Closing thoughts

This was a really great. And fun adventure.   The many things I had heard about Iceland were true, especially about how beautiful the country was.  Even in the rain, the town of Vik was so beautiful, lush, and remote.    All the towns we saw other than Reykjavik were remote and pretty small.  

It never got dark, and this was a surprise to me.   It was gray for several hours, but not dark.   In some ways, it was nice.  We all stayed up late.  Every nite.  That was nice.   

We all got along well.  It was amazing to me that ten adults and a two year old could share a bath and a half easily!    Everyone was so kind and considerate of each other.   When we were hopping across rocks on streams, everyone made sure no one fell (especially me!).   

I made eight new friends and got to know Bendigo much better.   All my new friends are smart, kind, and interesting!   We had great conversations and enjoyed each other's company.

More pictures of Iceland

Last day in Iceland, plus some random pictures.  It was such a beautiful place!  Threw in a photo of Greenland that I took from the plane.

Back Home Again

It is always good to be home.  I have had fun looking at all the pictures I took and the ones my traveling mates have posted on Facebook.   we were a compatible and adventurous group.   We saw a lot and spent a lot of time together sharing and just enjoying each other's company.

Our last day was bittersweet.   We had enjoyed each other so much, it was hard to say goodbye.   I am waiting for Ben to post the group photo he took before we all left.

I am going to post some random photos from the trip.

Enjoy!

National park, Reykavik, and farewells

"After our fairly quiet day on Friday, we were all ready to go to the National Park (Pingvellin).    We tried to drive on different roads for each trip so we saw a lot of the beautiful countryside.    There are waterfalls everywhere.   We saw lots of sheep, cows, and horses.  Also lots of gulls and some other birds.  We also saw all kinds of weather.  Sunny skies, rain, wind, warmth, coolness.    We all had layers of clothes in the car for all the changes.

On the way to the Park, we stopped at a volcano crater that was filled with gorgeous blue water. Then we arrived at Pingvellin.   It was the first NP in Iceland and modeled after NP's in the US.   We parked a visited the visitor center where there were some interesting historical displays.   This park is on the rift between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.   The actual rift is in full view, and there is a great walk down through the rift.   We saw the site of the first democratic parliament in about 900 AD.   The site has since moved to Reykavik.  

At the end of the rift walk, there was a surprising waterfall where we stopped to play and sit for a while.  

 We had another great dinner and late evening.

Have I mentioned that even though there is an official sunset and sunrise, it never got dark!!!!  This was good and bad.   It was easy to stay up late, and a little hard to get to sleep!  

The next day we headed to Reykavik for a nice day exploring.  I met Dyrleif who returned my toiletries that I left at her lovely apartment.  It was a treat to meet her and ask her a few questions.   Then we stopped for an early drink.   We had a late lunch at the Volcano House and then some more exploring and shopping.   We found a nice bakery later and had dessert and a birthday celebration for Opal.  She is a sweet, smart, energetic little girl who handled all of us and the traveling so well!  Happy Birthday, Opal!

Iceland adventures

What a great trip!  And an adventure.    Iceland is so beautiful and sparsely populated.    I am now with Bendigo's family and friends in our great country house way out in the country.    Bendigo, Jenni, Opal and Ben arrived on Monday in Reykjavik.     I met them near their apartment where they had left some things.  I had an adventure walking to meet them dragging my heavy suitcase, first downhill, then uphill.   Their arrival was later than expected, so I had to find a place to wait for them.  I was sitting on some steps outside a Kronor grocery store.  A lady parked her car right by me, and I asked her if there was a bar nearby.   She was lovely, and she drove me and my big suitcase to a nearby Hilton Hotel, where I had a great Icelandic beer while I waited for Jenni and crew to pick me up.    Her name was Aisla, and she showed me where she lived and gave me a hug when she dropped me off!   So nice!   While I was enjoying my beer, I got a call from Tom Anderson to tell me that Jane had passed away that morning.   So sad for him and Tommy and everyone who loved her.

After a pretty long ride, we arrived at our lovely house and Bendigo fixed us a dinner, we drank some wine, and settled in.   I am enjoying seeing them and getting to know Ben, who is a charge nurse at a hospital in Gloucester  for the NHS.  What a nice guy!   He is my buddy this week!

The rest of our group arrived on Tuesday, and what a treat for me.   In this group are Rupert, Bendigo's stepdad, Finn and Ryan, Bendigo's brothers, Yulia, Ryan's wife, and Liam and Joel, two friends.   What nice and interesting people they are!   

We hiked up  this valley to a nice hot pool for a soak after a rainy day of sightseeing.   We got wet, wet, wet on our way to the pool.   Then home for a great dinner and a soak in our private hot tub, complete with a champagne toast.    

July 3

What a day!   We first stopped at the geysir, after which all geysers are named.   Nice spot with a pretty hike.    Then another gorgeous waterfall, this one had a huge number of tourists!    But it was worth it!   We had a nice lunch, with excellent lamb soup.   Then I went with Ryan and crew to explore the road to the glacier.    

We felt like we were on the moon.   We were in lava fields forever, and took a long hike, crossed a river, and found an amazing waterfall and lake, and a glacier.    It was amazing!

Then back to our home in Iceland for an amazing Mexican dinner!   What a day!  What a lovely group of people!