Last day for Swedes.
After breakfast, Julie and I took a walk to the farmer's market. Sally made another trip to the post office. Ashley hung out in the really comfy hostel, and played around on their guitar.
We checked out this funny little toadstool.
Had a laugh at the school's playground equipment.
What is it? Oh, I know what it is. What is that?
Whatever these are, I'm sure they are much too dangerous (fun) to be on our school grounds.
We managed to find enough veggies to make a nice dinner. Then, walked over to the bakery for some fresh baked bread to go with it.
Once we put the groceries away, we ran to the pool for a quick soak, and a hot dog. Along the way, we ran into Sally. She had gotten lost, and had a great walk around this part of the city. She's a great sport, with the attitude and humor of a true adventurer.
All clean and refreshed, we decided to take a bus into town. Ashley and Sally met us, so Sally could go to the post office she had already found, and Ashley could do a little shopping.
In town, Julie went ahead to Hallgrímskirkja, a huge church atop a hill, overlooking the city. This is a very impressive building that took many years to build, 1945-1986.
So much fun to cook with my girl.
In town, Julie went ahead to Hallgrímskirkja, a huge church atop a hill, overlooking the city. This is a very impressive building that took many years to build, 1945-1986.
Ashley and I joined her, just before she took a ride in the elevator. to get these wonderful shots.
The little yellow building is Cafe Loki, where we met for a bite afterward.
Cool brickwork
Good choice.
We all got together again at Harpa. In a small area of the parking garage, they were presenting an unusual film experience. It was scenes of Iceland, shown on all four walls, and the ceiling. Meant to submerge you in the imagery, as if you were right there, moving along with the film crew. You could look up at the sky, in front, either side, or behind. The effect was odd, and hard to process. For me, instead of opening up the beautiful view, it compressed the world into a cube, giving it unnatural angles and movement. Sally got motion sick, and had to leave.
When we got out and found Sally, she was still dizzy. I put her in a cab, and sent her back to the hostel, not without some protest.
While I was doing that, Ashley was checking out the gift shop, and Julie was doing a little more breaking and entering.
She claims the large, ground floor window was already open.
So, she stepped in, and started taking pictures of the reindeer sculptures.
When I found her she was crawling around, and moving things to get a better shot.
She mostly wanted to get a better picture of the one that caught Ashley's eye.
"Tell it to the judge", is all I have to say.
We decided it was time to go back to the hostel, check on Sally, and get dinner going.
After doing her exercises, and resting a bit, she was just fine.
Ashley and I took over the kitchen. We made a great stir-fry out of the veggies from the farmer's market. Mild cabbage, sweet onion, tiny purple garlic, a mystery pepper (not spicy), and the sweetest crisp juicy carrots we've ever tasted. Some bread and butter topped off the meal perfectly.
We decided it was time to go back to the hostel, check on Sally, and get dinner going.
Ashley and I took over the kitchen. We made a great stir-fry out of the veggies from the farmer's market. Mild cabbage, sweet onion, tiny purple garlic, a mystery pepper (not spicy), and the sweetest crisp juicy carrots we've ever tasted. Some bread and butter topped off the meal perfectly.
Magnus and Nina were just getting back from the Golden Circle, when we invited them to have a bite to eat, then go Aurora Borealis hunting with us. They happily accepted.
While they were making yummy noises over the food, I opened gifts from them.
The beer glasses are "drunken mouse" designed by a famous musician, actor, director, and artist from Sweden, Lasse Åberg. Sometimes referred to as the Swedish Mr. Rodgers, for his beloved children's show, Tarzan & Banarne.
Waiting for the bus to take us out. The sweet cat, Zorro, has a very loving home near the hostel, but he likes to visit, and get cuddles and treats from the guests.
We stopped at the Bridge Between Continents, and waited for the lights to start.
Here we can be seen standing on our appropriate sides of the bridge.
I snuck back over to Europe to pee on their side. Ha!
We drank hot chocolate, ate Icelandic donuts, and sipped from Magnus's flask of Jagermeister, while we waited.
Then it happened,
Having met people who have spent 10-15 years trying to see it, I almost feel like I cheated, having seen it 3 times. FYI, if you are going to book a Northern Lights tour in Iceland, by bus, go with Sterna Travel. They only go if there is a good possibility of seeing it, and if it doesn't happen, they'll let you rebook for free. Plus, their hot chocolate is delicious.
Our tour at an end, we said goodbye to Nina and Magnus. They had an early flight to catch, no rest for them.
Off to bed for us, one last day ahead.
