January 12

 The Final Day:  The Golden Circle & The Blue Lagoon

Today we were "playing catch-up" to try and finish everything we'd missed out on earlier when we had to adjust the schedule.  So we had bags out (and YES we had bags to put out for the first time!) at 7 am and on the bus to get rolling by 7:45 am.  We had a stop at 9 am and then around 10:30 am we stopped to see just about the only live animals we'd seen on the trip when we got to feed some Icelandic horses!  Couldn't be more fitting for yours truly :)

The Golden Circle Tour

Back on the bus and we headed out for about an hour's drive to begin the "Golden Circle" tour.  The first stop was at the Gullfoss Waterfall.  When we'd gotten off the bus - and granted it was a brief stop to feed the horses - it was noticeably much colder today.  But when we arrived at the Gullfoss Waterfall not only was it MUCH COLDER, but the wind was again terrific.  AND there was lots of ice.  So on went the "cramp-ons" and we put our head down and marched out to see this magnificent waterfall, much of which was frozen.  Today was the first day - as I said in the brief highlight film for today (see below) that TODAY it was legitimately cold.  But fortunately that wasn't going to last all day.

Yes....we're cold

Second largest glacier in Iceland which overlooks the falls

Got on the bus and warmed up as we headed to the "Great Geysir" to watch the steam explode and have a quick bite to eat.  When we exited the bus and made the five-to-seven minute walk to the geyser it was cold, but no wind and I even had my hat off for most of the time.  Saw the "explosion" then went for a fast-food lunch of fish & chips and then it was time to load up to push on for the next stop as we tried to get everything in today!

Thar she blows!

The next stop was Thingvellir National Park which is where the North American tectonic plate comes very close to the Euro-Asizn tectonic plate.  Not only is that cool in and of itself, but as big "Game of Throne" fans, there was a notable scene shot here when Princess Sensa met with her advisor Little Finger.  You can see in the inset how they are just about right where we were standing today :)

The American plate is on the left / Euro-Asia on right -> Inset:  Little Finger advises Sensa during GOT

Back on the bus and off for about another hour and change to reach the Blue Lagoon where we'd have about two hours to relax in the hot springs.  Especially because it was in the 20's outside, we were all looking forward to this.  We'd done this the last time we were in Iceland and we too were looking forward to it.  But let me tell you something - when you stepped outside the doors and walked those ten steps into the water, your feet nearly froze off.  I don't mean they got cold, I mean THEY FROZE.  But the hot springs was warm to hot depending on where you were.  But the most interesting - and disconcerting - thing was because it was so cold, you often couldn't see more than ten feet in front or around you.  Was very cool, but eerie.  To the point at one time we briefly were not sure which direction to go to head back towards where we had entered the water :)

Welcome to the Blue Lagoon

The fog is DENSE

That's what we're talkin' about :)

Refreshed and smiling outside the main building

It was about 45 minutes back to Reykjavik (where the tour started) and to our original hotel where we had just enough time to get our room keys, set our bags down and head downstairs to walk to the restaurant for the "Farewell Dinner."  It was a brisk walk, but not too far and we all gathered for a final meal and to share laughs.  There was a cruise into the harbor to once again search for the Northern Lights but Kim and I (and a few others) opted not to go since they were not returning until after 11 pm.

Front couple:  Mary & Steve (the leader of the rebellion) - he's Rene's cousin

Pam & Bob

Kim & I

John & Rene (who we met on our Vietnam/Cambodia trip a few years ago)

Tomorrow we get to relax in the morning before being taken to the airport around 1 pm to begin the long journey back home.  Another great adventure.  Thanks to Collette for a great itinerary; thanks to Rene and her travel agency for putting together "our group" to come on this tour; thanks to Anar for his expert driving; and first and foremost a giant thank you to Cinthia for her outstanding work in taking care of us from the moment we stepped off the plane until we returned to the airport.  You're the best!

The Final Day - 12 Hours - In A Two Minute Highlight Film

January 11

 Glacier Lagoon - Diamond Beach - Glaciers & Lava Fields

We began the day, again, dark & early as we on the bus by 8am for the long drive to the east coast of Iceland to visit the Glacier Lagoon.  We made a stop about half way and then we entered the national park where we were surrounded by the massive glacier - it's the biggest glacier in all of Europe.  After about three hours we pulled up to the spectacular Glacier Lagoon.  The grounds were covered with ice so we put on our "cramp-ons" and made the walk to the beach to see the massive chunks of ice.  Then Kim and I bravely climbed up the ice-covered path to the top of the hill to get a panoramic view and have our photo taken.  On the way down the hillside (and it was a bit tricky) we saw seals splashing in the lagoon.  You have to watch the video (either the short one on Facebook or the extended version once we return home).  It was a really amazing sight.

We pulled out of the parking lot and literally drove across the road to reach the Diamond Black Sand Beach where massive ice chunks littered the beach.  It was relatively easy to access the beach and then the black sand was sooooo fine, easy to maneuver on and get photos.  I asked Bob & Pam to join us near an ice chunk for a group photo and then Kim spotted a chunk of ice floating just off the beach.  I climbed on and immediately the tide came in and I was three feet out into the bay!  Everyone watching good-naturedly waved good-bye to me and told them "he who hesitates is lost,"  And I encouraged them to all jump on when the water went back out.  They did and it was - I thought - a spectacular photo.  Got a good shot of the sunset over a big chunk of ice as well.

Back on the bus and stopped for lunch - we each had a lamb burger and fries (very good).  Then as we headed out we stopped for a photo op of two of the big glaciers - the one of which was used in the filming of "Game of Thrones" for the Great North Wall.  That was pretty cool.

The Great Wall of the North from GOT

Back on the bus and made most of the long drive before we pulled off to a scenic overlook to check out the lava fields covered in snow.  And on the lookout platform it was PERFECT TIMING as the glacier had a gorgeous pink hue to it and when you turned around the sun was setting over the snow-covered lava field.  Of course we did a photo op - it was an awesome picture of the two of us representing a great day.

Once back at the hotel we had about an hour before we met for happy hour.  Then we had a group photo taken with our travel agent host Rene and her husband John.  Those who were not in this group had no real idea that there was a "Rene Group" so we took a group photo of the "Non-Rene Group" LOL.  And to top off happy hour, our driver Arnor had gathered a huge chunk of the glacier and brought it back with us.  So all drinks were served with glacier ice!

The "Rene Group"

The "Non-Rene Group"

At 8:30pm (after dinner) we set out in search of the Northern Lights again.  The sky was darker, there was less cloud cover and there was a much more distinctive "glow" that IS the Northern Lights.  Certainly not the photos that are captured on the BEST of nights by the professional photographers, but you can see the greenish-hue of the glowing Aurora Borealis.  Interesting side note, our guide Cinthia remarked today that in the several years she's been doing this tour / been in Iceland during the winter she's seen THE Northern Lights you see in professional pictures just five times.  Tomorrow is a PACKED day as we're out the door at 7:45 am; driving to the Golden Circle (remember that was supposed to be the all-day event on Monday); then doing the Blue Lagoon; THEN doing the Farewell Dinner in Reykjavik .... AND providing all goes well we will get the boat trip in the harbor to search for the Northern Lights as we were scheduled to do on the first night.  WHEW.  Then home Friday late afternoon arriving at midnight in South Florida.

January 10

Skogafoss & The Black Sand Beach

Today we were able to sleep in as the bus did not leave until 9:45 am.  And with our adjusted schedule we were heading nearby to see the Skogafoss Waterfall and then to the museum complex there where they had an outdoor portion with homes that were built hundreds of years ago.  As we set out there was a reall cool blue hue to the sky over the glacier, so of course I snapped a couple of photos.

We arrived at the waterfall and it was really cool.  There was a lot of ice so we wore our crampons - we had no idea about these but once we arrived our guide Cinthia was insistent that everyone have them and wear them so we would not fall.   You simply slip them over your shoes and you walk on the ice like it's nothing (well, let's just say you're very secure).  Fortunately for us this morning there was no wind and it was a "balmy" 37 degrees as we admired the waterfall and the ice formations on the cliffs.

First pose with the waterfall

The "cramp-ons"

Closer pose of the waterfall

More "panoramic" pose with the waterfall :)

From there we headed over to the museum.  We first had a narration from the host in the maritime museum and then we were turned loose to explore either inside or outside and to have our lunch.  The lunch was a delicious lamb goulash and a waffle with non-sweetened whip cream and a small scoop of ice cream.  We went outside and saw the earthen houses that were built hundreds of years ago - so small - and then I waded through the snow to try and find the "elf house" that was there.  THOUGHT we saw it, but not so sure.

Left:  The "Christmas Trolls" that bring gifts or an old potatoe / Right:  Old fishing boat

Posing on the bridge

This is specifically for our realtor, Dorthea - we'd like something like this :)

Once we were all on board we headed to the Black Sand Beach.  As we got closer to the beach the rain began to drizzle and then the wind began to pick up.  We saw the formation in the sea, which legend has it that it's a troll turned to stone for trying to steal a boat.  We saw off in the distance the arch in the rocks; and near the "troll" the squared off rock formations that were used in "Game of Thrones" filming.  Bob, Pam, and I braved it .... Kim opted to stay on the bus.  The walk down and on the beach we made the wise decision.  The walk back - the wind really picked up and it was frigid and hard to walk into the wind, BUT it was not on slick ice.  Was glad we did it.

We then went to a shopping area for a brief stop and then back to the hotel.  We had purchased our Christmas ornament to commemorate our Iceland trip and I got my souvenir socks.  Also, you see the "cramp-ons" with the spikes on the bottom pictured here.  Then we went for a brief happy hour before having a demonstration and tasting of the Icelandic delicacy "cured shark" and Icelandic schnapps made from potatoes.  Yes....we tried.  At dinner we were told that we would try again to see the Northern Lights.  And tonight we definitely saw a glow in the sky.  NOT like what you'll see in photos when you google "Northern Lights," but definitely we saw some hint of Northern Lights.

Tomorrow we head off to Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon where we SHOULD see some spectacular ice formations!