Iceland - the fantastic place

September - end of the season? No way...Iceland is an amazing place to stay!

One week before our Icelandic trip, we spent few hours googling and planning our 6 days trip around Iceland. We were hesitating if to do only the southern part of the island, only the triangle or to do the whole island. And you know what? We have managed to travel around the Iceland in 6 days!!

Yes, we booked the car with the Green Motions, then we calculated distances for 5 days, we have chosen top places and lagoons to see, then we booked accommodations...and finally we packed our two luggages and the whisky (in case):).

From Keflavik to the Golden Circle

OMG, it was so windy! when we arrived to Keflavik. The car rental company the Green Motion was very organized. They picked us up at the airport and they brought us to the office. Then we could start our road trip. The trip started with the famous Golden Circle. 

Gullfoss waterfall was really worth to see! It was really amazing place... And of course you should not miss on the way the Geysir spring area. 

The night under the Skogafoss waterfall

We have booked the accommodation right under the waterfall. It was a nice morning there. We could see the green nature with the cup of the coffee in our hands (very relaxing). We have manged to climbed it as well:)

Icelagoon

Oh we were so looking forward to this trip. We took the bout trip on the glacier lagoon so we could see and touch the 1000 years old icebergs:). The excursion took us about 40 minutes and included an English speaking guide who explained the facts of the lagoon. Then we spent quit time to take some nice pictures. Really beautiful place to stay. Do not forget to dress the warm clothes:) winter jacket is fine to have.

Bluelagoon

We have spent couple of hours in the few lagoons on the Iceland. The last day before our flight we have enjoyed the time in the Blue lagoon. I do not have to comment on this spa and treatments. You will see when you experience it. You should definitely not to leave the Iceland before this relax. And!! You can book the dinner at the LAVA restaurant, as we did before our flight back home. The food is delicious. We have ordered 4 courses tasting menu which was really amazing.

Akureyri

Akureyri is the town with a soul. We met amazing people there. Thanks to Iceland family, we could experience the history, art and the life differently. And we could see the aurora:) so the mission was accomplished:)).

Reykjavik

I was nicely impressed with the town and its streets and shops. I loved it! especially to walk in the evening...

Internet and payments

This is the fact to mention. We did not bring any local cash. Everywhere you pay by cards ( I mean even in a little shop in the middle of the nowhere:). We booked some attractions a night before, again internet is everywhere accessible...

Istanbul the mystical city

Arriving to Istanbul

We have arrived to Istanbul!!...On the day called Big Friday (April). It was getting dark and it started to rain...It took us about one hour to arrive by bus to the harbor...then finally we got on the ferry passing through the Bosporus to reach our apartment in the old city...it was a nice start with a freshly squeezed orange juice which gave us the energy while travelling by the ferry! We felt great and amazed with the atmosphere of mystical city...If you lived in Rome, then the old city will give you the impression of being there...

The First late dinner

Yes, at 10 pm we had finally our first dinner...we wandered a bit to find the nice one...and it did not take us too long. We entered into a small restaurant where one lady was making a bread behind the window..It was family-owned restaurant where the owners served us the typical home made food...I would say, if you ever had an opportunity to eat typical Sicilian food, this is what you would taste. :) 

Morning

The first morning we did not wake up with the muslim singing lessons (as we would expect)... This came later :) while we were having our morning coffee on the terrace. Family owned apartments had the one advantage: locals served us a typical breakfast, the local cheese and the Arabic bread..which was all cooked together...after the breakfast we ran into the city, and you can imagine what followed...yes yes touristic photos in the amazing places:)

 Hagia Sophia

When you wander around the old city, after a while you realize that all beautiful historic places are not that far from each other...anyway, one minus score to the signs in the city!...Sometimes you do not know where is a main entrance, where is only a museum and where is a real HAGIA Sophia:) we actually stayed very close to little Hagia Sophia, we entered into the museum of Hagia Sophia and finally we managed to see the real Hagia Sophia:)

Grand Bazar

Yes, this is something we came to Istanbul for :) but very tricky..prices in Grand Bazar are three times higher than around the main historical places:) so Imagine...why would we pay for souvenirs 5 times more when people were not even willing to negotiate...this made us to move further to more local markets...we finished with lots of bags in our hands:). If you would like to take some local textile made of Turkish cotton, then we recommend it.

Kebab

I give 10 points out of 10 to local Kebab:) we tasted Kebab with a beef which was really tasty...I had a feeling that the meat was tasting somehow different than the one you get in our old Europe...please, let me know if you had the same experience...

One day in Abu Dhabi

If you get bored in Dubai, take a taxi and drive to Abu Dhabi. This is how it happened to us....

We grabbed a taxi at the hotel in Dubai after we managed to negotiate one day private tour price for Abu Dhabi (It was not very difficult, negotiations run faster than in other countries). Our main intention was to see famous Sheikh Zayed Mosque which was really beautiful and astonishing. Due to the mosque manners, we had to get dressed in long black clothes. This ensured our proper look according to the environment and traditions. 

I remember, it was some Bank holiday, and we could not see other mosque on our way because it was closed to public. Therefore, poor our taxi driver had to bring us to some other place...and it was Emirates Palace Hotel where we spent couple of hours including eating in one of the restaurants - Diwan L'Auberge -with a beautiful view on the beach...we somehow became addicted to Lebanese food on our trip in Emirates, so we were happy to enjoy little dishes again...