A week-long Iceland: 5.Nov.16 - 12.Nov.16

This trip was slightly doomed. The break-up was followed by my employment termination, and the weather in Iceland was more unfriendly than the ex-girlfriend. However, the activity that I’d thought I would enjoy the least because of its commercial approach was what I enjoyed the most. Three hours of relaxed stay in the man-made hot spring; it would have been surreal if not for the military-like order of the facility. Still, it was what I enjoyed most in Iceland. I’m not saying that the Blue Lagoon is the most beautiful thing in Iceland. No, it’s not. It’s an experiment gone wrong and in our guide’s words, “a human disaster”. But the government was smart enough to turn it into a world-famous attraction.

We took the day tour to the west coast going around Snaefellsness peninsula. With frequent showers throughout the day, it was difficult to enjoy the tour completely, but we did come across some magnificent landscapes. For a population of about 330,000, most of whom according to a recent poll, are atheists, Iceland seems to have a lot of churches. They are beautiful though, some with very interesting architecture. We also went through a 6 km tunnel, which is below sea level. It was completed in two years and I couldn’t help thinking that in that amount of time, in my country, we just may be able to build a one-km flyover, which may fall off within the next two years.

We left Reykjavik three days later for another organised tour. Went around the Golden circle and the South coast. Amongst the many stops was a local farmer’s store. For someone from India, it was amazing to witness a store run on trust. There was no one to service you. Just the goods, a chart with the prices, and a box with cash. You pick what you want and leave the money in the box. The second day was a clear day by Icelandic standards, and our guide was smart enough to modify the itinerary to fit the cave walk and glacier hike on that day. We returned to Reykjavik on the third day through rough weather. The wind was so strong that the waterfalls were defying Newton’s theory of gravitation.

I would be lying if I say I greatly enjoyed this trip. The fact is, I hate doing organised tours, but as I can’t drive, there was no other option. Because of the small population, the public transport is limited to Reykjavik. However, I would love to visit Iceland again, the next time hopefully during the summers.  

Hiking to Mt. Rinjani:

I had been preparing for the trek to Mt. Rinjani for a while. Zaidah and I went for a hike to McRitchie Reservoir and I was climbing the 15 flights of stairs to the flat I have been sharing with a bunch of Filipinos. But it was the jogging that ruined my knee. After that, I’d been anxious about the trip. Would I be able to make it to the Summit?

The hike was not very difficult, given that we had about three days to be back at the base. However, my knee gave up on me at the end of the first day. The next morning was the climb to the summit, the most difficult part of the climb because of the ash on the ground, which pulls you back every few steps you go ahead. The two German teenagers in my group were the fastest of the climbers and I was one of the slowest. Fortunately, I had an excuse. I spent no more than 10 minutes at the summit as it was freezing. Climbing down was twice as difficult. By lunch we were by the hot springs and there are few things I have awaited more. I was hoping that some magical minerals in the spring would cure my knee, but alas. 

Another stretch of climb after lunch and we were at the camping site, which was beautiful. Unfortunately, the place was also littered with faeces. Not all the tour companies set up a temporary toilet, and mostly the human to toilet ratio is poor. So, I am also guilty of not carrying a mini shovel to bury my shit. 

Once I was back in the village of Senaru, I took up a better room at the homestay. Mr. Adi and his family were very friendly. Being the festive month of Ramadan, I was even offered some home-made snacks. The place reminded me of my village. Even the long journey from the airport was like travelling from Bagdogra to Pedong. As we slowly ascended to the higher grounds and felt the cold breeze hit the face, I knew I was going to stay here for more than I’d planned to.

I spent the last two days in Kuta, Bali. Funky Monkeys was just the kind of hostel I liked. Run by locals with just the right decibel of noise and enough guests in their thirties. Tea/coffee and pancake batter on the house anytime of the day or night. At night, I went to Sky Garden with a few people from the hostel. The buffet was one of the best I’ve ever had. For less than 15 USD, it was a steal. One of the Argentinian guys with us owned a "love" hotel back home and grew his own weed. He tried scoring after the party but was given some dry leaves of a common plant. Unfortunate. 

The next day I got a tattoo on my forearm, had a terrible foot massage, picked up a gift for Zaidah, and then made my way to the airport. It was an excellent trip.

Thailand—Ao Nang and Phi Phi: 5.Feb.16 - 9.Feb.16

Perhaps I didn’t go to the right beaches. Ao Nang was not what I’d imagined, neither was Phi Phi. But the island tour was quite okay, though I was irked by some of the westerners’ poor attitude and inability to appreciate or even understand the Asian culture. But that’s that. I got my first tattoo. Ujjwal wanted to get it, but he was kind enough. I also had my first scuba diving experience in Phi Phi. It’s such a beautiful world in there. I felt like I had accomplished a lot. This was a short trip and I was returning to Krabi the next morning. Phi phi is full of drunk tourists. When there is demand, there is supply. Every store or a make-shift one is selling mini cocktail buckets. So, after enough alcohol has flowed through your veins, you can enter one of the bars and listen to live music over a pint of beer that stays with you till they throw you out of the bar. I remember trying to get on the stage after the musicians had left. I fortunately got off before the bouncers came in.

The next day Ujjwal and Rohan left for another island and I returned to Krabi, where I stayed the night. Krabi is a relatively quiet town. After enjoying some street food, I took a walk around the town. Then, I stepped into a bar. The owner/bartender looked like a guy out of a Thai gangster movie. He was playing classic rock and competing with the bar at the other side of the road, which had live music. So, the competition made the music loud, but you can’t complain to AC/DC. I had an early morning flight. Didn’t stay till the bar closed.