Day 9: Snaefellsnes to Reykjavík

2 October 2018

I checked the temperature at breakfast today: 1C with a ‘realfeel’ of -9C. Although cloudy, there were patches of blue and some indication that we would see more on our final day back to Reykjavík than we did yesterday. We did even manage to see (sort of) the glacier that had hidden from us yesterday)

Our first stop is at a beach that often has a lot of seals on it. Today we see only a very ‘ex’-seal being feasted upon by seagulls. It is stunning with the snow-capped mountains behind but far too cold for any real enjoyment. Then we visit a natural spring that produces natural carbonated water with all sorts of healthy minerals. We didn’t expect to be pulling up to a farmer’s field and to walk down a muddy path to a perpetually running tap. Lisa produces little tasting cups and we all partake of the waters – with varying degrees of enjoyment.

Next stop was also a natural spring, but this time one where the water comes out of the ground boiling at >100C. The hot water supplies heating and water to the neighbouring area. There are also several large glasshouses where they grow year round tomatoes and strawberries (which of course we had to try – and they were delicious!).

And for our final foss (waterfall) together we stop at Barnafoss, the children’s waterfall, where reportedly 2 local children drowned and the distraught mother destroyed the rock bridge across the falls so that it couldn’t happen to anyone else. We see where the rocks would have been and a still existing ‘bridge’ below remains. But much more beautiful were the smaller waterfalls that cascaded down a long expanse of rock cliff. The blues and whites of the water contrast beautifully with the dark rocks and all the beautiful autumn colours. In the cafe we admire local artworks (and trolls). I love one of the artworks – a puffin painted on a lichen covered rock – but I could see myself being able to bring living lichen back to NZ.

We stop at the town of Borganes for lunch and have lunch at the bakery/cafe that is famous for being the ‘Papa Johns’ cafe in “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” (that I had watched in the plane coming over). There were scenes from the movie all around – including the mountain outside.

Then it was straight back to Reykjavík and a short bus tour around all the key sights before dropping us back at the Guesthouse Aurora. We had enough time for some last minute sightseeing by ourselves if we wanted. Gill opted to mooch around at the Aurora, many went shopping, and I decided to go on my own walking tour.

Reykjavík central is relatively small and easy to get around. I walked down the hill to The Pond (the city’s lake and gardens) and wandered along looking at the upmarket mansions on one side and on the other the more historic wooden buildings. On the far end is the modern City Hall. I wandered on past the National Gallery and then down to the waterfront to see the black glass Harpa Concert Hall & Conference Centre.

I continued round the waterfront on the Sculpture walk to see the ‘Sun Boat’ sculpture that is the most photographed thing in Iceland. I had seen a beautiful picture of it at sunset with the fjord behind but I had to settle for a cloudy sky and managing not to get people in the picture.

The towering Hallgrimskirkja cathedral makes an easy landmark to find my way around so I amble up the hill and around some of the shopping streets (buying only some Icelandic chocolate to bring home). Then I have time for a shower before we head out for our final dinner together.

Lisa leads us to a local bar that has happy hour for us to indulge in pre-dinner drinks (and play darts if we wish). Then further along we go to a Gastropub specialising in Japanese fusion meals served tapas style. Gill and I share several distinctly seafood dishes including tempura langoustine, lobster sushi rolls, spicy pepper calamari and tiger shrimp spring rolls.

We said our thank yous to Lisa and farewelled the group (particularly those leaving at very early times to catch flights in the morning) and navigated our way back to the guesthouse (thanks Zoe) using the cathedral as our guide again.

 

Please join me over the next several posts as I take you on our Journey to the Arctic (and more).

The Joy of Business Class

Copenhagen Stopover Day 1
Copenhagen Stopover Day 2

Arctic Express: Northern Lights
Day 1: Copenhagen to Reykjavik
Day 2: Reykjavik to Constable Point, Greenland
Day 3: Scoresby Sund: Frederiksdal & Flyvefjord
Day 4: Scoresby Sund: Nordvestfjord & Ingmikortilaq
Day 5: Scoresby Sund: Eskimobugt & Immikkeerikajik
Day 6: Scoresby Sund: Danmark Island & Vikingsbugt
Day 7: Scoresby Sund: Cap Hope & Ittoqqortoormiit
Day 8: Scoresby Sund: Steward Island & Constable Point
Day 9: Constable Point back to Reykjavik

Iceland Discovery
Day 1: Reykjavik: Blue Lagoon
Day 2: Golden Circle
Day 3: South Coast
Day 4: Jokulsarlon
Day 5: Eastern Fjords & Moorudalur Valley
Day 6: Moorudalur Valley & Lake Myvatn
Day 7: Akureyri & Trollaskagi Peninsular
Day 8: Grabrok Volcano & Snaefellsnes Peninsular
Day 9: Snaefellsness to Reykjavik

Toronto, Canada
Day 1: Reykjavik to Toronto
Day 2: Toronto to Port Perry
Day 3: Lake Muskoka
Day 4: Millbrook
Day 5: Back to Toronto
Day 6: Toronto
Day 7: Niagara Falls

 

 

 

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For this and other similar tours see:

Explore Europe with Intrepid Travel (a range of different travel styles – see my post on travel styles)

Peregrine Adventures (Comfort tours)

Geckos Adventures (for 18 to 30s)

Note: After people telling me they had booked an Intrepid Tour on my recommendation, I now have affiliate links with the Intrepid Travel group of companies and may receive a commission if you book a tour online within a couple of months after clicking through to these sites.  So if you are enjoying my tips and stories and finding them useful in choosing your own travel, please click on these links and help me to bring you more .

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