Iceland - Day Four

Ah, bummer! Our last day. :-(   It was an awesome experience. I'll tell you what, the people who live here have to be extremely tough. This is NOT an easy place to live. But it's a cool place to visit!

So we had our last breakfast buffet, I had an open face sandwich and fruit, it was yummy. And I snagged a couple of their tiny little muffins (I think they were chocolate chip) on my way out for later on.

We had a list of things we had not yet experienced in the vicinity of our hotel and the airport so we got started knocking them off. But it was raining and VERY windy. I tried looking to see how windy it may have been and it looks like the sustained winds may have been around 50mph. I don't think I've ever experienced that kind of wind before. We saw a truck with the driver's door hanging upside-down like it may have gotten ripped from the driver's hand and flung open HARD. After seeing that I became very aware of what was happening when I opened my door. We actually opted to turn the car around to let out whichever one of us needed to get out, if the wind was blowing against the door it could not be opened and if it caught the door it would be torn from our grip, so we had to open only on the leeward side.


So we started with a trip back to the Gróttuviti lighthouse at the end of the peninsula that Reykjavik occupies. I won't continue to remind you of the wind but as you read this remember that extreme wind permeated everything we tried to do this day. It also included some rain and/or snow to sting our faces at times.

Next we finally got to the most-photographed landmark in Iceland, the Hallgrimskirkja Church right smack in the center of Reykjavik. It's an awesome structure even if it is made 100% of concrete. My focus in going was the trip up in the tower to avail us of some town shots. The uppermost part of the tower had openings to look through so the wind and rain came right in those openings. It was crazy! Very sturdy though, in all that wind I didn't feel the slightest movement being nearly at the top of the 244 foot tower!

We then aimed for the Harley Davidson dealership and found it closed. We found lots of stuff closed. On the way there we passed another JW spot, I think it must have been a depot maybe. We also hit a grocery store to pick up some souvenirs (up to this point we did NO shopping - cool!) and the Iceland Excursions office to pick up our little lunch bag that accidentally got left on the bus. We were getting comfortable driving around town.

Off to the Reykjanes Peninsula, home of the Blue Lagoon and the Keflavik airport. I wanted to visit the town at the end, Gardur, to get more lighthouse shots and then visit the town of Keflavik for some fishing marina shots. We also grabbed lunch before we had to get on our long flight home. We didn't mean to but we found a restaurant done up in 50's Americana decor, you know, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley and red and white vinyl seats.

The flight home was fairly uneventful, bumpy, long, and when we were ready to land we had to circle around to allow time for the runway to become available. The picture at the beginning of this blog is tracking of our flight that's available to view on the seat-back screens at every seat. See? We had to circle around and this proves it!

Will we go back? We both agree that we'd love to see much more of this strange, extreme land. The next time it'll be in fairer weather though.

4 cats hacked up hairballs:

Maggie March 15, 2011 at 5:11 PM  

So you plan to go back.... My question is did Suzie wear Rick out going and going and going? Unbelievable how people can live in a place like that. I love that kind of weather and all the rest but would be worn out long time ago . Glad you guys are seeing such interesting places, not just the same old typical stuff. Rick, you didn't blog about it yet? Oh, you're pooped? Nice trip

Deanne Bonine March 15, 2011 at 5:14 PM  

Absolutely love your blog!

Tammy Hall March 15, 2011 at 5:15 PM  

wow, what a great way to share your trip!

Kathy March 15, 2011 at 5:15 PM  

Very interesting blog! Nice pictures too, looks like you guys had a fantastic time!

About Me

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After 2 unsuccessful marriages I spent 12 years as a divorcee, only to fall prey to another man's wiles. We had a fun 5 years together and then he decided he wanted more freedom so once again I'm single.

So I'm freshly divorced at 57 and have 5 great kids and now 7 grandkids. My kids are still a major part of my life but I'm busy helping my aging parents on Kauai.

I've lived in California, Hawaii and Oklahoma before finally settling here in Washington. I love Washington and come back to visit family, friends and take care of my garden often but will be temporarily a resident of Kauai.

I've moved 30 times in my life (no, my parents weren't in the service, at least not since I was about 2) and finally planted roots when I got my little house that I've owned since '91.

My family are Jehovah's Witnesses, I've been one since '72.