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Stuff to do in Iceland around Fanfest

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Dangeresque Too
Pistols for Pandas
#1 - 2014-12-13 00:50:51 UTC
*Not sure if this is the right place for this thread*

So finally taking the plunge and going to do the fanfest thing this year. Still haven't figured out how many days I want to stay or what I'll be wanting to do. When I started looking into traveling to Iceland after I had seen so many amazing hikes and views and waterfalls, then fanfest came up and gave me a pretty good excuse. Also into the slightly expensive hobby of photography.

Unfortunately then I realized, fanfest is getting stepped up earlier in the year this time and seems like it will put it while winter is still in full force.

Are there any Iceland people that can tell me sort of what weather I can expect around fanfest and if I should really try to plan on any hiking or waterfalls? (I know there are a few that are still worthwhile, and the glacial lagoons too) Will there be like 1-2ft or more of snow all over everything? Cold and windy?

And finally if there are any CCP people that do the hiking and things on regular basis if you have any advice or suggestions? I was originally hoping to get some waterfalls, glaciers, volcanos/lava, and maybe some nice ridgeline views or valleys or something.

Note: I am not one of those lazy tourists that can't barely be bothered to walk half a mile from the parking area to see a waterfall. My brother and I routinely (well, once or twice a year) take vacations just to do massive amounts of hiking to see things the average tourist doesn't, like rim to rim in the Grand Canyon (not exactly a smart decision, but hey, I'm just happy I'm still alive, no joke) and Half Dome for instance.
Mr Epeen
It's All About Me
#2 - 2014-12-13 02:41:26 UTC
I hear that downtown during Fanfest there is a strange phenomena in which all the snow turns yellow. Most notably around drinking establishments.

Maybe you could spend some time exploring that wonder of nature and try to form a hypothesis as to why that seems to happen at only that time of year. You might even get a published paper in Science from it.

Mr Epeen Cool
Arkady Vachon
The Gold Angels
Sixth Empire
#3 - 2014-12-15 07:04:26 UTC
Do the Golden Circle tour.

I took time and just walked around Reykjavik, probably lost ten pounds like that in the week that I was there lol.

Also: Reykjavik public transit bus drivers drive like they have MWDs bolted into the bus and are not afraid to use this. Get on fast, get seated fast, get off fast, and hang on.

Nothing Personal - Just Business...

Chaos Creates Content
baltec1
Bat Country
Pandemic Horde
#4 - 2014-12-15 12:01:36 UTC
I'm looking at doing a northern lights tour but as that depends upon the weather I'll be booking that when I'm there. At the time of year there are large parts of the island that are off limits even to super jeeps so expect harsh weather and dress warmly.
ISD Decoy
ISD Community Communications Liaisons
ISD Alliance
#5 - 2014-12-15 13:12:02 UTC
baltec1 wrote:
I'm looking at doing a northern lights tour but as that depends upon the weather I'll be booking that when I'm there. At the time of year there are large parts of the island that are off limits even to super jeeps so expect harsh weather and dress warmly.

Mrs. Decoy and I did the northern lights tour and it was horrible because we didn't get to see any lights. We literally took a bus, in the dark, to a park. In the park, they turned the bus and the bus lights off. I don't do well in pitch black environments, so I was snoring pretty quick in my bus seat. My wife won't let me live it down, but we have a laugh about it all the time. I suppose if you're willing and able, they normally give you free tickets for the next night's tour if you don't see lights.

Beyond that tour, I'd highly recommend the South Shore tour if you're into photography. Some of the landscapes we caught on that tour were the most breathtaking ones of my life. You feel really insignificant standing on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic with glaciers and mountains/volcanoes behind you.

Try their hot dog stand right across from Harpa.

Beyond that, half the fun is exploring on your own. The city really isn't that big, and it's very easy to get around. Have fun!

ISD Decoy

Captain

Community Communication Liaisons (CCLs)

Interstellar Services Department
Dangeresque Too
Pistols for Pandas
#6 - 2014-12-15 14:18:44 UTC
Figured the northern lights would be good, but didn't think about the effect the snow would have on the other roads as I was thinking about renting a car to go out and do things without crowds of tourists. But now I'm not sure I want to risk it with a rental. Do the typical bus tours give you time to get out and look around and get close to things or explore or is it more like the bus stops, everyone piles out, looks for 5 minutes, piles back in, next stop type thing?

But I'm also thinking I'll just do all the hiking and photography things next trip, when its not still in the middle of winter (don't they normally have fanfest in May? Or is that still winter in Iceland?)
Alice Saki
Nocturnal Romance
Cynosural Field Theory.
#7 - 2014-12-15 14:40:08 UTC
Iceland? I remember Drink... and more Drink.... and then some...

FREEZE! Drop the LIKES AND WALK AWAY! - Currenly rebuilding gaming machine, I will Return.
Dangeresque Too
Pistols for Pandas
#8 - 2014-12-15 17:27:12 UTC
Yeah, I know this might be hard for people to comprehend, but I'm not really a fan of alcohol. Just doesn't make sense to me.

*rant* It tastes awful until you pummel your taste buds to not reject it. It is expensive, and people usually end up spending a lot of money to drink so much of it they can't remember what they did and they spend the next day feeling terrible. Or they drink just enough to make horrible decisions and still end up spending tons of money. Yet they continue the cycle every weekend, and say it is so much fun. Thanks but no thanks, I'll stick to my free water while I remember everything I do and don't feel like trash the next day. */rant*

So suggestions other than bars are preferred.
baltec1
Bat Country
Pandemic Horde
#9 - 2014-12-15 17:51:02 UTC  |  Edited by: baltec1
Dangeresque Too wrote:
Figured the northern lights would be good, but didn't think about the effect the snow would have on the other roads as I was thinking about renting a car to go out and do things without crowds of tourists. But now I'm not sure I want to risk it with a rental. Do the typical bus tours give you time to get out and look around and get close to things or explore or is it more like the bus stops, everyone piles out, looks for 5 minutes, piles back in, next stop type thing?

But I'm also thinking I'll just do all the hiking and photography things next trip, when its not still in the middle of winter (don't they normally have fanfest in May? Or is that still winter in Iceland?)


I'm still debating on getting a hire car to get around as the idea of driving around doesn't worry me too much the only thing holding me back is the cost and if I would actually use it. It sounds like the public transport has good coverage in any case. If you do hire a car it is very very important to read up on their road laws. Never ever drive offroad/track and keep a check on your speed as a lot of roads are just gravel. They also have a damn good website that gives updates on road conditions, weather and also let you patch into the CCTV system so you can see what is going on.

I hear CCP are making a forum for fanfest so I'm holding fire till then but I'll probably hire a defender for at least part of the trip and see about getting a few nerds together for day trips and visits to eateries.
DaReaper
Net 7
Cannon.Fodder
#10 - 2014-12-15 20:18:57 UTC
ISD Decoy wrote:
baltec1 wrote:
I'm looking at doing a northern lights tour but as that depends upon the weather I'll be booking that when I'm there. At the time of year there are large parts of the island that are off limits even to super jeeps so expect harsh weather and dress warmly.

Mrs. Decoy and I did the northern lights tour and it was horrible because we didn't get to see any lights. We literally took a bus, in the dark, to a park. In the park, they turned the bus and the bus lights off. I don't do well in pitch black environments, so I was snoring pretty quick in my bus seat. My wife won't let me live it down, but we have a laugh about it all the time. I suppose if you're willing and able, they normally give you free tickets for the next night's tour if you don't see lights.

Beyond that tour, I'd highly recommend the South Shore tour if you're into photography. Some of the landscapes we caught on that tour were the most breathtaking ones of my life. You feel really insignificant standing on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic with glaciers and mountains/volcanoes behind you.

Try their hot dog stand right across from Harpa.

Beyond that, half the fun is exploring on your own. The city really isn't that big, and it's very easy to get around. Have fun!




awesome, I needed something to do on Tuesday.

The wife and I have signed up for the golden circle tour with the devs on Tuesday, the dinner on thurs, and the hange over party. I'll look into the south shore tour for Tuesday, just need a bit for Thursday morning.

OMG Comet Mining idea!!! Comet Mining!

Eve For life.
Katabrok First
Apukaray Security
#11 - 2014-12-16 11:33:12 UTC
Does anybody knows if some kind of special clothing is needed because of the weather, being March this time (I went to fanfest in 2013, and it was April), or just wearing a sturdy jeans with a second skin underneath it will be enough? I bought the golden circle tour ticket, will I need to pack more clothes there?
DaReaper
Net 7
Cannon.Fodder
#12 - 2014-12-16 18:14:03 UTC  |  Edited by: DaReaper
Katabrok First wrote:
Does anybody knows if some kind of special clothing is needed because of the weather, being March this time (I went to fanfest in 2013, and it was April), or just wearing a sturdy jeans with a second skin underneath it will be enough? I bought the golden circle tour ticket, will I need to pack more clothes there?


prolly the same as you did in april... not sure a month will make a huge difference.

the average looks to be in the high 20's to low mid to high 30's.. yea just like oct, 5 layers for me.

OMG Comet Mining idea!!! Comet Mining!

Eve For life.
baltec1
Bat Country
Pandemic Horde
#13 - 2014-12-17 09:40:11 UTC
Quote:
The month of March is characterized by gradually rising daily high temperatures, with daily highs around 3°C throughout the month, exceeding 8°C or dropping below -2°C only one day in ten.


Add in the wind and its going to be chilly.
Xtreem
Knockaround Guys Inc.
#14 - 2014-12-17 15:38:54 UTC
Blue lagoon was good, geo thermal pool!
Whale watching was interesting, actually saw some whales
the food is awesome and alot of drinking holes

I went randomly a few months ago and not for a CCP event so i am sure they will keep you more than busy to fill your time!
Dominique Vasilkovsky
#15 - 2014-12-18 15:27:34 UTC
Golden Circle, hang out with friends, drink with friends, eat whale and puffin, drink with more friends, go to blue lagoon. Oh and attend fanfest somewhere in between.
baltec1
Bat Country
Pandemic Horde
#16 - 2014-12-18 16:12:29 UTC
Also there is the penis museum, a place everyone doesn't want to visit but can't help going in.
Katabrok First
Apukaray Security
#17 - 2014-12-18 16:14:55 UTC
baltec1 wrote:
Also there is the ***** museum, a place everyone doesn't want to visit but can't help going in.

I went there in 2013... Interesting would be a good description...