PAGE IN 1.5 DAYS

Most people may not have heard of Page, but most people would’ve heard of the Four Corners or the Grand Circle. If you have, then that’s a good start. Page, AZ is part of that beautiful desert landscape. An 8 hour drive from my home of Palm Desert, CA, Page is close to the borders of Utah and New Mexico. What to do in Page if you have a short weekend to spare? Here are a few tips:

1. LAKE POWELL. You can rent houseboats or take your own boat and camp. There’s also a marina/hotel overlooking a lake. To enter, a $20 fee is required for private vehicles which is good for 1 week. The restaurant also serves good food and there’s a cafe that serves Starbucks (important for colder weather and coffee lovers like myself). The gift shop has decent items at reasonable prices. I say reasonable because I waited to buy a souvenir/gift thinking I can find one outside the hotel at a cheaper price. I was wrong! The ones I saw outside are pricier and of cheaper quality. So not all good things necessarily happen to those who wait.

2. DAM. The Visitor center is an interesting place to visit and get the history about the Dam and Lake Powell.  There’s a tour of the dam as well that costs $4 per adult. 

3. VISITOR CENTER. A great view of the Glen Canyon bridge can be seen inside the visitor center. A good alternative if the weather doesn’t cooperate. In our case, it rained most part of Saturday which canceled all our tours to the Antelope Canyons.

4. SCENIC DRIVE. See amazing landscapes and beautiful rock formations. Best spot to get a panorama of the dam and the bridge.

5. HORSESHOE BEND. A short walk about 1.5 miles from the parking lot will take you the Horseshoe bend to see its amazing  landscape and rock formations. If you’re an avid photographer, plan your trip based on time of day as it can greatly affect lighting and background of your photos. 

6. UPPER AND LOWER ANTELOPE CANYONS. The Upper Canyon is owned by the Navajo Indians and tour fee is $48 which includes a park fee of $8. The Lower Canyon is privately owned and costs $20 if you already paid the $8 parking fee. Access to both canyons is only by guided tours. Antelope canyon tours can be reserved through your hotel and are advertised by travel magazines around the area. The Lower Canyon tour can be done by driving to the parking lot where tour operators are located. Both tours are approximately 1.5 hours each. Upper Canyon includes a Jeep ride to the entrance of the canyon. The Lower Canyon entrance is a walk from the parking lot. Bring sunscreen and water. Depending on time of day, the canyons offer different photo opportunities which the knowledgeable guides are good at pointing to tourists. There’s a separate 2 hour tour for professional photographers for a higher fee.

7.  DAM BAR AND GRILLE. I especially like the prickly pear margarita. The place has a huge bar and serves decent food at reasonable prices.

Lower Antelope Canyon 

CUBA....Frozen in Time

Due to US travel restrictions to Cuba, visiting Cuba from the US as a tourist is illegal. However there are other reasons to travel to Cuba that are allowed and they fall into certain categories some of which are journalistic activities, professional research or meetings, support for the Cuban people, humanitarian projects, educational exchanges (people to people) just to name a few. For our trip we participated in a multisport tour with KBCuba tours with the purpose of helping the Cuban people and "people to people encounter" although we were forewarned that organizing activities in Cuba can be a challenge and is not always as smooth as one would hope. We flew with Alaska airlines, a 4.5 hour direct flight from LAX to Havana. The airline sent us a form, Cuba Travel Affidavit, that we needed to fill out, sign and present together with our boarding pass when boarding. We also had to purchase a Cuban visa at the airport for $100 each (we met a couple from Chicago who paid $50 each from Chicago O'Hare and a solo traveler from New York who paid $20 flying out of the Grand Cayman Islands). A Cuban visa is required before arriving in Cuba. Arrival in Havana was very exciting, also as expected, not very organized. We had to wait on the airplane since the staircase was being used by another airline which the flight attendant jokingly said "get used to it". Minutes later, an announcement came that said "this is our 7th flight to Havana and everyday is different. Now we have to disembark from the back of the plane". We were picked up by someone named Lazaro at the airport who drove us to our Airbnb host's apartment an approximately half hour drive and paid 20 CUC. It's interesting to note at how patient the cab driver was who waited for minutes while our
Airbnb host gave us an orientation of his place and went to exchange our currency to be able to pay
him. In Havana, there are lots of independent cars for hire and it's not unusual to see locals hail an unmarked car that accommodates more than one passenger. Our host told us the guy who picked us up is cheaper because "his car is old".

CURRENCY
In regular currency exchange, 1 US dollar is equivalent to 24-25 Cuban pesos. I mentioned "regular" because in Cuba, both locals (in certain cases) and especially non locals use a different currency called "Cuban Convertible Currency" or CUC. Meaning, 1 USD is equal to either 82 or 92 cents, higher value if exchanging from the "black market". There's usually a long wait at the bank for exchanging currency and for reasons I don't know, there's an extra 10% charge for USD. No extra charge in the black market.

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
Just like any other destinations, the cost of food depends on where and what you eat.

     EL BIKI A fine dining restaurant that was recommended by our Airbnb host. White table linens, nice ambiance, I would assume quite popular in town. There's a long line outside the restaurant for those who didn't have reservations. I didn't mind the fact that I enjoyed watching these 50's cars zoom by but didn't help the fact that I was hungry. Had my first Cuban mojito that was very strong in alcohol content. Dinner cost 30.14 convertibles. 2 main courses of grilled tuna and a separate order of vianda fritas or fried sweet potatoes and 2 mojitos. Service charge is 10% already added to the bill. Tipping of course is at one's discretion. With the CUC, your meal can be expensive if you choose to dine in fine dining restaurants. The next morning for breakfast, 2 cups of coffee and cafe con leche, a fruit tart and a cake, cost us 3.50 CUC at a local bakery next to our Airbnb apartment.

   
  ME GUSTO other local host recommended this place as a favorite among locals four blocks from our apartment in central Havana on Zanja road. The daiquiri and food were great. Lunch for 2 cost us 16CUC. We've been coming here for dinner as well. A very decent meal costs 2.50-3.50 and pizza starts at 3.70. So our dinners have cost us between 8-10CUC with water or a mojito or daiquiri.Across the street is a place called La Juliana which was also recommended by our local host but was always packed so we ended up not going there.


    EL FLORIDITA A very busy touristy place for daiquiris and live music. This bar/restaurant fronts the famous Obispo St. A glass of daiquiri costs 6CUC, smaller size glass and double the price as expected. Ernest Hemingway was known to come here for daiquiris and/or rum, in fact, a statue of
him graces the corner of the bar looking like he's gesturing to order a drink. To note, a framed photo
of him and Fidel Castro can also be seen on one wall.

   OMBUS MUNDUS A hotel on Obispo St. where Ernest Hemingway was known to stay at when in
in Cuba and room 511 on the 4th floor where he used to stay at is open to tourists for a fee. The rooftop bar/restaurant is a good place to get pinacoladas, mojitos, daiquiris, Cristal cervezas, etc
with the bonus view of the Havana Bay. Expect to pay "tourist" prices.

   CAFE LAMPARILLA Located at the Plaza Vieja or Old Town, a good place for outdoor dining.
Narrow cobblestone St. with live music and park like setting accentuates its old world atmosphere.
There are lots of indoor and outdoor restaurants on Obispo st., Plaza de Armaz and Plaza Vieja.
Plaza Vieja is known for its cerveza served in a long cylindrical table top beer dispenser. If you're adventurous enough and would like to eat "local" on a budget, there are decent take out or dine in local restaurants where meals cost 2-5 CUC. A full meal of grilled pork with plantain and rice and beans cost 2.95 CUC at a restaurant a few steps from our apartment or local "habitaciones". Pinacoladas at this place cost 1.60 CUC which normally cost 6 CUC at most higher end restaurants.

POINTS OF INTEREST

       MALECON Waterfront Street/boardwalk of Havana. A visual treat for classical and Art Deco architecture and car show of gorgeous old cars, literally. This is also where locals hang out just to get away from the busy streets of town and especially at night. Old and new restaurants and hotels line the highway. We bumped into a local who was happy to show us around in a demeanor that shows that Cuban pride. It's good to note that several times did cars with locals stop, honk and wave at usIbelieve they are delighted to see travelers exploring their city. There are random local bystanders that act as local guide like Jorge who took us to vegetable and fruit markets, one where non locals can buy and the other one where only locals can purchase on a ration basis called BODEGAS. Eachkfamily has a book where they write the food purchased and date it when it was purchased. There is a limit to what and how much they can buy each month. Then he took us to a building that once housed affluent families that showed in the structure's intricate design and architecture. He claimed that Naomi Campbell and Beyonce visited this place too when they came to Havana. We gave him a tip for this short walk.

       OBISPO STREET A strip of restaurants and shops/bookstores within walking distance from the Capitol, the Grand Theater and the tobacco/cigar factory. El Floridita fronts the strip. The entire strip is very crowded as tourists flock here especially when shopping for souvenirs at Patio de Los Artesanos. Local vendors also line the streets and I had a taste of the tasteful Cuban churros. Almost every restaurant offers live music here. Cubanos really do know how to party.

      CAPITOL AND GRAN TEATRO de la HABANA Both are architectural visual treats. Renovations still underway for the Capitol. Across the street is the Gran Teatro where performances like ballet are held. Across from the theater is the Parque Central/ Jose Marti, just one of the many parks that can be seen in and around Havana. Here, are lots of local tour operators who offer tours within the city be it through a horse carriage or beautiful vintage cars that Havana is known for.

       INGLATERA HOTEL The famous show TROPICANA is held here. Reservations recommended.

        PLAZA VIEJA Old town Havana. Shops, restaurants and bars grace this part of Havana.


       PLAZA de ARMAZ If antiques are what interest you, this is a good place for that. Old books
and memorabilia from Cuba's revolution and Ernest Hemingway's work can be purchased here. Old newspapers and Cuban stamps for those avid collectors are also sold here. One area of the Plaza has wooden floors, the only one in Cuba.

       MUSEUM of the REVOLUTION Entrance fee 2CUC per person. A display of the history of
Cuba's revolutions, the famous one led and won by Fidel Castro along with the significant revolution members Che Guevarra, Cinfuegos, Celia Sanchez, Jose Marti, to name a few. This revolution ousted a dictatorship/tyranny under Batista. A very interesting collection of revolution vehicles, boats, planes
and tankers used during the revolution can also be seen here. Granma Yate is displayed here and housed in a glass. This is the yacht that transported Castro and other revolutionaries to the shores of
Cuba to the start the revolution against Batista.


   HOTEL NACIONAL de CUBA.  A historic hotel in Havana located near the Malecon up on a hill
with gorgeous views of the water. The hotel is known for its prominent guests that included Mickey Mantle, Walt Disney, Mohammad Ali, John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Tarzan's Johnny
Weissmuller, Robert Redford, dignitaries like US President Jimmy Carter, Vladimir Putin, Fidel Castro, Windsor Royals, Steven Spielberg, Johnny Depp, Vin Diesel and Paris Hilton among others. The hotel was also a favorite hang out among famous mobsters such as the likes of Al Capone. In the hotel's grounds an old bunker can be found with displays of canons and posters about the Missile Crisis of 1962 which almost caused World War III. In the movie "13 days" starring Kevin Costner, the said crisis was being told.

 ACCOMMODATIONS Or "Habitaciones", commonly used are people's homes that have been converted into "hostels" where you can rent rooms, most have ensuite bathrooms. Some houses built
"casitas" or guest houses in their backyards. Accommodations usually include breakfast or dinner or
both. Others would cook for additional cost. Cost vary from 20CUC and up. Some habitaciones are
available for both locals and non locals with signs outside the door written in blue while those only
for locals are in red. Hotels are available in Havana but are usually booked months in advance and are expensive, ranging from 150CUC and up even all the way to 1800 if staying at Hotel Nacional de Cuba.

AROUND CUBA

       We participated in a multisport tour which included activities like hiking, ziplining, scuba diving, snorkeling and horseback riding. We drove to LAS TERRAZAS NATIONAL PARK for some ziplining and swimming in the river. Lunch was at a restaurant that overlooks the river. In the park an
art gallery can be found as well as the house of a famous Cuban singer. VINALES is famous for horseback riding that took us to a cave. Swimming is also allowed inside the cave if you're adventurous enough to go swimming in the dark. The roundtrip ride took at least 4 hours with a stop for lunch at a family owned farm and coffee plantation. We had a short coffee plantation tour where the owner also explained to us the process of growing coffee. Coffee as well as honey can be
purchased in the property. In Vinales we took a sunset hike as well as a visit to La Ermita Hotel, located on top of a hill which is also a perfect place to watch the sunset. The Main Street is lined with
shops and restaurants and there are plenty of habitaciones throughout the entire town ranging from private homes to casitas. A 6 hour roadtrip took us to CINFUEGOS with a stop at CAVE OF THE FISH and BAY OF PIGS for some swimming. Sunset at the Cinfuegos Malecon is a sight to behold. Restaurant BAHIA which is recommended by TripAdvisor was our place of choice for dinner. More
 urban than Vinales, there is a shopping center at the main part of the city. A park dedicated to Jose Marti fronts a beautiful Cathedral. A museum that's undergoing renovation can be explored with a
small fee. A tower offers gorgeous views of the city and the ocean. On our way to TRINIDAD we
stopped by GUAJIMICO VILLA RESORT for some scuba diving and snorkeling. Lunch consisted of
grilled squid (my choice) which was very fresh and well flavored.

      TRINIDAD is famous among tourists. Every person who's been to Cuba had suggested that I should go to Trinidad. In the main square there are lots of shops and restaurants the favorite among tourists is a set of steps (reminds me of Rome's Spanish Steps) where live music can be enjoyed. It's also a perfect spot for people watching or just hanging out while sipping daiquiris, mojitos or pinacoladas. For a small fee, you can go up the tower in a Church for sunset watching as well a enjoy views of the Square and the ocean. A club called "Pirates' Cave" which is literally inside a cave is a good stop among those who enjoy clubbing and nightlife. On our way back to Havana, we stopped at PARQUE NATURAL EL CUBANO. A 2 mile hike including a hanging bridge crossing took us to a waterfall where we can go swimming. Entrance to the park is 10CUC per person. A lunch stop at Restorante Papito la Campana was perfect for a roadtrip back to Havana. The restaurant was also a goat farm and we were able to witness the process of catching a goat and getting its meat ready for consumption. A scene that wasn't very pleasant for some including myself.

Zip lining at Las Terrazas 

                     

Sunset hike in Vinales

Hiking in Vinales

Parque Natural el Cubano

Museo de la Revolucion

Malecon

Missile crisis 

Hotel Nacional de Cuba

Vintage cars at Plaza de la Revolucion 

Plaza Vieja

 

Horseback riding in Vinales

Cinfuegos

Cinfuegos

Bay of the Pigs

WHAT TO WEAR IN ANTARCTICA

    Antarctica is only tourist accessible by boat but Antarctica XXI has come up with a new way to travel and explore this Continent by something called a "Fly Cruise". As the name obviously entails, you fly into Antarctica then do the cruise one way. There are 2 ways to do it. You can either board the boat from Ushuaia, Argentina, cruise the Beagle Channel and Drake Passage, with zodiac landings as per itinerary then fly out of Bellinghausen station to Punta Arenas, Chile. This can also be done vice versa. As to whether one is better than the other that would depend on how you see it. As with any expedition, nothing is cut and dry especially in Antarctica, the harshest environment on the Planet and cruising the Southern Ocean, considered as one of the world's deepest, coldest and stormiest ocean. Sailing the Drake Passage for example is a challenge in itself since it is not uncommon for storms to happen here, some reasons being there are no land masses and also due to the Antarctic convergence. Which makes a one way Cruise a way better choice in my opinion. Antarctica is 620 miles from South America which takes at least 2 days to cross by boat, again, weather dependent. In our case, we had to take refuge in Puerto Williams Naval Base to hide from a storm at the Drake Passage and missed another zodiac landing due to safety reasons. Some boats chose to brave the Drake in terrible weather conditions and we got word later on that the crew regretted that decision describing it as "all hell broke loose". Antarctica can also be accessed by boat from New Zealand which is some 1370 miles away adding 2 days to the cruise.

     So what to wear while in Antarctica???


Like every expedition I've participated in (all of which were trekking/ mountain hiking) , the company would provide you with something called a "Gear list". And again, weather and/or terrain dependent, the list changes with any expedition. In Antarctica however, terrain is only an issue during zodiac landings meaning, your feet get some break from wearing those boots that you can't wait to take off. Antarctica XXI provided us with a gear list as well. But my gear list is based on my personal needs as follows:

HEAD

1. HAT : a beanie hat, those kinds that cover your ears would be a bonus. Sun hat can also be helpful as the sun can be very harsh even though it's a cold environment. I did experience some sun burn on my face even with sunscreen. Sun reflected off the snow can do some damage.

2. EYEGLASSES: ski goggles are not needed but can be used if preferred. I used Suncloud polarized glasses. A Julbo glacier glasses would also be a good choice.

3. BALAKLAVA/ EAR MUFFS: I never had to use one because we were lucky to have 32F weather but with windchill factor, this can be helpful. I packed one just in case.

BODY

1. BASELAYER: I've used Patagonia's capilene baselayers in the past which has great moisture wicking properties but have recently favored the merino wool type fabric. Merino wool's awesome properties include moisture wicking, temperature regulation (cools you off when it's hot, warms you up when it's cold) & antimicrobial properties so you can wear it for more than one day and not have to worry much about odor. There are several brands who make these, Ibex, Smartwool, Stoic, Icebreaker. I've used all except Ibex.

2. INSULATOR: either a soft shell, fleece, down jacket or fleece and down together or fleece and soft
shell together or soft shell and down together. Basically, whatever makes you comfortable. In my case, I was wearing Mammut's 750 fill down jacket on top of my baselayer and had a fleece jacket in my pack just in case.

3. OUTERSHELL/LAYER: this has to be windproof and waterproof. Some wore their ski jackets but I prefer the light packable ones made by Arcteryx. I have the Alpha SL Arcteryx which is highly packable and lightweight at 7 ounces. It's made of Goretex and is "guaranteed waterproof/windproof". I'm making a special mention about it's waterproofing and wind proofing  properties because waterproofing has different categories. Some would say 20,000mm waterproof
rating or DWR which means Durable Water Repellent. Basically, if not sure which to choose, anything that says 3D Goretex is one of the best choices. Make sure it's also breathable i.e. "pit zips".
Lots of brands make these kinds of jackets. Arcteryx is on the more expensive side but my jacket has withstood expeditions like Everest Basecamp and Patagonia and numerous mountain hikes in Southern California such as 6 peaks and Mt. Whitney. And it pays for itself with lifetime warranty.


LOWER BODY

1. BASELAYER: same is true with lower body. A capilene or merino wool baselayer is recommended. I used Stoic merino wool baselayer.
2.INSULATOR: this is a personal preference. Some wore baselayer and ski pants which have built in insulation. I carried fleece pants just in case.

3. OUTERSHELL: some used ski pants. I used REI's Mirula mountaineering pants. Highly packable and lightweight. I have used the same pants during a mountaineering school and summit at Mt. Washington in New Hampshire as well as Patagonia.

FEET

1. BOOTS: Antarctica XXI provided us with Bogs waterproof boots which we returned later. Prior to expedition Antarctica XXI asked for my boot size.

2. SOCKS: most of my hiking socks are merino wool for the reasons I mentioned above but ski socks are good choices for this trip. But in my case, I used REI's mountaineering socks for more warmth and cushion.

ACCESSORIES

1. GLOVES : fleece gloves are appropriate. In my case, I used microfiber inner gloves that came with my Burton ski gloves. Ski gloves or in my case, Burton gloves are good to carry just in case the windchill factor drops . These outergloves have to be waterproof and windproof. The Burton gloves I used have pockets on the outside for hand warmers if needed.

If you noticed, I've mentioned merino wool, moisture wicking , packable, lightweight, waterproof, windproof and breathable more than once. These are my preferred gear list in every expedition I have participated in and it also works for Antarctica.

Note: We were required to wear a lifejacket that appears like a tubular vest that inflates automatically when you hit the water. Required especially when riding the Zodiac.

NORTHERN ICELAND (AKUREYRI)

A domestic flight from Reykjavik airport (behind Icelandair Natura Hotel, a good 5 minute drive) took us to this little town of Akureyri where our Northern Lights tour was to be had. It was interesting to note that the guy at the airport's counter only asked for our names and took our word for it without asking for any form of identification. At the airport in Akureyri, you will see a huge map of Northern Iceland with recommended activities in the area. Akureyri is a town of 18,000 population, most of its residents go to college but then come back to settle down. It became a town in 1862. To me the town looks like a Christmas village out of a Thomas Kinkade painting.

Oldest house in town since 1745

                                           Aerial view of Akureyri

SUNDLAUG AKUREYRAR

A thermal pool open to the public. Cost is 500 ISK unless included in hotel stay. Strict rules are followed. A shower is mandatory before and after using the pools. Shower area consists of shower stalls that are next to each other and everyone has to be naked. Very uncomfortable for us who are not used to being naked among strangers. There is a locker available for use. Locker area is a dry area and towels, flip flops and wet bathing suits are not allowed.  A bathing suit spinner is provided for.

Hot tub and snow…perfect combo!

USHUAIA...the End of the World

       Aptly called the End of the World, the Southernmost tip of South America and the gateway to
Antarctica. It's a resort town in Argentina, the Capital of Terra Del Fuego province. Ushuaia is regarded as the southernmost city in the world.
       A very long 48.5 hour journey from Los Angeles, California took us to this beautiful resort town.    Our journey included overnight stays in Houston, TX and Bogota, Colombia. From LAX, we flew to Houston for  3 hours, from Houston to Bogota 4.5 hours. Bogota served as our port of entry to South America.  From Bogota we flew to Buenos Aires for 6.5 hours and ultimately to Ushuaia for 3.5 hours. Flying time and total travel time would vary depending on prices and choice of airlines and layovers. In our case, we flew with United Airlines and Aerolineas Argentinas Airlines. My friends and I were in El Carafate and El Chalten back in March of 2016 and back then we had to acquire a tourist visa to Argentina and paid $160 for 10 years of multiple entry.  In recent months,  visa requirements had been lifted and tourists with US passports can enter Argentina without a visa. I chose to carry my visa with me just in case and was never asked to show it to immigration.

En route from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, 3.5 hour flight.

       Arrival in Ushuaia was a convenient process. The airport in fact reminds me of Alaska, El Carafate or even Reykjavik. The architecture rustic and beautiful and transit was well organized. We wanted   to exchange US dollars to Argentinian peso ($1 USD equals 15.30 Argentinian pesos, exchange varies by location, some stores and hotels' exchange rate could be from 13-15) unfortunately for us the country is celebrating their "Sovereignty Holiday" & banks are closed. Credit cards or even US dollars however are widely accepted especially in urban and tourist areas. From the airport we took a taxi for $10 USD about a 20 minute drive to the city center where our hotel Hotel Del Bosque is located. 

Our hotel for one night. $110 double occupancy.  Located up in a hill so can be a challenge for those with physical limitations.

Boats to Antarctica are docked here 

Ramos General, where we had our first real meal. Love the interior's unique rustic decor

Located by the docks and across from the Visitor Center are various tour companies that can arrange for any tour including  trips to Antarctica.

One of the many souvenir shops around town. Outdoor shops can also be found all over town.
  

          Museums can also be found around town for those looking to learn about the town's or country's history. Tours range from guided tours to the National Park, penguin colonies, etc to self guided tours/walks or renting a car to explore Ushuaia and surrounding areas on your own. Commercial vans, coach buses and taxis are also available as options.

            

            Traveling around Argentina is generally not cheap especially when it comes to food and shopping. Food cost would obviously depend on food preferences and budget.  There are fast food places that sell pizza or empanadas for 210 pesos if looking to eat on a budget. Personally as a
meatlover   coming to Argentina is a gastronomic trip since the country is known for its grass fed animals that account for some of the best lamb and steaks that you can't find anywhere else. So naturally I like to pamper myself in moderate to higher end restaurants that serve these delicious 

meals. And besides it's almost a sin to have bad meat with the best dose of Argentinian Malbec.

Appetizer at  Casimiro Bigua restaurant 

An at least 5 hour process ensures one of the best lamb and steak dinners I've ever had.

Total dinner cost $100  USD , lamb and steak and a bottle of Malbec shared by 3 people.  10%  tip is acceptable although depending on what country you're from (15-20% average in the US), tipping is at customer's discretion.

Very happy with our dinner

One of the many gourmet restaurants in town 

Boat dock for Antarctic expeditions 

Located across from the Visitor center, a strip of private tour operators

The Land of Fire and Ice (ICELAND)

Took a tour through Icelandair called the "Northern Lights Tour". This included a roundtrip flight from Boston Logan airport to Keflavik and roundtrip domestic flight from Keflavik to Akureyri, in Northern Iceland. Flight from Boston to Reykjavik takes more or less 4.5 hours. Though an international flight, headsets and food area available for purchase on the plane, so plan accordingly.

KEFLAVIK AIRPORT….There is a tourist information booth by the baggage claim. If tour doesn't include a shuttle to Reykjavik, you can get a FlyBus ticket at the FlyBus counter. 2500 ISK (Krona) per adult for a one way ticket  or 4500 ISK roundtrip. Another option is to buy the FlyBus voucher through Icelandair while still in your home country. Driving time from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik is 45 minutes. a WELCOME CARD is available at the tourist desk for discounts around town including free entrances to Geothermal spas around Reykjavik. Good option to save if staying in Iceland for a longer period. The card also covers fees to certain museums. 

FACTS:

The Prime Minister is on the phone book.

PINK ICELAND, a gay, lesbian, transgender organization in Iceland holds yearly "Gay Pride Parade" where even the Mayor dresses as a Drag Queen. Gay marriages are legal and gay couples can show affection even in public areas. Lots of gay couples go to Iceland to get married. 

PINK DECEMBER, winter activities for the gay community like museum visits, shopping, etc. The Prime Minister is also openly gay of which locals only found out through US media. 

People in Iceland leave their things like shopping bags on the side of the road and not get stolen. It's not uncommon for mothers to also leave their kids outside a coffee shop to get coffee. Scary but true. 

CURRENCY: Krona  $1 USD equals 115.03 ISK (as of 04/2013). Keflavik airport exchange counter is one of the few (if not the only one) exchange counters with NO COMMISSION. At the airport store, exchange is 118.34 ISK.

The country is wired for internet. Even the local buses have free internet. At Natura Hotel (where I stayed at) wifi cost 900 ISK/24 hours. A SIM card is available for 2000 ISK.

Iceland has NO MILITARY but is a NATO member. The country relies on over 1000 SAR volunteers called ICE-SAR (Search and Rescue). Iceland has limited Coast Guard boats and helicopters, so any adventurer local or tourist alike is encouraged to leave itinerary/whereabouts at a SAR center in case of emergency.

If you come across a local or tourist having car trouble, never attempt to rescue. Call ICE-SAR instead. Any damage caused on the vehicle will be the responsibility of the rescuer. 

NOTES:

If flying through Icelandair to other parts of Europe i.e. Paris, an option for a layover in Reykjavik for up to 7 days is available at no extra charge. Iceland's way of promoting tourism in the country. Most tourists on a long layover would opt to go to the Blue Lagoon to soak in its wonderful mineral waters. A bus is available from the airport to the Blue Lagoon and back. 

Flying over Reykjavik from Akureyri

POINTS OF INTEREST: REYKJAVIK

HARPA…Home to Iceland's symphony orchestra with a beautiful architecture. Height is 141 ft and a has a floor area of 300,000 sq. ft. Consists of a steel framework with geometric shaped glass panels of different colors. Construction took about 4 years to complete at a cost of 164 million Euros. 

ICELANDIC PHALLOLOGICAL MUSEUM

A museum that contains a collection of penises that belong to the Animal kingdom including a human penis.

It contains a collection of more than 200 penises and penile parts belonging to almost all the land and sea mammals that can be found in Iceland.

Entrance fee: 1000 ISK per person (as of 04/13). Children under 13 years free with the company of their parents. 

HALLGRIM'S CHURCH (HALLGRIMSKIRKJA CHURCH)

The largest Church in the country. Its tower arises to a 

magnificent 74.5 m (245 ft). It houses the largest organ in

Inside the Church showing the organ

Iceland, it stands 15 m (approximately 50 ft) and weighs about 25 tons.  For those musicians out there, you might be interested to know that the organ is driven by 4 manuals and a pedal, with 102 ranks, 72 stops and 5275 pipes. The church is a significant reference point in Reykjavik among visitors. For a small fee, you can take the elevator to an observation tower which affords picturesque views of the country's capital. In front of the Church, you will find the grand statue of Leifur Eiriksson, the first European to discover America. He was said to have landed on the shores of America before Christopher Columbus.

Ticket to the Observation tower

Statue of Leifur Eiriksson

View of Reykjavik from the Observation tower

THE GOLDEN CIRCLE
Another option to see Reykjavik on a limited time is a tour around the famous Golden Circle which includes the KERIO VOLCANO CRATER, GULLFOSS WATERFALL (a waterfall shaped like a pizza slice), GEYSIR and THINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK. There are bus tours available which can take all day. Some buses don't stop at Kerio volcano crater due to extra charges (it's privately owned). Another option is renting a car usually a jeep with huge tires to tackle Iceland's snowy roads especially in winter months. Lucky for me and my companions, I have a friend who lives in
Reykjavik who took us on a private tour of the Golden Circle with her husband. They also took us on a picnic at Thingvellir National Park and let us have a taste of local Icelandic cuisine. Food like smoked whale, smoked salmon, pickled herring (pink color due to beet roots), "ugly cheese", mold cheese, dried fish (eat with butter).

Kerio Volcano crater

                                                       

                        

Geysir

Gullfoss Waterfall

                                   

Picnic at Thingvellir National Park (tectonic plates can be seen in the park)

THE BLUE LAGOON
Ask your hotel for a FlyBus to the Blue Lagoon. A cab can cost up to 16,000 ISK ($140) one way. A FlyBus can take you to the Blue Lagoon, then to the airport at a cost of 8000 ISK including entrance fee to the lagoon ($70). Van or bus leaves hotel by the hour. It takes 45 minutes from Reykjavik to the lagoon then 20 minutes from the lagoon to the airport. So plan your visit accordingly so as not to miss your flight. There is a luggage storage at the Blue Lagoon. Arm bands with microchips are worn. These armbands are attached to your credit card for charges like towels (800 ISK) or robes (1600 ISK) and bar drinks at the lagoon.

FOOD AND SHOPPINGFood is generally not inexpensive. A light lunch at Cafe Paris which consisted of soup, halibut with potatoes and cheese underneath with a side of salad cost $17. A bottle of beer $8.50, on tap $8.30, soda $3.50 and coffee $4.50. Food was great at this place. Had dinner at Geysir Bistro and bar in downtown located in the same building as the Tourist information center. Myfriend Marvi (a local) took us to her fave cafe called TEN MORE DROPS. A very charming cafe with a vintage feel to it. "Ten more drops" is famous Icelandic phrase or expression when they ask for a refill or more drinks. Iceland is famous for its wool and a good wool sweater can cost $150 and up. Souvenir T shirts $25 and up. There is a coop sweater store where you can buy wool sweaters at a cheaper price.

A bargain sweater store. Still expensive at $50 and up

A street mural

ORR, a unique jewelry store designed by famous designers from Denmark

                                      Ten More Drops cafe