Sevenize
Our First Adventure: Iceland Road Trip That Changed Everything
It was March 2020, and the world was about to change in ways we couldn’t imagine. But before everything shut down, we had one last adventure that would define our friendship forever.
The Plan (Or Lack Thereof)
Wala, Raza, and I had been talking about doing a “real” trip together for months. We’d done weekend getaways and city breaks, but nothing that would truly test our friendship. When Raza suggested Iceland in March, we all laughed. “Iceland? In March? Are you crazy?”
But that’s exactly why we had to do it.
Day 1: Reykjavik and the Reality Check
Landing in Reykjavik at 6 AM in March is like stepping into a different world. The wind was howling, the temperature was hovering around freezing, and we were questioning every life choice that led us there.
Our rental car was a tiny Kia that looked like it belonged in a toy store. “This is going to be interesting,” Wala said, eyeing our massive backpacks and the car’s trunk.
Day 2-3: The Golden Circle and Our First Fight
The Golden Circle is Iceland’s most popular tourist route, and for good reason. Geysir, Gullfoss, and Þingvellir National Park are absolutely stunning. But here’s the thing about traveling with friends - you learn things about each other you never knew.
Raza wanted to stop at every single roadside attraction. Wala wanted to wait for the perfect lighting for every photo. I just wanted to stick to the itinerary. By day 3, we were all a little… tense.
The breaking point came at Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Wala had been waiting for 45 minutes for the perfect shot, Raza was hungry and wanted to find food, and I was getting cold and wanted to move on. We had our first real argument right there, in front of one of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls.
Day 4: The Turning Point
After a tense dinner in Vik, we decided to have a real conversation. We realized that we were all approaching this trip differently, and that was actually okay. Wala’s perfectionism with photography was creating incredible content. Raza’s spontaneity was leading us to hidden gems. My planning was keeping us safe and on track.
We made a deal: each of us would get one “veto” per day. If Wala wanted to wait for perfect lighting, we’d wait. If Raza wanted to try a random restaurant, we’d try it. If I wanted to stick to the schedule, we’d stick to it.
Day 5-7: Finding Our Rhythm
With our new system in place, everything changed. We started to appreciate each other’s strengths instead of being frustrated by them. Wala’s photos became even more stunning because we were all invested in helping him get the perfect shot. Raza’s food discoveries became adventures we all looked forward to. My planning became more flexible and fun.
The Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon was where it all clicked. We spent hours there, each of us doing our thing but working together. Wala was in his element with the icebergs and seals. Raza was chatting with other travelers and learning about the area. I was managing our time and making sure we didn’t miss anything important.
Day 8-10: The Northern Lights and Everything After
Our last three days were magical. We saw the Northern Lights three nights in a row, each display more spectacular than the last. We found a hidden hot spring that wasn’t in any guidebook. We had the best meal of our lives at a tiny restaurant in Akureyri.
But more importantly, we had found our rhythm as travel companions. We had learned to balance planning and spontaneity, individual interests and group dynamics, and most importantly, we had learned to communicate.
The Birth of Sevenize
On our last night in Iceland, sitting in a cozy bar in Reykjavik, Raza said something that would change everything: “We should document this. Not just for us, but for other people who want to travel with friends.”
Wala immediately agreed. “I’ve been taking photos all week, but I want to tell the stories behind them. The real stories, not just the Instagram-perfect moments.”
I was hesitant. “There are already so many travel blogs out there. What would make ours different?”
“We’re not just showing pretty pictures,” Raza said. “We’re showing the real experience. The arguments, the compromises, the moments when everything goes wrong but somehow becomes perfect.”
Wala nodded. “And we’re three different people with three different perspectives. That’s what makes it authentic.”
What We Learned
That Iceland trip taught us more about friendship, travel, and ourselves than we could have imagined. We learned that:
- Communication is everything. The best adventures happen when everyone feels heard and valued.
- Different perspectives make everything better. Wala’s eye for beauty, Raza’s sense of adventure, and my love of planning created something none of us could have done alone.
- The best stories aren’t always the perfect ones. Our argument at Seljalandsfoss became one of our favorite memories.
- Travel changes you. We came back different people, with a new understanding of what we wanted to do with our lives.
The Adventure Continues
That Iceland trip was just the beginning. Since then, we’ve traveled to over 30 countries together, but Iceland will always hold a special place in our hearts. It’s where we learned to be travel companions, where we discovered our different strengths, and where the idea for Sevenize was born.
Every trip since then has been an opportunity to grow, to learn, and to share our experiences with others who want to explore the world with their friends.
Your Turn
If you’re thinking about traveling with friends, here’s our advice:
- Have the hard conversations early. Talk about expectations, budgets, and what each person wants to get out of the trip.
- Embrace the differences. Your friends’ different interests and approaches will make the trip richer.
- Be flexible. The best adventures often happen when plans change.
- Document everything. You’ll want to remember these moments forever.
- Don’t be afraid to argue. Sometimes the best friendships are strengthened by honest disagreements.
The world is full of incredible places waiting to be discovered, but the best adventures are the ones you share with people you care about. Whether it’s Iceland, your hometown, or somewhere completely unexpected, the journey is always better together.
What was your first big adventure with friends? We’d love to hear your story! Share it with us on social media using #SevenizeAdventures.
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