Visit to Iceland
A trip to Reykjavik and the South East
Day 1, Thursday, Sept. 8
Travel
Georgia
and I departed from Washington Dulles on a five and a half hour
flight to land at Keflavik later that evening (it being 5 hours time
difference including daylight savings). We waited outside in the
windy damp air for the rental car shuttle to bring us to the Sixt
checkin desk. There was a small line but a long wait after which we
were assigned a Kia Picanto five speed. We took off from the airport
in darkness with the exception of the orange halogen street lamps
winding down the coast. As we navigated the numerous roundabouts, we
eventually got closer to the more populated Reykjavik. Our hotel was
Reyjkavik Lights, a tall rectangular building along a row of hotels.
More
here.
Day 2, Friday, Sept. 9
Walking Tour
That
evening, we had our dinner at Eldsmiðjan a
pizza restaurant on the ground floor of our hotel. Georgia and I
shared a medium pizza, wine and beer. It was very good.
That
evening we adventured out on foot to find the public thermal baths
and ended up in World Class Spa. Because of a mixup, we ended up
using the public facilities and took a raincheck on the spa.
Day 3, Saturday, Sept. 10
Around Reykjavik
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Our first trip was to the Kolaportið flea market. We were afraid that we were going to be late - however when we arrived there was a line waiting outside. Apparently the flea market does not open until 11 AM. We met a vendor who, after asking where we were from, proceeded to tell us that her grandfather was from West Virginia, an american soldier who was quite prolific.
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Afterwards we searched for a cafe, we stopped at a kaffe inside the Ey,mundsson bookstore.
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Then there was a march uphill to Hallgrímskirkja, the modern looking cathedral and clock tower in the center of Reykjavik. Almost as soon s we walken inside, the organist came in and proceeded to play. Partway, near the end of the perfomance we started up to take the elevators to the top of the clock tower for a 360 view of reykjavik.
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Then, it was a visit to the World Class Spa. We took in a steam bath, a wet sauna, jacuzzi, dry sauna, cold water shower and bucket dump, then a quiet rest in the relaxing room. It was very refreshing.
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How to become Icelandic in 60 minutes
Day 4, Sunday, Sept. 11
South Coast Drive
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Þorvaldseyri (View of Eyjafjallajökull -markers) Did no visit family run museum www.icelanderupts.is
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Rutshellir Caves, a tim building built against the side of a volcanic shaft looks like it was half buried under the lava, however it is a mild illusion.
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Seljalandsfoss, majestic and tall, appeared ahead of us from the highway, pulled into parking area, hiked around and behind scrambled over rocks cold spray. continued on hiking trail 300m to peer through crack to see …
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Gljúfrabúi Waterfall then waked back.
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Vik - Museum learned about Katla, which is a volcano covered by the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. - Had lunch at Halldorskaffi, great sliced lamb sandwich, beer.
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Dyrhólaey - black sand beach, lighthouse, natural arch, hike to lower end
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Sólheimajökull (snout of Mýrdalsjökull glacier) coffee at Arcanum Glacier Cafe
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Skógafoss Waterfall - long steps to the top
We
drove down to the old harbour that evening to have dinner at the
Sægreifinn
(Seabarron). There we waited in a rather long line that passed
through the sheltered awning and with benches outside. The menu was
mainly seafood on skewers grilled. It was well done and delicious.
Afterwards we enjoyed coffee and dessert at the Paris Cafe where we
shared a dessert.
Day 5, Monday, Sept. 12
Golden Circle Drive
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Þingvellir National Park - Spreading crack from sliding plates - volcanic flows, lake, cold blowing wind.
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Laurgarvatn - Getting gas into town, greenhouse and thermal pools closed nothing to do. Story of baptism and revenge.
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Strokker Geysir, Blew just as we walked by, little Geysir. bubbling, streams.
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Gulfoss Waterfall (lunch - traditional lamb soup, beer, bagel with salmon.)
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Drive back Sheep picture.
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Kerið (Crater) - One of a sequence of three craters, the largest
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Visited Hveragerði Geothermal Park pulled into a parking lot and started walking the path. We were lost and asked a man walking out of a chain link gate carrying junk which way to the park. He said we could walk through. Eventually we found our way to the greenhouse where the office was just closing for the day.
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Drive back - lava fields, Hellisheði geothermal power plant, cold rainy.
Dinner
at Fish and Chips had traditional Icelandic fish stew, like shepherds
pie with potato, onions and fish. Georgia had fish and chips.
Day 6, Tuesday, Sept. 13
Shopping in Rekjavik / Northern Lights
Shopping
around town sky kept getting clearer as the day went on.
Parked
on outskirts -
From
there it was a long hike to the Settlment Museum known as ‘871±2’
which supposedly is the founding year of Iceland. descend the stairs,
the museum is in two parts: a lower level built around an excavation
of the actual viking hall. and the Saga museum containing books of
the actual Sagas.
Stopped
at Reykjavik Roasters just beneath the church (Leif Ericsson) for
excellent coffee. walked back to car by 12 ate at Noodle Shop more
shopping
Headed
out for the afternoon to scope
out where we might see the northern lights. So we headed to
Nauthólsvík Beach past Reykjavik
University and by Miðborg
airport. We decided against that but coming back from town we were
trying to decide what to do for dinner, also
Ended
up eating at Krúska for dinner this time was Spanish roast chicken
and - beer wine in hotel bar/lounge Georgia had vegetarian lasagna
with lentils which she like very much.
Northern
Lights - left while sun was setting for Grótta
light house drove out past several traffic circles to get there.
Stopped at buger place but door was locked.
Day 7, Wednesday, Sept. 14
Return Flight
Driving out on
the highway to Keflavik / Rakjanes we drove past the desolate black
and green lava fields. Volcanic peals and mountains in the distance.
Georgia was
sorry that she didn’t get any pictures of the horses. They were
wonderful looking creatures.
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