To Iceland

SB got off okay first thing the morning. I will miss my sidekick. Some of you would have heard this before how I compare our relationship to a “Friends violence” cycle. We are the best of friends and everything is rosy, then SB does little things that get me into trouble and this usually eventuates in a bigger act that ends up making me look like the bad guy. (Think of Canada where she told all and sundry that she had missed the final of the women’s world championship snooker she was watching on tv because I turned the tv off. Conveniently failed to mention that she was in bed, fast asleep and I had to wrench the remote control out of her vice like grip in order to turn the tv off and stop her from sleeping on the remote! Dear me, I can think of so many more that my right eye is starting to twitch again) Anyway, we’ve had a great time together and as usual with our relationship cycle I’m already forgetting lots of things she has set me up for on this trip, and amongst her parting words were that she is going to check out doing a “In search of the Southern Lights” for our next adventure!
So eventually I head down to breakfast on my own, meet D and G who thankfully are sitting at a four person table and Sandy who is travelling alone is already seated with them it was funny to watch the Butinskys come in about 20 minutes later trying to work out how to get to the table for two next to us, but couldn’t swing it so had yo move over to the side of us. Didn’t stop them from bugging into our conversation at every opportunity but I just kep my head down and mouth full of food so no one could make sense of my stage whisper comments. Captn D treated herself to a crepe that she covered in cream, sprinkles and tiny smarties. No sooner than her bottom had hit her chair, than Mr B races to the food counter and dashes back to our table to show us that his crepe was covered with more toppings than hers. Grumble, mumble, harrumph! I make a hasty retreat to my room. While I am contemplating the fluff in my naval I have a wonderful view of the street where hundreds of young children are being taken to a nearby park. Everyone is rugged up to within an inch of their little lives. They are all either hand holding, safety band holding or rope holding others in their group. Not one is playing up and they are clearly used to such adventures. Really sweet and a lovely image to take with me of Helsinki.

Teeth cleaning and final checking of suitcase packed and time to book out of the hotel. As our hotel is right next to the bus terminal we are able to catch the airport bus 50 metres from the front door of the hotel. It is about minus 2 but no wind, so comfortable. Our bus is there so we get on straight away and about 30 minutes later find ourselves at the airport. The bus service is excellent. It leaves every 20 minutes, has only 1 other stop and the driver puts your suitcases in the storage area at the bottom of the bus so that we don’t have to try and lug them up steps inside the bus with us.

We only have a short wait until our check in counter opened.as we had already checked in and printed up our boarding passes yesterday at the hotel, it was a very quick and easy process. Time for a cuppa and a chance to spend the last of my Euro coins. Then through the security screening and a very long walk to Gate 16 where we have our wait until our flight is underway with Iceland Air at 2 pm.

Our 3 hr 20 min flight is very smooth and uneventful. What surprised us most though was our flight was about 80% Asian or Chinese. Don’t know if there is some sort of desire to see Iceland during Chinese New Year or what. Anyway, no problems whatever the reason; just an observation. Customer checking is pretty slack as you either direct yourself over into the area marked something to declare’ or simply walk out of the terminal.
We have prebooked the Flybus which will take us to our hotel, but our timing could not have been worse. Our full size coach was absolutely full and we were in peak hour traffic which meant a 55 minute trip took us 2 hours. I couldn’t get over the bumper to bumper very slow moving traffic in the 2 lane main roads. Amazing scenery along the way, nothing like my memories of my last visit when everything was bleak, grey, black and driving rain with minimal visibility. Great to see such blue skies and so much development.

We finally arrived safe and sound at our hotel for our first night in Reykjavik only to be told after much searching of the computer that it appeared our booking had been cancelled! After another lengthy search of the computer and much discussion between me and the very nice young man at reception we were finally booked into our room. He was so concerned about the mixup that no sooner had we gotten to our room on the second floor, and I had opened the door and was trying to find out where to put the card to get the lights to work, than said nice young man was in the doorway checking up that we found our room okay and that everything was all right. He then helped bring our cases into the room for us so that was service a bit above and beyond. It was not about 6.45 pm Iceland time (we gained 2 hrs from Finland) so we got out our Icelandic Krona we had with us and headed downstairs to the Beer Garden for happy hour that finished in 15 minutes. There as a reasonable small pub grub menu that we all agreed we would be happy with so I had fish ( Artic Wolf fish) and chips, Captn D had three mini burger sliders and a Foggy had a hamburger. Our meals were really nice and none of us could eat them all. We have Shiny Bright to thank for our dinner as she had given me what remained of her Krona from previous visits, insisting that we use it for a dinner in Iceland on her.
By the time we leave the pub it is 10.30 Finland time and we are all worn out, so it is back to the room, a quick unpack of suitcases just enough to retrieve pyjamas and toiletry bag and then it’s time for bed.
Really looking forward to tomorrow as we have a free day to explore the town. Already, I see that it has changed so much in the four years since I was here previously to the extent that much of what I’ve already seen on the ride from the airport is entirely new with lots more development happening. I did take some photos from the coach ride but uploading photos will have to wait until tomorrow. You may want to check back later for any updates. There is one photo in particular I’m really hoping came out okay, but more on that another time! The weather is really mild compared to what we’ve left and it was a pleasure to arrive in bright blue skies and watch a lovely pink sunset. Who knows, we might even get another chance to see the alights over the next few days. Fingers crossed.
Here’s the photo and yes, the place really does exist!