I’m usually pretty hopeless at tackling memes. I’m always delighted to be tagged but then I procrastinate at length by which time the momentum has passed. So when Liz from The Mum Blog started a new travel based meme and tagged me, I gave myself a good talking to, put it on my ‘to do’ list and am now about to put a big fat tick next to it.
My greatest journey has to be our trip to Iceland. It was the inspiration for this blog and was a trip that took me so far out of my comfort zone that at times I howled to be transported to a quiet sunny beach where I could wear flip-flops and a bikini rather than waterproof trousers and a thermal vest. Up until then I had never been on an adventure holiday. I don’t ‘do’ cold as a rule. I certainly don’t do activities. So why I paid Discover the World good money for a two-week family adventure fly-drive I will never know.
They broke us in gently with a dip in the bubbling hot springs of the Blue Lagoon. I couldn’t even get that right, getting too much salt scrub in my hair so I looked like Wurzel Gummidge attached to a Van der Graaf generator.
On the second day they introduced our first activity which was an afternoon of horse-riding, straddling Iceland’s famous ‘volcano’ horses. It was pouring with rain, we were dressed as the Tango family and we made the mistake of tucking trousers into boots so all the water poured into our socks. Dougie’s nether regions took days to recover.
One way to scare a woman witless is to allow her to ride solo across a glacier on a snow-mobile: they’d obviously not seen how I drive. With warnings to avoid the yellow poles as we would be in danger of falling down crevasses, I took up last position in the pack, whimpering as I watched my 11 year old son, on the back of his dad’s beast of a machine, roaring into the distance.
The punishment continued with an unexpected white-water rafting trip on a glacial river. I say unexpected as the booking had been for a leisurely trip on Class 1 river, suitable for families. They didn’t have enough people for that so we were bumped onto the “adventurous” Class 3 session. I’m not a good swimmer so genuinely believed I would die. I didn’t and, though I’m loathe to admit it, the adrenalin rush was so great I started…just a teeny bit….to enjoy myself.
We had a few days off to appreciate the stunning scenery of Iceland before they despatched us in a boat on the bleak waters of the Arctic Ocean to look for whales. Whales? All I saw were the contents of my stomach as I heaved over the side. Three hours of abject misery.
One more treat: a hike on a glacier. Quite liked this, truth be told. Natty boots, walking sticks, good-looking guide. It came a close second to the Penis Museum in terms of enjoyment.
It was only two weeks, there was only one road around the island to drive on (though we did manage to go the wrong way on one occasion) and it was a trip designed for families but it was still the most exciting fortnight I had ever had. We saw hot springs, geysers, waterfalls, ate a lot of fish and extortionately priced wine, we walked, talked, took photos and laughed…a lot. Best family holiday ever.
Ok, I want to tag a few others to find out about their greatest journey. Over to you.
Hah hah love it. I think the mark of a truly great family holiday is when you have a good time regardless 🙂
We've had some lovely holidays where we lie on the beach and chill out but the amount of anecdotes we've collected from this one trip made it very special.
You are too kind! Loved your greatest journey! I would have refused to go anywhere near the snowmobiles, you are a lot braver than me! I absolutely promise I will do this. Emma 🙂 xx
I think because the activities were already booked and paid for, I just felt I couldn't back out. I also didn't want Rory to pick up on my anxieties…didn't do awfully well on that score, to be fair.
Looking forward to your post..when you've got time, no hurry x
Love this – I think one of the best things about travel is trying something new and slightly scary. Although ideally with chilled-out blue lagoons to break it up a bit…
Definitely need the chilled-out bits: I don't think I could handle full-on exertion!
One day that's going to be me on that there snowmobile!
Here, have mine.
Trish, thanks for tagging me! I was reading through your post with an increasing mix of horror and admiration. You had mentioned some of the incidents in earlier posts, but I never realized that you'd done one thing after another for two straight weeks! I think of myself as moderately adventurous, but two weeks of it plus freezing cold = more than I would be willing to tackle. I realize your conditions weren't quite as grim, but the whole time I was reading, I kept thinking about Shackleton's experience with the Endurance. I'm looking forward to sitting down and writing about my best journey – although I'll admit up front that it took place in a warm and sunny Caribbean climate, which makes even the most thrilling adventure more palatable….can't wait to dig out some photos!
The weather was very unpredictable – from a couple of degrees most days up to 15 on the east coast where we had a couple of beautiful days. Windy and wet too. I often wonder how I did it too.woulda always a bit shell-shocked in the hotel each night.
Looking forward to your post!
Bbbbbrrrrrhhhhh…… lead me to the museum….
Ah yes, the willy warmers!
I admire you moving out of your comfort zone and trying something new. They all sounded great (though I'm not too sure about leaning out of a boat, vomiting, for 3 hours)
You didn't mention much about it, but how was the food? We hear about the rather strange Icelandic delicacies, and I was wondering what the rest of the food was like.
Glad you had a great time
The food was pretty good. I think there was plenty of fish and lamb. I think husband had pony one night: didn't fancy that much. From what I remember the breakfasts were a little odd. It would be a lot cheaper to eat there now- most main meals in the hotels (which were 3* ish) were about 30 euros and the wine about the same. We thought we could manage without alcohol for the fortnight but that didn't last long.
I am dying to go to Iceland. Have wanted to since forever.
I hope you get the chance to go sometime as, despite my moans, it was just fabulous.
This sounds like an amazing holiday. I'd love to go on it but would never manage to drag my lot along. I don't fancy the whale watching though: I had a similar experience in Cape Cod and felt nauseous until the next morning.
I think we pitched the time just right: aged 11, Rory was happy to try things and not too old to have his own agenda!
Interesting to hear of your whale-watching trip: I don't think I've ever felt so ill. Mind you, it was made worse because I'd taken laxatives the night before so they started to kick in too!
I'm glad to hear someone else is not good on the meme (although you just did one, so I'm now a club of one). I always think everyone else does them so much better and I can't think of anything to add. You make me really want to go to Iceland now (and I am soooo not a cold person)
I often feel with memes that suddenly being asked to write something specific, or answer certin questions, leaves me flummoxed – all my creative juices, paltry as they are, seem to desert me.
Haven't you got that furry bear coat of yours? That would kee you snug, Jody.
well how pleased am I with me-old-self, if I've not gorn and bloomin' done it
http://kelloggsville.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/travel-lampoon-style.html
not quite up to your standard but then I'm not a travel writer 🙂
Have read and commented. Still can't quite believe the saga of the talc!!
Ah best New Year of my life was in Rekyavik!
With the Blue Lagoon to recover in afterwards!
I can well imagine a New Year there would be fantastic. I'd love to go back to Reykjavik for a weekend.
Never been but you've made me dying to go! Sounds like a fabulous trip….some day!
It was certainly unforgettable. An amazing country. Hope you get to go sometime x
We've just come back from a week in Reykjavik so interesting to read and look back at your posts from Iceland. Sounds like you packed a lot into your time and it made a big impression. We're still trying to wash the Blue Lagoon our of our hair! But we found it such an extraordinary place we're heading back in the summer for 4 weeks to explore by bike.. with the kids. Would love to know more about any wild or unusual places you'd recommend to visit off the tourist trail.
Hi Stuart. I would be very happy to give you more information about our trip. I will visit your website and get in touch via email.
Have done it, as promised!! 🙂