Edinburgh Scotland

 Edinburgh is an awesome city, big enough to walk around and look at things all day, but small enough that I am not totally overwhelmed by people or trying to find things.

 The number one thing you have to see is the Edinburgh Castle. It looms about the city in such a haze like something out of a storybook.

 Now I did have to take a couple "touristy" photos, like this photo booth one.

 Immediately I made new friends in the town. Hostels are so great for this.

 After enough stairs to justify all the alcohol consumption, I planned on having, (I mean who doesn't drink scotch in Scotland?) I got an amazing view of the city.

 The castle grounds were very exciting to walk about. There were things to read, views, and just cool stuff to look at. It's definitely something worth seeing.

 Most of the interiror was filled with things that just made it like a museum, rather then restored, but there were a few places they tried to keep the same and I enjoyed that the most.

 It really puts you in awe to see this ancient strucute. It is unbelivably massive.

 I liked looking through the holes in the walls. It's like looking into the past when you picture men using these to protect the fortress. There was an entrance fee to the Castle, and it did have a lot of buildings set up as a large museum completely covering the old walls but it was still worth a shot.

The whole city was filled with awesome architecture that you really have to see for yourself. My biggest word of caution for the city is, make sure you look both ways several times before crossing the street. If you are from a place where people drive on the right side of the road like me, it is easy to get hit. There were a few close calls at wild intersections because drivers there do NOT stop for pedestrians.

 Please don't miss out on a nice plate of haggis to go with your Scotch either!

And I think you might be surprised to find out how much meat pie tastes like something you grew up on. It's got a good mom-food feel to it. This was at the Tollbooth Tavern, you won't find it on any main lists and it is amazing! The staff was awesome, the place was so old and cool, the food was unbelievable, and we were the only people there! Please support this small restaurant if you visit Edinburgh.

Iceland's Northern Lights

I saw a lot of tours to see the northern lights. Honestly I think I saw them the best way I could though. Instead of booking a tour and "maybe" seeing them and having to be with a bunch of people I don't know, I chose my own route.

Still using that rental car from the Golden Circle and South Coast days, we chose to go to http://en.vedur.is/weather/forecasts/aurora/ to find the best location to see it and when.  With just a map we bought at the gas station and way too many people in the smallest car you could rent,  we found the perfect spot.

We had an amazing time and I made some great friends that night.

Snorkeling the Silfra Fissure- Iceland

I did everything on the cheap when I was in Iceland, so I had to splurge on just this one thing. I have no regrets! I booked thru Iceland Adventure Tours, and  I wouldn't have done it thru anyone else. When we arrived at Þingvellir, I saw dozens of other tour groups that were packed full of people. Our group was only 5 people. I don't know about you but I want to see the area, not other people's butts. They said the max is 9 people thru this company. Perfect size! Plus they were the cheapest and the only one that didn't charge for pickup. Our guide was awesome too. No complaints at all.

At the begining he said, "I have to take a picture of all you smiling" after all, the water was only 8 degrees. He had a great sence of humor about the whole thing. It was cold, but it was actually warmer in the water, so I was first in!

 Everything about this is unbelievable! How many people can say they snorkeled between the tectonic plates?

 The water was crystal clear.

 This was so clean you could take off your mask and drink the water you are floating in. It was a big part of the experience because I feel like it is a once in a lifetime feeling.

 You are wearing a dry suit the whole time with a onesie underneath that they provided. Don't forget to wear your base layer under it all, you will be changing outside. Trust me, this is not the place to be outside in your underwear.

At the end we walked back still feeling the rush of this amazing experience. My face and hands were cold but not unbearable. My dry suit froze to my body so I needed assistance getting out of it. Imagine a baby on it's back getting it's footy pajamas taken off, now replace that baby with a 25 year old me laughing my head off. Yeah, this is a thing.

I had a fantastic time. I would absolutely recommend this. My hands hurt so bad from the cold after but I didn't even care. This was a huge thrill. If you can't get a clear view of the video watch this here!

Reykjavik- Part 2

 Reykjavik itself is full of things just too see. I spent several days just walking around the city and enjoyed every second of it. I don't mind getting lost as long as I have no place to go, and in a city like this you are safe to explore as much as you want. Above is a sculpture of an old viking ship (warning, it was the slickest thing I have ever stepped on.)

 Iceland takes pride in it's graffiti artists, and it makes the town very fun to look at.

 Don't forget to grab an old end of your bread for the locals.

 Just about anywhere you are in the city, you can look down the streets to see a beautiful view of these mountains.

      Please don't miss out on the local hot springs when you are here. They only cost 600 krona and you can walk to them for free or take any bus for 400 krona. Even in the winter, if you dress appropriate, it is a beautiful walk and the exercise feels so good. I went to two hot springs in Reykjavik.
      Sundlaug Vestubæjar is a big place, with an indoor pool and several outdoor pools and a steam room. You get to choose your temp and even if you want to be in a hot pool with salt, or mineral water. The slide was closed, it might be that way all winter but I didn't ask. The facilities are clean and high tech, with lockers that open with waterproof wrist bands and you can rent a towel or swimsuit for 400 krona each if you don't have one. The pools are kept clean because they require everyone to shower (naked) with soap before putting on their swimsuits and entering the pool. It may seem weird if you are American, but if you don't make a big deal about it, no one else does either. Don't forget to hop out, roll in the snow, and get back in!

     Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach wasn't as warm as the other, but it is nice because it is at a beach. I saw people all over swimming in the ocean (it was soooo cold outside by the way, around negative 8 Celsius) and they didn't seem to mind. I decided to give it a shot and forgot how to breath and only lasted about a second. The walk barefoot, back to the pool was really tough. It really showed me how tough Icelandic people are. I saw many little kids (from two to 10) going in the cold ocean water and acting like it was no problem!

    The perpetual sunset in the Icelandic winter makes everything look so beautiful all day long. Or would you call it the perpetual sunrise? The general rule of thumb for swimming in the cold water is one second per degree, so if it is negative outside (Celsius) only a fraction of a second unless you are trained or raised doing this.