Flat Stanley Brayden 2025 in Paris Normandy Iceland

Bless bless, explorers! Flat Stanley Brayden here. Today was our last day in Iceland and the final chapter of our amazing adventure. It was a day for packing, looking back, and saying goodbye to new friends and a land full of wonders.

Morning: Suitcases, Sunlight, and Goodbyes

We woke up early in Reykjavik, sunlight already peeking through the curtains (it hardly gets dark in Iceland this time of year!). Toni and Rob packed up our suitcases, making sure all our souvenirs and memories were safely tucked away. I helped by double-checking under the beds—no lost socks here!

After breakfast, we took a few last photos of the city and the colorful rooftops. Reykjavik felt quiet and peaceful, and I tried to remember the sound of the seagulls and the cool, fresh air.

Maryland Cookies

Heading to the Airport

Soon it was time to check out and head to the airport. Our driver pointed out the mountains and the sparkling blue water as we rode through the city one last time. At the airport, we saw signs in Icelandic and heard travelers speaking all sorts of languages. I thought about how exciting it is that people come from all over the world to see this special place.

Travel Tip:
Always keep your passport handy and double-check your gate—airports can be big and busy!

Toni wasn't allowed to bring a friend home...

Taking off from Iceland

...but he waved good bye as we took off

Landing at Dulles

A Flight Full of Memories

On the plane, I looked out the window as we took off. I could see the volcanoes, the green fields, and maybe even a glacier in the distance. I thought about all the things we did:

Walking through Paris and sailing on the Seine
Visiting castles, gardens, and Normandy’s beaches
Soaking in the Secret Lagoon and seeing Iceland’s waterfalls and black sand beaches
Tasting new foods, making new friends, and learning about history

Fun Fact:
Iceland is closer to the North Pole than to New York City!

Looking Back with Gratitude

This trip taught me that the world is full of surprises, and every day brings something new to discover. I learned about bravery and history, tasted food I’d never tried before, and saw places I’d only read about in books. Most of all, I learned that adventures are even better when you share them with friends.

Cartoon Fun: Flat Stanley Brayden’s Farewell

Question for You

If you could go on a big adventure anywhere in the world, where would you want to go? Who would you want to bring along?

That’s all for now, friends! Thank you for following my journey from Paris to Normandy to Iceland. I hope you had fun, learned something new, and feel inspired to explore the world, too. Until our next adventure…

Bless bless (that’s “bye bye” in Icelandic) and au revoir from Flat Stanley Brayden!

Puffin Express Boat Tour

Flat Stanley Brayden started his day with a splash! He hopped aboard the Puffin Express boat tour, cruising out into Faxaflói Bay to spot Iceland’s famous puffins. Stanley loved watching the little birds with their colorful beaks swooping and diving around the islands. He even got to see Reykjavik’s skyline from the water—what a cool way to start the morning!

Exploring Reykjavik: Hot Dogs, Shopping, and Rainbows

Back on shore, Stanley joined the group for a classic Icelandic lunch: the famous hot dog “with everything!” It was delicious, and Stanley made sure to get ketchup and crispy onions on his. After lunch, he strolled down Laugavegur Street, peeking into souvenir shops and looking for Viking hats (he almost bought one for himself!).

Next, Stanley visited the tall and pointy Hallgrímskirkja church and stood by the Leif Eriksson Monument, pretending he was an explorer, too! Then he walked down Skólavörðustígur Rainbow Street, which was painted in bright rainbow colors. Stanley thought it looked like a path to a magical land.

The Lava Show—Front Row Fun!

After a quick rest at the hotel, Stanley went to the Lava Show. His ticket included a balcony seat, a tour behind the scenes to see the furnace, and even a piece of real lava glass to take home! Stanley was so excited that he told Johanna, one of the lava experts, how much he loved it. She invited him to stay for the next show and gave him a special spot right in front of the lava pit! Johanna’s show was amazing—she even gave Stanley a glass string she made herself. Stanley thought Johanna was the best lava expert ever!

Dinner and a Bartender’s Surprise

For dinner, Stanley and his friends went to the Hafnartorg Gallery food hall. They shared a yummy shrimp dish and watched the bartender make fancy drinks. Rob got a special drink made just for him after the bartender asked a few questions and he added a sugar lollipop for Toni. Toni promised she’d come back tomorrow for her own custom drink.