10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT ICELAND !

Fun fact about Iceland !

1 - There are more sheep than human on the island

There are 450,000 sheep on the island compared to 360,000 inhabitants. So basically, if you are fed up with the city, or just with people, this country is for you ! 60% of the population lives in the Reykjavik region, on the south side of the island and when you move away from it, it is very easy to be alone in the world : a little happiness.

2 - There is only one road that cross the country

It’s called Route 1 or the Ring Road, it goes around Iceland with 1332 km. The positive side is that you can hardly get lost (thanks god because the place names are really unpronounceable, try to say "Jökulsàrlòn" or "Sveitarfélagio Hornafjörour"). The other positive thing is that the road leads to lots of amazing places to see, like waterfalls, lava craters, famous geysers located everywhere.

3 - What Icelanders say...

THE essential quote from Iceland is "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute, it will have changed". And it is true that the weather is very changeable, which gives place to beautiful rainbow, but I advise you to always have a hat and a jacket or K-wai.

4 - True fact : Iceland doesn't smell good

As beautiful as the country may be, there are some smells...that you don't want to smell. Near geysers and craters, the smell looks like the of an egg: it is actually sulfur. Positive side : the water is naturally heated, Icelanders do not pay for heating (but your shower can have a bad smell, good luck with that).

5 - Benefits of the Blue Lagoon!

Le Blue Lagoon is Iceland’s best-known and prized natural spa, basically : a huge jacuzzi with water that benefits our skin. Contrary to popular belief, it is not natural, as it was formed in 1976 from the excess of hot water from the nearby power station.

However, the water in the Blue Lagoon is a huge benefit against skin diseases, such as psoriasis. There is a "treatment bar" in the pool, allowing you to put a kind of nutritious cream on your face (the experience was funny, I have to admit).

Little advice : this activity is a thing to do when you arrive or when you leave because this lagoon is located between the airport and the road to Reykjavik.

6 - A country where confidence is everywhere... And it feels good.

Many French people are used to locking their house or their car. But in Iceland, there is no need! People are confident and even in Reykjavik, they do not close their cars or doors. It’s pretty impressive to see that blind confidence. By speaking with an Icelandic man, I also learned "here, when you meet someone in the corner, you realize that you are related, near or far!" I loved that positive atmosphere.

7 - We can't buy alcohol in supermarket !

Although alcohol is consumable in bars/restaurants, you have to go to a special store to buy it. This store is called "vinbudin" and there are only 48 stores in the whole country, so if you wanted to drink a beer after a day of sightseeing, you better be forward-looking!

8 - Sunset and sunrise are : waouh

Given that from November / December it is only daytime from 9h / 10h to 16h, there are breathtaking sunsets and sunrises. On the other hand, "the midnight sun" between the end of June and July is the period when the night is almost nonexistent. So don't forget to spot the surprises the sun has in store for you in winter, or the night masks for summer!

9 - A real desert

During this trip, I often felt like "if my car ever break down now, I'm in the a deep s****." Indeed, there are not much time when you come across another car. We often wonder where are all the inhabitants because the roads are deserted.

And actually, it’s a pleasure (in my opinion) to be alone in the world, it changes from Parisian traffic jams.

10 - Plan enough because life is expensive

Like many Nordic countries, life is more expensive than in the South. In France, it's a bit like spending an entire stay in Paris (although the cost of living is 29% higher in Iceland). To get an idea, a beer is about 7euro, a meal in a mid-range restaurant costs between 25 and 50 euros.