Today was a day of travel through West Iceland. I was picked up promptly at 9:30 am. Already in the van was one couple who was on the Golden Circle tour with me yesterday. We picked up another couple and then a single woman. For a total of 6 people in the group.
Our first stop was in Borgarnes at the Settlement Center. Here we took two historic tours guided with headsets. The first told of the settlement of Iceland while the second told the story of Egill Skallagrimsson, a farmer, poet and feisty Viking. The second tour was pretty macabre.
After lunch, we traveled to Deildartunguhver which was a quick stop to see Europe’s largest hot springs. From here we headed to Reykholt to see two waterfalls, Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. They were quite spectacular! Hraunfossar reminded me a little of Victoria Falls.
After we left the waterfalls, we had a very long drive to get where we were staying. Along the way, our driver was kind enough to make an extra stop at Eldborg Crater. We were able to walk up and around the crater. It was a beautiful site! There were smaller craters around it (similar to the crater in Sicily). And the view of the country side was spectacular! We then continued our drive.
After a long while, we stopped at a gas station and took a break. They had every type of candy you could imagine at the gas station and all sorts of licorice. We then headed off again. At one point, we ended up driving on a dirt road over the mountain. A shortcut over the mountain to make up time from the stop at the crater.
Eventually, we made it to our hotel, Heydalur Guesthouse. It was after 7 pm when we arrived so it was dark. We were taken to our rooms before dinner. My room was very large! I think the bathroom is bigger than my whole room at the last place. Shortly after, I got to the room they came by to say dinner was served. The starter was a dried lamb and blueberries, yum! The main course was fresh trout prepared 3 ways, salt & pepper, blue cheese, mango chutney. They were all very tasty. Next was dessert, I had rhubarb, crumble with ice cream. As expected it was also very good.
The group stayed and talked awhile then headed to see the pool and hot tub. Then we all headed back to our respective rooms. They were saying the northern lights might be out tomorrow night. Let’s hope so!
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