(08/08/14) Last Day in Iceland

Today was our last day in Iceland. Tomorrow morning we fly out of Keflavik to JFK and home to the states. We spent the day tying up loose ends. We had a late breakfast, same place as yesterday. Then George got me an ice cream cone.

Then we went to the Vikin Maritime Museum where we learned about the fishing industry. We got to tour the "Odinn", a decommissioned multipurpose ship. In its former life it served as a search and rescue, ice breaking, ramming the British during the Cod Wars, etc. Now, it spends its days as a floating museum. We got to sit at the helm and issue orders, try to squeeze ourselves into the bunks and check out the engine room.

Then we went to the Saga Museum that told the history of the famous people and happenings in Icelandic culture. We were given headsets and little mp3 players and got to work our way through a wax museum. At the end we got to dress up like Vikings. I thought the museum was great except for one of the figures "breathed" and it made me creeped out. I kept looking over my shoulder at it, waiting for it to come and get me or something.

After the museums, we went geocaching and found two hides in the area. I got to pet another dog -- getting my "fur fix". I can't wait to be home with my animals tomorrow. We then got ice cream cones at Valdis (I know, two in one day, but hey, we are on vacation!). Mine was a triple dip of mango, creme brulee and coffee. George had Oreo, Reese's and banana nutella and it was out of this world ice cream! Then we went back to the main street and found a little Christmas shop and chose an ornament for our Christmas tree. We picked a sheep made of wool, appropriate, no? I also finally picked out a piece of sterling silver and lava jewelry. The earrings are from a small shop, Metal Design, that makes everything on site. It made me glad to know that I was supporting an independent artisan.

Dinner tonight was at Perlan, a restaurant located atop four geothermal hot water towers. And the restaurant rotates every two hours so that you get a 360 degree view of all of Reykjavik. The place is a five-star restaurant to boot. So we were in for a good time. We chose the four-course meal and I asked for vegetarian. George went with a traditional Icelandic dinner. We were not disappointed.

George's First Course: Salmon Roll with Dill Ice Cream

My Second Course: Leek Soup

George's Third Course: Codfish, the Catch of the Day

Our Fourth Course: Chocolate Mousse with Raspberry Gelatin and Lime-Yogurt Ice Cream

Our flight leaves tomorrow morning around eleven, so we need to be at the airport at eight, which means we have to get up around 6:30, so it will be an early morning for us. This time tomorrow night, we will be in my parents' SUV on our way home to Frederick. It has been quite a ride. Thanks for reading.

(08/07/14) Back in Reykjavik

Today was a very busy one. We slept in late somehow, through all the jackhammer-ing that was going on next door to the hotel. They are building another hotel and apparently the rock is very hard and will take them weeks to get through.

We had to find a coffee shop because we missed breakfast, and we lucked out - Kaffi Brennslan. It was great and while we drank and nibbled we made plans for the day. We were going to go to the zoo because I heard they had a reindeer there and I wanted to see an Icelandic reindeer. The zoo did not show up on the GPS, so I had to nav' by hand using the paper map in the car. Man, are we spoiled. It was really hard! I remember my mom and and dad stressing when we went on family road trips and now I am understanding why. At least those roads were in English. This map was in Icelandic.

The zoo was a bit zoo, a bit petting zoo, a bit playground, a bit pumpkin patch and a bit Dutch Wonderland. It also was not very expensive. It cost us about $7.50 per adult to get in. We also had no kids with us so we got a strange look, but whatever, it was still fun. And I got to see my reindeer -- and I got to pet it. No lie! They do indeed making a clicking noise when they walk which is caused by the tendons sliding across their bones. It was a thrill. It came right over when George called it and whistled and so we just stuck our hands out and got to feel the velvet antlers. The zoo also had an Arctic Fox. The seals were also fun to see up close but their holding tank/ pen was way too small. They had eight animals in an enclosure that I would say was meant for two and there was not nearly enough water. I got great pics, but felt sad for these guys.

After the zoo, we decided to explore the next-door Botanical Gardens. There were a lot of flowers in bloom, but there were also a ton that had already peaked. Winter is just around the corner, apparently. I love to take pictures of flowers, so there are a ton in the Flickr Photostream.

This was my favorite flower. It felt like fleece.

After the Botanical Gardens, we made our way over to the Icelandic Museum of Art. We got to see three shows, one of which featured the work of Johannes Sveinsson Kjarval, Iceland's most beloved painter. We each picked out our favorite work from the show.

George and "Mosfellsheidi Heath"

Me and "Mt. Hrafnabjorg II"

Lastly, we ended out day at the local pool. It is heated, which was really good because it was very cold outside. There was a main pool, a kid play area, a long water slide, lap lanes and about six hot tubs. There was also a cafe, a sauna and a massage room. But again, we were back to the naked showers. Sigh.

No cameras allowed so this is from one of their signs outside the pool.

Dinner was at a quiet restaurant called The Rosenberg. We have reservations for tomorrow night at The Pearl, a five-star swanky place that looks out over all of Reykjavik. Tres chique! Tomorrow is our last day in town, as we will spend all of Saturday travelling back home. We hope to make very good use of our time tomorrow since we are down to our last hours.

(08/06/14) My 34th Birthdday

Today is my 34th birthday! We were kept busy the entire day. First, we went seal watching. There was a farmer who had set up a watching station on his property in a little hut with binoculars. We were able to see quite a few seals, albeit from a distance. We also got to see some shorebirds, little sandpipers.

After that, we made our way back to Reykjavik, completing our loop of the island. We found a cache or two along the way. Once back in Reykjavik, we found a hotel for the next two nights and then were off to find some dinner. We ended up at an Italian place eating pasta. What a global world... George at least had pasta with Icelandic fish. After dinner, we strolled along the main street, which reminded us of Frederick with all its little shops. We found an ice cream place for me and I had a double dip of coconut and blueberry. George had a double dip of banana split and hazelnut. All four flavors were equally as good.

Since we are back in Revyjavik a bit early, we have some time to fill tomorrow. We think we are going to go to the zoo (I heard they have a reindeer and I want to see a reindeer in Iceland, so we are going), maybe to the art museum or library and then out to the Blue Lagoon again.

(08/05/14) Whale Watching in Dalvik

Today was our scheduled whale watch out of Dalvik. We went with the company Arctic Sea Tours. The day was a nice one, a bit overcast though. The seas were fairly calm, only three to five foot swells.  I ate a light breakfast so my stomach would not heave. George was even eating on board the boat. The man has the constitution of a horse.

We got to wear these furry lined jumpsuits beccause it is so cold. We looked like giant teddy bears.

We were hoping to see humpback whales, minke whales, and two kinds of dolphins. We ended up seeing seven humpbacks. Once we even got very close because the group of three (dubbed "The Three Musketeers") surfaced practically right beside us. It was awesome that we even got to see their white fins because we were that close.

On the way back in to the harbor, we had hot cocoa and cinnamon cookies. Then we stopped to fish. Our group caught quite a few cod and one haddock. George caught his very own cod. 

When we got back to the dock, the guide broiled them up for us so we could all have a light lunch. I tried them, two big bites and I have determined I really don't like fish. If I don't like it when it is this fresh, I won't like it from the grocery store after it has sat for days.

 

We grabbed dinner in Akureyri and then got back on the road to drive to Blonduos. Tomorrow is my 34th birthday and we are going to try to go and find some seals!

(08/04/14) Grimsey Island

Today's mission was completely geocaching-related. We were going to ride the ferry out to Grimsey Island -- a three hour tour, no less. Once there, we were going to find the three geocaches that were hidden on the island and then we planned to have lunch.

Grimsey Island is home to 100 people and one million seabirds. We got the chance to see more puffins, more  Arctic Terns and various other birds. The island stands alone far out on the horizon, a blue cliff, surrounded by the wide Arctic Ocean. There is also no night in Grimsey during the summertime. We wanted to go there so that we could say we have been above the Arctic Circle. The island is about 40 km off the north coast of Iceland; it is about 5 square kilometers in area. You can still see the mountain of Iceland's coast from the highest point on Grimsey. The fishermen of Grimsey harvest the rich fishing banks all around the island but often venture in their small motorboats much further north on the Arctic Ocean. Sometimes the ocean is wild with waves fifteen feet high, but other times, such as during summer, the surface  is flat as glass. Today was not one of those days. 

On the way out, we started out pretty smoothly, chugging along. But when we got out a bit more, the waves started rolling the boat from side to side. There were people ralphing all over the place. I felt bad for them. My trick? Stay asleep and you can't get sick. Works every time! When we arrived at Grimsey, we asked the captain how he thought the crossing went and he said it was one of the better ones. Yikes!

Upon arrival, we noted the chorus of seabirds which never stopped during our entire visit. We went straight to the island's one restaurant so that we could grab a bite to eat. I had a very light breakfast and was running on empty. We also wanted to eat early and give our bodies a chance to digest and empty our stomachs out again in case the ferry ride back was a doozy. I had a hamburger and George had puffin for lunch. He said it had the texture of a steak but tasted fishy. It was wild gamey-tasting. 

After lunch, we headed out to get those caches. The birds were nested in the high cliffs that surround the island and as we walked the path, they were dive bombing us. Neither of us got hurt, but it was a paranoid walk. After nabbing all three caches, we hoofed it back to the restaurant for dessert, chocolate cake with caramel topping and whipped cream. We bought a souvenir from the restaurant - a glass water bottle.

The boat ride back was not too bad, but I slept though it again. Go with what works, right? We drove back to Akureyri for dinner at a restaurant called Strikid. George had some more langoustine and I had chicken. Tomorrow's plan is to go whale watching and then make our way over to a seal research center. Fun, fun!

(08/03/14) Road Trip Day 2

Today was a relaxed-driving day. We were headed for Akureyri and Dalvik with no real agenda for the day, just to see what we could see. 

As we were leaving our hotel, we noticed that they ad an art exhibit in the lobby of the breakfast room. It was from this Icelandic artist who makes sculptures using little books. They are each like a mini library. My sister, Emily, would have been very interested because she actually collects little books. The artwork was really expensive so I don't think she will have to worry about getting one of these amazing pieces as a gift anytime soon.

We used our GPS loaded with Iceland's geocaches to guide us on today's drive. We love that aspect of geocaching - that the caches bring you to places that you aren't aware of or that are hidden gems. We first stopped off at two waterfalls, Dettifoss and Selfoss. I actually like these better than Gullfoss that we saw last week. 

Next, we stopped a a geothermal area to see some mud pots and fumaroles and a few steam vents. We like them, but again, we like to say "if you have seen one mud pot, you've seen 'em all"!

After that, we picked up two Isreali hitchhikers that had gotten lost and somehow bushwhacked from a parking lot to a main road. They were in their 50's and when we finally got them back to their car, they were so grateful, the woman gaven me a token of her thanks, a magnet for my fridge. I thought it was very nice. She had wonderful things to say about her country and invited us to come and stay with them on their camel farm, if we ever wanted. Not high on my list of things to do, but a generous offer.

Then we went to Myvatn hot springs and had a short swim before getting back on the road. 

We had dinner in Akureyri and then pulled into Dalvik for the night. We are going on a boat trip tomorrow, a three hour tour actually... Lols. We are headed for Grimsey island, which is just inside the Arctic Circle. If you go on the ferry, you will actually get a certificate saying that you have been there! There are three geocaches on the island that we can find, if we have time. Three hours out and three hours there and three hours back. We are hoping for some whale sightings on the way. 

We have now driven another fifth the way around the island.

(08/02/14) Road Trip Day 1

Today was a very long day. We drove about 12 hours in the car. We saw the same things mostly that we had seen on one of our bus tours so to make time go faster, we started picking up hitchhikers. These people are everywhere, like ants!

Our first set was a pair of girls from the Czech Republic. Their English was great. They wanted to go to this overlook they had heard of that was very pretty, so off we went, figuring we might like it too. We ended up at a Nature Preserve with a lighthouse and puffins! We could get so close to them it made us feel like the boat ride we paid for back in Reykjavik was a waste of money. I took a ton of photos.

 

We dropped the girls off in Vik and kept going and within five minutes had come across two men, a guy and his father, both from France. They didn't talk very much, but they loved me because I fed them. They hadn't eaten all day and chowed down on some bananas and chips that I had stashed in the car. When I brought out a bag of Skittles, I thought they were going to die of joy. After we dropped the men, we had the car to ourselves for about an hour and we came across three girls from France who stuffed themselves in the back of our VW Golf with all their big backpacks. They were all talkers and we dropped them off in Djupivogur where they planned to camp for the night.

We had the car to ourselves for about an hour and finally made it to Egilsstadir. We were glad to see our beds. Dinner was at a really nice restaurant. George tried the "langoustine", which are basically little itty bitty lobsters. I had the grilled asparagus.

It was a long day with a lot of breathtaking scenery. There were more than a few sheep in the road. We have been told that we are in reindeer country, so I am keeping my eyes peeled.

I did see a flock (maybe 40 members) of whooping swans. They were gorgeous. So far, we have made it about halfway around the island.