Iceland for Spring Break-Day 1

One year we went to Nauvoo for Spring Break; it was cold. Another year we went to Lava Hot Springs; it was cold. So in keeping with the tradition of being cold for Spring Break, we decided to go to Iceland. Actually, in the heat of July when an incredible deal came up on Travel Zoo, a cold vacation seemed like the perfect plan. At least it did to me. Curt took some convincing. But since we had gone to Hawaii for his 50th birthday and our 25th anniversary, all I had to say was that was where I wanted to go for my 50th. And since there was a possibility of seeing the Northern Lights, Curt decided that maybe this wasn’t such a bad plan after all.

Selfie on the plane.

Our first impression of Iceland was of the airport tarmac--we walked down the stairs of the plane and into the airport. That was interesting to not go directly from the plane into the airport, but the cool breeze helped wake us up. It was 6:00 am in Iceland, but midnight in Salt Lake. There had been no sleeping on the plane. The entire back was filled with a group of German teenagers who were traveling home. Party on the plane for the entire 7 hours! They nonstop talked the entire way and earplugs did no good. Oh well, we can’t really sleep on planes anyway. Our goal on arriving was to stay up until bedtime because we knew that was the best way to adjust to the time change. The day had ended in Salt Lake but was just beginning for us!

And here’s the first picture!

Not what you were expecting? However, I was seriously impressed by the airport bathroom. There were approximately 30 of these little pristine rooms just on the women’s side. Close the door for privacy to wash your face and put on make-up. Lovely! The facet dispensed water in the middle and the side wings were a Dyson dryer to dry your hands. Genius. Curt said the men’s weren’t nearly so nice with the urinals closer together and with less privacy than he was used to. (Really? How can urinals be less private?)

Okay. Here’s the real Iceland…..
Ikea! Wait a minute. Are we really still in Draper? Cause this is looking very familiar.

We picked up our car and made our first  excursion to Thingvellir. The first Icelandic parliament (which is the oldest existing parliament in the world) was held here in the year 930 AD. This national park is a national shrine in Iceland and the home of many beautiful sights.

Looking over Lake Thingvallavatn

There has been a church at Thingvellir since the adoption of Christianity in the year 1000. This latest church on the left was consecrated in 1859.

Later in the trip we snorkel here!

A volcanic land.

Gullfoss!

The winds were fierce overlooking the waterfall. We packed the buffs at the last minute and, in spite of making us look like bandits, they proved to be invaluable for warmth.  

It doesn't matter what clothes you pack. All pictures will be taken in your coat!

Curt bought us new rain coats (great as wind breakers!) and we each had two coats on underneath. I discovered my hat wasn't as warm as I thought. The wind found all the little holes in the knitting.

Geysir! This is the original and why every geyser in the world is called a geyser. 

And Little Geysir!

Icelandic ponies! So sturdy yet cuddly looking.

Screen shots from Find Friends.

I have never taken so many pictures from out of the moving car window. Pictures (at least my photography) just don’t do the place justice. And in the summer all that brown grass will be green. We’ll have to return. Of course, traveling like we did in late winter/early spring gave us a chance to see the Northern Lights.

If we were traveling here in the dead of winter, this would be the way to go! Our car could practically drive under this monster.

We had an 1.5 hour drive from Thingvellir to the hotel. As I was falling asleep in the car, I realized that if I was tired, then Curt was also, and he was driving! I tried to stay awake and talk to him, but started to fall asleep mid-sentence. So then I pried my eyes open and started talking to him and tried to get him to talk. I also pinched under his arm--kind of hard, sorry honey--to get him to stay awake. He claimed he was “fine” but later admitted that the arm pinching was not a bad idea. It was easier to stay awake once we got closer to Reykjavik and had to concentrate on finding the hotel.

View from the hotel. Love the colorful rooftops.

So we asked for a double bed. Apparently if we wanted two singles they would have rolled one of the beds over and put the nightstand in the middle? And are those sleeping bags or what?

Actually they are quilts with duvet covers, no other sheets required. Each person gets his/her own cover which worked well and was very warm. I just might need to convert to this during cold winter months.

We went to eat at a place called Nat (stands for natural) with delicious salmon and fresh salad. Too bad I didn't get a picture! We spent a few moments wandering the shops near the hotel and bought a few items at the grocery store.

We found Mars bars!! Remember these? We were so excited to think these were the Mars bars of our youth. Alas, it was really just a Milky Way bar with a different name. Oh well, it was still good.

After a long 31 hour day, we finally got to snuggle up in our Icelandic beds and go to sleep!