We set off first for Gullfoss, one of the country's impressive waterfalls. You will stumble across many incredible waterfalls in Iceland, but this was particularly large and a fun place to visit.
You can get very close and we thoroughly enjoyed laughing our way through windy pictures.
This was an unapologetic tourist attraction, with a nice gift shop and restaurant. I would have enjoyed staying longer, especially once we sat down with our UNLIMITED soup of the day! It was so delicious. Also, I loved this view:
We had to hit the road too soon in order to stay on schedule. As we set off on our drive we realized that we were quite low on gas. We should have filled up in town because, per the usual, conveniences were very few and far between. Fortunately our GPS showed us where the closest gas station was, so we very gingerly motored in that direction. Bob is a great driver and knew how to make the gas last. The pump was odd; Bob had to ask for help. Apparently you put in your money first, then fill. But, if you pay too much (it's a credit card machine at the pump) you would be credited. Fingers crossed, we put in enough to fill it up and we were on our way again.
Next step was Thingvellir National Park. This park is located at the meeting of the Eurasian and North American continental plates and is where the Icelandic government was first formed. It's a beautiful spot and worth the visit.
We had preregistered for the Silfra Snorkeling Day Tour. We are certified for scuba diving, which is also available, but we chose the snorkeling option due to effort and time. The water temperature is near freezing, so we would be wearing a dry suit. Basically you get squeezed into an impossibly thick rubber suit that keeps water out due to a tight fit at the neck (!), ankles and wrists. Only your face is exposed. You then tuck your gloves into the arms, which is nearly impossible without a helper. Somehow you get all of this on, including snorkel and mask, and walk to stairs and a platform to jump into the Silfra rift - the gap between the continental plates. Bob and I later shared that for the first few minutes in the water, we didn't think we could do it. The sting lasted until your face went numb, which is disconcerting at least. While it wasn't the most beautiful underwater scene in my experience, it was an usual and worthwhile experience.
After our snorkel, we headed back to Reykjavik. The view from the car is really incredible and I took many of these shots in motion, through the car window. I was really overwhelmed with the natural beauty of the landscape.
Back in Reykjavik, we enjoyed one last evening out for dinner and sightseeing. We parked by the waterfront and took a few pictures.
Then we had dinner at the Kex Hostel restaurant. Memorable and delicious!
We met back up with Carrie and some of the yoga retreat group at a bar in town. They would soon be heading out on a tour that included many of the places we had visited, so it was fun to share our experiences. After that it was time to pack our bags and get ready for our trip home the next day.
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