Welcome to the Land of Thor

Iceland parking sign

Blue and white sign that lists the schedule for parking on the street. It also shares that you have to pay and display the ticket in the window of your vehicle. It’s written in Icelandic and English

A pig in the square

The folks in Iceland have a lot of love for pigs. This once had the Iceland football team jersey on since this was when Iceland was playing in the World Cup in 2018.

Seafood

This is a yellow sign with black writing sharing the local seafood buffet menu

Haunted Walk

This is yellow sign with Black and yellow outlined writing. These tours were happening all over town but too scary for my taste

Town square

There are a few yellow buildings in the town square. You can see the sidewalk and the Main Street in this photo too.

History of Iceland

Here is where my tour started in the town square. The building reads The Settlement Exhibition and it is also written in Icelandic above.

Relaxing at the Blue Lagoon

Here I am, a Black woman with a swimsuit on at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. I have a rejuvenating face mask on the left side of my face and hoop earrings in. I am smiling. The water behind me is an ice blue color.

Bubble views

Here is my lunch view while at the blue lagoon. There are two glasses on a white table overlooking the volcanic rocks and the ice blue water. One glass is empty and once has sparkling wine.

Boats at the dock

Here are some boats on the water in Iceland. The sky is a bit grey but it is daytime.

Last selfie at the Blue Lagoon

This is a selfie of me, a Black woman, wearing my street clothes standing in front of the water outside the Blue Lagoon. I am smiling and I am wearing a red mock neck shirt and my hair is in flat twists.

Fasten your seatbelts, folks, because we're about to take a leap forward in time. Between the ages of 19 and 30, I had never ventured outside of the country. But that was all about to change. Iceland, with its awe-inspiring landscapes, beckoned me. I must admit, the idea of going alone made me a bit nervous, but I refused to let that stop me. So, let's hit fast forward.

Determined to explore beyond the confines of the Midwest, I embarked on a journey that took me from Missouri to Texas and eventually Connecticut. Each place offered its own unique experiences. In Texas, I ventured to vibrant cities like Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Galveston. Connecticut, on the other hand, granted me the opportunity to explore Boston, New York City, Rhode Island, Delaware, and Maine. Each new destination was an adventure in itself, providing me with unforgettable experiences.

However, before I turned 30, I was determined to set foot in another country. As the summer of 2018 approached, I found myself without a passport and no concrete plans to make it happen. In St. Louis, I stumbled upon an advertisement from WOW Air, a new airline offering affordable trips to Iceland. Surprisingly, it was cheaper to visit Iceland than to fly to California. That's when I made up my mind.

I hastily made an appointment to finally get my passport. Perhaps a bit too eager, I booked my flight before the passport even arrived, but everything fell into place. Though I wouldn't necessarily recommend this approach to others.

June in Iceland means experiencing 23 hours of sunlight, an astonishing sight to behold. With a rental car and an Airbnb booked, I was ready to embark on my Icelandic adventure.

Recently rekindling my interest in golf, the first thing I did was book a midnight tee time—why not, right? Iceland proved to be an incredibly welcoming country. It's clean, and the people are friendly. I stayed in a private room in Stefán's home, where he and his wife showed me incredible hospitality and shared their knowledge about their home country. Coincidentally, my visit coincided with the World Cup, adding even more excitement to my Icelandic experience.

Aside from exploring Reykjavik's golf scene and indulging in some retail therapy, I embarked on a drive to the Blue Lagoon for a day of ultimate relaxation at the spa. The journey itself was breathtaking, and halfway through, I paused to go on a hike recommended by my hosts.

The Blue Lagoon Retreat and Spa was an oasis of tranquility. I could have spent an entire day there, unwinding in the geothermal mineral waters, sampling face masks at the facemask bar, and sipping refreshing drinks. After a rejuvenating sauna session, I indulged in a delicious lunch on-site. Trust me, staying overnight at the Blue Lagoon Retreat is highly recommended for an extended relaxation experience.

During my full day in Iceland, I made sure to try the local hot dog joint and relished in some mouthwatering fish and chips before exploring a nearby museum.

Don't underestimate the wonders of Iceland. It truly is a remarkable destination that offers a fantastic time. So, whether you're seeking breathtaking landscapes, warm hospitality, or a rejuvenating retreat, Iceland has it all.

This is Rosetta, also known as Danger, signing off with unforgettable memories from my Icelandic escapade.

As always here are the details for this adventure:

1. Lodging: For this trip I rented a room in an Airbnb and stayed with a family that lived in Iceland. Highly recommend if you are a little nervous on a solo dolo vacation.

2. Local Transit: I rented a car in Iceland. They drive on the same side of the road as us in the US and I wanted to do some exploring away from Reykjavík.

3. Airline: Wow Air

4. Best part: Relaxing at the Blue Lagoon and playing golf at midnight.

5. Worst part: Iceland can be expensive (everything is imported) and I got a little lonely.

6. Overall trip rating: 9 out of 10

7. Country Number: #1 of 40