Michael Ho - Personal Website

The ending of my Iceland cycling tour. Two days spent touring Reykjavík, seeing whales and dolphins, witnessing artificial lava, and sleeping overnight in Keflavík airport.

Monday, 7th of August, 2023

I had made plans to hike the recently erupting volcano in Iceland but unfortunately a day before going, the volcano went dormant. Nonetheless I hoped to hike the newly formed rock and soak in the sights as I heard it was still very interesting.

I hurried around in order to make it possible, picking up my bike bag early to get my hiking shoes, squishing the bike bag into my tent, rushing to the bus terminal. But then Gray Line, the tour bus company, screwed me over by cancelling my tour bus without any notification! My advice, do not book anything with Gray Line.

I switched up my plans and went whale watching that evening instead. It was an incredible experience, beautiful to see Reykjavík from the water and amazing to see a young Minke whale and some dolphins (but nothing bigger). The weather was perfect for the boat ride and the sunset on the water was very beautiful. It was a very difficult activity, as spotting the animals on the water was tricky with them breaching the water surface for only mere moments at a time.

dolphin

Tuesday, 8th of August, 2023

On Tuesday I rushed around gathering souvenirs to bring back, comparing goods and prices at all the different souvenir shops. I visited the Lava show and experienced an amazing demonstration of Artificial Lava. And squeezed in lunch at the Loving Hut. An efficient use of time trying to squeeze in what I could of Reykjavík. I gave myself ample time and rushed back to the campsite in the late afternoon to pack the bike bag and gear. Amusing the nearby campers watching my disassemble my bike, I found I was efficient and was ready to go with still over two hours before my scheduled bus.

lava

I gave away my safety vest to another cyclist, a German, starting their journey out into Iceland that day. I hope it helps him.

I dragged my bags into the Dalur hostel bar/reception area and ordered myself a beer to pass the time. Then I bumped into Max again! The Italian cyclist from Selfoss. We killed some time together, and he showed me the videos and photos of his outdoors activities. Climbing glaciers, hiking mountains, bikepacking through the alps. Iceland is full of amazing adventurers and it was very interesting to learn about their experiences.

That evening the Airport Direct bus was again almost empty. The staff were very nice and the service was very easy. I was able to check-in and do my baggage tags using automated kiosks even 8 hours before my flight. I was also able to drop off the bike bag at the oversized baggage and my check-in luggage 8 hours before my flight. Security check-in also!

It was here that I learned the sad truth! The souvenirs are cheaper in the airport departure lounge compared to the tourist shops of Reykjavík. If there is one advice I would give someone visiting Iceland, it is to buy their souvenirs at the airport.

Overnighting at the airport was really uncomfortable. The padded restaurant seating is closed off at night but lying down on the wooden seats was not forbidden so I joined the handful of other people overnighting at the airport and grabbed some hours of sleep to pass the time.

At 4am, the airport started to rumble back to life and as people began to pour in, I made my way to the boarding gate. It was an uneventful boarding and flight and the next thing I knew I was back in Berlin. Baggage handling was painfully slow at BER airport compared to Keflavik airport and after another struggle on the public transport, I arrived home, opened the work laptop, and officially ended my trip.