Reykjanes, Iceland in Pictures

Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula is a magical place that few visitors ever really see because, after arriving at Keflavik Airport and maybe stopping at the Blue Lagoon, they zoom into downtown Reykjavik. Too bad, because they're missing dramatic scenes. Reykjanes is rife with plumes of steam and bubbling mud pools, from geothermal activity, as well as otherworldly craters, fissures and stacks of lava. Even a sandy beach! And a "ghost" ship that had long washed ashore after the violent surf hit the rocky coastline. This YouTube video slideshow provides a window into this under-appreciated landscape that's worth many days of exploration.

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Packing Light for Winter Travels

Visiting Greenland in the fall with only a carry-on weekender tote bag for five days of travel seems impossible. But not for someone like me who never checks luggage. I simply wore  my heaviest clothing -- including boots -- on the plane. (I removed these as soon as I was seated; rolling them into an ultra-light tote bag that I then used as a pillow. Below are some of the heaviest items, including a wool hoodie, two jackets -- one fleece and one insulated -- and the snow boots that have cleats. I also wore black leggings, a Merino wool sleeveless dress and a Merino wool long-sleeved shirt. In my bag I packed one pair of winter pants, two tee shirts, a rain jacket, several pair of wool socks, two pair of Ex-Officio underwear, three wool skirts, and two Merino wool long-sleeved shirts. Aside from the clothing, I packed my first-aid kit, a zip-lock with liquids (shampoo, toothpaste, body wash, deodorant). My small personal bag -- a tiny backpack -- contained my iPad, camera, notebook, and all of the personal in-flight items I recently blogged about here. When my flight landed, I was the only passenger who didn't have to wait at the carousel for my luggage.

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Greenland In Pictures

This is the Greenland beyond the iconic sights that visitors associate with this grand country, beyond the sled dogs, fishing trips, polar ice cap, and treks to glaciers and fjords. This is the colorful Greenland that's rich in contemporary art and design, and dramatic beauty - all in the capital city of Nuuk.
This YouTube video slideshow presents a window into my recent trip to charming Nuuk.

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Personal In-Flight Items - What to Pack

Whenever I fly, I'm observing the behavior of the passengers around me. It's often surprising to see how many get up -- often when the seatbelt sign is on because of turbulence -- to open the overhead bin and rifle around in their large bags for some item they need. Many times, because of their disorganized packing, the item is no where to be found. Opening the overhead bins during turbulence puts them and the people around them at risk for injury, should something fall out. I keep everything I need for the flight in a small backpack under my seat. These items can deal with most anything that will occur on the flight, whether it's the noisy passengers or stomach upset, chapped lips or motion sickness. Here are the essential in-flight items I pack:

• Ricola natural herb lozenges for a dry or sore throat
• Tummydrops  for motion sickness
• Bonine also for motion sickness
• chewable Rolaids or Tums
• Aleve for a headache
• EarPeace earplugs
• Bucky eye mask
• dental supplies: floss, foldable toothbrush, Stim-U-Dents (a special toothpick that softens in your mouth so it won't injure gums), mini toothpaste tube
• Charmin wet wipes
• Purell hand wipes
• dark chocolate
• lip balm
• Altoids mints

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Kids First-Aid Kit Organizer - Only 2 Left

A well-stocked first-aid kit is often an afterthought when packing for travels, whether it's a short road trip or a journey to far-flung lands. But, if you're traveling with children, it's especially important to pack items that can tackle anything from a simple skin rash to an insect bite. A well-stocked first-aid kit certainly doesn't preclude visiting a pediatrician should your child develop a fever or have an allergy reaction. But it can take away the worry for minor cuts, bruises or ills.

My Kids Doc-in-a-Bag is not stocked with first-aid supplies. Rather, this is a zippered vinyl sac that comes with a comprehensive laminated list of what you need to include in your kids first-aid kit. On the list are things such as child-safe sunscreen and insect repellent, topical cortisone for rashes or insect bites, as well as kids Benadryl (antihistamine) for mild allergic reactions.

There are only two Kids Doc-in-a-Bag left in stock.
I'm including samples of Tummy Drops, a natural product containing ginger created by a gastroenterologist. (Perfect for motion sickness, whether on the plane, in a car, or on a ferry.)

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