Saturday, July 30, 2022

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:

 


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