I started 2020 with a big travel dream: a proper Northern Europe winter adventure. Months before this trip, I was deep in research mode—Denmark, Iceland, Norway—plus the inevitable shopping frenzy for winter gear. I’d been to Europe a few times, but never in the middle of winter. And despite what my “March = spring” brain wanted to believe, up there March is still very much winter: temperatures hovering around 0–5°C, just with longer daylight.

(I even wrote a separate post on how to pack for Northern Europe in winter — because that required serious strategy.)

Then, of course, 2020 turned into that year.

Planning Under a Growing Shadow

By February, I was already watching the Covid-19 situation closely as cases in Europe began rising. Some friends cancelled their trips. We mentally prepared to do the same.

Every day we monitored updates — entry rules, airline schedules, case numbers. At that point, the numbers in Denmark, Iceland, and Norway still looked “manageable.” Singapore Airlines was operating normally. Our itinerary also felt relatively “low risk” (in hindsight, that word makes me laugh). We planned to rent cars in Iceland and Norway, meaning fewer group tours and less time in crowded spaces.

Then, one day before departure, Alyssa got a fever.

Everything suddenly felt fragile.

We had to rethink everything. My parents stepped in and offered to take care of her. They suspected it was just a common cold virus. After hours of back-and-forth, and with a very heavy heart, we decided to continue… without her.

It was not an easy decision.

Thankfully, my best friend Varee and her husband were joining this trip, so at least we weren’t travelling alone.

Flying Into the Unknown

We flew with Singapore Airlines (tickets I bought during the BCA SQ Travel Fair), transiting through Changi.

Changi felt unusually quiet. Masks were everywhere.

We came fully prepared: masks, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer — basically a mini pharmacy in carry-on form. We wiped down everything: tray tables, seat belts, seat pockets. Sanitized hands constantly. Mask on at all times.

We were careful. Very careful.

And still, none of us really knew what we were flying into.

The Original Plan

The original two-week loop was simple:

Copenhagen → Iceland → Norway → back to Copenhagen

Neat. Structured. Logical.

That plan lasted exactly until we landed.

When the Itinerary Became “Live”

The moment we arrived in Copenhagen, news broke that Norway would impose a two-week quarantine for incoming travelers.

Then as we were preparing to leave for Iceland, Denmark announced it was closing its borders.

Yes. Border closing. Mid-trip.

Varee and I stood at the airport looking at each other like:
Did we just make the worst decision ever? 😅

But panic doesn’t help. So we adapted.

We cancelled all Norway and Denmark hotel bookings and reshuffled everything around Iceland. Thankfully, Booking.com was incredibly accommodating with changes. And huge credit to our travel agent from Golden Rama Tour (Pak Johan), who updated us constantly and helped rebook flights — from Iceland to Amsterdam, then Amsterdam to Jakarta — since returning via Copenhagen was no longer possible.

It became a real-time travel chess game.

Our Updated Itinerary

Day 0

Fly Jakarta → Copenhagen (transit Singapore)

Day 1 – Copenhagen

Arrive 6am. Leave luggage at Maritime Hotel (Nyhavn).
Explore Nyhavn, The Little Mermaid, Rosenborg Castle, Christiania, and stroll Stroget at night.

Day 2 – Iceland Begins

Fly SAS to Keflavik (10:25am).
Pick up rental car (VW Caddy 4×4 from Fara.is).
Lunch + grocery stop at Bonus Fitjar.
Golden Circle route: Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss.
Stay at Skalinn farmhouse between Geysir & Gullfoss.

Day 3 – South Coast

Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara black sand beach.
Stay at Skyrhusid guesthouse in Hali.

Day 4 – Ice & Fire

Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, Ice Cave tour at Vatnajokull National Park, Diamond Beach.
Stay at Eldhraun holiday home in the mossy lava fields near Kirkjublaeklaustur.

Day 5

Fjadrargljufur canyon, Vik, Borgarnes.
Stay at Norrastadir farmhouse.

Day 6 – Weather Plot Twist

Original plan: Snaeffelnes Peninsula + whale watching in Olafsvik + Kirkjufell Mountain.
Reality: Red weather alert.
We turned back and stayed in Reykjavik (Luna Apartment) and booked a private Northern Lights tour instead.

Day 7

Slept until afternoon after Northern Lights hunting until 3am.
Late lunch, walk along Laugavegur, Blue Lagoon in the evening.

Day 8

Explore Reykjavik.
Stay in Keflavik B&B guesthouse.

Day 9

Fly to Amsterdam (Copenhagen no longer an option due to border closure).

Day 10 – The Final Twist

Originally planned to stroll Amsterdam before flying home next day.
Morning update: Singapore closing border effective tomorrow.
We had to fly home immediately.

The Craziest Part: Getting Home

Early that morning, Pak Johan called:
Singapore was about to close its border and would not allow transit passengers.

We had hours.

What followed was one hour of pure adrenaline — packing at lightning speed and rushing to Schiphol Airport.

Singapore Airlines handled it beautifully. No drama. No chaos. They had dedicated staff at the check-in counters for urgent changes. When we explained we needed to return to Jakarta before transit closed, they changed our tickets on the spot.

We checked in barely an hour before departure.

It was chaotic.
But it worked.

And that moment, boarding the plane home, felt heavier than any holiday goodbye.

Back to Jakarta

We arrived safely and did a two-week self-quarantine at home.

The world shut down shortly after.

Reflection: A Trip Frozen in Time

Looking back, that journey feels like a time capsule — the last moment the world still moved normally. When borders were open. Flights were routine. And we had no idea how much everything was about to change.

We didn’t make it to Norway. But that “loss” gave us more time in Iceland — and even Northern Lights dancing above us as if the universe was offering a consolation prize.

Travel is never just about places.

It’s about timing.
Flexibility.
And the people who help you get home when everything shifts unexpectedly.

And yes — Norway is still at the top of my list.

I owe it a proper visit.