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Post by queenzod on Sept 22, 2018 20:46:16 GMT
It sounds like you are having a wonderful and fascinating time! You have to be careful around hot springs. In Yellowstone a few winters ago a bunch of bison died around a hot springs, and it took the park rangers a little while to figure out what happened. Apparently there was an air inversion, trapping the toxic fumes close to the ground, and about six bison died from the fumes as they huddled around the hot springs, grazing. Kind of sad, actually.
Looking forward to hearing more of your adventures!
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Post by roverpup on Sept 23, 2018 12:22:31 GMT
Day 11: Saturday, September 22/18
We slept in until about 8:30 and then went down to breakfast at the hotel restaurant Geri Smart. It was... exquisite with so much selection that no one could eat even half of the items.
After breakfast we went out to get some snacks for later today.
Now we are just about to check out and get picked up for the Buubble Hotel.
Talk to you later...
We got picked up right on time by a very friendly young guy who was our guide and driver for the day. His name was typically Icelandic - R______ something unpronounceable so Dan nicknamed him Rocky. We then went on to pickup 2 other couples - a pair of Australians and then a couple from Texas. Both were very nice to travel with for the day.
The first stop on the tour was the continental rift in Þingvellir National Park. Rocky got us oriented and explained a few things and then let us walk down the path that led through the ravine made from the tectonic plates separating. It was breathtakingly beautiful and took about 25 minutes to complete. At the end of the path Rocky was there with the car to meet us.
Next we were off to the geyser park to see the most reliable one Strokkur. It erupts every 5 to 8 minutes and is HUGE! We saw a couple of mini eruptions and then THE BIG ONE happened - WOW!! We got great photos of it.
We also are lunch there and bought some snacks for later.
Then we traveled into the largest waterfall in Iceland - the spectacular Gullfoss. It covers such a vast expanse it is hard to describe the feeling of awe when you experience it. Just waterfall after waterfall, all tumbling together in a rushing roar of water.
Dan and I chose to take the path that led up to a lookout from a higher point of elevation. From there you could see the river that led from the waterfall. It was great that we were given lots of time to explore such a beautiful sight.
The last stop of the day was The Secret Lagoon for a dip in the hot spring. We were given two hours for bathing there and even Rocky came along for the relaxation. It was much smaller than the one at Lake Myvatn but just a lovely.
After we were sufficiently relaxed and we cried off, we drove to a nearby restaurant and had dinner. The 6 of us are together and it was great chatting with everyone.
Then Rocky took us to the Buubble hotel. We got our orientation in the little service house that had 2 toilets and showers and a small kitchenette and the he led each couple at a time to their respective bubbles. It was like a large transparent igloo. Dan and I got settled in our "room" and then took a little walk around the area.
Soon it was getting dusk and when darkness fell it was REALLY DARK. We went out to a clearing and saw the beginning of the Northern Lights. I got some pretty good pictures of them and then we headed back to our bubble. In a little while the really BIG show of lights came on right over our heads as we looked up from our bed. Unbelievably cool and unbelievably bright! SPECTACULAR!!! All colors and streaks and bands of blazing lights. Orange yellow and red. It was all over in about 15 minutes but it was one of the most exciting moments of my life!
We then snuggled in for the night under the warm blankets and the next thing I knew it was morning!
Soon we will get up, get dressed and have some breakfast on our way back to Reykjavik. What a spectacular experience!
Talk to you later...
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Post by roverpup on Sept 23, 2018 12:23:51 GMT
It sounds like you are having a wonderful and fascinating time! You have to be careful around hot springs. In Yellowstone a few winters ago a bunch of bison died around a hot springs, and it took the park rangers a little while to figure out what happened. Apparently there was an air inversion, trapping the toxic fumes close to the ground, and about six bison died from the fumes as they huddled around the hot springs, grazing. Kind of sad, actually. Looking forward to hearing more of your adventures! Thanks for the advice QZ. Glad you are enjoying the journal! 😊
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Post by mllemass on Sept 23, 2018 12:46:11 GMT
I look forward to hearing about your adventures each day, too. I think we all do!
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Post by roverpup on Sept 23, 2018 15:32:09 GMT
I am happy there are people enjoying my write ups. Thanks for reading
😊
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Post by roverpup on Sept 24, 2018 11:00:04 GMT
Day 12: Sunday, September 23/18
The morning was very chilly with a light dusting of frost over the landscape. This made getting out from the goose down duvet VERY HARD!!
But soon there was no choice so we got our faces washed and gathered our things and met Rocky at the service but and drove about 20 minutes for breakfast at a local bakery. We had a ham and cheese filled croissant - yum!!
The drive back to Reykjavik was uneventful and soon we were saying goodbye to the others and checking back in to the Canopy Hotel.
Luckily our room was ready, so soon we were up in the room and able to relax for a bit.
About 2 PM. we went down to the wharf and enquired as to whether we could get on an earlier while watching tour but it had left at 1 PM. so we had to stick with the 5 PM. tour.
We went to a small cafe for lunch and then walked around about town until 4:30. Just as we boarded the boat for the whaling tour it clouded over and got REALLY COLD.
The hunt to see whales was a complete bust but that didn't really bother us. Poor Dan though, he had a couple of bouts of near sea sickness. He did manage to fight it off both times (the free motion sickness pills did help). By the time we got back to the hotel about 8:30 PM. we were REALLY cold and hungry.
We went to dinner at the hotel restaurant Geri Smart. It was gourmet delight!
We went right to bed after dinner.
Tomorrow we go to The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon.
Later...
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Post by roverpup on Sept 25, 2018 9:31:05 GMT
Day 13 : Monday, September 24/18
Today was a travel day in part because we had to check out of the Canopy in Reykjavik and make our way to the Retreat spa at the Blue Lagoon.
It was a bit dicey because I hadn't heard back from my travel agent about the bus transfers so I had no paperwork or reference numbers. I wasn't even 100% sure of the exact bus company's name.
But I did have the time and location of the P/U just outside the Canopy hotel.
After stewing a bit about it the bus did show up exactly on time and our names were on the list.
So we hopped on board the pickup bus and we were on our way to the BSI bus terminal.
When we got there I decided to ask at the ticket counter if it was possible to get an earlier bus than the 2 PM. one we were scheduled to go on when we were to be transferred to the airport to catch our flight.
After talking to the ticket agent all was well and we got tickets that were good for the noon bus to the airport.
That will give us plenty of time to go through security and check in before our flight.
When it was time to board the bus to the Blue Lagoon a sudden hail storm came up and the winds were SO strong they nearly blew us over as we walked the short distance to the bus!
But they died down just as quickly and soon we were on our way to the Blue Lagoon!
It took about an hour and then we were dropped off in a transport area/parking lot. We braved the winds again and walked about 5 minutes to the Retreat entrance.
Once inside it was an oasis of serenity and calm and we were greeted by a chap who immediately got us a glass of champagne and handed us over to our resort guide who registered us and showed us around the facility.
The place was otherworldly - unbelievably posh and like a dream!!
Our suite was HUGE and had a stand a lone tub and a two person walk in shower plus a sitting area in front of the floor to ceiling windows.
We had a complimentary bar in the room and everythin imaginable supplied. They have us waterproof wrist bands that were our room keys that we could wear swimming and after we got settled in we went for a light lunch and then went to swim in the lagoon.
Warm, milky blue silica water and only a couple of other people in the water . Many moments we were completely on our own! Had a staff member take photos of us in the water (cell phones aren't allowed in the lagoon) and the Retreat emailed them to us free.
We spent about 90 minutes in the lagoon. It was incredibly stormy all around us but we were snug and warm in the water.
After that we showered and eventually got ready for supper at the Moss restaurant. We had 8:30 pm. reservations. We selected the 5 course tasting menu with accompanying wines. I have put of each of the courses except the scallop appetizer. Really beautiful meal and my favourite was the beet salad with the Loire valley wine. The sweet wine from Hungary was excellent too. They made Dan a diabetic dessert and with our coffees the gave him dark chocolate.
We went back to our room and to bed after that.
Tomorrow we head home!
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Post by roverpup on Sept 26, 2018 12:48:46 GMT
And so ends the adventure. Now we are just waiting in Pearson for our transportation back home. Four hours or so and we will be home!
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Post by roverpup on Oct 25, 2018 14:22:14 GMT
Thanks for reading this thread! Glad you both enjoyed it. I would encourage anyone to save up their pennies and make the trip to Iceland. It is well worth it for sure! Winter travel there is a bit more problematic especially if you are going outside of Reykjavik but it can be done - if you are properly prepared for the weather conditions and don't mind things being delayed or canceled. You have to remain flexible and willing to find enjoyment even when thing go awry.
Hope you do get to go!
Don't forget to share your experiences. I always love hearing about others travels.
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Post by roverpup on Oct 19, 2020 4:43:08 GMT
Nothing particularly to do with a trip, but today Dan and I watched the first episode of the new season of Star Trek Discovery and very quickly realized it was filmed in ICELAND!
They really used the landscapes well in the episode! In fact the scenery was THE best thing about the episode!
Sooooo cool seeing the Blue Lagoon, Seljalandsfoss and the lava fields! I hope they show more of the island in the upcoming episodes.
Seeing it really brought back a flood of fabulous memories of our trip there. And now that winter is approaching I will naturally be getting out my Icelandic woolens to keep me warm !
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