Aurora over Iceland
Green lights, cold nights, and a warm car heater at the end.
We arrived with open eyes and small plans. Quiet fjords in the north looked big on the map, but it welcomed us in small, kind steps.
We walked, we paused, and we let the place set the pace. Little choices—where to stand, when to wait, who to thank—made the day bright.
We watched the sky practice dark for a long time. Then the lights showed and everything felt new.
We forgot the cold for a while. The heater in the car felt like a reward later.
Forecasts helped, but waiting was the real skill. We watched the sky for a long time and then it danced for us.
Getting There
Start early and keep plans simple. Ask locals for the best turn or bus. Signs help, but kind people help more. In Quiet fjords in the north, the journey is part of the joy.
Weather changes fast in Quiet fjords in the north. We packed a light layer, a warm layer, and a dry layer. We used all three. When the wind picked up, we moved slower and smiled anyway.
When to Go
Mornings are calm and gentle. Late afternoon light makes photos warm. If it rains, that is part of the story. Carry a small umbrella or a hood and keep walking.
We kept our bags light: water, snacks, a phone in airplane mode to save battery, and a tiny power pack. Light feet made the day feel friendly.
We tried to learn one local word for hello and one for thanks. People liked the effort. A smile worked when words ran out.
Slow Down
The best moments came when we stopped to listen: to water, wind, birds, or a street musician. We tried to notice five sounds and five colors before moving on.
Food was simple and good. We shared plates, traded bites, and wrote down new names in a small notebook so we could order them again.
We took only photos and left only footprints. We stayed on marked paths, used bins, and kept a small bag for any trash that had no bin nearby.
Photo Tips
Clean your lens with a soft cloth. Hold still against a wall or a tree. Turn around—the best view is sometimes behind you.
We ended each day the same way: a warm drink, a look at tomorrow’s map, and a grateful note in our journal. Trips feel longer when you write even two lines.
Cold-Weather Kit
Thermal base layers, hand warmers, tripod, and spare batteries in your inner pocket.
We ended the trip tired in our legs and light in our heads. The best souvenir was a calmer pace we promised to carry home.