Iceland Travel Guide: Being a Happy Pauper in the Land of Ice and Fire

**——"My wallet was blinded by the aurora, but my soul was warmed by the volcano"** --- ### **1. Walking around scenic spots** **1. Natural wonders (free! But the wind may charge)** - **Golden Circle**: - **Geysir**: It sprays every 5 minutes, which is more punctual than your alarm clock. Be careful not to get your face washed by the hot water when taking pictures. - Gullfoss: The mist is so thick that it feels like standing in a washing machine, but the rainbow is so beautiful that you forget about your wet shoes. - Þingvellir National Park: Standing in the middle of the rift between the Eurasian and North American plates, post to your Moments: "Just split a fork between two continents." - **Black Sand Beach (Reynisfjara)**: - The waves are more eye-catching than influencers. If you stand too close, you will be warned of getting wet by the Atlantic Ocean. - The basalt columns resemble giant organ pipes, perfect for a Game of Thrones-style movie (but don’t try to stand on them like Dragon Queen). - **Glacier Hike (Sólheimajökull)**: - Spend 300 yuan to join a tour group, and the tour guide will teach you how to use an ice pick to pose for a "moon landing photo", but in reality you will be out of breath after just two steps. **2. Aurora Hunting (Winter Only)** - Download the Aurora Forecast App. Chasing the aurora is like chasing an idol—it requires patience and luck. - Photography tips: Use long exposure. Even if your hands are as shaky as Parkinson’s, you can still capture the green ribbon. **3. Guide to lying down in hot springs** - **Blue Lagoon**: The ticket price is painful, but the silica mud mask is free. If you slide on your face after applying it, you will do splits if a fly stands on it. - **Secret Lagoon**: A favorite among locals, it is affordable and the pebbles at the bottom of the pool hurt your feet but it is tolerable. --- ### **Second, Foodie Survival Guide** **1. Icelandic dark cuisine (be careful)** - **Fermented Shark Meat (Hákarl)**: The smell of ammonia is so strong that it requires courage and a bottle of strong liquor to rinse your mouth. - **Sheep's head (Svið): The eyes stare at you, as if to say "Do you dare to eat me?" **2. Normal human food** - **Hot Dog (Bæjarins Beztu)**: The same style as Clinton’s, with chopped onions + crispy fried onions + yellow mustard sauce, a breath of fresh air among Iceland’s prices. - **Lobster soup (Humarsúpa**): A must-try in Hepburn Port, you can lick the bowl with bread. - **Skyr Yogurt**: A protein bomb that tastes like licking an iceberg (but healthy). **3. Tips to save money** - **Bonus Supermarket (with pink pig logo)**: Buy bread + smoked salmon + cola, and you can have three meals a day for 50 yuan. - **Gas station hot dog**: A spiritual placenta for Icelanders and a lifesaver when they are hungry in the middle of the night. --- ### **Third, accommodation recommendations for poor people** **1. Hostel** - **Reykjavík Downtown Hostel**: 200 yuan/night, located in the city center, but the gap in the bathroom door is big enough to chat with neighbors. - **Loft Hostel**: Watch the Northern Lights from the rooftop bar (if you are lucky), the beds are like capsule hotels but clean. **2. Farmstay** - **Sleeping next to the sheepfold**: 150 yuan/night, breakfast included, you may be woken up by the bleating of sheep in the morning. - **Warm Tips**: The heating may not be enough in winter, so it is recommended to wear long underwear to sleep. **3. Camping (Summer Only)** - Rent a camper and park at a free campsite by the sea. Watch the midnight sunset before going to bed and the cute puffins when you wake up. --- ### **Fourth, Tips for Saving Money on Transportation** 1. **Rent a car and drive yourself**: It is most cost-effective to carpool with four people, but be careful of the car door being blown away by strong winds (buy full insurance!). 2. **Bus Pass**: Suitable for solo travelers, but the frequency of buses is as rare as winning the lottery. 3. **Hitchhiking**: Icelanders are kind, but in winter you may have to wait an hour for a car (remember to dress like a polar bear to stand out). --- ### **V. Life-saving knowledge** 1. **The weather changes faster than your ex**: Experience four seasons in one day, and clothing advice is like an onion - peel it layer by layer. 2. **Drink directly from the tap**: The cold water is like glacier water, sweeter than first love, while the hot water is like sulphurous rotten egg soup (don’t drink it!). 3. **Toilet charges**: Have a 100-kroner coin ready, or your bladder will protest. 4. **Language barrier**: Icelandic sounds like an alien language, but everyone speaks English well, so you can wander around without worry. --- ### **VI. Artistic Speech Template** "In Iceland, volcanoes were stirring beneath my feet, the aurora was dancing above my head, and I was eating a hot dog at a gas station - this is the real poetry and distance." (Photo suggestions: Glacier back view + hot spring mask grimace + hot dog close-up) --- **Final Warning:** Don’t be fooled by the photos of internet celebrities - the wind in Iceland is strong enough to blow your wig away, and the prices are so high that you want to sell a kidney. But when you soak in the hot springs and watch the aurora pass through the night sky like green silk, you will think: "Kidneys can regenerate, but memories cannot."💸