Europe October 26, 2025

Iceland: Where My Bank Account Is Already a Joke (A Hilarious Travel Vlog Review)

Hey VistaLocation fam! Blake Riley here, your favorite (and probably clumsiest) travel vlogger, back from a trip to Iceland that was…well, let’s just say it was an experience. Before we dive in, let me paint you a picture: landing in Keflavik International Airport, jet-lagged and ready to conquer the land of fire and ice, I confidently tried to pay for my Skyr with Monopoly money. Yeah, didn't go well. Security almost got involved.

So, buckle up, buttercups, because this is my hilariously disastrous, yet surprisingly awesome, review of Iceland! Prepare for glacier slips, fermented shark gags, and a whole lot of elf-related awkwardness. You've been warned, and if you want cheap Iceland flights, you might be interested!

Adventure Activity 1: Glacier Hiking at Sólheimajökull Glacier (Nailed It!)

Okay, first up: glacier hiking at Sólheimajökull Glacier. Picture this: a vast, icy landscape stretching as far as the eye can see. It’s breathtaking…and slippery. Seriously slippery. Before I could even take in the majesty, I was wrestling with enough gear to make me look like a rejected extras from a sci-fi film.

We’re talking crampons, an ice axe, a helmet…the works. Trying to put those crampons on was like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube with mittens on. And the helmet? Well, let's just say I spent a solid five minutes thinking it was a chic new hat. Safety first, folks! Or, safety sometime after you finish posing for photos!

Safety Tip Alert!: If you fall into a crevasse, just remember to scream for help…or take a selfie first! Priorities, people! I had more than one Iceland travel fail.

Blake triumphantly posing with an ice axe, but with his helmet on backwards.

But, jokes aside, the glacier was stunning. The crisp Icelandic winter daylight cast a blue tint on the ice, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. Check out this video of me absolutely owning the glacier.

[Video Clip: Blake slipping and sliding (safely!) on the glacier, narrating in an exaggerated voice: "Nailed it!"]

Adventure Activity 2: Ice Caving in Vatnajökull Glacier (Superman's Man Cave!)

Next up, we ventured into the heart of Vatnajökull Glacier for some ice caving. Now, I’ve seen some pretty cool stuff in my travels, but this was on another level. We're talking crystal blue ice tunnels and formations that looked like they were sculpted by Superman himself.

Imagine a soft, ethereal glow filtering through the ice, creating a hushed and mysterious atmosphere. It was like stepping into a frozen cathedral. You can get the same feeling when you explore the Vatnajökull ice cave vlog review!

[Video Clip: Blake using a flashlight to point out different ice formations, narrating in an awed voice: "It's like Superman's man cave… but colder!"]

Of course, being me, I had to commemorate the moment with a selfie. Let’s just say my forced smile didn’t quite mask the fact that I was one degree away from becoming a human popsicle.

Blake taking a selfie inside the ice cave with a forced smile, looking visibly freezing.

Food Adventure 1: Kjötsúpa at The Soup Company (Soup-erb!)

Time for some fuel! We headed to The Soup Company in Reykjavik (Laugavegur 31, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland) for some Kjötsúpa, or Icelandic lamb soup. I’m not usually a fan of lamb, but this was a game-changer. Hearty, flavorful, and surprisingly non-gamey. It was the perfect way to warm up after a day of glacial adventures. The best Icelandic lamb soup Reykjavik funny review, I promise.

Blake slurping Kjötsúpa enthusiastically, with soup dripping down his chin.

Food Adventure 2: Hákarl at a Local Market (Challenge Accepted…and Regretted)

Okay, now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for: Hákarl. Fermented shark. I’d heard the legends, the horror stories…and I was determined to try it. I may have regretted some of my life decisions while trying this Icelandic delicacy.

Let’s just say the smell alone could knock out a small mammal. The taste? Imagine ammonia mixed with old socks and a hint of…death. I'm not even kidding. Check out this extremely graphic video of my taste test:

[Video Clip: Slow-motion shot of Blake's face as he tries Hákarl, culminating in a dramatic gag.]

Blake holding his nose with a disgusted expression, with the Hákarl clearly visible in his hand.

Never again. Seriously, I'd rather knit an entire Icelandic sweater than eat another bite of that stuff.

Trending Social Media Challenge: Icelandic Sweater Challenge (Knitting Nightmare)

Speaking of knitting… I decided to take on the Icelandic Sweater Challenge, thinking I could whip up a traditional lopapeysa in a weekend. My knitting skills are…well, let's just say they're nonexistent. The result? A misshapen monstrosity that looks like it was attacked by a flock of angry sheep.

[Video Clip: Time-lapse of Blake's knitting disaster, set to upbeat, frantic music.]

Blake wearing a ridiculously misshapen sweater he

Local Interaction: Icelandic Elf Enthusiasts (Elfin' Around)

During a guided tour of a lava field, I encountered a group of Icelandic elf enthusiasts. Now, I'm open-minded, but these folks were serious about their elves. Snippets of dialogue included:

Enthusiast: "The elves are very sensitive to disrespect."
Me: "So…no elf-themed karaoke?"
Enthusiast: "Absolutely not!"

They even convinced me to try on an elf costume. I think I looked less like a mystical being and more like a confused garden gnome. It was the most awkward, yet hilarious, experience of my life. Iceland elf encounter experience real or fake? I still don't know.

Blake dressed in an elf costume holding a camera awkwardly, surrounded by serious-looking elf enthusiasts.

Accommodation: Reykjavik Domes (Dome Sweet Dome)

For accommodation, I opted for Reykjavik Domes, a unique geodetic-dome hotel. The architecture was insane, and the experience of staying in a dome was definitely out of the ordinary. It felt like living in a futuristic igloo. Reykjavik domes hotel review vlog Blake Riley coming soon!

Blake standing in front of Reykjavik Domes, pointing to the geodesic dome structure with a surprised expression.

Coolest Activity: Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths (Bread and Bliss)

Forget the Blue Lagoon (which, don't get me wrong, is awesome), I decided to check out Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths. This place was a relaxing oasis, and they even bake bread using geothermal heat! I soaked in the baths with a slice of geothermal-baked rye bread in hand. It was pure bliss, and a great alternative to the touristy Blue Lagoon. There was no chance of Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal bread tasting fail.

Blake relaxing in the geothermal baths with a geothermal-baked bread in his hands.

Bonus Humorous Moments:

I spent a solid hour trying to photograph the Northern Lights, only to realize my lens cap was still on. (Face palm!)
I attempted to speak Icelandic, but only managed to say "Hello" in Klingon. (The locals were confused.)
I dramatically pretended to climb Everest on a small hill hike.

Blake attempting to photograph the Northern Lights with the lens cap still on.

Blake hiking up a small hill while overacting

Conclusion: Iceland, You Crazy Diamond!

Iceland, you were weird, wild, and wonderful. From accidentally trying to bribe airport security with Monopoly money to facing my fears with fermented shark, you threw everything you had at me and the trip was amazing. Just remember to stay clear of the elves...they're watching!

[Video Clip: Blake saying goodbye to Iceland from the airport with a comical remark.]

Blake giving a thumbs-up (or thumbs-down, for comedic effect) while standing in front of a dramatic Icelandic landscape.

So, should you visit Iceland? Absolutely! Just be prepared for the unexpected. And maybe brush up on your non-Klingon Icelandic phrases.