On to the land of Ice and Fire
Iceland Road Trip
Some journeys begin with a bang. Ours began with a slice of cake—and a stroll through a liquor store.
We boarded Icelandair Flight FI555 from Brussels early in the morning for a direct flight across the North Atlantic that took just over 3.5 hours. Icelandair exudes Nordic charm—efficient, calm, and refreshingly minimalist, like flying in a well-designed living room.
Arrival in Keflavík: Duty-Free First Impressions.
The first surprise arrived before we even reached baggage claim. As we followed the arrivals path, we unexpectedly found ourselves inside a full-size liquor store. Welcome to Iceland, where duty-free shops are strategically located after you land. Locals stock up on wine and spirits before heading home, which we noted for the return trip. (Pro tip: alcohol is heavily taxed in Iceland, so if you enjoy a drink every now and then, this is the place to get it.)
Getting the Wheels: Mitsubishi and Gravel Dreams
We picked up our rental car at the airport: a Mitsubishi 4×4, sturdy and practical, with just enough growl to suggest off-road ambitions. In Iceland, you don’t mess around with tiny hatchbacks unless you intend to stick strictly to the Ring Road during the summer. The gravel does not wait for anyone.
The 50-kilometer drive to Reykjavík is mostly smooth highway flanked by lava fields and distant mountains, creating an otherworldly welcome mat rolled out by nature herself.
Hotel Orkin: Cake and Calm.
We checked into Hotel Orkin, a charming but straightforward guesthouse with free parking, strong coffee, and an unexpectedly delightful afternoon cake ritual. After a long day of travel, the simple pleasure of warm cake in a quiet lounge felt like Iceland telling you to relax. “You made it.”
The hotel’s location, slightly outside Reykjavík’s central area, was ideal for our needs. It’s close to major attractions but far enough away from late-night noise to allow us to sleep early without using earplugs.
Dinner at VietExpress: Phonomenal
When hunger struck again, we walked a few blocks to VietExpress, a small Vietnamese restaurant that packs a powerful punch. There are no frills or websites here, just steaming bowls of pho and stir-fried noodles served with a friendly smile. The broth was rich, fragrant with star anise and basil, and incredibly satisfying after a day that began in Belgium and ended just below the Arctic Circle.
Tomorrow, we leave the city and enter the lava-sculpted wilderness. The road calls, and Bagabonda would agree.
