One Hectic Summer

Things around Unlocking Kiki have been a bit slow lately. By a bit slow I mean non-existent. Lately I have been lucky to have enough spare time to scan my Instagram feed let alone write a blog post. I have a feeling the rest of August is going be quite hectic, I am already looking forward to September when things calm down a bit!

And with that little explanation out of the way (because I know you all where so very concerned as to where I have been) here is a little update on what has been going on here in Iceland the past few weeks.

Croatia
Everyday I wake up wishing I could be back in Croatia! Sigh. Moving on to what is actually happening.

…Last week I started back at work after having five weeks off. You would think I felt nice and refreshed and ready to get back to the grind. Well I think the last word I would use to describe how I felt last week was refreshed. Basically back to reality hit me hard in the face and I barely made it into bed before falling asleep. Hopefully this week will a bit easier and I will start getting back into the swing of things.

…Of course right when H and I have to get back to work is when the summer sun decides to make its debut. We have been taking full advantage of the sunshine though with evening bike rides, trips to the swimming pool, and drinks in the backyard while I dominate in the backyard game Kubbur. H and his brother like to claim it is beginners luck, after a week though I think it is time for them to recognize pure talent.

Bike yardsMy favorite pool in Reykjavik, Vesturbæjarlaug. If you are here visiting I recommend spending a few hours at this pool, you may even see Björk lounging in the hot pools next you, I have a few times!

Backyard drinks
It is always happy hour in our backyard

Kubber
Is that not the face of a winner right there! I don’t mess around when it comes to backyard games.

….The time has finally came for me to start looking into tickets to fly home for Christmas. This is the first time I will be going back home since I moved to Iceland in October. I am beyond excited to see my family and friends Azora again and have been searching the internet this past week looking for the best deal. Christmas can’t come soon enough!

…After hearing about the awesome Gay Pride Day celebration that Reykjavik has every summer I finally got to experience it for myself. I have never seen so many people in the downtown Reykjavik area, the day was 10 times bigger than Iceland’s Independence Day in June! My favorite part of the celebration was the parade full of colorful floats, fun music, and of course amazing costumes! I really love the equal rights for all Iceland stands for, it is a great place to live. And any parade that has floats shooting purple confetti is amazing in my book!

Gay Prides Day

…As if I don’t have enough going on this month already I have signed myself up to run a women’s club with a friend of mine. I will now be responsible for planning events for the Girls Gone International Reykjavik, Iceland group and I can’t wait to get started and meet some new ladies. If you have never heard of Girls Gone International look them up to see if there is a group in your area! It is an excellent way to meet ladies from all over the world living in your area. Now any ideas for some fun events I should plan?

… H and I are determined to make the most out of the rest of the “summer” we have left. We have hiking trips, blueberry picking, half marathons and outdoor festivals filling up our calendar for the next month, I am not ready for winter to come! Last weekend our plans took us on a 12 hour adventure around the Landmannalaugar area, one of the most beautiful areas I have visited in Iceland. I have lots of wonderful photos to share from that day, including tips to find Iceland’s hidden gem, but for now here is a teaser photo from our hike at Landmannalaugar.

LandmannalaugarFollow Unlocking Kiki on Instagramfor more beautiful photos of hiking trails in Iceland!

Once I get my feet back under me I have so many wonderful posts lined up to share with you all! And more of the beautiful Croatia is coming your way soon! Stay tuned.

Question of the Day?
Has your summer been crazy busy or nice and relaxing? What are your favorite summertime activities?

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  • http://www.gutenblogyall.com/ Margo

    Yay! I love this little update. I also love the new look! I’ve been on vacation too so I think I missed the boat on a lot of things over here. Sad.

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Thanks Margo :) I thought I would feel nice and refreshed after vacation but I am struggling to get caught up on things!

  • http://www.adventurings.com Cynthia

    I love that photo of you guys on your hike- it looks straight out of a painting! I’ve had a pretty hectic summer too, but the good kind of hectic :) Only a handful days before coming home from my trip to starting work again on Sept 1 but hey. Scheduling some chill time is so important for a summer, in my opinion. Enjoy!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      I agree, having some time to relax and enjoy summer is really important! Our hike was so beautiful, the mountains looked like they were painted!

  • http://www.rhymeandribbons.com/ Amanda @ Rhyme & Ribbons

    I’m so glad you’ve got your tickets home for Christmas already! What a great thing to look forward to! X

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      I am so excited, a year is way to long to not visit home for me!

  • http://welaughanyway.blogspot.com/ Yalanda_Meshell

    Yay for visiting friends! Sounds like you had a great week! Life has been crazy this summer for me, making an international move will do that! But I’m loving every minute of it!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      That was me last summer so I know how busy planning an international move is! Best of luck with your move how exciting!

  • http://hemborgwife.wordpress.com/ Bailie @ The Hemborg Wife

    I agree I cannot wait for Christmas, we have our plane tickets booked and we get to stay in a hotel the night before we fly at the airport I am so excited!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      I am just so excited! How long has it been since you have visited home?

      • http://hemborgwife.wordpress.com/ Bailie @ The Hemborg Wife

        We spent last summer there so it will have been from August 2013 till December 2014 not being in the US before that it was May 2012 to June 2013. I feel lucky that we have been able to go so much!

        • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

          It is hard being so far away not being able to catch a cheap flight home! But yay for home visits!

  • http://www.chicadeedee.com/ Dannielle @ Chicadeedee

    yay for going home for christmas! My mom has been looking at tickets to come here which is exciting. I feel like my summer has been jam packed too, but its been great weather for once so i can’t complain.

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      How exciting! I hope my family can come experience an Icelandic Christmas. We are finally having some sunshine so I am happy to be busy and outside in the nice weather!

  • http://bristolinmypocket.blogspot.co.uk/ Sara Rose

    I don’t know if I mentioned this, but I love the new layout! It’s been a crazy summer for me as well, I feel your pain!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Thanks Sara :) I know things will slow down in the winter time so I am enjoying the craziness for now!

  • http://letuswanderlust.blogspot.com/ Carly @ Let Us Wanderlust

    Yay! You’re back :) I hope you are having a wonderful summer - your beautiful pictures sure do make me long for summer!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      I wish I had an Australian summer like your about to enjoy!

  • http://englishgirlcanadianman.blogspot.ca/ Holly Nelson

    I went to Landmannalaugur, bloomin’ loved it there. That was the best vacation I have ever had! I still need to write about it though!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      It is amazing! This was my first time there and I loved it! Can’t wait to read about your time there.

  • http://thethingsiamcrazyfor.wordpress.com/ Camila

    Love the new design! :) Hope you enjoy the rest of the summer even though you have so much work!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Thank you :) At least the working hours are awesome in Iceland so I can still enjoy a few hours of sunshine (if it is a sunny day that is).

  • http://agirlandhertravels.com/ Polly

    Fun! Can’t believe how much you’ve done over the summer - I’ve been so lazy in comparison. Though actually, that’s just the way I like it :)

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Ya okay miss traveled thru south America and writing your own magazine! ;) I do like lazy summer days though, they are the best!

  • http://www.adventuresofalondonkiwi.blogspot.com/ adventuresofalondonkiwi

    Loving the new design!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Thank you:) It was time to freshen things up a bit!

  • http://www.tothedayslikethis.com/ Sammy @ Days Like This

    WOW! That last pic - amazing. My life is about to go into crazy mode come next Thurs. I am away from London for 9 weekends in a row!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      It sounds like you have some awesome adventures your way!

  • http://bluehairinbelgium.blogspot.be/ Kerri Heritage

    I love a nice and busy summer, you have to make the most of it as it could end at any time! Ours has been a bit of both, quiet to start and now we are getting busier trying to squeeze the leftovers out :)
    I think the have a similar game to that in Belgium, they translate it to ‘sticks’, but I haven’t had a chance to play it yet.

    Looking forward to seeing the hike photos! I love a nice summer hike :)

    ~ K

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      So true, you never know when summer will be over up here!