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 :)
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.
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!
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 :)
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 :)
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.
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
No comments:
Post a Comment