Ice, ice, baby!

Today’s departure time was 8am as we had a 3.5 hour drive ahead of us. Mike and I had hotel breakfast (not great and super crowded—including a lady who pretty much took the entire container of scrambled eggs). Just as we were losing the car, Romi got an email from the restaurant and they had her purse! Yay!!!! We couldn’t get there and then to our tours in time on this day, but we made a plan to pick up the purse on Wednesday. So, off we went…relieved and ready for the day!

The scenery along the Southern Coast is just stunning. Every direction you look! Amazing mountains. Glaciers. Green everywhere. Lava fields. Adorable little villages. It was a beautiful drive! 

We took a quick pit stop to stretch our legs at the lava fields. These were from a volcano that erupted in the 1700s and they are now loss covered otherworldly looking spaces that go on forever.

Our first official sup of the day was Glacier Lagoon. We had lobster rolls and hot dogs from the food truck on site, but we ate them in the car as it was raining and a bit chilly. I was miserable and not looking forward to the rainy boat ride. 

But, just as it was time for our tour, the rain stopped and we were treated to a gorgeous slow moving amphibian boat tour of the lagoon. It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. There were even seals swimming around everywhere! And where we were cruising around an iceberg even split and flipped over! It was incredible. 

After that we drove across the street and checked out Diamond Beach. Another unbelievable place! All these little

iceberg pieces wash up on the black sand beach and the water flowing out into the ocean is just incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it. 

Next up was a short drive to our next adventure: a glacier hike! Mike and I were ready to redeem ourselves from the last time we attempted a glacier hike (in Alaska) when we had to instead help rescue one of our tour group members who injured her leg before we even got to the glacier. We all got suited up (harness, crampons, axe) and started the walk to the glacier. Pretty early on Romi realized this was not for her and she turned back. It was a good move as the hike was fast moving and stressful to me!! 

But…we did it!!! And the views in the glacier were pretty spectacular! Loved it!  It sure it was my favorite thing ever, but certainly something unique. The whole trip up around and down took about 2 hours. 

After we were reunited with Romi it was off to dinner! We had a lovely dinner at Systrakaffi. Highly recommend.

Then, we checked into Hotel Laki. We let Romi rest while Michael and I headed to check out Fjadragljoufur canyon. Just beautiful!! And there were so many sheep!!! Michael really loved the Icelandic sheep. :) 

We had a quick drink at the hotel bar and then headed to sleep before our last day full of adventures. 

Golden Circle Day

We headed about just before 7am today for our drive around the Golden Circle. First stop: Braud & Co for delicious fresh out of the oven cinnamon rolls! Romi had vanilla and I had caramel. They were both amazing! Highly recommend getting there right when they open! 

Our first stop was Thingvellier National Park. We had a 9am snorkel tour schedule and since we arrived a bit early, we walked over to see Öxaráfoss waterfall first. It was really nice as were were basically the only people there. I recommend getting your day started early as when we finished the snorkel tour it was much busier! 

Then it was time for the Silfra Fissure snorkel tour with Troll Expeditions. In this tour, you hear up in a dry suit because you go into 37 degree (F) water to swim between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates! At one point you can even touch both at the same time! The water was crystal clear and you really weren’t that cold by the time you were in your suit! Definitely a once in a lifetime experience!

 

After that chaos, Romi took a minute to change and recharge while Michael and I took a path to check out a bit more of the park (in particular we walked down to Drekkingrahylur). 

Then, we headed to Kerid crater. Stunning views here! Romi walked the upper path while Michael and I did that and took the stairs down to the lake. Stunning views everywhere you looked! 

Our next stop was Gullfoss waterfall. It’s a big one! And I loved the power that produced this upward moving mist. Amazing! 

Then, it was time for Fridheimar restaurant for a tomato forward late lunch. The restaurant is inside a greenhouse where they produce 2 tons of tomatoes a year. It was gorgeous. And so was the food/drinks! Tomato soup and delicous bread, ravioli, flatbread, and tomatoes/burrata. Tomato beer, Bloody Mary, and cucumber/lime/gin drink were also highlights. Tomato ice cream and tomato/apple pie for dessert. Just amazing.

Our last stop of the day was to see some geysers. One which goes off about every 5 minutes or so and another that is less active/predictable BUT it is the one the word geyser comes from…so that’s cool. 

After this we had a bit of a drive to our hotel (Hotel Hella). Once we got there Romi realized she left her purse at the restaurant! Ack! It was 6pm and they closed at 4. They weren’t answering their phone, so Mike and I drove back  45 minutes to see if anyone was still there. No luck. :( So, we drove back and all went to bed hoping for good news in the AM. Bonus: on our drive there and back we got to enjoy the Icelandic scenery. In particular, Icelandic horses! They are so cute! Here are some of my favorite pics of them: