (sad)  

What to See and Do in Iceland: Four Days in the North

If you want to get away from the crowds, go north. Northern Iceland is one of the least-visited regions of the country and has a lot to offer the intrepid adventurer, including majestic hikes, more varied landscapes, whale watching, fewer people, and a better chance to see the Northern Lights!

Day 1

Travel north to Akureyri Start your adventure off by flying north to Akureyri from Reykjavik. If you don’t want to fly, it’s a 5-6-hour drive from Reykjavik up the west coast, which can easily be done in a day. You’ll just want to factor in a few stops along the way to sightsee!

Explore Akureyri Take a self-guided tour of the town, visit the Akureyri Botanical Gardens, get an espresso from the picturesque Laut Café, hop in the local swimming pool, or just explore the relatively small town and sip on some kaffi (coffee) and “happy marriage cake” (rhubarb jam–filled pastry with a buttery oat crust) from Kristjánsbakarí. Soak up local life as much as you can before you go!

Where to stay in Akureyri: Akureyri Backpackers – This is a laid-back hostel with a cool bar, great staff, and really hot showers!

Day 2

Visit the Waterfall of the Gods Make your way to Goðafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods. It’s a majestic semicircular waterfall that’s close to Akureyri on the Ring Road. The waterfall is over 12m tall and 30m wide, and (not surprisingly) is highly photogenic! Enjoy the view before heading onward to Mývatn.

Head to Mývatn Spend the day in Mývatn, starting off with a hike around Lake Mývatn. There is an easy trail you can follow that lets you stretch your legs and enjoy the natural beauty of the region. You can easily hike the lake in a few hours if you go at a leisurely place. Then head to the Mývatn Nature Baths geothermal pool, which is much quieter (and cheaper) than the Blue Lagoon.

There’s not much else to do here. It’s a quiet town for relaxing, but the lack of lights makes it a wonderful place to see the northern lights!

Spend the night in Mývatn at one of the many Airbnbs, guesthouses, or farm stays in the region.

Day 3

Pretend you’re on Mars Next, you’ll want to head toward the coastal town of Húsavík. On your way there, stop at Hverir and Krafla, two geothermal areas with Martian-like craters and lakes. Steaming sulfur fills the air, giving this whole area an otherworldly ambience. You can just stop to take photos or go for another hike.

Visit Dettifoss Next, head to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall. There are two roads leading here from the Ring Road: 862 and 864. The latter is ridden with potholes, but in my opinion offers the better view. Just drive slowly and keep an eye on your tires! Enjoy a snack by the waterfall and take in the scene. When you’re ready, drive to Húsavík (you can take the 864 north from Dettifoss).

Visit the Whale Museum Whaling has been a part of Icelandic culture for centuries. And while there is a global moratorium on hunting whales, it’s still worth learning about these massive creatures, their habitat, and their impact on the country. They also have a full blue whale skeleton!

Hafnarstétt 1, +354 414-2800, hvalasafn.is/en. Open daily with hours varying depending on the season. Admission is 2,000 ISK per person, with discounts available for seniors, families, and kids. If you go whale-watching with Gentle Giants, you’ll get 20% off your museum ticket.

Where to stay: Spend the night in sleepy Húsavík at a local guesthouse or Airbnb. If it’s northern lights season, stay at Arbot HI Hostel. The hostel is in a relatively secluded spot outside of town so you’ll have a great view of the dancing lights without having to worry about light pollution.

Day 4

Watch the whales and explore the coast Wake up early, head to the coast, and go whale-watching. There are a few different companies you can book tours with here, including Gentle Giants, who have a partnership with the Whale Museum (see above). Whale-watching tours usually last around 3 hours. Expect to pay around 10,400 ISK for adults and 4,400 ISK for children.

When you’re done, explore the hiking trails around Húsavík. You can find a list of the trails on the Visit Húsavík website. Pop into some of the local shops and cafés to get a sense of small-town life here in Northern Iceland.

See some unique architecture Travel to nearby Laufás, which is located west of Húsavík. Here you’ll get to see the old turf houses, traditional Icelandic homes that are timber framed and covered in grass. The furnishings are from around 1900, and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time. While in Laufás, take a small detour and check out the church. Inside is a decorative pulpit from 1698!

Have an Icelandic feast Go back to Akureyri to explore the city and dine on fresh fish and chips from Akureyri Fish & Chips. Don’t forget to sample the country’s famous ice cream from Brynja too!

Note: I know it sounds like a lot, but if you have a car, this itinerary is very doable.  

What to Do In One Week in Iceland: Golden Circle and Southern Iceland

Day 1-2

Head East Fly into Keflavík International Airport and rent a car (SAD Cars and Car Rental Iceland are the companies I recommend). Head east from Reykjavík along the Ring Road to start your adventure!

Soak in the hot springs and search for puffins Head east for a soak in the Reykjadalur hot springs in Hveragerði. Camp or stay at the hostel nearby so you can get another soak in before heading onward.

To get a bit off the beaten trail, take the ferry to the Westman Islands for the afternoon or an overnight stay (you’ll find plenty of puffins here during the summer season!). There are very few tourists here, so it’s a nice way to escape the crowds and relax.

Chase some waterfalls Venturing onward along the Ring Road, head to Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. At Skógafoss, the 29km Fimmvörðuháls Trail begins. If you want to hike the entire trail, you can stay at the Volcano Huts at the end of the route and then take a bus back to Skógafoss in the morning. If you’re fit, you can do this hike in a day. Otherwise, you’ll need to bring tents and camp halfway. If an epic hike isn’t in the cards, stroll around the area before continuing east toward Vík.

Tour a crash site Before you get to Vík, you’ll want to check out the DC-3 plane wreck in Sólheimasandur. It’s about a 45-minute walk from the Ring Road, but it’s worth it to see the crash up close (you can no longer drive directly to the site). Dress appropriately, as it can get windy near the coastline.

Spot puffins Continue on to Vík and stop to see the black sand beaches. There are also two short hikes nearby that take you up the cliffs. They offer incredible views of the areas, and if it’s the right season, you can go puffin spotting!

Where to stay: For your first night, stay at the Hot Springs Hostel in Hveragerði (right near the hot spring). That way you can wake up early and go for another soak before you leave. If you’re on the Westman Islands, stay at Aska Hostel (or book one of the many private guesthouses for a cozy local experience). When you get to Vik, stay at Vík HI Hostel.

Days 3-4

Hike Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon This 2km-long canyon dates back to the Ice Age. It’s over 100m deep and makes for a great place to hike or have a picnic and enjoy the view. The road to get there is full of potholes, so drive carefully.

Explore Vatnajökull National Park Hike in the Skaftafell wilderness area to see the glaciers of Vatnajökull National Park. There are plenty of hikes here, both long and short, for outdoorsy types. For a shorter hike, head to Svartifoss, another photogenic waterfall surrounded by long columns of black basalt (the waterfall’s name literally translates to “the black waterfall”).

Klapparstígur 25-27, +354 575-8400, vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is. The park itself is open 24/7 however the Skaftafell visitors center has limited hours (usually 9am-7pm in the summer and 10am-6pm in the winter). See the website for more details, including camping information and weather updates. Parking is 750 ISK per vehicle per day.

Visit Jökulsárlón Lagoon The Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon borders the national park, and you don’t want to miss it. The waters are blue, and there are huge icebergs from the nearby glacier floating in the water. The lagoon flows into the Atlantic Ocean, and you’ll see lots of seals in the winter. You can follow the stream out to sea and watch the glaciers as they meet the ocean. Best of all, this is right on the Ring Road and it’s all completely free (though if you want to take a boat out into the lagoon, you’ll have to pay — I don’t think it’s worth doing, though!)

Tour the coast Continue on the Ring Road to Höfn or Djúpivogur, two tiny coastal towns. Get a taste of what life is like in small-town Iceland while exploring the winding coastline. There’s a hidden hot spring outside of Djúpivogur to reward you for making it so far up the coast too!

Where to stay: If you’re ending your day in Höfn, stay at Höfn Hostel. You can see the Vatnajökull Glacier from the town, and everything is within walking distance. If you’re heading on to Djúpivogur, Airbnb will be your best choice.

Days 5-7

Return to Reykjavík Hop in the car and head back to the capital city. Stroll the cozy streets, take a free walking tour, and enjoy some of the city’s plentiful happy hours.

See the Golden Circle Wake up early and drive out to see the three main sites of the Golden Circle. The sooner you start, the better, as you’ll be able to beat the tourist buses there and get some photos without the crowds. You’ll also have time to hike in Þingvellir National Park if you want to stretch your legs. Stock up on snacks for the day in Reykjavik to save some money (the cheapest supermarket is Bonus, so shop there!).

Relax at the Blue Lagoon If you’re craving another dip in a hot pot, head to the Blue Lagoon before your flight home. You’ll be able to end the trip on a very relaxing note!  

Two Weeks: Exploring the Ring Road

With two weeks, you will be able to drive the entire Ring Road without rushing too much. You’ll have time to enjoy the rugged east coast and places like Seydisfjordur, explore the second-largest city Akureyri, hike around the Snæfellsnes peninsula, and maybe even dip into the Westfjords.

Start in Rekyavik, head east, see Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, explore Vík, visit the Jökulsárlón Lagoon, detour over to Seyðisfjörður, then head over to Dettifoss, Mývatn, Goðafoss, and Akureyri.

After exploring Akureyri, continue west to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula for some hiking. Make sure you stop off to see the iconic Kirkjufell mountain, which is one of the most photographed spots in all of Iceland (plus, it’s where they filmed some Game of Thrones scenes, too). Snæfellsnes National Park is home to Snæfellsjökull, a 700,000-year-old volcano capped by glaciers. You can book a glacier hike here or just explore the rest of the park on your own. It’s right along the coast too, so you’ll be met with some gorgeous views. Stay at The Freezer hostel (it has great live music.)

If you have time and want to get off the beaten trail, detour into the Westfjords in the northwest, or visit the Westman Islands off the south coast.

If you want to be more focused on your trip, you can split Iceland up into smaller geographic areas. One fun route to take is to head west to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, then up into the Westfjords for some hiking and relaxing before flying back to the capital. This will be the most remote part of the country, so you’ll have a lot more space and privacy to enjoy your trip.  

One Month: Exploring All of Iceland

With one month, you can see the entire island of Iceland. I’ve met quite a few people who have decided to spend this amount of time in the summer months. They’ll rent a car or camper van, pack a bunch of camping gear, and drive the Ring Road at a leisurely pace. But even if you aren’t renting a van or car, you can get around by bus, air, or hitchhike!

Take multi-day hikes, visit to the less-explored Westfjords, an area many tourists skip due to a lack of time (and paved roads); visit Hrísey and/or Grímsey, the very remote islands in the north with fewer than 100 inhabitants each; or the Westman Islands, or explore more parks in the interior of the country (it’s very remote, very unvisited, and very, very awesome).

If you’re traveling on a shoestring budget and planning to camp and hitchhike in Iceland, you’ll need this longer travel time to make sure you aren’t rushed, as sometimes you’ll be waiting awhile for a lift.

But with a month here, there’s very little you can’t explore!

***

Iceland really does have something for everyone. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or spending an entire month exploring this rugged landscape, you’ll be able to have an amazing experience.

While it’s not cheap, there are tons of ways to save money in Iceland to make these itineraries doable for even the most frugal budget traveler. But don’t take my word for it. Get out there and explore the Land of Fire and Ice for yourself!  

WANTMORE? GET ALL MY TIPS AND ADVICE WITH MY GUIDEBOOK TO ICELAND!

Want to plan the perfect trip to Iceland? Check out my comprehensive guide to Iceland written for budget travelers like yourself!

It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money in one of the most beautiful and exciting destinations in the world.

My favorite things to see and do

Money-saving tips

Budget advice

Transportation advice

My favorite non-touristy restaurants, markets, and bars

And much more!

Click here to download the Iceland guide now!

  Book Your Trip to Iceland: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines, because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use these all the time. My favorite places to stay in Iceland are:

Hlemmur Square (Reykjavik) – A posh hotel with a great bar and traditional Icelandic communal dinners several times a week

Kex Hostel (Reykjavik) – Has a café and bar with an awesome happy hour, a comfy lounge, and a heated patio

Akureyri Backpackers (Akureyri) – A laid-back hostel with hot showers, a cool bar, and helpful staff!

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Looking for more information on visiting Iceland? Check out my in-depth destination guide to Iceland with more tips on what to see and do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

Photo credits: 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12

The post Visiting Iceland in 2019: Detailed Itineraries for the Land of Fire and Ice appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

source https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/iceland-itineraries/

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Visiting Iceland in 2019: Detailed Itineraries for the Land of Fire and Ice

Posted: 1/24/2019 | January 24th, 2018

Windswept volcanoes. Black sand beaches nuzzled against rugged coastlines. Secret hot springs hidden in misty valleys while majestic waterfalls cascade from every hill.

Welcome to Iceland.

It’s a destination unlike any other in Europe. Its unique landscapes and natural wonders perfectly complement the modern capital of Reykjavik with its café culture and boozy, rambunctious nightlife.

Iceland is known as both the Land of Elves and the Land of Fire and Ice. It’s a country where you’ll find smoldering active volcanoes and vivid blue glaciers side by side. Horses and sheep dot the countryside, colorful puffins flock along the cliffs, and whales breach the choppy Atlantic waters that envelop this tiny island.

It’s easy to see why Iceland has become such a popular destination in recent years (all those cheap stopover flights have helped greatly too).

And, while it’s not the most budget-friendly country in the world, there are still ways to see the sights without breaking the bank!

If you’re planning a weekend getaway or want to drive the entirety of the island, this list of Iceland itineraries will ensure that you see the best the country has to offer!

Table of Contents

One Weekend in Reykjavik

Four Days in the South

Four Days in the North

One Week: Golden Circle and Southern Iceland

Two Weeks: Exploring the Ring Road

One Month: Everything!

  What to See and Do in Iceland: One Weekend in Reykjavik

Day 1

Take a tour of the city I always like to start my trips with a free walking tour. They’re a fantastic way to see a destination, learn about its history and culture, and get all your questions answered by someone who knows what they’re talking about. City Walk and Free Walking Tour Reykjavik both offer great free tours of the city. They’ll help you get a sense of Reykjavik so you can decide what you want to revisit later. The tours are donation based, so just make sure to tip your guide!

Explore Laugavegur When you’re in need of a coffee or snack, go for a stroll down Laugavegur, a shop- and café-lined street in the center of the city. This is the oldest (and coolest) street in Iceland, and you’ll find everything from expensive couture to dollar stores here. Be sure to stop in a bakery for a pastry or a coffee. My personal favorite is Mokka Kaffi.

Visit a museum After that, make your way to the National Museum of Iceland, where you will learn everything you need to know about this tiny Nordic nation. The most famous piece in the collection is the Valþjófsstaður door, a piece carved in the Middle Ages that illustrates the saga of the lion and the knight. The museum does a fantastic job of giving you a robust history of the country without being boring.

If you’d rather visit a more unconventional museum, consider a visit to the Icelandic Phallological Museum instead. Colloquially known as the Penis Museum, this small institution is home to the world’s largest collection of penises and penis-themed art. Yes, you read that right! There are almost 300 items in the museum, including whale penises and (allegedly) troll penises! It’s a small museum, but it’s actually incredibly informative — if you’re not too shy!

National Museum: Suðurgata 41, +354 530-2200, thjodminjasafn.is. Open daily 10am-5pm (closed on Mondays in the winter). Admission is 2,000 ISK (1,000 ISK for students/seniors).

Icelandic Phallological Museum: Laugavegur 116, +354 561-6663, phallus.is/en. Open daily 10am-6pm. Admission is 1,700 ISK per person.

Go for a swim Once you’ve gotten tired of walking, go for a refreshing swim in the Laugardalslaug Geothermal Pool. Swimming and saunas are how locals relax and unwind after work. It’s basically a national pastime. This pool is Iceland’s largest and was built in 1968. It’s actually a whole complex with hot tubs, a thermal steam bath, a waterslide, and even mini golf! If you have extra time, check out the nearby garden and zoo too.

Sundlaugavegur 105, +354 411-5100, reykjavik.is/stadir/laugardalslaug. Open weekdays 6:30am-10pm and weekends 8am-10pm. Admission is 625 ISK, though if you have the Reykjavik City Card, it’s free!

Take in the nightlife End your day enjoying the city’s famous nightlife back around Laugavegur. This is one of the best party cities in the world, so there’s something for everyone. Just make sure to go during happy hour so you don’t blow your budget (alcohol in Iceland is not cheap!). Here are a couple of my favorite hotspots in Reykjavik:

Kaffibarinn – This café transforms into a dance club on the weekend, and it’s a great place to party. The space is divided into three different sections (bar, dance floor, and lounge), so you can find a section for however you want to spend your night out. It’s small, so seats can fill up quickly. Bergstaðastræti 1, +354 551-1588, kaffibarinn.is.

Lebowski Bar – Yes, this is a Big Lebowski–themed bar. The inside looks like a vintage American diner and bowling alley. And, since The Dude drinks a lot of White Russians, its menu includes a wide variety of different ones. Its signature Lebowski cheeseburger is pretty good too. Spin the prize wheel to win up to 10 free beers! Aim for happy hour, which is held daily 4pm–7pm, as drinks are cheaper then. Laugavegur 20b, +354 552-2300, lebowskibar.is.

Slippbarinn — This is the first proper cocktail bar in the city and boasts live music and DJs several nights a week. Happy hour is daily 3pm-6pm. Myragata 2, +354 560 8080, slippbarinn.is.

Where to stay in Reykjavik: Hlemmur Square – If you’re looking to splash out, this is both a cozy hotel and an upscale hostel, so you have options for your type of stay. There’s a great bar here, plus traditional Icelandic communal dinners several times a week.

For a more standard hostel, stay at Kex Hostel. It has a café and bar with an awesome happy hour, a comfy lounge, and a heated patio.

Day 2

Explore the Golden Circle The Golden Circle — comprising the Gullfoss waterfall, the Strokkur geyser, and Þingvellir National Park — is the biggest tourist draw in Iceland, so you’ll want to start your second day early and head out of town in a rental car (or on a tourist bus). As tourism booms in Iceland, these sites can get a little crowded, so make sure you get there early (especially in the summer and on weekends).

The round-trip journey is around 250km, so plan accordingly when it comes to food and fuel (if you’re driving). If you’re driving, you’ll also be able to stop regularly to see the many Icelandic horses that you’ll pass by.

Experience the famous Blue Lagoon This is one of the most iconic destinations in Iceland. The pools are quite large, and the whole area is steamy, with the water a stunning milky-blue color that is rather photogenic (which is why the lagoon is so popular on social media). It’s a beautiful and luxurious way to end the day, and a great place to relax right before you depart.

Personally, I think the place is a bit overhyped, as there are tons of free, secluded hot springs all around the country. Of course, if you’re short on time and don’t plan on leaving the city, then it’s the perfect way to end your trip!

Fun fact: The Blue Lagoon is simply runoff from the nearby geothermal plant. Icelanders just found a way to monetize it for tourists! Thank you, Instagram? Ha!

Norðurljósavegur 9, +354 420-8800, bluelagoon.com. Open daily, but hours vary, so check the website for an up-to-date schedule. Admission starts at 9,990 ISK per person, but it can be cheaper if you go during certain hours.

READ MORE: How to save money in Reykjavik  

What to See and Do in Iceland: Four Days in the South

In addition to the itinerary above, here are some activities you’ll want to add if you plan on getting further outside of Reykjavik to explore the southern region of Iceland.

Day 3

Experience nature Head southeast on the Ring Road from Reykjavík to scout out some waterfalls. Be prepared and bring swimsuits, towels, a waterproof camera, and a jacket.

Reykjadalur – Stop in the town of Hveragerði to visit the Reykjadalur hot spring (or hot pot, as they are known locally). It offers a gorgeous backdrop of rolling hills and mountains, and it’s free to enjoy. You’ll need to hike a bit to get there (30-40 minutes), but it’s worth it! Keep in mind that there’s not a private changing area here, so you may want to wear your swimsuit under your clothes.

Seljalandsfoss – Continuing on the Ring Road, you’ll come to the picturesque Seljalandsfoss waterfall. It has a drop of 60m and is another highly photographed spot in Iceland, so try to get there early before the tourist buses. You have to pay for parking, but otherwise it’s free. If you’re hungry, there’s a food vendor that sells delicious lamb stew (among other things).

Skógafoss – Another epic waterfall is Skógafoss. Legend says that you can find a treasure chest behind this massive waterfall. This is also the starting point for a long, multi-day hike, but you can also just climb to the top and walk for as long as you’d like before returning. There’s a small museum nearby as well if you want to learn more about the history of the waterfall.

Seljavallalaug – This hot pot is located a short walk off the Ring Road. It’s not super hot, and the change room has seen better days, but it’s secluded and it’s worth it just for the scenery, as its located at the bottom of a deep valley.

Make Your way to Vík Head to the charming little town of Vík and spend the night there. Vík is a seaside village with a glacier that covers the Katla volcano. It’s also home to some amazing black sand beaches and a DC-3 plane wreck in Sólheimasandur (located on the coast between Skógafoss and Vík).

Where to stay in Vík: Vík HI Hostel – This charming hostel has a café/bar, a female-only dorm, rooms for families, and a kitchen so you can cook your own food if you’re on a budget.

Day 4

Chill at the beach Wake up in Vík and go for a stroll on the otherworldly Reynisfjara black sand beach. There are some offshore rock formations you can see from the shore and from the cliffs above if you feel like a hike. If you’re here from May through August, you may even get to see some puffins!

Take in the view If there’s time, head up the hill to see the small Vík i Myrdal Church. It overlooks the town and gives a complete view of Vík and the ocean. Grab a coffee at a local café and enjoy the scenic vista.

Head for home Head back to Reykjavik. See more sights, chill in more cafés. Do whatever you want before you head home! (sad)  

What to See and Do in Iceland: Four Days in the North

If you want to get away from the crowds, go north. Northern Iceland is one of the least-visited regions of the country and has a lot to offer the intrepid adventurer, including majestic hikes, more varied landscapes, whale watching, fewer people, and a better chance to see the Northern Lights!

Day 1

Travel north to Akureyri Start your adventure off by flying north to Akureyri from Reykjavik. If you don’t want to fly, it’s a 5-6-hour drive from Reykjavik up the west coast, which can easily be done in a day. You’ll just want to factor in a few stops along the way to sightsee!

Explore Akureyri Take a self-guided tour of the town, visit the Akureyri Botanical Gardens, get an espresso from the picturesque Laut Café, hop in the local swimming pool, or just explore the relatively small town and sip on some kaffi (coffee) and “happy marriage cake” (rhubarb jam–filled pastry with a buttery oat crust) from Kristjánsbakarí. Soak up local life as much as you can before you go!

Where to stay in Akureyri: Akureyri Backpackers – This is a laid-back hostel with a cool bar, great staff, and really hot showers!

Day 2

Visit the Waterfall of the Gods Make your way to Goðafoss, the Waterfall of the Gods. It’s a majestic semicircular waterfall that’s close to Akureyri on the Ring Road. The waterfall is over 12m tall and 30m wide, and (not surprisingly) is highly photogenic! Enjoy the view before heading onward to Mývatn.

Head to Mývatn Spend the day in Mývatn, starting off with a hike around Lake Mývatn. There is an easy trail you can follow that lets you stretch your legs and enjoy the natural beauty of the region. You can easily hike the lake in a few hours if you go at a leisurely place. Then head to the Mývatn Nature Baths geothermal pool, which is much quieter (and cheaper) than the Blue Lagoon.

There’s not much else to do here. It’s a quiet town for relaxing, but the lack of lights makes it a wonderful place to see the northern lights!

Spend the night in Mývatn at one of the many Airbnbs, guesthouses, or farm stays in the region.

Day 3

Pretend you’re on Mars Next, you’ll want to head toward the coastal town of Húsavík. On your way there, stop at Hverir and Krafla, two geothermal areas with Martian-like craters and lakes. Steaming sulfur fills the air, giving this whole area an otherworldly ambience. You can just stop to take photos or go for another hike.

Visit Dettifoss Next, head to Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall. There are two roads leading here from the Ring Road: 862 and 864. The latter is ridden with potholes, but in my opinion offers the better view. Just drive slowly and keep an eye on your tires! Enjoy a snack by the waterfall and take in the scene. When you’re ready, drive to Húsavík (you can take the 864 north from Dettifoss).

Visit the Whale Museum Whaling has been a part of Icelandic culture for centuries. And while there is a global moratorium on hunting whales, it’s still worth learning about these massive creatures, their habitat, and their impact on the country. They also have a full blue whale skeleton!

Hafnarstétt 1, +354 414-2800, hvalasafn.is/en. Open daily with hours varying depending on the season. Admission is 2,000 ISK per person, with discounts available for seniors, families, and kids. If you go whale-watching with Gentle Giants, you’ll get 20% off your museum ticket.

Where to stay: Spend the night in sleepy Húsavík at a local guesthouse or Airbnb. If it’s northern lights season, stay at Arbot HI Hostel. The hostel is in a relatively secluded spot outside of town so you’ll have a great view of the dancing lights without having to worry about light pollution.

Day 4

Watch the whales and explore the coast Wake up early, head to the coast, and go whale-watching. There are a few different companies you can book tours with here, including Gentle Giants, who have a partnership with the Whale Museum (see above). Whale-watching tours usually last around 3 hours. Expect to pay around 10,400 ISK for adults and 4,400 ISK for children.

When you’re done, explore the hiking trails around Húsavík. You can find a list of the trails on the Visit Húsavík website. Pop into some of the local shops and cafés to get a sense of small-town life here in Northern Iceland.

See some unique architecture Travel to nearby Laufás, which is located west of Húsavík. Here you’ll get to see the old turf houses, traditional Icelandic homes that are timber framed and covered in grass. The furnishings are from around 1900, and you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time. While in Laufás, take a small detour and check out the church. Inside is a decorative pulpit from 1698!

Have an Icelandic feast Go back to Akureyri to explore the city and dine on fresh fish and chips from Akureyri Fish & Chips. Don’t forget to sample the country’s famous ice cream from Brynja too!

Note: I know it sounds like a lot, but if you have a car, this itinerary is very doable.  

What to Do In One Week in Iceland: Golden Circle and Southern Iceland

Day 1-2

Head East Fly into Keflavík International Airport and rent a car (SAD Cars and Car Rental Iceland are the companies I recommend). Head east from Reykjavík along the Ring Road to start your adventure!

Soak in the hot springs and search for puffins Head east for a soak in the Reykjadalur hot springs in Hveragerði. Camp or stay at the hostel nearby so you can get another soak in before heading onward.

To get a bit off the beaten trail, take the ferry to the Westman Islands for the afternoon or an overnight stay (you’ll find plenty of puffins here during the summer season!). There are very few tourists here, so it’s a nice way to escape the crowds and relax.

Chase some waterfalls Venturing onward along the Ring Road, head to Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls. At Skógafoss, the 29km Fimmvörðuháls Trail begins. If you want to hike the entire trail, you can stay at the Volcano Huts at the end of the route and then take a bus back to Skógafoss in the morning. If you’re fit, you can do this hike in a day. Otherwise, you’ll need to bring tents and camp halfway. If an epic hike isn’t in the cards, stroll around the area before continuing east toward Vík.

Tour a crash site Before you get to Vík, you’ll want to check out the DC-3 plane wreck in Sólheimasandur. It’s about a 45-minute walk from the Ring Road, but it’s worth it to see the crash up close (you can no longer drive directly to the site). Dress appropriately, as it can get windy near the coastline.

Spot puffins Continue on to Vík and stop to see the black sand beaches. There are also two short hikes nearby that take you up the cliffs. They offer incredible views of the areas, and if it’s the right season, you can go puffin spotting!

Where to stay: For your first night, stay at the Hot Springs Hostel in Hveragerði (right near the hot spring). That way you can wake up early and go for another soak before you leave. If you’re on the Westman Islands, stay at Aska Hostel (or book one of the many private guesthouses for a cozy local experience). When you get to Vik, stay at Vík HI Hostel.

Days 3-4

Hike Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon This 2km-long canyon dates back to the Ice Age. It’s over 100m deep and makes for a great place to hike or have a picnic and enjoy the view. The road to get there is full of potholes, so drive carefully.

Explore Vatnajökull National Park Hike in the Skaftafell wilderness area to see the glaciers of Vatnajökull National Park. There are plenty of hikes here, both long and short, for outdoorsy types. For a shorter hike, head to Svartifoss, another photogenic waterfall surrounded by long columns of black basalt (the waterfall’s name literally translates to “the black waterfall”).

Klapparstígur 25-27, +354 575-8400, vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is. The park itself is open 24/7 however the Skaftafell visitors center has limited hours (usually 9am-7pm in the summer and 10am-6pm in the winter). See the website for more details, including camping information and weather updates. Parking is 750 ISK per vehicle per day.

Visit Jökulsárlón Lagoon The Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon borders the national park, and you don’t want to miss it. The waters are blue, and there are huge icebergs from the nearby glacier floating in the water. The lagoon flows into the Atlantic Ocean, and you’ll see lots of seals in the winter. You can follow the stream out to sea and watch the glaciers as they meet the ocean. Best of all, this is right on the Ring Road and it’s all completely free (though if you want to take a boat out into the lagoon, you’ll have to pay — I don’t think it’s worth doing, though!)

Tour the coast Continue on the Ring Road to Höfn or Djúpivogur, two tiny coastal towns. Get a taste of what life is like in small-town Iceland while exploring the winding coastline. There’s a hidden hot spring outside of Djúpivogur to reward you for making it so far up the coast too!

Where to stay: If you’re ending your day in Höfn, stay at Höfn Hostel. You can see the Vatnajökull Glacier from the town, and everything is within walking distance. If you’re heading on to Djúpivogur, Airbnb will be your best choice.

Days 5-7

Return to Reykjavík Hop in the car and head back to the capital city. Stroll the cozy streets, take a free walking tour, and enjoy some of the city’s plentiful happy hours.

See the Golden Circle Wake up early and drive out to see the three main sites of the Golden Circle. The sooner you start, the better, as you’ll be able to beat the tourist buses there and get some photos without the crowds. You’ll also have time to hike in Þingvellir National Park if you want to stretch your legs. Stock up on snacks for the day in Reykjavik to save some money (the cheapest supermarket is Bonus, so shop there!).

Relax at the Blue Lagoon If you’re craving another dip in a hot pot, head to the Blue Lagoon before your flight home. You’ll be able to end the trip on a very relaxing note!  

Two Weeks: Exploring the Ring Road

With two weeks, you will be able to drive the entire Ring Road without rushing too much. You’ll have time to enjoy the rugged east coast and places like Seydisfjordur, explore the second-largest city Akureyri, hike around the Snæfellsnes peninsula, and maybe even dip into the Westfjords.

Start in Rekyavik, head east, see Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, explore Vík, visit the Jökulsárlón Lagoon, detour over to Seyðisfjörður, then head over to Dettifoss, Mývatn, Goðafoss, and Akureyri.

After exploring Akureyri, continue west to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula for some hiking. Make sure you stop off to see the iconic Kirkjufell mountain, which is one of the most photographed spots in all of Iceland (plus, it’s where they filmed some Game of Thrones scenes, too). Snæfellsnes National Park is home to Snæfellsjökull, a 700,000-year-old volcano capped by glaciers. You can book a glacier hike here or just explore the rest of the park on your own. It’s right along the coast too, so you’ll be met with some gorgeous views. Stay at The Freezer hostel (it has great live music.)

If you have time and want to get off the beaten trail, detour into the Westfjords in the northwest, or visit the Westman Islands off the south coast.

If you want to be more focused on your trip, you can split Iceland up into smaller geographic areas. One fun route to take is to head west to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, then up into the Westfjords for some hiking and relaxing before flying back to the capital. This will be the most remote part of the country, so you’ll have a lot more space and privacy to enjoy your trip.  

One Month: Exploring All of Iceland

With one month, you can see the entire island of Iceland. I’ve met quite a few people who have decided to spend this amount of time in the summer months. They’ll rent a car or camper van, pack a bunch of camping gear, and drive the Ring Road at a leisurely pace. But even if you aren’t renting a van or car, you can get around by bus, air, or hitchhike!

Take multi-day hikes, visit to the less-explored Westfjords, an area many tourists skip due to a lack of time (and paved roads); visit Hrísey and/or Grímsey, the very remote islands in the north with fewer than 100 inhabitants each; or the Westman Islands, or explore more parks in the interior of the country (it’s very remote, very unvisited, and very, very awesome).

If you’re traveling on a shoestring budget and planning to camp and hitchhike in Iceland, you’ll need this longer travel time to make sure you aren’t rushed, as sometimes you’ll be waiting awhile for a lift.

But with a month here, there’s very little you can’t explore!

***

Iceland really does have something for everyone. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or spending an entire month exploring this rugged landscape, you’ll be able to have an amazing experience.

While it’s not cheap, there are tons of ways to save money in Iceland to make these itineraries doable for even the most frugal budget traveler. But don’t take my word for it. Get out there and explore the Land of Fire and Ice for yourself!  

WANTMORE? GET ALL MY TIPS AND ADVICE WITH MY GUIDEBOOK TO ICELAND!

Want to plan the perfect trip to Iceland? Check out my comprehensive guide to Iceland written for budget travelers like yourself!

It cuts out the fluff found in other guides and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel and save money in one of the most beautiful and exciting destinations in the world.

My favorite things to see and do

Money-saving tips

Budget advice

Transportation advice

My favorite non-touristy restaurants, markets, and bars

And much more!

Click here to download the Iceland guide now!

  Book Your Trip to Iceland: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines, because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use these all the time. My favorite places to stay in Iceland are:

Hlemmur Square (Reykjavik) – A posh hotel with a great bar and traditional Icelandic communal dinners several times a week

Kex Hostel (Reykjavik) – Has a café and bar with an awesome happy hour, a comfy lounge, and a heated patio

Akureyri Backpackers (Akureyri) – A laid-back hostel with hot showers, a cool bar, and helpful staff!

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Looking for more information on visiting Iceland? Check out my in-depth destination guide to Iceland with more tips on what to see and do, costs, ways to save, and much, much more!

Photo credits: 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12

The post Visiting Iceland in 2019: Detailed Itineraries for the Land of Fire and Ice appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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Thursday, May 23, 2019

After a delicious breakfast of banana pancake and fresh fruits, we depart Hoi An to go to Da Nang. I booked an AirBnB close to the ocean there. Though check-in is not until 2PM, the host—Hong, was gracious to let us drop our luggage. We then cab it to Marble Mountains which is about 10 minutes away. The mountains provide a panoramic view of Da Nang. There are some beautifully stone carved Buddha statues inside the caves, marble statues of Buddha and exquisite pagodas. It’s a steep hill with lots of steps and things to see. There is a peace and calm to this place, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Pilgrims come here to offer prayers and with it bring a sanctity to this place. We make it to the top and see the ocean on one side and the city on another. In the backdrop is the other parts of the hills. We walk back down as get to our AirBnB since Zubby has to rush to the airport. Goodbyes are shared and a commitment to continue remaining in touch over the summer. Walter and I head to a nearby coffee shop since the AirBnB is not yet ready. I’m on the phone with family for a while and then head to AirBnB to drop our luggage and head out. We walk along the beach and get lunch at a restaurant by the beach called Hai San Pho. The vegetarian food is not good (probably the worst meal I’ve had this trip), but Walter has good things to say about the seafood. We enjoy a great conversation about family, relationships and how with time the nuclear family changes as family members move to different places. We then go and sit by the beach. Walter loves the beach and the fact that anyone who comes to the beach is in a fun and chill mood. It’s hard to remain sad for too long when one finds themselves in nature. We talk about adversities we have faced and aspirations we have. Walter too needs to leave for the airport soon. We head back to the AirBnB, pick up his luggage and share goodbye. It’s been such a wonderful couple of days traveling with Zubby and Walter and I will cherish these memories. Hopefully this is the end of a beginning. A beginning of friendships that will stay the test of time.

Earlier in the afternoon, I had booked a food tour with Diep—a local friend of Katrina. Since she offers a vegetarian tour, I was immediately convinced. Diep picked me up from the apartment and off we were on her motorbike. There is something beautiful about traveling around a city in a motorbike with a local who knows the ins and outs. In a bike, there is no separation. The sound and the vision are unfiltered by steel and glass. Our first stop is a local street vendor who sells Bánh căn, bánh xèo (Vietnamese tradition crispy pancakes). The vendor is vegetarian as she is a practicing Buddhist. The very religious Buddhists here only eat vegetarian, however, on lunar days (twice a month) most of the population eats vegetarian for the day, thus it is easy to find vegetarian food around here (Vegetarian food is called Quan Chay). The vendor we met wakes up early morning to buy groceries and make preparations. Her shop then opens at 10am and she is working till 6 or 7pm. Like many of the street vendors, her shop is on the ground floor while the family lives upstairs. Through her earnings she has been able to support the entire family including the education of her children. For hours every day she is sitting by the hot stove in the Da Nang heat as she makes her pancakes. It’s a very moving story, but not unique. I notice that many of the street vendors actually tend to be woman. As we’re eating she stops making pancakes for a while and stands by the entrance of her store looking into the distance. Who knows what she is thinking. I thank her for allowing me into her shop and giving me a taste of her delicious food. I tell her through Diep’s translation that I find her story inspiring and wish her the very best. Our next stop is a shop in the middle of the market. The market is one for local people who come here to buy low cost clothes and accessories. The markets remind me of the markets one sees outside the remnants of Sundhara. Tarpaulin spread across the floor and on top of it heaps of cloths and accessories. As we make a turn, there is a giant food market with stalls of different vendors selling a bunch of items. Diep makes me taste Chè xoa xoa (Vietnamese jelly and green beans with coconut milk) and Nước ép (Vietnamese green juice). Both the juices are refreshing and helpful for the digestive system. This food stall serves a bunch of fresh juices each with it’s own health benefits. The fresh fruits become part of traditional age old recipes that have been passed down and each generation brings with it parents who bring their kids along. For these kids, this is their entertainment. This is what is meant by going out to eat. Memories are associated with the place as as the kid grows up and becomes a parent, they fulfill the sacred tradition of passing on to the next generation these experiences. And so the markets continue for generation after generation, a mixture of individual memories and common binding experiences. The next stop is for the one Vietnamse dish that I have not yet had and would do injustice if I left the country without trying it—Bánh mì gà (Vietnamese baguette). The stall is run by an aged lady, around 75. She is slightly hunched, white hair but very much looks active. She has the option to not do this and let her daughters take care of it, but she prefers to keep herself busy. Her husband passed away when her daughter were around 6 or 7, and the responsibility of raising them fell entirely on her. She took this responsibility head on and educated and took care of her daughters who are now in their mid-20s. The Bánh mì here is the most delicious Bánh mì I’ve ever had. The bread is fresh and crunchy and the sauce is a mix of sweet and chilli. If it were not for the places we had already been earlier or the three more we would be going to, I would eat more of it, but had to respect my stomach. Next stop is another vendor who also lives in multigenerational household with her shop on the ground floor. The low tables and chairs at this place is a classic imagery of Vietnam’s street culture that I will take away from this country. In the streets of Ho Chi Minh and Da Nang one finds low plastic tables and chairs put on pavements as family and friends and couples sit outside and enjoy a meal. The tables and chairs are respective of the communal culture, the importance of family and relationships. Next to where I’m seated, there is a couple on a date and a few minutes later a group of friends walk in and sit on another table. Over there I have some Bánh tráng kẹp (Vietnamese rice paper cracker pizza with quail eggs and onion) and then we head to another place to eat Bánh bèo, (water fern cake with veggie toppings). The place use to be a small shop serving only vegetarian food and grew so much in popularity that they were able to open a more upscale restaurant. The restaurant is next to a monastery, thus helping it also to get vegetarian customers. The stomach is getting pretty full by now and I’m in no mood to jeopardize the gastrointestinal health. Our last stop is a shop in the corner of a narrow alley serving a dessert called Chè chuối (grilled banana with warm coconut soup dessert). The vendor here as well has a moving story of her daughter having gone through a bad marriage that involved physical violence, finding courage to get out of it and now helpin her mother with the stall. The gastronomical journey now comes to an end. I savor the last moments on the motorbike going through the streets of Da Nang and bid goodbye to Diep and thank her from the bottom of my heart.

This evening has deeply enriched me. In addition to the food, throughout the evening I have conversations with Diep as well about the city, the vendors and her own life. Many people I have spoked to say that the pace of development they have seen in Da Nang over the past 5-10 years is unseen. Many high rises have come in and it has become a major tourist destination. I ask Diep how she feels about this as a local. While she is happy that this has brought economic boost and is a sign that her city has “made it” on the global map, the downsides is the pollution and overcrowding that comes with it. Diep has been such an amazing guide. Her energy and passion for this city is infectious. She knows the city so well and the stories of the street vendors she takes me to as well. She is an accountant by day, but then does food tours 2-3 times a week. She was so happy that her tour is rated #10 on TripAdvisor and hopes that one day it becomes big enough so she can leave her government job that pays a meagre $150 per month (versus $35-50/person food tour she gets). She mentions a British friend of hers who helped improve her English and design the website. These small steps and help by a friend has made such a significant impact on her. It made me think when have I helped someone in a way that has made such a positive impact on them—I had a hard time thinking of it. While I have some deep friendships, it did make me wonder what it means to be a friend and help someone in such a significant way. I hope if a friend needs me, they will feel comfortable approaching me for help or I’ll know it before then need to approach me and I’m able to extend help.

Often times, elites like us go through these informal sectors and think of them as not being hard workers. We think that if they worked harder they could do something and earn more money and get economic mobility. But as one has more and more interactions, it is realized that in fact they work harder every single day then I even could. It is not the lack of hard work that is stopping them, but the circumstances they find themselves in. For me these street vendors are the true entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs for whom their business is their bread and butter. Their grit is inspiring. I pray that I too may have the ability to work hard and deliver better lives to those around me. I hope that through my work, those around me are happier and able to provide better lives to their families and give them opportunities that they otherwise would not have. Life is short and I have been blessed with abundance. I hope I’m able to pay back even a small portion of this debt.

I get back to the AirBnB, take a shower and head over for a rooftop party that Katrina’s expat friends are hosting. The evening is spent meeting and talking to these folks, conversation with a couple of South Africans about cricket and the upcoming World Cup and chatting with Katrina about family and childhood. She has an early morning yoga class she is teaching and I’ll be off to Hanoi. We bid each other goodbye and hopes of seeing each other before ten years!

[remembermemorablememories]

Saturday, December 29, 2018

post #355

main points:

- meet brian and steve, family friends

- get lunch with them at dim sum (same dim sum place as before)

- play fortnite (new cowboy mode and jetpacks/shotgun mode). then tried creative mode and some minigames

- jonah left for his flight at 5pm :’( 

- watch the fam play some mah jiang, brief call with dimitri from pittsburgh

- eat dinner

- catch up on yesterday’s blog post

writing this on monday december 31 on the plane ride back home today i: - woke up around 10am. i lazed in bed for a bit and then heard people arrive. it was jonah’s family friends. their parents were really close from… somewhere… :p i went downstairs and met brian (younger brother) and steve (older brother)

we just kind of hung around and chatted for a bit. i ate the last sesame bagel. steve just graduated from CS last year (so we’re same year) and started working in denver. brian is his younger brother freshman in college. we talked a bit about subtle asian traits, general just getting to know each other. then we learned they had gone on a trip to japan recently to the places i’m hoping to go to (tokyo, osaka and kyoto). so i asked them about it. they said the rail pass is worth it but it’s like $400 for 14 days. i was like ??? damn. just other general things to check out in tokyo (they mentioned most of the places i had gone to when i went with dimitri during study abroad)

- we left for dim sum lunch around 12pm. i was going to go with mom and dad to soup dumplings for lunch, but ended up going with us kiddos to the dim sum place. we went back to the same place we were at a few days ago. the wait was only like 10-15 minutes this time with the 10 of us (4 from their fam, 6 of us from our cousins fam and sheena and me)

the parents ordered a bunch of food like duck feet and stuff but we mostly ate the shiu man, sesame balls and shrimp dumplings LOL. we didn’t really wanna eat anything else. i learned steve was into competitive rocket league near the end of dinner, which was cool. our aunt arrived a bit later after us cause she was coming from somewhere else but was able to catch up with their friends

- we left about an hour and a half later. steve and brian’s fam left to go home (like an hour and a half away) cause they were gonna meet with someone else. jonah and i went home and we played fortnite LOL. we tried jetpacks + shotgun. but we got wrecked pretty fast. we hid in the basement of salty and then got destroyed by a squad cause we didn’t know how to get out/build out. playing on console so hard. then we tried the wild west mode and also got rekt. they changed the game mode from yesterday so there was nothing with respawning :’(

we decided to go into creative mode and played some mini games, which was pretty cool to see. we tried a mini rainbow road race car mode but it was too laggy/not really fun. then we tried a sniper vs runner thing where one team snipes at runners trying to complete the course. it reminded me of csgo and the mini games you could play. once both of us got a chance to complete the course, we tried a bomber man mode. it was also kind of meh…then we messed around in our own creative mode for like 10 minutes and stopped around 5pm cause jonah had to go to the airport

we said our goodbyes and our uncle drove him off to LAX :’( cici sheena and our aunt came back from the salon. sheena went to get a haircut around then so it kind of aligned nicely

- cici sheena my dad and grandma played a few games of mah jiang. i was going to play but then got a call from dimitri while i was taking a number 2. i called him back and said hi to cae, her fam and simon. they were chilling at cae’s place and hanging out waiting for sam to arrive. they were making some cookies. yummy!!

then i went back downstairs and just kind of watched them play for a bit/recollect how to play mah jiang. then just kind of browsed on my phone and watched TV for a bit

- around 7pm, our aunt and grandma finished cooking dinner. it was pork, bok choy and some others. we also ate the leftovers from my parents lunch at soup dumplings. it was a pretty solid meal :D

- played smash online from 8:30pm-10pm ish. i explained this in Sunday December 30, 2018’s post but i was basically trying to get into elite smash. after watching JTails video about it, he said in addition to GSP, i also need a good win ratio. he had an 85% win ratio. i checked mine (like 70/140) which is 50%. most of it was cause tyrone had been playing on my account online while we were back at BU. i barely played online on my switch. so i tried to fix my ratio and played maybe like 15-20 games. i won most of them and bumped it up to like a 56%… i realized it was gonna take way too long to fix this. i was wondering what solutions i could take to maybe reset it. (tomorrow morning i decided to create a new account on my switch)

- then cici started packing in her room cause she was gonna fly out tomorrow morning. she said i should come hang with her and sheena in their room. i went upstairs and played a few more online matches in their room while chatting a bit about 2018 and goals for 2019. then the conversation shifted to sheena and how she was doing in school. she feels stressed/a lot of lack of motivation to do her work because none of it interests her/feels like a waste of time. it was interesting to hear her perspective. cici and i talked to her about it/gave a few suggestions. most of it is about mindset and attitude. trying to figure out a way to thrive and not just surviving/having a bad time through it all. we also talked about cici’s goals for 2019, social media cleansing/taking a break. cici’s relationship/love life and how things are going with jim. then we stopped talking around 2am and went to sleep cause we all had to wake up at like 8am tomorrow morning

solid talk and spending time with the family!

the end

[asp1990]

Fiji Day 5: Saturday July 7th, 2018

I set my alarm to wake up at 8am this morning, and heard it go off, but hit snooze and woke up at 9.30am – right when we were meant to be at breakfast. I washed my hair went down to brekky at 10am, where I had coffee and poached eggs on toast. Kathleen wasn’t feeling well, so she stayed in bed and I joined Andy who was reading and eating banana pancakes.

We spent the morning reading (I started Workin’ It! RuPaul’s Guide to Life, Liberty and the Persuit of Style, Kathleen borrowed my copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Andy was halfway through Anthony Keidis’ autobiography, Scar Tissue) before the others went off for a stroll along the beach and I updated my blog. Andy was hunting for seashells for us to eat our two-minute noodles out of (our rooms were not flush with amenities) and Spaullie just wanted to explore the beach. I ended up making 2-minute noods and ate them from the cup that came on top of the flask of hot water, but I had to eat the packet in two halves, because they would not all fit. Fancy times.

Andy and I went for another beach stroll later in the day while Spaullie ploughed through Harry Potter and Andy got sunburnt. It was extra funny as he had been laughing at a meme earlier in the day about Australian’s thinking they can beat the sun, yet here is was, defeated by the fire in the sky. We all had a nap in the middle of the day. #IslandLife

At 4pm, we met up with Weiss, who was taking us on a cave tour. We followed the old train line (that the EcoTrax run on) and then headed right into the trees. The caves were advertised as limestone, but Weiss said that they were actually called Navimbuku caves. He said that his family owned the land that the caves were on and his mother was the one to pass the secret of the caves on to him. Whilst listening to him share the stories of the caves, it made me wonder whether he should be sharing them or keeping them to pass on to his own children.

He said that the caves were used, back in the day, to connect two tribes so that men could travel to the other to find a wife (and also later on for families to seek shelter from hurricanes). The tradition was that the parents of the man would bring a gift for the parents of the woman and they would have to accept if the proper steps were taken. It then took ten days walking in the caves to return to the original village. The two tribes, forgive my spelling, were the Namuka and the Tuvelele tribes. Weiss’ family were from the Namuka village, but he said it no longer existed. He also told us that there was a secret tomb where the chiefs of the villages were buried when they passed away, with a separate tomb for their belongings, like in Ancient Egyptian pyramids. He asked if we would like to see it, but when Kathleen and I asked if it would be disrespectful of us to do so, he said yes, so we didn’t go. I had the feeling that maybe a lot of people had been to the tombs that shouldn’t have been. Weiss was a wonderful story teller and spoke with emotion and great enthusiasm about the story of his ancestors. On the walk on the way back to the beach, I asked him about horse riding on the beach and he said he would bring his horse back on Sunday for $60 FJD. Done.

Andy was feeling very average by the time we got home – we figured he had sunstroke. He had a nap and Spaullie and I went down to the restaurant to play cards and have a few beers. We played with the babies that were down there, as it was all hands on deck in the kitchen and they looked a bit overwhelmed. Andy came down at 7pm, after we had eaten (again with the delicious Ika Bakalolo) and joined us for beer and cards. We made friends with Amina’s two daughters and they helped Kathleen win 3 games of Shithead, while telling us about all the pretty dresses and good books they owned (oh, to be 4 again).

We went back to our rooms at about 10pm and watched The Inbetweener’s Movie before going to sleep. No screams from Kathleen this time – but we did share a bed, because hers was too lumpy and uncomfortable.

[jakeshoshspain]

WWOOFING!!

Our only main complaint about our WWOOFing experience was that it wasn’t long enough.

1) It was breath-takingly beautiful. The mountains were dramatic and mostly untouched, just sprinkled with tiny isolated ancient farm cottages a few miles up every other twist in the road. Then every 30-60 minutes you hit a tiny village packed tightly with a few dozen- a hundred or so traditional white houses and flower pots and hanging pork legs filling every crack. The town we stayed in was called Juviles (pronounced hugh-veal-ace, not jew-viles). It had a total population of 80 people, mostly of incredibly old people who have lived there for generations and generations and crazy cool ex-pats like our hosts.

2) Our hosts were awesome. Damian and Roki had just moved here from London, buying this large plot of land in the Sierra Nevada Mountains about a year ago. Damian still writes for some British publications but spends most of his time tending to his new land and many varieties of trees. Roki is a baker and makes incredible brick oven bread weekly, which she sells to all the people in the town and some in the neighboring towns. (It’s actually fascinating how she does it, the type she makes requires her to kneed the dough every 30 minutes for hours and hours: she starts at 7pm and finishes around 3am, then wakes up at 5 to start putting them in the oven.) Anyway, they were welcoming, made us feel right at home, easy to talk to, taught us a ton, and were always having fascinating conversations with us about all kinds of topics.

3) The work was really cool, kind of fun and often educational. The first few days solely consisted of nonstop olive picking, then we learned how to make soap, plant trees (with layers of different types of soil coverage), prune trees, distribute seeds, sow fields, feed chickens, etc. We had a large variety of jobs to keep things interesting, from cleaning out the chicken coop to deconstructing branches into different varieties of fire wood, to destroying a built-in brick/concrete section of their house they wanted to clear out.

4) BRUNO!! They had the best dog ever. She’s only a year old and has SO much energy. (Yes, she’s a female dog named Bruno, they didn’t check her gender before naming her so they decided she’s a progressive gender fluid dog.) She’d sprint laps around us as we worked and then periodically sprinted right into us to demand some pets and cuddles. By the end of the day she’d tire herself out so thoroughly she’d just come up to us and plop on our laps and pass out while I gave her some doggie massages. Day #2 of olive picking though she found some dead carcass to roll in and she literally smelled like death. That’s why Jake has his jacket over his nose in that picture.

So they had a beautiful house, built in the typical Andalucian mountain town style with incredibly thick white ceramic walls and Moorish tiles. Their property stretched about a football field or two down the mountain. The land has an impressive variety of old fruit, nut and olive trees Damian is working to resurrect and a ton more he’s begun planting. If I remember correctly he has apple trees, peaches, raspberries, pears, chili peppers, persimmon, pomegranates, apricots, lemons, tons of almonds, olives, I think green onions, tomatoes, radishes… honestly I can’t remember them all (the list goes on for a while). Then there’s a chicken coop with 5 or 6 chickens and two big fields we sowed and planted rye. They also have a fascinatingly intricate ancient irrigation system that they think was originally constructed maybe a thousand years ago! There’s a giant community water storage pool up hill from the town that’s connected through ceramic gutters to each household water storage pool. Each household is carefully allocated a specific amount of water; Damian explained there’s always intense commotion over people accusing others over taking more than their fair share, (it’s the town’s main source of drama). Apparently the mayor is taking advantage of her power and draining more of the pool than she’s allowed but no one wants to stand up to her because of her connections to other resources. Anyhow, they also have ceramic gutters branching from their personal water storage pool and stretching all throughout their property, which you can see in the first photo. (There’s also a water storage pool one of the photos, not theirs, just a neighbor’s that happened to be in the foreground of one of my drive-by snapshots of the sunset on the way home from olive picking.)

Anyway, the first few days of olives were pretty exciting. Most of the trees had been abandoned and in terrible shape the year before when Damian and Roki first moved in last year. So the amount of this year’s olive production after a year’s work of pruning and care was impressive. Really, I don’t think they were prepared for how productive their trees had become and tried to shove an harvest into only a few days. (They had an appointment to press the olives into olive oil on Wednesday, but waited until we got here on Sunday to start picking with us.) They had 2 big olive trees on a hill beside their patio, 5 or 6 mini ones I picked by hand nearby and 2 giant ones out into their property, slightly hanging off a mini-cliff and surrounded by stab-y bushes we got the first day. Then the second and third day we trekked out to this other patch of land they own a 20 minute drive down the mountain, which they haven’t really surveyed since they did some harvesting and a lot of pruning last year. There were at least 25 olive trees packed into this hilly thorny landscape, and most of them were filled with hundreds of big juicy, perfectly ripe olives. Then on the third day, Damian discovered a few more giant olive trees on the edge of his property that he didn’t even realize he had.

But it was also kind of exciting and fun to see how many olives were possible to pick in 3 days with 1 semi-experienced olive picker (who didn’t speak English) and 4 mostly first time olive-pickers. The more experienced olive picker was their friend Miguel who regularly joined us from his remote cottage a twisty 20-minute drive up the mountain from Juviles. The olive-picking technique we generally tried to use included positioning giant nets around the trees, and then using a few various methods to got the olives down. These included hand picking the lower branches, combing them off the branches just above our heads with a mini makeshift rake, and hitting the top branches really hard with a giant stick. I usually preferred the handpicking jobs while Jake enjoyed expressing all his inner anger whacking the top branches with all his might (it was as funny to watch as it sounds). Next, we’d pick out all the actual branches and leaves that also fell off during the whacking and raking before we’d pile the netted olives into a crate. But often this didn’t totally work according to plan because the olive trees were planted many years ago in places that don’t actually make any sense, like mid-steep hill and edges of mini cliffs. So you can imagine how creative we had to get positioning sufficient nets around those trees, with branches full of hundreds of juicy olives hanging over difficult to access ground. Also since it was Damian and Roki’s first year learning to prune olives trees, a lot of the branches were way too high up to reach, and many hung over giant painful weed bushes full of sharp burrs. Damian liked to declare, “No olive left behind!!” while Roki was more inclined to take a more laid-back let’s-just-get-what’s-reasonable, lets-not-hurt-ourselves tone (I think she was a little paranoid about over-working us).

I had a lot of fun though trying to make some ninja moves climbing high to reach and pull down some of the seemingly inaccessible branches. We picked olives from about 10am-5:30pm with a quick lunch break for 3 days. Whenever we closed our eyes all we could see was olives, olives, and olives. We filled their dozen or so crates so fast we had to borrow all of the neighbor’s crates, then use sacks and bags, getting creative about how we could even transport so many olives. In the end, we picked a total of 330 kilos of olives (727 lbs) which turned into 110 kilos (242 lbs) of olive oil. The oil was delicious, stronger and much more fragrant and flavorful than the olive oil I’m used to. They gave us some samples to take home so remind Jake and I to offer you some if you’re interested in trying it!

[proxylynn]

Undertale: (file name not found) part #65

SPOILER WARNING: IF YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED THE GAME YET, PLEASE DO! OTHERWISE THIS WILL MAKE NO SENSE OR RUIN PARTS OF THE GAME YOU HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO YET. SO PLEASE, GO PLAY IT, SERIOUSLY! ... WHY ARE YOU STILL HERE? YOU BETTER HAVE PLAYED THE GAME BY NOW. I WANT NO RESPONSIBILITY OVER SPOILING THINGS FOR OTHERS. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Since reawakening up on the surface, adjusting to this new renewed life of mine has been, well...challenging to say the least. Now normally I like a challenge, but this...Not so much. Each day I am made to get up at 6am, unless it's the weekend then I don't gotta do jack squat! Next, cleansing and grooming, because a proper lady must always look her best. Next is breakfast, followed by schooling in the basics to keep us up to date and to make sure our minds don't forget. This lasts until 10am and we move on to our appointed royal duties. This in a nut shell, is the whole family either tending to paper work or going to meetings which consist of us talking about most of the junk that was in the paper work or addressing people directly by going into town for some real insight. For several hours this type of work happens, only breaking for lunch at 1pm, and eventually ending at around 5pm. After all that there is a 30 minute rest before we're able to attend our own personal activities. I can't really complain about the time frame for my lessons with Gaster, it's at a point when he's off the clock and able to give me his full attention, though his brothers still seem to be cautious when it comes to us being together alone. I suppose they worry that Gaster might revert to his old ways and experiment on me, but I haven't really peaked his interest after studying my soul in my latest physical. I can still switch between traits like I tend to do, but Anomaly State seems to be lost for good. On the bright side, my magic abilities have improved greatly thanks to his teachings and those of his parents who I must say are the absolute nicest people I am ever so grateful to know. I figure I've gotten good enough to handle trying to make Gaster Blasters, but Gaster doesn't think I'm ready, so I plan to prove him wrong over time, no need to rush and turn him off to the idea. Dinner happens at about 6 or 7pm depending on things and then it's bed time at 9pm or 10 pm at the latest to insure a quality 8 hour sleep. All this happens while under the watchful guard of the two boy I hold dear and that causes its own chaos of sorts. While on the clock, Papyrus takes his job seriously and wears his armor with pride, not even his feelings distract him from his mission, though they do sometimes make it a little hard for him to concentrate. Sans on the other hand takes a more inconspicuous approach to his job, he wears similar armor to Papyrus, but not as much and hides it under his casual clothing so he seems less suspecting if something is indeed up, but unlike Papyrus, Sans has no qualms with expressing himself with me while working unless in public or while in political meetings because that's when my parents are there. But lately a new aspect has entered the fray and added to the current difficulty level. It's almost Christmas. Surprisingly not much about the holiday is different than what I knew from the past. It's still a celebration regarding the birth of a religious figure, but it's more about coming together to share in the appreciation of life and not something shoved down our throats with commercialism, though Santa is still a thing yet he's more a Christmas-eve thing and not the main holiday person. Still, gifts are exchanged with loved ones and with all the runaround lately shopping hasn't been an easy thing to. I've had to miss lunch and bargain with Gaster just to get some time to sneak off to get things without others seeing. So far, I've only managed to get gifts for Asgore, Toriel, Asriel, Chara, Alphys, Undyne, and Mettaton, Napstablook...They surprisingly were the easy ones. That just left Grillby, Gaster, Sans, Papyrus, Semi, and Calibri & Lucida...The main hard ones. Thank god for the weekend, I need this time to really think things through on what to get. But as a rule, the Princess is not to go out without company, unless I sneak away that is. Yet since I'm shopping for my normal escorts, my brothers have to step in for them, no one messes with the royal trio when we hit the streets! On a bonus note, we don't have to look royal while out and about, which is great, 'cause I'm not big on wearing dresses out in public. Though it is pretty cool to see Chara and Asriel in regular clothes. Flannel shirt and jeans for Asriel. Long sleeved shirt under short sleeved shirt and cargo pants for Chara. Me, I can't beat the classic t-shirt and camo pants. "You think we can find good gifts here?" "It's the MTT Mega Mall. If we can't find something here, then we can't find it anywhere." "I'm surprised you aren't going to make your gifts." "I have made some. But for once in my life I have a ton of cash. If I want to spoil you lot, I'm gonna spoil you like never before!" I pose dramaticly. "Lynn, people can see you." "So?" "You look stupid when you do that." "I don't care. I died to make this world a better place, I will act like a fool if I want because damn it, it makes me happy." Asriel chuckles and Chara pulls me into a headlock for nuggies. "Come on. Let's get this over with." "How long are doing this for?" "For as long as we need." "Who are you shopping for?" "Pretty much the entire Skeleton family and Grillby. I got everyone else already." "Damn...I was hoping to sneak a peek at what you got me." "Focus bros, don't you both still need to get gifts yourselves?" Asriel blinks then charges into the mall. "God of Hyper-shopping away!" I can't help but laugh and Chara smirks. "You're so rubbing off on him." "Is that really a bad thing?" "So long as we don't catch him wearing your bras, I think it's fine." "...Dude...Never say that again. No one needs to picture that. EVER." Chara just laughs at me as we follow after our nutty brother. It doesn't take long to track Asriel down and together again we begin to hunt down our gift prey. They help me when it comes to getting the gifts for the bone family and I help with their gifts to our parents. But when it comes down to the last on our lists, we split up and agree to meet up again at the entrance. Last on my list is Grillby...Not really sure how to go about on this one. Though I've been trying to connect with Grillby more, I still don't know much about him. Think Lynn, think! What can I get a fire elemental that owns his own business and is still so freaking hot! ... I really need help sometimes. I end up waking around and looking at every outlet I see, feeling crappy with each disappointing object that fails to click with me that I'd think he'd like. Some things I thought were good, but fuck no to those outrageous prices. I may have coin, but there's a limit...Plus I don't want to over do it. If I pay too much for one person, then the others will feel bad like I don't care enough, everyone is limited to 100g. But damn it...Why is this one so freaking hard?! Okay, calm down, clear your mind...Let the gift find you. So I backtrack to all the places I've been, looking over things again but without worry. And it isn't till I return to the Discovery Channel store, there I spy a few things that I believe will click together nicely. "Oh yes. This will do nicely." I can't help the wicked giggles that leave me, earning a couple odd looks my way, but I pay no mind as gleefully pay for my things. With my many bags clutched tightly in my straining hands, I head for the fountain at the center of the mall, yeah, even up here, Mettaton had to remake himself as a fountain for all to see, it doubles as a wishing fountain because 'through the power of my fabulous stardom, anything is possible'. He's so full of himself...That loveable goofball ghost. It is here that we three choose to meet up once we were done shopping. Yet I find only myself to be here, so it seems I must wait for Asriel and Chara. Time seems to slowly pass. Faces come and go. But my brothers are still a no show. I should've seen this coming. Asriel and Chara are probably being hounded by people that are gaa-gaa for their looks. Sure, my bros are good looking. But damn, you'd think they were rock stars with the amount of groupies that trail behind them. Some looks have come my way, from humans and monsters alike, but my heart has a home and no amount of attention will sway it from its mount. "Excuse me..." A rather smooth voice hits my ears but I pay it no mind, it's not a voice I know. "Are you, Princess Dreemurr?" Crap. I look over my shoulder and to my left is a rather pleasant human gentleman sitting just a bit away from me. A bad feeling makes my stomach churn. "You are her, aren't you?" "I'm afraid you are mistaken sir." "Are you sure? Because you look very much so like her on that TV over there." He points and damn it all, it's rerun of the holiday commercial Mettaton shot with my family wishing everyone good cheer...God that sweater I'm wearing looks tacky. "So, you sure that isn't you?" His smug smile makes me want to punch him in the face. "Fine, you got me. It's me." His smile grows. "I knew it. I can spot a lovely lady from miles away." "If that's your superpower, I'd ask for a refund." He just chuckles and scoots closer to me, I don't like it. "So, Princess...Doing some shopping I see." Oh my god this guy is so lame! "Good news, your eyes work." "Hey now...Why so cross? I haven't done anything wrong." "Look buddy, I'm gonna be blunt and get to the point. Be like Mario and move on to the next level, because I'm sorry, but your princess is in another castle." I can't help my nerdiness and sadly it takes all seriousness away from me, as he finds this hysterical. "Oh my god! *laughs* That was the cutest thing I've ever heard!" God damn it, stop liking me! I give up talking and get up to leave. "Hahah...Hey wait! Where are you going?" "Away." "Come on. I'm not a bad guy when you get yo know me." Do I have to put up a sign?! "I have a boyfriend, so can you please stop." I hope that the truth will make him stop, but as with everything else I say, he sees a way around it. "Oh a thousand pardons. Do tell...Where is this lucky person that has won your hand?" You son of a bitch! "He's meeting me here. So please leave me be before you end up regretting this." "Huh. Sounds like a violent guy. A Princess like you deserves better." "For the love of god...!" I am not one to make a scene, I leave that to the experts like Mettaton and Undyne, but this guy... "Take the hint already. I am NOT interested! I am in a relationship! So back off before I...!" "Before you do what, you self entitled bitch!" ...Mother fucker, what did you just call me?! "Heh...Excuse you?" "You heard me. You think just because your the fake daughter to the King, it means you can treat the common guy like dirt. Well guess what! You are nothing but a...a..." I can't see the look on my face, but judging by the one on his, I must be very frightening. "Buddy...If you keep talking like that, let's just say...You're gonna have a bad time." Whoa...Where did that come from...I thought that type of darkness died with the demon? I shake my head clear from this anger and he moves to take advantage, aiming to either push or grab me I know not which, but then... "Shoryuken!" The guy gets his block knocked off and lands in the fountain with a resounding splash. "Creeps like you give humans a bad name! Now get lost!" The guy glares but leaves with his metaphorical tail between his legs when others begin to crowd around. "You okay Lynsie?" Reality returns to me when the shock fade and I'm staring at a girl in a striped sweater. Then it hits me. "Frisk?" She beams a smile and gives me a thumbs up. "The one and only." Oh shit... [You feel karma is going to bite your butt.] "Uh..." She just laughs. "Geez, relax. You so nervous you look like you might fart." I blush with a sigh into a more chill mood. "To be fair, dealing with creeps and then running into someone who was less than happy the last time we met...Yeah...I'm a wee bit nervous, kid." "Yeah...That...I'm sorry about that." And just like that hell has frozen solid. "You're sorry?" "She rubs the back of her head. "I am. Not just for that whole 'I'm going to SAVE over you so I can keep playing' thing. I mean...I'm sorry for all the bad stuff I did." I want to be smug about this, I feel like I should rub it in her face, but that isn't right, it's not who I am. "Frisk...I'm sorry too." That took her by surprise. "Why are you sorry? You stopped me from hurting myself and others. I mean, look at all this! You did this. What's to be sorry for?" "Well...I'm sorry that I was, uh...I was a bitch to be honest." She nearly bursts into laughter. "You were not a bitch." "Oh I was so a bitch. I was such a bitch I was close to C-word level douchebagery. Asriel made it clear to me in our fight. Why did I try so hard to save him and Chara, yet when it came to you, I was more harsh? It's been eating at me for some time. But I think...I think I was taking my own anger out on you. I understood you had a condition, but everything else...Everything I was told...My disgust with humanity back then...It all was seething in the depths of my soul and I ended up making you the one to blame. For that...Can you ever forgive me?" She gives me my answer in the form of hugging me around my waist and all I can do is smile. "How about we do this...Let's RESET ourselves. Like this is our first time meeting." "Hmmm...Sounds like a plan." She lets go and bows. "Please to meet you. My name is Frisk." "Heh, very cute. Howdy. I'm Lynsie. It's nice to meet you, Frisk." She attempts to shake my hand, but as they are full, it just makes for a awkward goof. "So...Did you really use the 'Rising Dragon Fist' on that jerk?" "Heck yeah! It's what Deadpool would do. He's awesome. He reminds me of Sans sometimes. Only he's more about chimichangas and less about ketchup." ...I think I want to keep her. "You and me are going to get along epically." She blushes and I snicker. "Hey sis!" From behind me, Asriel and Chara approach, becoming very surprised by who they see with me. "Uh..." "Everything okay here?" We just smile. "Yeah, everything is fine. Frisk here just beat a creep that was being a ass to me...Uh...I probably should stop swearing so much in public and in front of children." They stopped listening after hearing about someone being bad to their little sister. Asriel nearly bursts into flames and Chara brings out his butterfly knife like some punk from the 50's. It took some time to calm them down. Though for fun, I give them a slight description of the guy and secretly hope we run into that schmuck on the way out. Lucky for the schmuck, he's gone by the time we leave, bringing Frisk along with us so she doesn't have to take the bus home. I sort of regret bringing her when she comments on how Chara has a driver's license, but Asriel and I don't, something Chara likes to rub our noses in whenever he can...Like jerk. It's not our fault we don't have one, we're too busy to bother with it, Asriel is always swimming in studies and trying to make space in my schedule is hard enough already, just making time for this shopping cost me big time in my magic studies with Gaster. We drop Frisk off at her home, boy, nothing makes things funny and awkward then taking a kid home only to have their parents wig out because their kid is with royalty...That was a hoot and a half. ... The fuck does that even mean?! God I'm getting old. Back at home, the boys tend to their business and I my own, wrapping gifts was never my strong suit, but when that's out of the way, I can get to the real fun...Making Grillby's gift. [About less than a week later.] 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the castle. Not a monster was stirring, but one human who is sometimes a hassle. Sleep was not her friend this eve, so she went to make sure of some last minute things. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. The tree set aglow with lights and garland, and the family made ornaments that hung are so darling. Her family was nestled all snug in their beds; while visions of sugar-plums or something else danced in their heads. Mamma Toriel in her 'kerchief, and papa Asgore in his cap, most likely had just settled down for a long winter's nap. She sorted the gifts from whom to who, what else was someone with OCD to do? 'It would make things easier' was the thought in her head, unaware someone else was also out of bed. When out in the hall there arose such a clatter, she sprang from her work to see what was the matter. Away to the hall she flew like a flash, flinging open the doors and trying not to laugh. The moonlight coming in the frosty window, gave a luster of midday shine to the scene that she did lo. When what to her wondering eyes did appear, but Asgore dressed in full Santa gear. He was dressed all in fur from his head to his feet, and his clothes were all pressed to look oh so neat. A bundle of goodies he had dropped off his back, he looked like a peddler just about to open his pack. His eyes how they twinkled, swelling to be watery, his tongue seemed bitten, and his nose ever furry. His droll mouth was drawn up like a tight bow, and the golden beard on his chin was made to look as white as the snow. The fluffy hat that donned his head like his crown, now on the floor as if it jumped with a bound. He had a broad face and a little round belly, it shook when he winced like a bowl full of swirled up jelly. He was slightly chubby and plump, a normally jolly old soul, and she laughed when she saw him, in spite of herself. A tear in his eye and a twist of his head, soon made her silent not knowing if there's something to dread. With a little nervous laugh so lively and quick, she knew in a moment she would be in deep shit. More rapid than eagles his curses they came, and he whimper, and hissed, and rubbed his knee in pain. The King of Monsters had slipped quite foolishly, a old rug was the culprit as it was turned over loosely. To her father's aid she went, being his crutch as he was lead to his throne and sat down as if spent. "Santa, why are you up?" Was her question..."Why, to deliver presents of course." Is all he did mention. Clearly these two were doofs, like father like daughter, they were complete goofs. Yet Asgore's ruckus would not go unheard, Asriel and Chara awoke to follow without saying a word. So the sons soon joined the pair, a daughter at work and father in chair. Helped her they did handling the gifts with care, all while Santa Asgore watched in kind air. The milk and cookies left out for old man Claus were now gone, shared amongst them in the ever approaching dawn. Long into the night they were like elves, making sure all was perfect, like books upon shelves. With a yawn the King drew in his kids, the sandman finally working his magic and dusting their lids. They spoke not a word but went straight to his side, father and children, at the thrones they did lie. And laying there in slumber four Dreemurrs did sleep, but there in the entrance a smiling mother made not a peep. She sprang to her loved ones as a doting mother does, taking each one back to bed just because. Her task done and all now tucked into bed just right, Queen and mother Toriel whispered softly into her dreams..."Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night." [Christmas morning.] Slowly I stir from what little sleep I had, amazed Papyrus hadn't kicked in my door by now till I remember it's Sunday, and he's kind enough to let me rest longer on weekends. Crawling to the edge of the bed, I stretch out and yawn, my back letting out a couple of loud snaps to welcome my ears to my eventual pain later on in life. "geez sweetheart...it's a wonder how you aren't slumped over in pain all the time." ...Did I just hear what I thought I just heard? Turning my head, I spy over my shoulder a very confusing sight. Sans is all too comfortable laying on my bed with a playful grin, under the covers and topless...dear lord you better not be naked under there. "what's the matter sweetheart? not happy to see me?" I blush and bite my tongue to hold back building giggles. "Really stepping up your game, huh punny bones? I know Papy said to put more backbone into your work, but I don't think he quite meant this." "gotta have some fun every now and then. but seeing you sleep so peacefully...you made the bed look so inviting. i couldn't help myself." "Heh...You continue to surprise me, Sans. You were so cautious in the Underground. Nervous about what Toriel would see. But up here, where she's even closer to us...You've gotten more daring sir." He chuckles. "so you've noticed." "Hard not to notice the adorable bundle of bare bones in my bed." He blushes and I get up, secretly thankful I did not sleep in the nightie Mettaton got me for my birthday...Boy mom and dad were pissed! "So...You nude under there or what?" The calmness of that question rattled him. "sweetheart, i'm bold...but not that bold." He flips the covers off to show he's in his shorts. "not that i have much to hide anyway." "Oh don't be so modest. That pelvic bone of yours doesn't leave much to the imagination." He's quick to bring those sheets back over him much to my amusement as I gather my preset out outfit for the day. "My hips don't lie, so to be honest, that was cute." I hear him shift his way out of the bed. "seems i'm not the only one that got bold in this time line." "I try. Have to keep up with you of course. *sigh* And here I thought the sweaters would be a bit more tasteful." Seems tacky holiday sweaters are immune to time line alterations. It's eye catching bright white with red randomly placed snowflakes all over, green trims the cuffs and collar, but the really lame part is what is written on it...Meet me under the mistletoe, a image of mistletoe above the wording. "wow." "Wait for it..." I press a spot on the cuff and the whole thing lights up. "oh my god...*snickering* you are so boned." "This is a prime example why you never let your former demon of a brother go with your mom to do clothes shopping. Because this stuff happens!" "well, that's a bummer for you. luckily, my bro doesn't stick me with such naughty things." "You can say that again. Is this implying others to get under the sweater with me? Better than the male version I suppose, but not by much." "why? what's the guy version?" "See the mistletoe is on the chest here?" "yeah?" "On the guy version, it's a lot closer to the south pole. If you catch my drift." The face he makes when he puts the picture together in his head is priceless, I want to say something naughty in a pun way but I can't think of anything...Especially not when I get to watch him redress. I am so getting coal for this. Wait...How long was he in here with me? "Sans...How long have you..." "SANS!" And right on cue, my door is kicked in by the great Papyrus. "SANS YOU LAZY BONES! YOU WERE SENT HERE OVER A HOUR AGO! WHAT'S TAKING YOU SO LONG?" Papyrus then notices me. "OH. GOOD MORNING PRINCESS. I HOPE YOUR SLEEP WAS PLEASANT." Oh Papy, how cute you are when you jump from reprimanding to sweetness like that. "I slept quite nicely dear. But when you dream of the great Papyrus, there is no better rest than that." And the blush you get from my sweetness is enough to warm my heart all year long. "sorry bro. would've been back sooner, but lynn and i were just caught up in such a nice chat." You sneaky devil, you came in and got cozy instead of waking me up...well played Sans. "OH? WHAT ABOUT?" I hold up my sweater and his face contorts trying not to laugh. "BE THAT AS IT MAY, SANS WAS SUPPOSE TO INFORM YOU THAT EVERYONE IS GATHERED IN THRONE ROOM AND READY TO BEGIN THE FESTIVITIES." "Ah. Then I better don this now very gay apparel and jingle all the way the merry way there." Sans can't help but laugh and Papyrus groans in a endearing yet bugged way. "COME ALONG BROTHER. WE MUST LET HER DRESS." "sure thing. see you in a bit sweetheart." With a wave of the hand the boys take leave of my room and I am able to dress seasonally for what will most likely be a very weird yet very entertaining Christmas day. They escort me to the throne room, which is a hustle and bustle of good cheer. And much to my amusement, seems ridiculous sweaters have been a major theme. Toriel is handing them out like pie to anyone not wearing one. She's wearing a rather tame one, it's a classic red with white snowflakes and reads 'Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas!'. This get even more funny when she gives one to Sans and Papyrus. Sans's is black and reads in white 'On the Naughty List' while Papyrus's is white and reads in black 'On the Nice List'...I get the feeling she picked those personally. She always did like Papyrus more than Sans, after all, she never caught Papyrus on top of me in the snow. "you've got to be joking." "DON'T BE SUCH A HUMBUG SANS. I THINK WE LOOK GREAT." "You both are cute as heck. Now let's not care about these silly things. It's Christmas day! Let's be merry and bright till we can't stand it to the point we want to leap out windows." Papyrus looks away recalling times he's done that and Sans snickers. "Yoohoo...Lynsie, darling~." Mettaton from across the way waves me over, his silly sweater has lug nut snowflakes on it and reads 'Jingle Bolts'...Dear god, the adorableness is going to overwhelm me if this is how they all are. "Time to mingle boys. Let's get our yuletide on and party!" I head off to Mettaton and Sans attempts to follow, but Papyrus is quick to pull him away before something happens. "Metta! How is my shinning star today?" "Much better now that you're here. 'Meet me under the mistletoe'? Well tradition is tradition~..." "Sweater pictures don't count. You want a kiss, find the real plant and maybe luck will be on your side." I wink playful, just to tease like we used to, I end up feeling regret when oil leaks out his nose. "Metta? You okay?" He grabs my shoulders and grins. "Stay right here. I'll be back before you can say 'show time'." He takes off in a mistletoe hunt and I can't help the snickering that leaves me. "Well he took off in a big hurry. Everything okay?" Napstablook seems to be adapting well to his robot body, he's got this new vibe of confidence, it's faint but there...His sweater has music notes and reads 'Disc the Halls'. "Him? He's off to look for mistletoe to get a kiss. Classic Metta." "Yeah. But that's just how he is about you. It's been kind of funny really." "How so?" "He's been jealous that I got to kiss you. It's actually rather cool to have that over him." "Bet that's been fun." "I've actually made it into a song. N-not one I put out for sale or something like that! I-i mean...It's personal. You know what I mean?" That touches my heart. "You...You made a song about us?" Robo-blush...nothing tops that level cute, especially when it's from him. "Uh...Y-yeah?" "Oh Blooky-boo!" I glomp him much to his surprise and his blush only grows brighter when I give his cheek a big kiss. "You are so adorable!" "Ah geez...Not in front of everyone." "Fair enough Blooky. But you owe me one." "W-what?!" "I want a copy of that personal music you made. And I won't take no for a answer." Though the smile I have says 'you don't really have to if you don't want to' and he messes my hair up. "Only if you sing for me Princess." He tries a confident almost flirty tone, but I can't buy it and snicker much to his embarrassment. "Lynsie..." "I'm sorry. But that was too cute." He sighs into a smile hugs me around the neck, giving my cheek a nuzzle before backing off quickly. Now why would he... "Lynsie!" The tackle I get from big brother Asriel explains that one. "What took you so long? Were you and Sans making out~." "Grow up goat boy." "Nice come back shorty." "Hey! I beat YOU in the final battle." "I let you win." "That's bull and you now it." "Is not." "Is too. You know you love me too much to really kill me...a third time anyway." "Why kill you when mom can make you wear such a assaulting sweater?" "Like yours is any better?" Asriel is wearing a blue with white snowflakes sweater that reads 'X-mas Angel' on it, it also has the Delta Rune on it as the angel. "At least it's not inviting others to grope my mouth." "Fair enough. Hey, look. You finally won a fight with me." He bleats angrily and by the time he realizes it, I'm on the floor laughing my ass off. "It's not funny!" "Then why am I laughing so much?!" "Will you two cut it out? If anyone is going to pick on someone, it's going to be me." Chara strolls on over, red sweater reading 'Santa's Little Helper', though it's clear to some that it should be more like Satan most days. "Sup, bro?" "Don't you 'sup' me, sister! Because of you, we've been waiting to open presents. What was taking you so long?" This type of conversation seems very familiar. "Me? I was just staring at a lamp. It really brightens the place up. Do you wanna go take a look?" He opens his mouth to scold me till realization stops him and he glares daggers at me. "That...Is not funny." "whoo! proud of you sweetheart!" "Seems the audience disagrees with you there bro." "That's because you're boning them, sis." Now I'm the one glaring, it makes him smirk. "Awww...Did I hit your funny bone wrong?" Asriel as the voice of reason, attempts to prevent a fight. "Hey, come on. We're family. Family doesn't fight family." We just continue our little stare down, tension mounting like a thunderstorm ready to strike. "Hey Chara." "What?" "Chicken butt." He snickers and the tension storm is gone just like that much to Asriel's relief. "You're such a dork." "Yeah. And very proud." "Come on...Let's get to the good part of this holiday and see what we got." "Yeah!" "Heh, boys and their toys." My brother dash off and I just look at poor Blooky who's been standing there the entire time trying to make himself invisible with sheer will. "You okay sweety?" "That...Was scary." "I'm sorry dear. But we never get farther than that. Just classic sibling jostling." "If you say so." He's still tense, so I do what I always do for my best bud Blooky-boo, I make things better. I slip my hand to hold his and he looks at me with a blush. "Lynsie?" "I've missed you Blooky-boo. I miss being there to cheer you up and see you smile." His blush increases and I give him a soft smile. "Um...Lynsie?" "Yeah?" "Can you, uh, close your eyes for a moment?" Awww...Probably wants to give me his gift away from the others so no one bugs him about it. "Sure sweety." I close my eyes and wait for what I think is him getting something, but what I don't see is him grasping for every once of courage he has to lean in for a kiss...Just like the one we shared so long ago. Yet just as he's about make contact, only managing to touch his nose to mine, Mettaton comes bonding back and yanks Napstablook away to take his place, having found mistletoe which he has mounted to dangle over his head, he proceeds to steal Blooky's kiss much to my shock. "M-mettaton!?" "Mmmm...Sorry cousin. But I've been waiting to do that longer than anyone knows." Blooky looks at me. "Go for it sweety." Mettaton is confused till Napstablook starts batting at him in a flustered 'how could you' way, forcing Mettaton to flee while Blooky gives chase. Silly boys...But how I love them so. I wander my way around the room, taking note of where others are. Toriel and Asgore are nose nuzzling, much to Gerson's displeasure. Asgore has a cute sweater that reads 'North Pole's Most Wanted' and a picture of a Rudolf mugshot with glowing red nose sets it up for fun. Gerson's is a tad ironic, a pear tree with two real turtle-doves nesting on top in the snow...very cute. Undyne and Alphys are sharing pleasantries over some eggnog. Undyne's sweater is funny, it's sea foam green and has angelfish on it while reading 'Merry Fishmas'. Alphys has more anime-ish one, it's pink and reads 'All I Want For Christmas Is Otaku'...I think it has a double meaning and can be a pun. But where is... [BEEP-BEEP] A text? "Merry Christmas Lynsie." I smile and reply. "Merry Christmas Grillby." A tap to my shoulder has me spin around to meet him properly. "Good to see you hot stuff. Doing well?" He nods. Grillby too in not immune to the sweater craziness, his is rather tame but funny because he is fire, it reads 'I'm Cool With Coal'. "Mama got you too? Or is this all you?" He points to himself. "Awww...Now that's cute. You're sense of humor is the same as your personality...Perfectly warm." The tell tale hint of butane blue burns his cheeks making him all the more sweet. "So...You have a day off coming up after the holidays? I still owe you that promise." He nods and texts. [BEEP-BEEP] "Is January seventh good for you?" "Let me check real quick." I scroll through my phone's date planner. "And...Good news. That's a Saturday, and I'm off on weekends. What time can I come over?" [BEEP-BEEP] "How's about 10 or 11am sound?" "Sounds like a plan my man. Oh! I, um...Heh...I made you a gift. It's sorta personal, so, I'm not sure if you'd be big on the whole opening it in front of others thing." He tilts his head slightly and texts. [BEEP-BEEP] "You really made me something?" I rub the back of my head sheepishly. "Kinda had no choice but to make one. As much as I like you, I simply don't know you well enough to pick stuff out and be all 'oh I know he will like that' you know. So I...I made something I hope you'll care for." His blush burns a tad brighter, even more so when I take him by the hand and lead him over to the tree, once there, I nervously offer him the box, earning me a lighthearted smile from the fire elemental as he sets the box a flame safely to reveal the contents within. On a glass palette as wide as both hands stretched open, is a menagerie of crystals, one large orange centers the piece while surrounded by slightly smaller ones in all different colors, but inside the big one is some dark illegible marks that has his already wide eyes searching for what it can be and knowing what comes next has me blushing like a fool. "It didn't take long to grow them. They're mainly normal crystals. But I did do something special with the kind of crystals that might bring back some memories." I barely give the big one a tap and the whole thing is set a glow, those dark illegible marks now read clearly a message I know he's longed to hear...'TO ME, YOU ARE SPECIAL, GRILLBY'. His eyes glisten as they water, turning to steam with a sizzle the moment the liquid escapes to touch his fiery flesh, I begin to get concerned by this when his lips begin to quiver and he sets the gift down off to the side. "Grillby? Are you alright? I didn't mean to..." I'm cut off by his sudden embrace, so warm and strong with feeling, his face pressed against mine with his mouth close to my ear, he tries to speak, but his words sound smothered by how touched he was, I return his hold as I rub his back in comfort. "It's okay. You don't have to say anything. I understand what you mean." He trembles lightly. "Grillby?" "...Thank you...So much...Lynsie." I can feel my heart stop before swelling with so much love that it begins pouring out my eyes, and as much as I hate to cry or show such emotion in public, I could care less at who sees, I gave him love, that's all that matters to me. The looks that this display gets are more of the worried variety then amused as we stay like this for quite some time, but eventually the tears stop and we've calmed down enough that we know it's time to let go, yet not before I say something I only want him to hear. "Grillby...I love you." I feel his cheeks heat up but he gets me back with a kiss to my cheek and we pull apart all smiles. "✋☞ ✡⚐🕆 ❄🕈⚐ ✌☼☜ 👎⚐☠☜ 🕈✋❄☟ ❄☟✋💧 ☹✋❄❄☹☜ 💧☟⚐🕈📪 🕈☜ 👍✌☠ ☝☜❄ ❄☟☜💧☜ ☞☜💧❄✋✞✋❄✋☜💧 ⚐✞☜☼ ✌☠👎 👎⚐☠☜ 🕈✋❄☟📬" (IF YOU TWO ARE DONE WITH THIS LITTLE SHOW, WE CAN GET THESE FESTIVITIES OVER AND DONE WITH.) Seems like Gaster is the Grinch of the party, even his green sweater displays his real feelings about the holiday, atoms for snowflakes, a tree made from the periodic table of elements, chemical beakers are among presents, and it reads 'OH CHEMISTREE, OH CHEMISTREE!'. "Oh come on G. Aren't you even the tiniest bit festive?" He rolls his eyes with a sigh. "✋ 🕈⚐🕆☹👎 🏱☼☜☞☜☼ ❄⚐ 👌☜ 🕈⚐☼😐✋☠☝📪 ❄☟✌❄ 💣🕆👍☟ ✋💧 ❄☼🕆☜📬 👌🕆❄📬📬📬✋❄ ✋💧 ☠⚐❄ 👌☜☠☜✌❄☟ 💣☜ ❄⚐ ❄✌😐☜ 🏱✌☼❄ ✋☠ ☞✌💣✋☹✡ ☜✞☜☠❄💧📬" (I WOULD PREFER TO BE WORKING, THAT MUCH IS TRUE. BUT...IT IS NOT BENEATH ME TO TAKE PART IN FAMILY EVENTS.) "Oh? Will the rest of the family be joining us today?" "☠⚐📬 🕈☟✋☹☜ ❄☟☜✡ 💧☜☠👎 ❄☟☜✋☼ 🕈✋💧☟☜💧📪 ⚐🕆☼ 🏱✌☼☜☠❄💧 👍✌☠🕯❄ ✌❄❄☜☠👎 ☟☜☼☜📬 💧☜💣✋🕯💧 ☟☜✌☹❄☟ ☟✌💧 👌☜☜☠ 👍⚐☠👍☜☼☠✋☠☝ ✌💧 ⚐☞ ☹✌❄☜📬 ☠⚐❄☟✋☠☝ 💣✌☺⚐☼📪 ✌ 👍⚐☹👎 ✌❄ 👌☜💧❄📬 ☠⚐❄ ☹✋😐☜ ❄☟✋💧 🕈☜✌❄☟☜☼ ✋💧 ☟☜☹🏱☞🕆☹ ✋☠ 💧🕆👍☟ ❄☟✋☠☝💧📬" (NO. WHILE THEY SEND THEIR WISHES, OUR PARENTS CAN'T ATTEND HERE. SEMI'S HEALTH HAS BEEN CONCERNING AS OF LATE. NOTHING MAJOR, A COLD AT BEST. NOT LIKE THIS WEATHER IS HELPFUL IN SUCH THINGS.) "Oh no, not Grandpa Semi. Well, I know he's tough old soul. He can beat this like how he almost beat me." He chuckles at that. "❄☟✌❄ ☼☜💣✋☠👎💧 💣☜📬📬📬☟☜ 🕈✌☠❄☜👎 ❄⚐ 😐☠⚐🕈 ✋☞ ✌☠👎 ✋ ✈🕆⚐❄☜ 🕯🕈✋☹☹ ❄☟☜ ☞🕆❄🕆☼☜ 💣⚐❄☟☜☼ ⚐☞ 💣✡ ☝☼✌☠👎😐✋👎💧 👌☜ 💧❄⚐🏱🏱✋☠☝ 👌✡ 💧⚐💣☜❄✋💣☜ 💧⚐⚐☠✍🕯 ☜☠👎 ✈🕆⚐❄☜📬" (THAT REMINDS ME...HE WANTED TO KNOW IF AND I QUOTE 'WILL THE FUTURE MOTHER OF MY GRANDKIDS BE STOPPING BY SOMETIME SOON?' END QUOTE.) My jaw drops and I hear sputtering plus a crash across the room, Sans had spat out his drink while Papyrus had lost his footing upon barely hearing that...though it pales in comparison to the glaring Toriel and Asgore are doing now. "Dear god Semi...Yes, I'll come over. But really? He's still on about that?" "✋☞ ✡⚐🕆 ❄☟✋☠😐 ❄☟✌❄🕯💧 👌✌👎📪 ✋ ☹✋✞☜ 🕈✋❄☟ ❄☟☜ 💣✌☠📬 ✋ 💧🕈☜✌☼📪 ❄☟☜ ❄☟✋☠☝💧 ☟☜ 💧✌✡💧📬 🕈☟✌❄ ☟☜ ✋☠💧✋☠🕆✌❄☜💧📬 ⚐☞ ✌☹☹ ❄☟☜ 🕈✋☹👎 ✌☠👎 🏱☼☜🏱⚐💧❄☜☼⚐🕆💧 ✋👎☜✌💧📬" (IF YOU THINK THAT'S BAD, I LIVE WITH THE MAN. I SWEAR, THE THINGS HE SAYS. WHAT HE INSINUATES. OF ALL THE WILD AND PREPOSTEROUS IDEAS.) Oh my god Semi, what are you thinking? "Why do I get the feeling he's trying to push you at me too?" The silence and blush that befalls Gaster only makes me crack a weird smile. "Wow Semi...Just wow." "☹☜❄🕯💧 ☠⚐❄ ❄✌☹😐 ✌☠✡💣⚐☼☜ ✌👌⚐🕆❄ ❄☟✋💧 💧🕆👌☺☜👍❄📬" (LET'S NOT TALK ANYMORE ABOUT THIS SUBJECT.) "Agreed. Because at this point Toriel and Asgore might go nuts. So...Hey everyone! Let's open some presents already!" With that, the mood of the room goes from a slightly tense to 'yay presents' stampede, as everyone flocks to the tree for gifts galore. Bows, wrapping paper, and packing tissue fly through the air, littering the floor like a bunch of kids were let loose. Each gift opened is more touching than the last, even the ones from those that you don't expect good stuff from, not naming names, but a fun surprise is still fun, though a odd surprise was when I looked around and did not see a gift from the brothers for me even though they got some for the others. I'm not hurt...Just...It's unexpected. I'm tempted to ask them till I notice they've vanished from the group along with Mettaton and Napstablook. The heck is going on? "Psst! Darling!" The hell? Mettaton is waving me over and at this point I sneak away to him in hope of some answers. "Metta, what is...?" "Shhh! It's a surprise darling. No spoilers here." Okay sir dramatic, you have my interest. "Very well dear. Lead the way." He holds my hand and begins taking me through the castle, leading us down hallways for seemingly no reason, as if to make sure we not being followed, but what could be so secret that he has to do this? "Metta?" "Just a little more dear. Oh! and do close your eyes. You don't want to ruin it do you?" I giggle and do as he says, listening as our steps go from clacking on the stone floor to softly crunching in what I think is the grass of the courtyard, now I am very intrigued. He eventually makes me stop and has me sit down on what I hope is chair because Toriel will be ticked off if I got a stain on my clothes. "Now wait here and don't open those pretty eyes." "But when should I open them?" "Oh you'll know~." I hear him walk away and I feel like a kid waiting to be picked up from school...alone and awkward. Then something hits my ears, soft feedback that then fixes into building music. Hold on...I know this song. I open my eyes and there stands Papyrus, he's clearly nervous but he can't back down now, not when I'm looking at him, yet with a quick shaky gulp he swallows his fear before opening his mouth. "♪I DON'T WANT A LOT FOR CHRISTMAS. THERE IS JUST ONE THING I NEED. I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE PRESENTS, UNDERNEATH THE CHRISTMAS TREE. I JUST WANT YOU FOR MY OWN. MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER KNOW. MAKE MY WISH COME TRUE...OH! ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS...IS...YOU. YEAH!♫" He's singing...He's singing to me...Oh my god, that's so...Wait a second... Sans comes strolling out from behind me and joins his brother in front of me to sing along as the beat picks up. "♪i don't want a lot for christmas. there is just one thing i need...♫" "♪AND I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE PRESENTS, UNDERNEATH THE CHRISTMAS TREE. I DON'T NEED TO HANG MY STOCKING, THERE UPON THE FIREPLACE.♫" "♪santa claus won't make me happy with a toy on christmas day.♫" "♪I JUST WANT YOU FOR MY OWN. more than you could ever know. MAKE MY WISH COME TRUE. all i want for christmas is you...OOOH BABY!♫" That part they sing together and I can feel myself melting and my eyes watering...Why am I so easily brought to tears by these wonderful boys? "♪I WON'T ASK FOR MUCH THIS CHRISTMAS. I WON'T EVEN WISH FOR SNOW...♫" "♪i just wanna keep on waiting, underneath the mistletoe.♫" "♪I WON'T MAKE A LIST AND SEND IT, TO THE NORTH POLE FOR SAINT NICK.♫" "♪i won't even stay awake, to hear those magic reindeer click. 'cause i just want you here tonight...♫" "♪HOLDING ON TO ME SO TIGHT. WHAT MORE CAN I DO?♫" "♪oh, baby all i want for christmas is you. you, baby. oh oh...all the lights are shining, so brightly everywhere. and the sound of children's laughter fills the air. and everyone is singing.♫" "♪I HEAR THOSE SLEIGH BELLS RINGING. SANTA WON'T YOU BRING ME THE ONE I REALLY NEED. WON'T YOU PLEASE BRING MY BABY TO ME QUICKLY! OH I DON'T WANT A LOT FOR CHRISTMAS. THIS IS ALL I'M ASKING FOR.♫" "♪i just wanna see my baby, standing right outside my door.♫" I'm dying at this point, I have to cover my mouth so as not to interrupt them. "♪i just want you for my own. MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER KNOW. make my wish come true. BABY, ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS...IS...YOU! you baby! all i want for christmas is you, baby! ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU, BABY! all i want for christmas is you, baby! ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU, BABY! all i want for christmas is you, baby! ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS...YOU...BABY?♫" Their song ends on a bit of a sour note as they slowly notice my tears and they come to my aid. "LYNSIE?" "sweetheart?" "ARE YOU ALRIGHT? DID YOU NOT LIKE THE SONG?" "lynn? come on, talk to us. why are ya crying?" "*weeping* That was beautiful!" Relief washes over them, its happy tears, tears made in love, I am so overwhelmed by them that I couldn't hold it in, not like I could even if I tried. "I have...Never felt so loved...Thank you..." I gather them both in my arms, hugging them both tightly and never wanting to let them go. "Thank you...I love you both...So much..." They return my hold with smiles and warmth. "we love you too sweetheart." "NOW AND FOREVER." "*sniffles* Best Christmas ever." This comfort goes on for some time and all happening in front of the eyes of the two ghost robots hiding in the bushes, Mettaton had provided them the song while Blooky did the music. "Wow Mettaton, it was really nice of you to help them pull this off." "What can I say Blooky? I'd do anything to see her smile...Even if it means making them look good." "That must be eating at you huh?" "You'd think that, but no." "Really? I know I'm a little, um, jealous." "Blooky, my dear cousin. If there's one thing I know, it's how to pick my moments. Sure, I may have given them this time to shine. But now they owe me. And let's just say, when it's time for them to repay me, the spotlight will on me and her~." "...Wow." "I know right? Brilliant as always." "I'm so telling on you." "Blooky no, don't!" "Okay, I won't." "Really?" "On one condition." "Name it!" "...I want in on it." "...Really?" "You owe me one for stealing my kiss." "Hmph...Fine. But I get to go first." "Happstablook?" "Okay, you first then me." "Deal." Like that a pact is formed, secrets made, and all while in the glow of holiday love. For this is just the beginning, a new year is coming, lives all in store for something unknown, and wonders abound for stories untold. But that is for another time. So let this be a peaceful scene, of lovers and family brought together to share in each others care. For is that not what the holidays are all about? To show how we care and enjoy one another. Welcome Christmas, come this way. Welcome Christmas, Christmas day. Christmas day is in our grasp, so long as we have hands to clasp. Welcome Christmas, bring your cheer. Welcome all of us far and near. Christmas day will always be, just so long as we have we. Welcome Christmas, bring your light. Welcome in the cold dark night. Welcome Christmas while we stand, heart to heart and hand in hand. Welcome Christmas, Christmas Day! God bless Us, Every One. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.