Back to Reyjkavik

Another grey drizzly morning, but as there is absolutely no rest for the wicked, we are up and off again about 8.15 a.m.  I did forget to tell you dear armchair travellers, that yesterday morning we had only been on the coach a few minutes when Princess Shiny Bright turns to me and says, "I'm enjoying being a kept woman."  Having no idea what the demented girl is talking about, I get her to repeat what she has just said and then tell me what the heck she is talking about. It transpires that as we have been taking it in turn to buy lunches, dinners, drinks, etc. it has currently worked out that she has paid more than me which means that I'm to pay for the next few meals until we even out again. This to her way of thinking is that I'm somehow significantly responsible for her upkeep which makes her a 'kept' woman. All I could say was 'IDIOT!'. I think that a number of people on the tour think that this is Jan's actual name!!!
Now back to our day... a lovely old church was the first Bishop's church - even has a basement which is like a mini museum and crypt.  Bjornee keeps taking us to so many 'extra' special stops along the way that aren't in the travel guide.  He has thoroughly spoilt us. So then on to the first scheduled stop for the day at Fridheimer farm which has masses of tomato greenhouses. It was actually very interesting to hear how they grow the tomatoes 24 hours a day, every day of the year.  The farm also has a number of the Icelandic horses stabled so we got to see a few of them up close and personal.  Jan was in her element with the animals. Then on to another unscheduled stop at a waterfall called something that translates to 'White Horse' referring to the horse's man.  This waterfall wasn't as high as many others and was very pretty to watch as the fast flowing waters ran into a wide meandering river. We then make our way to 'The Golden Circle".  This refers to the 3 "must see' highlights in the region.  First of these is the Geysir geothermal area. Plenty of hot springs - and only a light sulphur smell. We got a bit wet in the rain waiting for the largest geyser to explode.  Not as big as that one in Yellowstone Park, USA, but can still reach 30 metres. Then on to Gullfloss 'Golden Waterfalls' which were pretty spectacular.  Still raining lightly but that isn't stopping us from doing anything or seeing anything. This waterfall was all the more spectacular as it belts over the top after winding its way to the edge, and then crashes down a much narrower path as it cuts through beautiful lava rock walls. Then time for lunch - once again a big bowl of soup and crusty bread, then back on the coach where we then head to Pingvellir National Park (UNESCO). Very light rain now if any, so it is good that it has fined up for us. It is Iceland's greatest historical site as it is the original home of the world's oldest existing parliament. There is also a large water area where they drowned women convicted of adultery and other immoral behaviours.  Quite apart from the historical value of this park though is the magnificent geology as it is the visible site of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where the North American and European tectonic plates meet - and seeing the 'gap' between them is quite amazing. I don't know how to effectively describe it and the photos I will eventually add to this blog don't do it justice either.  You'll simply have to come to Iceland yourselves to see it. We are heading back to Reykjavik now and along the way stop at a hot springs spa (unfortunately not enough time to actually get into it, damn) but just one more place I'll come back to next time... then a very picturesque drive along 'back roads' via the Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Plant following the huge pipeline and back to the Natura hotel in Reyjkavik we land.
As Bjorn our driver, gets all the suitcases out of the back of the coach, I could not believe it but my case has gotten wet yet again, only on the other side this time - and it was in one of the black plastic bags, but not sealed at the top where the water has gotten in.  How bloody unlucky can one person be?  Anyway I gave Bjorn a tip from Jan and me, and thanked him for being such a great driver, however I did say that I couldn't believe that my case got wet yet again.  With a silly smile on his face and with a very thick accent he simply said, "Shit happens!" and gave me hug.  I almost wet myself laughing. Hugs and kisses to Bjorn after Jan gave him our tip and then back into the hotel to book in for our last night in Iceland.
Up into our room long enough for me to pull everything out of my suitcase as the wet patch was at the bottom - and thankfully nothing was west this time due to the lining of the suitcase, however I got the bathroom hair dryer out and tried to dry at least some of the outside as best I could. Then we bundled ourselves up again and got a taxi to the Hallgrimskirkja church.  This is an amazing piece of architecture.  had a wander inside.  How they managed to build such a tall columns is beyond me.  I know that I am repeating myself, but it is amazing.  then with map in hand we head towards the main street.  It is odd how houses are dotted along side shops all over the place. this part of the city is very 'touristy'.  I have been on a mission to find a brooch that Vicki wanted but we have had no luck whatsoever so far.  Jan is also running out of time to get those souvenirs for those names still on her list.  I've heard about a tiny food trailer that allegedly has the 'world's best hot dogs' so Jan and I head off in the general direction of where we think it is. Wasn't at all easy to find - and if I'd trusted Jan's map reading we would have ended up at a Lobster pop up cafe'! However almost by accident we bumped into the Baejarins bestu pylsur van (meaning "The town's best hot dogs") and Jan decides that she is going to try a plain one where I have one with all the sauces.  jan tried a bit of mine and then decided that she would like one with the lot too.  Keep in mind that she is a 'kept' woman so I buy us each another hot dog with the lot.  it is no exaggeration that they are delicious and I would not usually every eat a hot dog as I remember them as tasting like rubbish. The write ups i had rad about this little gem of a hot dog stand all say that there are usually long queues but it is well worth the wait.  however we only had one person in front of us each time we ordered. there is no shelter near the stand and it was light drizzle at the time but we did what everyone else who has ever had one of the hot dogs has done,and that was stand around the parking lot eating them!  Deciding that we then wanted a cuppa we went in search of a cafe.  There are no shortage of eating places around the city area, but most were either too fancy or pubs until we found a quirky little crepe house where not only did we each have a coffee, but a special crepe too. Jan decided to have hot chocolate fudge and fresh strawberries on hers whereas I just wanted a Mars Bar melted inside mine.  The crepes were huge and so were we by the time we waddled out!!!. We then decided that we would walk back to the hotel. I think I must have been experiencing a sugar rush from the chocolate overdose, but I let Jan take charge of the map to get us back to the hotel.  We managed to get back to our hotel without loss of life, limb or virginity, but were a bit damp from the light rain. However a very successful venture out on our own.  Back into our room and a re-packing of bags required. It is nice to have some time in the room and even nicer to know that we don't have to have bags out by 8.15!!!
We are now so very close to the end of our too short time in Iceland.  It is an awesome place and we are already talking about a return visit in 2016, probably after my European River Cruise.
Hope you've enjoyed this leg of the travel blog, as we head towards the last part of the current grand adventure. 
The Icelandic Princesses and Beltie have had a truly remarkable and amazing Iceland adventure.