Iceland Day 7: Blue Lagoon and goodbye

Our seventh and final day in Reykjavik - the feeling is bittersweet.  Though a short trip, each day was so action-packed that the trip somehow managed to feel much longer.

We catch a shuttle bus from the Hilton to Blue Lagoon - our last destination before we fly out of Reykjavik.

Guilty as charged: I took pictures of the moss along the pathway leading to Blue Lagoon.  

Iceland Day 6, Part 2: Golden Circle - Geysir, Strokkur, Gulfoss, and Þingvellir

We continued along the Golden Circle route: our next stop took us to the geysers Geysir and Strokkur. 

Iceland Day 4, Part 1: Snæfellsness peninsula photo tour

A cliffside house on Snæfellsness peninsula

This morning it was John and Audrey's turn to rise early(ish) with us in preparation for our Iceland Aurora photo expedition to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. After seeing the great reviews, the prospect of gallivanting around Iceland in a superjeep and, moreover, honing our photography skills on a private tour seemed too good an adventure to pass up.

Iceland Day 3, Part 2: Phallological museum and hot dogs? Oh dear.

Iceland Phallological Museum

So, yes.  We went to the "dick" museum. 

It's about what you would expect.  For one thing, there were penises.  (Le gasp.)  They interchangeably jutted from the walls and floated gray, sad, and deformed in formaldehyde-filled jars. 

Iceland Day 3, Part 1: Icelandic horseback riding

Jason and I are up early and grab breakfast, groggy but giddy about the morning's activity: Icelandic horseback riding.

Riding through the Red Hills

We're picked up in the lobby by Sveinn, who helps run Islenski Hesturinn (The Icelandic Horse) with his wife, Begga.  Our hotel is the last stop for the small shuttle bus, already filled with a few others who were picked up elsewhere in Reykjavik.  We converse with an English couple sitting in front of us, sharing our travels and anticipation for the activity ahead.

Iceland Day 2, Part 2: Reykjavik exploration and dinner

We backtrack a ways and duck into the Kolaportið flea market.  Christmas lights dangle from the ceiling, and bright, feathered dreamcatchers sway in the breeze of passersby.  

Iceland Day 2, Part 1: Arrival at Keflavik airport, Rekyjavik exploration

6:45 am.  It’s pitch black outside as we touch down in Iceland.  The plane flight took us up and around in a northeasterly curve, flying first into deep twilight, and then full-on night.

Customs is a fast and groggy affair.  We fight our way outside, leaning against icy rain droplets and blistering wind to the bus pickup area.  It’s a 40 minute drive and still dark outside, so we close our eyes and rest.

Between a bus transfer point for other riders, and stops at different hotels, it’s almost 9 am by the time we’re at the Hilton Reykjavik Nordica.  The sky has gradually grown lighter, giving way to spartan, businesslike buildings and a flat landscape.  The combination evokes thoughts of the American Midwest, were it to be combined with Scandinavian-inspired architecture and a generous helping of umlauts and other diacritics.