Kindred Travelers: In the Clouds

Portland → Reykjavík

There’s something magical about the start of a trip—when the bags are stowed, the engines hum, and the adventure officially begins. Sarah and I are currently somewhere high above the clouds, cruising toward Reykjavík in the cushy embrace of first class. And let me tell you, we are loving the pampering.

Our stewardess, Kalekelo, greeted us with a warm smile and handed over a printed menu of drinks. There were so many kinds of gin that I half expected a tasting flight, but in the end, we both went for a limoncello cocktail—bright, citrusy, and just the right kind of refreshing for a long-haul flight. Paired with warm pretzels, it was the perfect kickoff toast to our adventure. We’ll definitely have to recreate it for Cindy when we’re back home.

Dinner service is coming up, and the menu looks like something from a high-end bistro. We start with yellowtail sashimi—light, delicate, and the perfect appetizer at 30,000 feet. For the main course, Sarah is going for mushroom ravioli in creamy Alfredo sauce, while I’m diving into Osso buco pork with mustard-infused mashed potatoes. Honestly, they had me at “mashed potatoes.” Dessert is a pear tart, which sounds like the ideal sweet note to close the meal.

As the cabin lights dim and the sky outside turns from blue to deep indigo, I can feel the anticipation growing. This is just the beginning. Next stop: Iceland.