Iceland

1.  A majority of Icelanders believe in elves. 2.  At about 39,000 square miles, Iceland is small – close to the size of Ohio. 3.  There is a volcanic eruption every 4 years on average. 4.  There are no forests in Iceland. 5.  Beer remained illegal in Iceland until 1989. 6.  At 43.5 hours per week, they have the longest work week in Europe. 7.  The Icelandic language remains unchanged from ancient Norse. That means 1,000-year-old texts are still easily read. 8.  Babies in Iceland are routinely left outside to nap. 9.  There are no surnames or family names in Iceland – Icelanders use the traditional Nordic naming system, which includes a last name that is comprised from their father’s (or mother’s) first name with the addition of -dóttir (-daughter) or -son. 10. 60% of the Icelandic population lives in Reykjavík. 11. Iceland’s revenue from whale watching exceeds any income from whaling. 12. Usually a temperate country...

I hope I get to see one of these - I must remember in the winter months, their coat is WHITE! Such an amazing  animal in an amazing place. I guess I need to go there again in summer to see one with a BLACK coat! 

TOP THINGS TO DO IN ICELAND IN DECEMBER December is a special time in Reykjavik and all of Iceland. The Christmas season is a huge thing for us locals and that means that almost every single person will be happily filled with that warm Christmas spirit from the end of November and through the whole holiday season. Here are a few suggestions for awesome things to do in Reykjavik, Iceland that is especially awesome in December: Wrap yourself in all your layers of clothes, take a romantic walk in down town Reykjavik and try to find all 13 hidden hologram Santa Clauses around the city (they will be hiding in windows and on buildings!). Also, you must stop to enjoy warm coffee/hot chocolate and Icelandic pastries at some local shop that you can’t pronounce the name of! (Psst! If you don’t know where to begin, here is a blog about  our top coffee shops in town !). Try to see the Northern Lights! December is one of the best months of the year and has the highest chance of...

Okay, I've really been planning for years - BUT now we need to get serious! It's a good time to buy winter clothing since it is the end of summer. I was able to pick these much needed undergarments at Costco today. In addition, we have ordered warm hats that cover the ears from Amazon, along with sock liners, and glove liners. We will definitely be taking our Rick Steves ponchos that can cover us up very well in the rain. Departure in 85 DAYS!

I haven't posted much to this blog because things have been very tentative about going. Just after the trip was booked John had another heart issue. This progressed to valve replacement surgery (TAVR) for him. We weren't sure he would be able, or want, to make the trip. He says he is ready so we are moving ahead with this.  Our flights are booked, as is the extension, and we are hoping & praying for the best!

Today I made the reservations for us to travel to Iceland. Only 295 days to go! We used Go Ahead Tours because we were so happy with them on our trip to Greece. We will attempt to book our own airfare. If that doesn't work out, then we have some time to ask them to book it for us. Anyway, it is not a long trip, just 6 days but we will probably add the extension and also go a day or two early to see everything we hope to see: Iceland: Reykjavik & The Northern Lights with Extension . Hopefully, the Northern Lights will be part of the sights! The extension included several things that caught John's eye (I knew they would!): Ice caves, riding in a specially modified snow truck, etc.