Continuing on my Icelandic adventure. After finally warming up from my chilly evening on the water and another good sleep, I was up and finding my way to Hallgrímskirkja as the sun was just starting to come up. There I would meet up with Auður and the others taking the
I Heart Reykjavik walking tour. I cannot say enough good things about this tour! Auður was a delight, polite and funny, mixing history with fun tidbits about the city she loves. I wish the tour was longer than 2 hours!
Something funny occurred, walking around Reykjavik in the daytime... I realized around every turn was Mount Esja! When I first arrived, it was still stormy and dark, but Thursday was a beautiful December day :) I stopped off to get the famous hot dog at
Baejarins Beztu Pylsur. I got one with everything, because why not! It was delicious :) Then I wandered in and out of shops, bumping into a few of the others from my tour throughout the day. I did most of my souvenir shopping, since I had the time before heading to the Blue Lagoon. I was so happy to find my dream lopapeysa at the
Handknitting Association of Iceland! I found such great little treats for my family and friends, I love Icelandic designs.
On the walk back to the hotel, I stopped every few feet on the Sculpture and Shore Walk to take incredible photo, making it back barely in time for my next adventure!
On the way to the Blue Lagoon, I decided I would splurge and upgrade my package, figuring I would eat dinner there too. I really wanted to make the most of my short time I had in Iceland. Since it was already getting dark, I decided I would leave my camera and take a few snaps with my phone (hoping I wouldn't somehow drop it in the famous lagoon). Many think the
Blue Lagoon is a tourist trap but I really enjoyed it and would go back in a second! It was so warm, in the middle of a winter night. You get to slather silica on your face and soak for as long as you like, and, uh... prosecco... yes, please!!! I met a bunch of friendly people, there on a work excursion, can you imagine? :) After my soak, I cleaned up and was treated to a 4-course tasting menu at
LAVA. I had arctic char, scallops, rack of lamb and finished with skyr. I couldn't imagine this trip getting any better.
So, in my experience, the thing about Iceland is, just when you think it cannot get any better, it does! Even though it was late, I decided I would get my packing out of the way so I could make the most of my last day. At some point, it dawned on me what a clear beautiful day it was, unlike yesterday. I decided I would bundle up, grab my camera and take the two minute walk to the sea, just on the off chance the northern lights might make an appearance. The next hour or so of my life will always be one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had. I sat in the snow, in my pajamas, in the middle of the night, watching the sky move and taking my time trying to photograph it. Each photo was better and more clear than the one before it. I finally got to see the northern lights! I felt so incredibly lucky, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and in all honesty, I did both.
