Ísland Diaries, Part 7
Note: Cat's text is in the normal color, Gregg's is in light blue.
Day 7, 1 August
We slept in a little later than we intended, so a second day at the Blue Lagoon was right out. Instead, we decided to pack up, and just drive around Reykjavik some. This was actually one of the most fulfilling parts of the trip. We drove around the harbor, until we were overcome by stink of dead and rotting fish. Instead, we ate brunch at a cafeteria filled entirely with blue collar workers, and looked at the boats in the harbor.
We also took a quick trip out to Seltjarnarnes, on the peninsula nw of Rvk, and saw a surprising little suburb, with modernist houses. There, beyond the reach of motorized traffic, was this little lighthouse, keeping that coast shipwreck free.
As a final goodbye to Reykjavik, we took the opportunity to bathe in one of the town pools. It was cheap, and the rain had mostly stopped, so we had a good time. The pool was only about 75° but I swam six laps, in a row! The sauna was hot (110° F. or so) and there were three different hot tubs. A nice relaxing farewell to our favorite aspect of Icelandic life.
During our trip back to Keflavik, we listened to the audio CD for the last time, and looked at the "aluminum plant that supplies 400 jobs" for the last time. Filled up gas for the last time, in a raging wind. On the Ring Road, we saw the only traffic stop of our entire trip. By the time we reached Keflavik, the wind was blowing in hard from sea, as though Poseidon defied us to head west, as though we were the last two Achaians returning from Troy. Returning the car was simple, and after exchanging our money, we were back aboard the plane, though our headaches we not over.
Now, Cathy is not confortable with flying. On this flight, there were all sorts of overbooking and other problems, including with our seats. The pleasant 3-seater was replaced by a 6-seater, and we weren't sitting together. After some wrangling, though, not only did we get to sit together, we got the 2-seat row by the emergency exit. So we settled in for a long flight, which went fine. We watched and episode of Police Squad!, which I have a fondness for, and the great, treacly in all the right ways Love Actually. The English romantic comedy is now complete.
As for our meals... these were quite a bit worse. 
I had again been unable to get vegetarian food. I tried to email Iceland Air from the Nordica, but their office is closed on the weekends. Damn. So the the food... hmmm. She had cold chicken breast, and I had the cold ham. What's up with that? Lame.
We arrived home the U.S., and were immediately struck by how much more menacing the security was. The lines were mislabelled about who was allowed to use them (Citizens vs. Visitors) and the guards yelled at us, as though we should magically second guess the signs. We also got our first taste of married privilege when we were able to fill out one declration form for both of us. Then we waited for our bags, and Cat's parents were right outside waiting for us, no problems, and safely returned.
Links for Travellers
http://www.heimsnet.is/thestone/altice.htm http://www.bootsnall.com/europetravelguides/iceland/-
Table of Contents
- Days 0-1: The flight, and our first full day in Iceland.
- Day 2: Reykarnes Peninsula, the Blue Lagoon and pin-up pics.
- Day 3: Snæfellsnes, Brekkubær, Hellnar
- Day 4: Snæfellsjökull, Hvergerði, Skogafoss
- Day 5: The Golden Circle – Þhingvellir, Gulfoss, and Geysír
- Day 6: Reykjavik, Caving, Falafel, and Our Attempts to Party
- Day 7: More Reykjavik, The Harbor, Swimming, and the Return + Helpful links for travellers.
Last Updated:
February 07, 2005 -- 17:19:01.
Time since the wedding: 2197 days 23 hours