Iceland, USA and Canada - 2015

A 23-day adventure by Rachael Read more

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Trip start
September 3, 2015
Iceland, USA and Canada - 2015 Rachael King
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Day 1
Thursday, September 3, 2015 at 11:59 PM
⛅ 8 °C
Altitude: 23 ft
Iceland Íslenska Óperan 64.14706, -21.9341264°8’49” N 21°56’3” W
Reykjavik we are here :-)
September 3, 2015 in Iceland ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C
Arrived in Iceland and it's raining and really quite cold!

Hostel is beautiful and very cosy... We can look out across the city from the rooftop, a very nice atmosphere 😃. Going to a small cafe for lunch.

Booked in to go on a tour of the Golden Circle this afternoon which was soo good! Visiting Pingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir. Seeing a very pretty Iceland with the sun making an appearance too!

Arrived back in Reykjavic at around 7pm and got ready to go out. The football were on so everyone were out on the streets supporting and cheering. Had tea at a lovely little Italian then went to a pub with live music. Drinks really expensive being 1500ISK which is nearly £8 a drink but great laugh all the same!Read more
Mick ParrHope It was fun Iceland won football so everyone would on been ecstatic. Love the picks and hope you the northern lights x
9/4/15Reply
Natalie MariePictures look amaZing!!! I'm gunna get total travel jealousy!! 😩 lol!!
9/4/15Reply
Sounds brill! Love to go and norway too!!
9/4/15Reply
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Day 3
Saturday, September 5, 2015 at 1:31 AM
☁️ 9 °C
Altitude: 23 ft
Iceland Íslenska Óperan 64.14706, -21.9341264°8’49” N 21°56’3” W
Last day!
September 5, 2015 in Iceland ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
Today we got up and had a walk around Reykjavik looking at a stunning church. We had lunch at a cosy little cafe trying rhy bread for the first time... was lovely!
We headed back to the hostel to set off to the blue lagoon which was absolutely amazing!
We had a fantastic meal out on the sea front and then some final drinks in Reykjavik!

It has to be said the icelandic people are sooo beautiful and really friendly... in all a fabulous time in Iceland!!Read more
Mick ParrHope you had a good flight to NEW YORK
9/5/15Reply
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Day 3
Saturday, September 5, 2015 at 6:00 PM
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: 62 ft
United States Queensbridge Houses 40.74972, -73.9379540°44’59” N 73°56’17” W
NYC Baby!!
September 5, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
New York... It was a really uncomfortable flight from Iceland. When we arrived we realised that the airport is massive and that you catch the airtain around which connects to the underground. We got soo lost on the underground trying to find the hostel but we did it haha.

The hostel is no where near as nice as the one in Iceland, we're sharing with some unfriendly girls who have spread their clothes everywhere. It's also not in the centre of NY meaning it's in quite a isolated location... so I'm happy that Nats here and first impressions of NY were not great!Read more
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Day 3
Saturday, September 5, 2015 at 8:00 PM
🌙 21 °C
Altitude: 174 ft
United States The Palace Theatre 40.75903, -73.9853340°45’33” N 73°59’7” W
Times Square!
September 5, 2015 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 21 °C
We ventured out the hostel straight to Times Square looking for food! We arrived and laughed as we took it all in, getting excited that we were now in proper New York and not the suberbs.

Big screens everywhere, hustle and bustle. We got stopped by a sight seeing company straight away who got frustrated that we didn't buy his tour immediately! We then walked to the nearest food place advertising ribs haha. Food was massive and delicious, along with a cocktail with a shot and bottle of champagne thrown in!

After food we spent a few hours walking around and taking in our surroundings! As the night went on the place got busier and busier filled with entertainers! The amount of people there was incredible... We then took a cheeky half hour to lie on some grass before returning back to the hostel :-)Read more
Mick ParrI want to see a food challenge America style
9/7/15Reply
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Day 4
Sunday, September 6, 2015 at 8:00 PM
🌙 23 °C
Altitude: Sea level
United States Statue of Liberty 40.68906, -74.0445940°41’21” N 74°2’41” W
Sight seeing
September 6, 2015 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 23 °C
We got up early on the hunt for breakfast, we got the tube then found some where we enjoyed an omelette. After breakfast we went to look for Central Park. Central park is massive therefore we took a guy up on an offer of a bike taxi around the park who gave us a guided tour and showed us where all the famous films were made!

After walking around we got ourselves tickets for the hop on hop off bus, getting off at China town to do some shopping and for lunch. Returning to the bus we headed to the statue of liberty which was very stressful; queuing for ages for the boat and absolutely packed full of people on the island.

We returned to the room and decided to head out for a few drinks. There is no obvious drinking 'strip' here in NY so we ended up asking at reception where they advised us to go to a rooftop nearby. All the bars are so spread out which isn't the best for sore feet! Great night all the same!Read more
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Day 5
Monday, September 7, 2015 at 11:00 PM
🌙 25 °C
Altitude: 259 ft
United States WNCN-FM (New York)40.74837, -73.9857140°44’54” N 73°59’9” W
Scared of hights
September 7, 2015 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 25 °C
Today we had a bit of a lie in as we was out fairly late last night. Nat was feeling a little delicate and I'm really struggling with my sore feet from all the walking!

We had a wander round for breakfast and decided to give an American McDonald's a try... It was the shittest McDonald's ever! We then wandered around a few shops and I bought some new trainers in the hope of sorting out my blistered painful feet before getting on a open top bus to soak up some rays.

We returned to the room to get ready for the evening then headed to the 'top of the Rock observatory'. I'm not going to lie this was a seriously scary experience! Haha but the views were amazing!

We headed out for tea later on in Times Square then back to the hostel. Another fabulous day over!Read more
Proud of you love!
9/8/15Reply
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Day 6
Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at 8:00 PM
🌙 28 °C
Altitude: 177 ft
United States Bryant Park 40.75418, -73.9851440°45’15” N 73°59’7” W
Last day in New York!
September 8, 2015 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 28 °C
Our final day in NY has arrived. It was a mutual feeling that we have both seen everything we wanted to have seen in NY so we thought we would have a day on the busses, shopping and visiting a museum.

We stopped by a deli and ordered breakfast which I ordered a omelette and salad... which came as a meal for 5 so I saved half for lunch (this seems to be a regular thing!)

We then got on a open top bus to the museum of natural history (the one that the 'night at the museum' was filmed. The weather was around 35degrees so the bus did wonders for the tan but not for sweat patches! When we got to the museum we didn't have tickets it was was normal history museum we had tickets for... so we went to that one and walked around in about 5 minutes as we were bored and decided shopping was more fun!

We ended our trip with a cheeky shopping trip in China town buying a few souvenirs :-) time bypassed us pretty quickly so we had a last look at NY at night and headed back to base.Read more
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Day 7
Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at 8:00 PM
⛅ 29 °C
Altitude: 43 ft
United States Holyway Baptist Church 38.90022, -76.998938°54’1” N 76°59’56” W
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Washington DC
September 9, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
We got up early this morning to catch the bus to DC. The subway stations were soo packed as it was rush hour and everybody was commuting to work, this was no fun with our luggage! We got the underground to the nearest station but had to walk to the bus stop... Nats case is one where it pulls on the top corner so walking any distance with this is a nightmare! The bus was around an hour late so we had breakfast whilst queuing.

When we arrived at DC it appeared far less busy and chaotic than New York, arriving at the hostel staff were very warm and welcoming and explained a bit about what there is to do.

We went out for a walk to orientate ourselves, DC is a absolutely lovely place; the people are friendly, it's clean and not mega busy.

When we returned to the hostel some of the people there invited us to play drinking games and there is a happy hour every night where everyone gets two free drinks. At 10pm there is a no more drinks rule in the hostel so one of the staff members said that we could all (about 8 of us) go to his friends apartment. His friends apartment was lovely with fantastic roof top balcony! All in all a great night!Read more
Rachael King How big?!
9/10/15Reply
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Day 8
Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 8:28 PM
☁️ 21 °C
Altitude: 36 ft
United States White House Rose Garden 38.89763, -77.0366338°53’51” N 77°2’12” W
1
'I had a dream...' M.L.King
September 10, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
We got up this morning and headed out for breakfast; again saving half for lunch!

We got on a city circular bus which takes us around the city sights as my feet are rather sore today! We got the bus for $1 to the Lincoln remorial and decided to walk to see them all from there. We saw that you could hire bikes so we did so which was really fun. We had to dock the bikes in a stand every 30 minutes so we did not occur additional charges. We saw some fantastic buildings and remorials, along with the white house (which we couldn't go near as it was guarded with snipers, haha)

This took the majority of the day and we also visited some art museums... not going to lie - I don't think we are museum people haha we have seen the whole building in 5 minutes.

We walked back to the hostel, picking up some tea on our way back. Then catching an early night as we are flying to Toronto at 6am in the morning! Eeekk!👌Read more
Rachael King Massive muffins haha
9/10/15Reply
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Day 9
Friday, September 11, 2015 at 5:30 AM
🌙 18 °C
Altitude: 33 ft
United States Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport 38.84705, -77.0428338°50’49” N 77°2’34” W
Upgraded!
September 11, 2015 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 18 °C
Really early flight this morning, a lot of waiting around the airport when Nat heard her name being called... We go to the desk to find that we have been upgraded to first class.. boom!

However when arriving at Toronto, Nats bag hasn't arrived on the belt! Apparently they're going to send it to the hostel when it arrives... let's hope!Read more
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Day 9
Friday, September 11, 2015 at 5:00 PM
☁️ 21 °C
Altitude: 295 ft
Canada Chinatown 43.64833, -79.3929543°38’54” N 79°23’35” W
Beautiful city!
September 11, 2015 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
We arrived at the hostel, it was still very early so we put my case in the storage room and headed out to walk around Toronto. Everybody seemed really friendly when asking directions etc.

We headed to China town to but Nat a new suitcase so she can ditch her other when it arrives. We found cases which were far cheaper than the ones in DC. We got ourselves a cheeky McDonald's before heading back to the hostel to check in. The hostel is very big but has tea and coffee facilities which is nice, I was also able to do my laundry :-)

We got changed and headed out later in the hope to see some celebrity's at the film festival between having a few cocktails and some tea! Matt Damon was here which we caught a glimpse of but not for long due to the crowds! Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are here too!

When we arrived back at the hostel... Nats bag had arrived! Yey!!Read more
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Day 10
Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 5:00 PM
☁️ 15 °C
Altitude: 341 ft
Canada Nathan Phillips Square 43.65246, -79.382743°39’9” N 79°22’58” W
Enjoying the city
September 12, 2015 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
Today we ventured out into the city to find Toronto Island. It was really cold and neither of us had dressed for the weather but we shivered through!

Toronto island is accessible by ferry, on the way across you can get a fantastic landscape view of the city. At the island it was very quiet but such a lovely place to be with its own beaches and bars!

Returning to Toronto we checked out the street film festival which were fun before heading back to the hostel to get ready for a well needed night out!

At the hostel we met this girl Anna who joined us on our night out. Was a fab night however we had to run between bars as it was throwing it down!Read more
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Day 11
Sunday, September 13, 2015 at 6:00 PM
🌧 14 °C
Altitude: 341 ft
Canada Nathan Phillips Square 43.65347, -79.3826943°39’12” N 79°22’58” W
Last day in Toronto :-(
September 13, 2015 in Canada ⋅ 🌧 14 °C
Our final day in Toronto! We got up this morning and went to all the film festival stalls we couldn't get to yesterday for queuing. Had lots of souvenir photos taken and wandered around for a few hours.

We returned to the hostel to warm up and relax for a bit before heading out to the CN tower (see separate footprint) and to catch the ferry to see the skyline scenery at night... what a fantastic view! We returned to the hostel with some fantastic pictures and hot chocolate!

Gutted to be leaving this city tomorrow!Read more
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Day 11
Sunday, September 13, 2015 at 7:52 PM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 272 ft
Canada Rogers Center 43.643, -79.3865743°38’35” N 79°23’12” W
Fine dining up high!
September 13, 2015 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Pretty scary lift to the top!
What a fantastic view though, had ourselves a lovely meal and cocktail... Beautiful!
Mick ParrThat looks amazing rach pretty jealous right now
9/14/15Reply
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Day 12
Monday, September 14, 2015 at 9:00 PM
🌙 17 °C
Altitude: 581 ft
Canada Niagara Falls 43.10509, -79.0687743°6’18” N 79°4’8” W
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Niagara Falls - Canada
September 14, 2015 in Canada ⋅ 🌙 17 °C
We caught the bus to Niagara this morning, the bus ride was a pretty smooth journey. When we got to Niagara we walked from the bus station to our hostel which seems like it is in the middle of nowhere but is okay.

We checked in and walked to the falls which were a half an hour walk; this was quite nice in the sunshine. When looking at the falls they were really picturesque however I expected them to be bigger! After looking at the falls we walked into the local town which reminded us a bit of Blackpool - flashing lights, casinos etc.

We returned to the hostel and walked back up at dusk. We went to the skylon tower which gives a birds eye view of the falls. This was really lovely, we had a drink at the top in the hope to catch the falls lit up at dark however they did not light up. On our way down the guide told us that they would light up in around 10 minutes after we left!

We walked and got some food which was lovely then down to the falls to see them lit at night before getting a taxi back to the hostel.Read more
Clare Tauber Great picture rach 😃
9/16/15Reply
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Day 13
Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 10:00 PM
⛅ 18 °C
Altitude: 581 ft
Canada Niagara Falls 43.09509, -79.0593143°5’42” N 79°3’34” W
Scary hostel! NF - USA
September 15, 2015 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
We caught a taxi to the footbridge in the Canadian side of the falls and walked across the bridge over the boarder getting a taxi on the USA side to the hostel. When we arrived at the hostel it seemed really quiet with one guy greeting us at the door. The room is quite big with an en-suite but just us to in it.

We walked down to the falls which was closer than they were at the other side. At the American side you can get much closer to the falls but it isn't as good a view. We caught a boat called 'The Maid of the Mist' which took us right into the falls which soaks you through! We had a walk over to the island and then grabbed some lunch.

We headed back to the hostel which still was really quiet, we spent the afternoon relaxing. A bit later on there were somebody knocking on the door but the guy who works at the hostel had disappeared, leaving him clueless on what to do! We walked to the local supermarket for some tea, upon our return the staff member still had not returned leaving the guy still not able to check in. At around 20:30 the staff guy returned and checked him in.

Later on after getting to grips with the freaky hostel we was watching television and another guy arrived, equally not being able to check in as the guy wasn't here! We gave his the pass code for the front door then he went out to view the falls at night. In which time we headed to our room and locked the door behind us!Read more
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Day 14
Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 9:00 PM
🌙 19 °C
Altitude: 577 ft
United States Niagara Square 42.88382, -78.8794742°53’2” N 78°52’46” W
Buffalo = Shopping!
September 16, 2015 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 19 °C
We got up early from that scary hostel (I didn't actually sleep that badly!) The guy in reception told us to catch the bus to Buffalo on a street corner a few blocks down. We headed to that corner and stood there for quite a while, until an old man came and approached us and advised us that we was never going to catch a bus on that corner! He pointed out the correct place to go... when getting to the correct place the bus came straight away.. fate or what?!

When getting to the hostel it was very central in the city and people seemed welcoming which was a bonus. We left our bags and went out for a wander and got some lunch from a deli. We then checked in an decided that we wanted to go shopping.

When asking around for the best shopping place people advised us to catch a bus. One random guy found us a bus stop. The bus ride was long and through quite a rough area but when we got to the shopping place it was nice! Numerous bags later and buying Macys entire bag collection we headed back, calling by TGI Fridays for our tea before returning to the hostel.

All in all a good day!Read more
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Day 15
Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 9:00 PM
🌙 17 °C
Altitude: 161 ft
United States Theatre District 37.78659, -122.4094437°47’12” N 122°24’34” W
San Francisco!
September 17, 2015 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 17 °C
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Day 16
Friday, September 18, 2015 at 9:33 PM
🌙 18 °C
Altitude: 161 ft
United States Theatre District 37.7866, -122.4095437°47’12” N 122°24’34” W
Golden Gate Bridge!
September 18, 2015 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 18 °C
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Day 17
Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 7:00 PM
🌙 27 °C
Altitude: 20 ft
United States Venice Recreation Center 33.98607, -118.4724133°59’10” N 118°28’21” W
Los Angeles!
September 19, 2015 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 27 °C
On the plane we enjoyed complimentary drinks and snacks...arrived in LA and finally got some hot weather!
Most people told us that it is quite boring in LA with not much to do but our hostel was located on busy Venice Beach so there was plenty to keep us entertained!

We checked in and had a walk along the front. It's such a lively beach with people providing entertainment, people surfing, roller skating etc. The smell of weed was pretty rife too!

Later on we headed out on a pub crawl that the hostel was hosting. The guy running it didn't seem like he knew what he was doing but it was a good night all the same!Read more
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Day 18
Sunday, September 20, 2015 at 5:00 PM
☀️ 34 °C
Altitude: 246 ft
United States Rexford Mini Park 34.07368, -118.4013634°4’25” N 118°24’5” W
Living the high life!
September 20, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
We had a lie in this morning and booked on an excursion to take us round the sights of LA

We went to universal studios (only for 10 minutes to see outside)! This was the hottest place I have ever been, touching the metal burnt and there was no wind to cool is down.

After that we headed to Hollywood to see the sign, do some shopping and see the stars and hand/foot prints on the floor.

We then headed to Beverly Hills, got to walk down Rodeo Drive. The tour guide informed us that the majority of shops actually loose money there as very few people actually shop there, just windows shop.

The tour then took us down some exclusive streets, past the playboy mansion etc which was interesting to see!

That night we got dressed up and went out just from the hostel. The hostel was ridiculously hot at all times, so getting ready was a nightmare... putting your makeup on whilst sweating!Read more
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Day 19
Monday, September 21, 2015 at 5:00 PM
☀️ 35 °C
Altitude: 2,185 ft
United States Bracken 36.10231, -115.1745436°6’8” N 115°10’28” W
Vegas Baby!!
September 21, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C
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Day 20
Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at 6:00 PM
☀️ 33 °C
Altitude: 2,185 ft
United States Bracken 36.10231, -115.1745436°6’8” N 115°10’28” W
Hotel excitement!
September 22, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
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Day 20
Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at 11:00 PM
🌙 27 °C
Altitude: 2,185 ft
United States Bracken 36.10231, -115.1745436°6’8” N 115°10’28” W
Party time!
September 22, 2015 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 27 °C
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Day 22
Thursday, September 24, 2015 at 11:00 PM
🌙 18 °C
Altitude: 5,594 ft
United States Gold Butte Mining District 36.30651, -113.6480936°18’23” N 113°38’53” W
Wow!
September 24, 2015 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 18 °C
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Trip end
September 25, 2015