Going to Iceland for the second time was a dream come true. Since returning home in 2015, my heart was set on returning again someday. However, I was eager to make this trip totally different from the last. I wanted to be truly independent and do so with spending as little money as possible. I wanted to experience the Iceland through a different lens.
So this May Jessie and I rented a car and drove around the Ring Road and into the Westfjords, camping as much as possible as we tried to divert from the common tourist's path. Like any adventure, there were bumps in the road (literally and figuratively).
Here were some lessons we learned along our way:
1.) Take as many pit stops as you can (in moderation)
When you see something beautiful during the drive, STOP! Many of the photographs I took were right off the side of the road. However, limit yourself. Soak in every moment when you do decide to pull over but don't stop every ten minutes. Never turn a one hour drive into three...
2.) RELAX, the unknown isn't as scary as you may think
Never over plan. Some of the best days were when we only knew where point B was and nothing in between. Let the road take you.
There is freedom in having no reservations to abide by. There is an exciting rush of energy when making last minute decisions. I find that the most spontaneous adventures are the most memorable.
3.) It's OK if something doesn't turn out the way you thought it would
That's why back up plans are helpful (not required though).
Sometimes booking a one night stay at a guesthouse is a lot smarter than paying for a campsite in the pouring rain. Yes guesthouses are more expensive, but braving the elements is really not worth it after a long day.
4.) Get to the campsite before dinner time. Always.
Never get to the campsite late. It leaves you scrambling to set up and make dinner, ultimately leading you to eat at 10pm still needing to clean dishes afterwards. Getting there earlier allows you to relax and enjoy the area (and get to bed at a reasonable hour).
Side note: never make stir fry when you get to a campsite late, especially if you decide to camp at the base of a glacier. It's really cold. Making stir fry takes a lot longer than you think. It's a bad combination.
5.) Eat before anything. Literally anything.
Hangry is a real emotion. Roadside snacking is crucial to surviving a long car ride.
6.) Speaking of food, Icelandic hot dogs and Netto are truly a traveler's best friend.
And skyr of course. The hot dogs are the cheapest food to buy. At 450 ISK (around $4.21 USD), they're both delicious and easy on your wallet.
Netto is a holy land. Because eating out at restaurants in Iceland is very expensive, buying food at grocery stores is a great way to save money during the trip. Many travelers recommend going to Bonus but Netto has more selection and is low cost (in my opinion).
Just remember a lot grocery stores open at 10am... so don't try to get there early.
7.) Sometimes you may think your car is broken... but keep driving because it'll probably fix itself
Yeah maybe don't listen to this one. However, sometimes rocks get stuck in funny places in your car and makes terrifying noises.
Sometimes those noises are so absurd that it sounds like you ruined the suspension of the car.
Sometimes you freak out because you don't own this vehicle and you think you severely damaged it.
And sometimes you'll hear the rock plop back onto the road and the car sound completely normal again.
So be sure to take it slow on the roads, especially when they aren't paved...
8.) Keep your mind open to others
Yes this sounds very cliché, however, never be afraid to talk to a local or fellow tourist and ask about how their lives and ideas might differ from yours. '
Opening your mind allows you to connect more with the place your visiting. Conversations from locals led Jessie and I to learn about Icelandic views on tourism and about the elves and hidden people that are embedded in the country's culture.
9.) There are many more adventures on roads beyond Route 1
AKA the Westfjords and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula are absolutely magical. The Ring Road is amazing but don't be afraid to journey off of it. You need to travel off to an entirely different region, even traveling off to quaint towns such as Seydisfjordur are equally exciting.
10.) Don't let cost make decisions for you
You don't have to book a guided tour to truly experience a place. You don't have to buy an Icelandic sweater at the gift shop to establish that you visited Iceland. Taking out your map and doing your own thing is probably the best way to experience Iceland (or any other destination). There is no need to book fancy hotels or eat at extravagant restaurants to enjoy your time in Iceland.
A rental car and tent is all you really need.