Salty Tours Iceland tour company review! Goth custom guided day trip: Snæfellsnes Peninsula, black church Búðakirkja.
Hail Iceland! Feels good to be back (in black) in the Land of Fire and Ice.
Photographer Joey Wong and I first visited Iceland in 2015 and took a custom, private day trip out of Reykjavik with Salty Tours. We loved the experience so much that we teamed up with them again — this time, to see Goth locations like this rather heavy metal black church, Búðakirkja!
Salty Tours is a family-run Icelandic tour guiding company. On our previous trip in 2015, Thor and Anna took us to photogenic folklore spots. This time, Thor’s daughter –Ingunn Thorsteinsdottir — drove and guided us around the lesser-known Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland. (Check out our cinematic video of the adventure here.)
Salty Tours focuses on small group trips with personalized service — meaning that you’ll get an expert-guided Icelandic adventure tailored to your travel style and interests. In my case, I was keen to see the Gothic black sand. lava and pebble beaches… Read on to see where Ingunn took us on our unforgettable day trip.
We flew to Iceland on from London on PLAY Airlines, a new low-cost Icelandic airline operating between North America and Europe. Despite being a no-frills airline, PLAY’s staff was lovely and their cushioned seats were comfortable. We brought along our own snacks and water (since those cost extra), and enjoyed the quick flight to Reykjavik’s Keflavík Airport on this cheerful red-and-white fleet. (If you’re planning an Iceland trip from major cites in the US/Europe, PLAY is the best bang for your buck.)
We settled at our Reykjavik hotel, and then were ready to explore with Salty Tours. Ingunn picked us up in the morning, and took us to a variety of offbeat spots in Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
At the top of my list: I wanted to see Búðakirkja (Budhir Church), a spooky-looking little black church that dates back to 1848.
The church’s pointed spire and demonic silhouette are an epic contrast with the natural surroundings. Although you might think this is a church for the devil (or death metal fans), the black color in fact was originally a tar coating historically used to protect wooden buildings.
We’ve been shooting lots of reels these days — and I did a happy dance in front of Iceland’s black church! Watch our Gothic travel video here on @LaCarmina IG.
To add to the Halloween feeling — Budhir Church is next to a graveyard. The tombstones peer out over the sky, mountains, and ocean.
I had to do the “devil horns” hand sign in front of Búðakirkja. Snaefellsnes Peninsula is about a two hour drive NW from Reykjavik, so we were grateful to Salty Tours for taking us there.
The Nordic countries (especially Norway) are fond of black metal. This heavy metal genre often has Satanic themes, and emerged in the early 80s with bands like Mayhem. I could see metalheads headbanging in front of Iceland’s black colored church… or lighting it up in flames!
Photographer Joey Wong love shooting Iceland’s sweeping landscapes and attractions.
When you book a custom trip with Salty Tours, they’ll take you around in a luxurious car like this black Mercedes, and plan a personalized itinerary with you. Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures or a photography tour, these local guides will put together the perfect day trip (or several days journey) using their expert knowledge.
Ingunn knew we’d love Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall, one of the highlights of Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The waterfall has several cascades flowing down the rocks against a picture-perfect icy landscape.
We even saw rainbows reflecting off the falling water! Watch our Instagram video to see the footage.
Next to the falls is the most photographed mountain in Iceland, Kirkjufell. Although this translates to Church Mountain, I think it looks more like a witch’s hat! (Bomber jacket Kuwalla Tee)
Snæfellsnes Peninsula is about a 2 hour drive from Reykjavik, which was a pleasant journey in Salty Tours’ luxe vehicle. Ingunn told us about the history and folklore of the region as we drove past scenic cliffs, glaciers, mountains, and bodies of water.
What should you pack for a trip to Iceland? It depends on the time of year — we were here in late April, and it wasn’t overly cold. I wore Uniqlo HeatTech leggings and a top, which provide insulation despite the thin material. My Miffy fuzzy pouch is from Japan, and my miniskirt is this BDG Suki moto denim skirt.
I hope this provides you with some Iceland outfit inspiration! I wore slouch socks from Japan with Comme des Garcons x Salomon sneakers, as the terrain requires good walking shoes.
Another benefit of traveling with Salty Tours — they take you to non-tourist areas, a far more peaceful and bespoke experience than joining a big bus tour to the Golden Circle.
Kirkjufell mountain rises over the waterfalls… You may recognize this landscape, as it was featured in Game of Thrones!
Weather can be variable year-round, but we got lucky with blue skies. All photos by Joey Wong.
Iceland is a photographer’s dream, filled with fascinating natural formations. You can see our previous Iceland 2015 adventures here (we went to Blue Lagoon and more).
Our photography and content have come a long way since then, thanks to improvements in camera technology.
Traveling with our Salty Tours guide Ingunn felt like going on a road trip with friends. She grew up in Iceland and has many years of experience guiding for her family’s company.
I kept warm with Uniqlo HeatTech (shirt and legging), Maison de Fleur gloves from Japan, and a BDG Suki moto racer denim mini skirt.
Onward to another Gothic destination — Djúpalónssandur, a black lava and rock beach. The steps can be a little daunting, so take your time with the descent.
There are several hiking trails around Djúpalónssandur with magestic views (I’m not a hiker, though!)
My white Comme des Garcons x Salomon platform sneakers contrasted with the pitch-black rocky ground.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula has it all, including this black lava and sand beach. I was enthralled by the dramatic environment.
Close up on the black pebbles, known as Djúpalónsperlur (Pearls of Djúpalón) — they’re the rounded remnants of ancient lava flows. You can also find rusty metal remains strewn about, from the 1948 shipwreck of British trawler, Epine GY7.
You need to be strong and hardcore to survive (especially back in the day) as a fisherman or sailor in Djúpalónssandur
The wild Atlantic ocean crashes onto the shore, which is marked by striking red-black rock formations created by eroded lava.
There are tales of Icelandic elves and trolls lurking in these parts.
The lava cliffs are also a sight to behold. The hexagonal basalt columns are made when the molten rock cools and breaks in this pattern.
As Cersei says on Game of Thrones: “The North cannot be held… not by an outsider. It’s too big and too wild. And when the winter comes, the Seven Gods together couldn’t save you and your royal army.”
If you want to get around to the interesting, remote areas of Iceland, you’ll need a car. Since we were in the good hands of Salty Tours, we didn’t have to worry about car rentals, directions, navigation and other logistics — we could simply relax and take in the picturesque landscapes as passengers.
Ingunn knew we’d love the vibe at Arnarstapi, on the southern coast of Snæfellsnes. How neat is this naturally eroded stone arch, called Gatklettur.
Giants exist north of the Wall in Game of Thrones… and we found one at Arnarstapi. This is a massive stone statue of Bárður Snæfellsás, a guardian spirit said to be half man and half troll.
In our video of our Salty Tours day trip, you can see me scooting inside the Troll!
With uncanny landscapes like this, it’s no wonder that Iceland is a treasure trove of tales about elves, trolls, and other mystical beings.
We can’t thank Salty Tours enough for this unforgettable tour of Gothic spots in Snæfellsnes Peninsula! Please reach out to them if you’re keen to do a custom, private day trip like ours. Salty Tours does pick ups and drop offs from your hotel in Reykjavik, and puts together the perfect itinerary to fit your interests.
The certified guides are so friendly and caring — you can see our previous trip with Salty Tours in 2015 with Ingunn’s father, Thor!
I leave you with some final shots of Iceland’s black metal church — I think the Miffy bag adds to the spookiness! (All images Joey Wong.)
And please watch the reel of our Iceland adventure with Salty Tours here (@lacarmina Instagram).
Is the Land of Fire and Ice somewhere you’d like to visit? If you’ve already been, what were some of your most memorable moments?
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Henn Na New York Hotel review! Japanese robot dinosaur, high-tech rooms & Gosuke restaurant, midtown Manhattan.
My bizarre travels around the world continue… Yes, that’s me with a T-Rex roboto at Henn na Hotel New York!
Have you heard of the quirky Japanese boutique hotel chain, Henn na? The new NYC location is full of high-tech surprises, and ideally located in Midtown right by Times Square. (Click here for my special discount rate for booking a room.)
Henn na NYC has futuristic surprises throughout. In addition to a robot dinosaur in the lobby, the rooms have LG stylers (garment steamer closets) and Toto toilets. And the suites have balconies or window views that make you fall in love with New York City. (Longtime readers will know I used to live here, so it felt like a homecoming.)
The hotel is also home to Gosuke Restaurant, run by a former Japanese woman pro wrestler! Read on for her story, and photos of the tasty sushi and tempura…
For footage of the tyrannosaurus rex in action, come see my IG video here (the robot dino moves around and roars!)
From the moment we walked into Henn na New York and were greeted by the lovely staff, we knew we were in for an unforgettable stay. (Address: 235 West 35th Street, New York, NY)
Henn na is a Japanese hotel group known for its remarkable robotos that greet guest when they check in. The various Japan locations have uncanny robot women, samurai, and lizard-dinosaurs manning the front desks (and there’s a Seoul outpost too).
NYC’s Henn na has a ginormous T-Rex swishing his head and tail, baring his sharp teeth and roaring! Watch my NYC Instagram stories highlight to see and hear the dinosaur.
Henn na Hotel New York is ideal for anyone who loves funky, artsy boutique hotels (which you know are my preference).
And the midtown Manhattan location is perfection: just a few blocks away from Times Square, with easy access to Penn Station and Port Authority (where you can transit to the airports). Henn na Hotel is also close to my fav cheap / street eats including Los Tacos, Best and Liberty Bagels, Culture Espresso, Maman Cafe, and Joe’s Pizza.
On the balcony attached to one of Henn na’s suites…. now that’s what I call a New York moment. (And I was having a good hair day!)
Looks like I found a new Instagrammable photography spot in NYC. (All photos by Joey Wong.)
I’m back to Y2K era… funny how styles come back around. Wearing a crochet knit bolero or shrug, and Windsor Store linen corset. (Windsor opened 5 stores in Ontario — their first locations in Canada — in May).
My pants are Kuwalla Tee baggy cargo jeans — I’m transitioning to a mostly microplastics-free wardrobe, and loving it. My tan heels are Dream Pairs Shoes
The ground floor is home to Gosuke, which serves up authentic Japanese cuisine in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. The laid-back space is fantastic for catching up with friends while you eat sushi, sashimi, and sake.
Gosuke Restaurant is run by Itsuki Yamazaki, a former pro wrestler from Ieshima. She wrestled for All Japan Women’s Wrestling and was in the American WWF in USA, winning the Survivor Series match in 1987. As you can see from the album covers on the wall, Itsuki was an 80s idol as well!
Itsuki opened Gosuke in order to bring the traditional dishes she enjoyed on her hometown island to the isle of Manhattan.
The lovingly prepared dishes include a chef’s choice (omakase) sushi platter, and amberjack (kampachi) with a jalapeno, tomatillo and ponzu sauce handmade by the chef.
Sit at the long wooden counter, and watch the chef — who has decades of experience in Japan and NYC — meticulously slice sashimi in front of you.
Generous portions, and the freshest cuts… Gosuke is a rising star among New York’s Japanese restaurants.
And the vibe makes you feel as if you’re in Japan.
Try the tempura — the crisp exterior contrasts wonderfully with the fresh vegetables, shrimp, and egg with a soft yolk inside.
You can get takeout at Gosuke as well, and enjoy happy hour discounts.
Thanks to Itsuki for the warm welcome — Gosuke is a smash!
Although my favorite thing to do in NYC is walk around all day, I was just as delighted to come back to my enormous room at Henn Na Hotel. (Here’s a special rate for booking a stay: the hotel has many types of rooms including singles, doubles, and suites.)
The elegant, minimalist Japanese decor puts you in a Zen state of mind.
Rooms are well-equipped for work (with large desks, WiFi, etc), and come with embroidered robes and slippers.
And how about these picture windows overlooking Midtown Manhattan!
The suites also have LG Styler closets, which are a rarity outside of Asia. These devices — which open up like a fridge — use state-of-the-art steam technology to sanitize garments, much like dry cleaners.
The bathrooms have everything you need to pamper yourself, including mirrors with beauty lights, high tech Toto toilets, and large bathtubs (they’re a Japanese hotel, after all).
Henn na Hotel New York is great value: the rooms are luxe and have a boutique aesthetic, but are affordable.
I’d love to stay at their other properties in Seoul and all over Japan.
“Henn na” means strange, but also conveys change in a positive way — which sums up my fabulous experience here! Would you stay at this extraordinary New York hotel?
Find a room here (with my discount code / rate!)
For more of my Goth Y2K outfits and NYC travel tips, check out my Instagram @lacarmina.
All photos by Joey Wong. We were also traveling around Europe, and have tons still to share with you.
PS: Some new travel writing… I did an Osaka, Japan travel guide for Going.com, which includes my recommendations for subculture / heavy metal bars, street food, and more.
Have you been to the Big Apple? If so, what are your favorite places to visit here?
LA CARMINA
