Iceland: Still the best layover ever

It’s been three years since LaV and I stopped over for 12 hours in Iceland and fell in love with the small island country. It’s high literacy rate, welcoming attitude toward refugees and feminist prime minister were all reasons to recommend this country of just over 300,000 inhabitants.

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Due to its small size, we were able to make the most of our layover with a visit to the obvious tourist trap — but extremely rejuvenating — Blue Lagoon.

E9548995-F1A5-4230-80E7-695A46500B24 — Solfar (Sun Voyager) Sculpture looks out over the harbor in Reykjavík.

On my way back to Texas this summer, I had a similar choice: spend 300 euros more to get a direct flight from Madrid to Dallas, or take advantage of a cheaper flight from Alicante with a 14-hour layover in Keflavík.

1C2D3EA2-D36F-4C63-BE66-73AAFD046852 — Raufarhólshellir is one of Iceland’s best known and longest lava tubes. It was formed during a volcanic eruption roughly 5,200 years ago, and you can see ice sculptures as well as the original walls that have remained unchanged for thousands of years.

I broke down and bought a lava tunnel cave tour because it involved my greatest natural loves: caving, volcanoes and Irish and Icelandic geologist guides. Due to the nature of the tour, I was able to take the bus into Reykjavík and explore the city for several hours in the early morning as well as in the afternoon after my tour.

A59163C7-CF5E-4190-9B10-A42EFD47A36D — The only thing that can survive inside the lava tube is bacteria that scientists believe could be comparable to possible life on other planets such as Mars. It might also provide antibiotics in the future.

I admit the tour was not best I’ve been on, as I’ve had more extensive and inexpensive caving adventures in Texas and New Mexico. However, the geological formations were impressive, the tour guides were funny and knowledgeable, the bus driver was kind and helpful, and the passing landscape had me pressing my face against the window every five seconds to gawk. I saved money by not taking a direct flight, and although I could’ve saved more by just sitting in the airport for 14 hours, it was worth seeing a piece of Iceland instead. I hope to come back to this part of the world eventually, rent a car and do some camping. Iceland is an expensive country, but most things you buy are well-made, and the people are kind.

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