We’ve landed! Bucky flopped out of my backpack like a pancake and declared Iceland “officially breezy.” And breezy it was — even as a Canadian, I nearly regretted not packing my winter coat. Thank goodness for last-minute instincts! My ski jacket saved me from becoming a windswept icicle.
We touched down at 9:30 AM, blinking through the gusts and marveling at how the air smelled like adventure (and maybe a little seaweed). First mission: SIM card! We found one at a lime green convenience store – Siminn is the best bet, though it cost 2900 ISK. Iceland is practically cashless now, so we skipped currency exchange. Unless you’re camping, you probably won’t need cash.
At 1 PM, we picked up our rental car – a trusty steed for the week ahead. From there, we drove to the magical Giantess Cave in Keflavík.
🌬️ The Giantess Cave: Where Giggles Live
Nestled by the marina, the cave is home to a kind-hearted giantess from the beloved Icelandic children’s books about Sigga and her enormous friend.
Once upon a time, high in the misty mountains of North Iceland, a little girl named Sigga went berry-picking the day before her sixth birthday. Her mother was secretly sewing her birthday present and didn’t want Sigga to peek. So off Sigga went, climbing so high she had to crawl on all fours!
Suddenly, she realized she’d lost a shoe. While searching, she stumbled upon something strange — a giant, flat-bottomed “boat.” Curious, she crawled inside… and heard a rumble from the mountain.
Down came a giantess, limping with one enormous shoe on one foot — the very “boat” Sigga was sitting in! And on her pinky toe? Sigga’s tiny shoe!
But instead of being scared, Sigga burst out laughing. The giantess looked so friendly and flustered, she couldn’t help it. They chatted, giggled, and Sigga invited her to her birthday party the next day.
The giantess arrived with a dollhouse so big all the guests could fit inside. From that day on, Sigga and the giantess became best friends. The giantess babysat Sigga, made her giant Icelandic pancakes called lummur, and even got a special dress sewn by Sigga’s mom for fancy occasions.
Over the years, the giantess became a local hero — rescuing villagers from fires and fishermen from storms. As a thank-you, the mayor built her a cozy cave by the harbor in Keflavík, where she could finally settle down. She warmed up in the Blue Lagoon (which she called “warm milk”) and moved into her new home in 2008.
Now, she lives in a magical cave filled with oversized furniture, a postbox for kids’ letters, and a kitchen where she breathes, burps, and brings joy to every visitor. She’s forgotten her name, but everyone calls her Giganta — the gentle giantess with a heart as big as Iceland itself.
Bucky was smitten. He left her a note that said: “Dear Giganta, I love your pancakes. Can I borrow your rocking chair? Love, Bucky 🦫”
After a stroll along Keflavík Harbour and a quick check-in at our guesthouse (more on that below!), we headed out for dinner and groceries.
🐟 Dinner & Snacks: A Mixed Bag of Crispy and Curious
We tried Issi Fish & Chips – crispy, cozy, and delicious! Then we popped into two supermarkets – Bonus and Netto. Netto was bigger, with more health foods and interesting local brands. Licorice is everywhere – Bucky tried to sneak some into our basket, but I’m not sure my coworkers will forgive me if I bring it home.
We also picked up:
- Chocolate-covered puffed rice (yum!)
- Icelandic beer (which later got stolen — more on that heartbreak below)
- Skyr yogurt (creamy and tangy!)
- National bread (dense and hearty — Bucky called it “chewy cloud”)
Then… we made a bold move. KFC. Icelandic KFC is popular – the drumsticks are huge! But alas, our bucket was a soggy disappointment. The chicken was clearly the last pick of the pile, with torn skin and zero crisp. Bucky cried a little. I did too.
🌍 The Bridge Between Continents
Next up: a 20-minute drive to the Bridge Connecting the Continents! It’s a symbolic footbridge over the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates drift apart. You can literally walk from one continent to another – Bucky did it twice just to say he’d been to Europe and North America in one minute.
It’s also a great spot for Northern Lights, but the forecast wasn’t promising, so we visited in the afternoon and tucked in early to fight off jet lag.
🛏️ Blue Viking Guesthouse: Cozy Quarters & a Beer Bandit
We stayed at the Blue Viking Guesthouse in a quadruple room with four single beds. It’s self-check-in – keys in a lockbox, no reception. The shared kitchen was clean and well-stocked with plates, bowls, cutlery, and even a dishwasher. Free coffee, tea, and hot chocolate too!
We labeled our groceries in a plastic bag with our room number for the communal fridge… but someone ripped a hole in it and stole our beer. 😢 Bucky is still mourning.
The shared bathrooms were fine – some with showers, some just toilet and sink. Our bedding was comfy and clean, and the room was a good size for four sleepy travelers.
Tomorrow, we head deeper into Iceland’s wild wonders. Bucky’s already packed his scarf and a snack for the road. Stay tuned for more puffin-approved adventures!
Note: We’re not affiliated with any of the places or services mentioned. No króna, cookies, or cuddles were exchanged for these reviews — just our honest, slightly sleep-deprived thoughts. 💙🦫