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You are here: MacNN Forums > Community > MacNN Lounge > Super Photos Inspiring Me for Our Upcoming Iceland Trip!

Super Photos Inspiring Me for Our Upcoming Iceland Trip!
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akent35
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Kent, Washington (Up in God's Country!)
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Jun 17, 2014, 05:30 PM
 
On Yahoo today, there is this inspiring story about a young Korean girl's tribute to her father:

https://shine.yahoo.com/fashion/this...183402528.html

I actually have a strong "Korean" connection, as 1) I spent 3 years in Korea, and 2) my wonderful wife is Korean.

In any event, Ms. Yang's story inspired me to do a google search on her, and one of the resulting "sub" links is this:

First stop in Iceland: the Blue Lagoon | GREASE & GLAMOUR

Man, talk about inspiring me! It certainly looks beautiful there. My wife and I are going there in late July, meeting our oldest son and our daughter-in-law there. It will be a fun trip!
     
ShortcutToMoncton
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Jun 18, 2014, 08:32 AM
 
Was back in 2008. Beautiful country and would definitely go back. The Blue Lagoon is obviously a popular tourist spot but still enjoyable. Extremely friendly people, which you would expect of such a small country, and they also spoke the best English of any non-English euro countries we visited, which is not a requirement but does make communication easier. I also come from a small island in the North Atlantic and there were many parallels in terms of the people, fishing culture, and geography.

We did get a British tour guide to drive us around some of the large attractions outside of the capital in his small van (there are many awesome geographic locations of course, and most require a car or at least more biking dedication than most people would have). I'm not sure if he is still around as that was just before the big economic crash, but he was extremely excellent and would rate as one of the best tour guides we've ever had - he'd lived in Iceland for 15 or 20 years and was able to offer a very British and come-from-away take on their culture that was extremely relatable as a tourist - and also, he specifically avoided the tourist-trap stores that all the local buses stopped at. Wish I could remember his name...I think it was David but can't quite remember, haha.

There was also a little homely fish-and-chips place by the fishing docks in Reykjavik that had amazing lobster bisque and skewered minke whale, served seared and bloody. If you don't have any extreme moral objections to a sustainable whale harvest, then I would highly recommend as a unique experience that you will always remember.

Also, since you like films, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a cute little film by Ben Stiller from last year - part of it is set in Iceland (and Greenland), and the cinematography will keep you very excited about your visit!
Mankind's only chance is to harness the power of stupid.
     
mooblie
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Jun 18, 2014, 08:50 AM
 
Martin in the Scottish Highlands
     
ShortcutToMoncton
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Jun 18, 2014, 10:08 AM
 
Yes, that is the site of the original Viking parliament in Iceland I believe - Thingvellir - it's located in the tectonic valley a few hours' drive away from Reykjavik. Very impressive scenery - it poured rain the entire time we were there!
Mankind's only chance is to harness the power of stupid.
     
Jawbone54
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Jun 18, 2014, 10:26 AM
 
I'm super jealous. I hope you have an incredible time.
     
akent35  (op)
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Location: Kent, Washington (Up in God's Country!)
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Jun 18, 2014, 01:20 PM
 
Thanks everyone for the information! It is certainly helpful, and I'll send it along to my son. I am actually communicating with Ms. Yang, and she gave me some more information.

ShortcutToMoncron, the lobster bisque sounds fine (in fact, when my wife and I visit one of the local Indian casinos later on today (been there a number of times before), we'll have their lobster buffet, and it is quite good! I suspect, though, that the lobster is from Australia), but I think we'll skip the whale!

My son has already arranged a rental car, and in fact, on the day we arrive (at 6:25 AM Iceland Time, 7 hours ahead of Seattle time), we'll head out from Reykjavik for 4 days or so.

But again, all these tips are great! Thanks again.
     
ShortcutToMoncton
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Jun 18, 2014, 02:01 PM
 
Oh, I highly recommend the whale. It was deliciously gamey and a real treat.
Mankind's only chance is to harness the power of stupid.
     
mattyb
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Jun 18, 2014, 03:04 PM
 
I hope nobody SPOILS it for you.
     
akent35  (op)
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Location: Kent, Washington (Up in God's Country!)
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Jun 19, 2014, 02:36 AM
 
Originally Posted by mattyb View Post
I hope nobody SPOILS it for you.
Another PERFECT EXAMPLE of "Stupid is as stupid does". Thanks for continuing to exhibit that. It makes me LOL.
     
andi*pandi
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Jun 19, 2014, 11:49 AM
 
Originally Posted by ShortcutToMoncton View Post
Oh, I highly recommend the whale. It was deliciously gamey and a real treat.
I've never had whale, but in the caymans I had turtle. It was tasty.
     
ShortcutToMoncton
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Aug 15, 2014, 03:09 PM
 
So how was the visit to Iceland? Did you enjoy the island? Any pictures?
Mankind's only chance is to harness the power of stupid.
     
Jawbone54
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Aug 16, 2014, 12:11 AM
 
For real. I'm waiting to see some of the results.
     
ShortcutToMoncton
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Sep 16, 2014, 07:48 AM
 
Wellllllllllll...........?
Mankind's only chance is to harness the power of stupid.
     
ShortcutToMoncton
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Oct 21, 2014, 07:15 AM
 
No, seriously.....how was the trip? You did go to Iceland, right? Care to share whether you enjoyed it, or do you not want to re-visit the trauma for some reason?

Edit: whoops, just saw the ban. Too bad, but I guess he did have a tendency to fly off the handle.
Mankind's only chance is to harness the power of stupid.
     
Laminar
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Location: Iowa, how long can this be? Does it really ruin the left column spacing?
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Oct 21, 2014, 05:03 PM
 
It was Abe.
That's the rumor I'm reinforcing.
     
   
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