Chillin' in Iceland

The late May bank holiday saw us pop over to Reykjavik with the Von Yarralls for a packed weekend of fun-filled adventure, thanks to a sweet package deal. 

Watch out for Vikings

We stayed a little out of Reykjavik, in a place called Hafnafjordor, aka Huffhuffhuff, which was a really good base from which to check out the local area.  On day one, we explored the old Huffy a bit, even taking the time to climb the tallest peak we could find.

Then it was off whale watching.  Our second experience of this kind (after Hermanus, South Africa), this was the most successful.  With Dean, Lou and Kyle decked in neon Arctic onesies reminiscent of those we donned in Finland, we saw a few whales (I want to say of the Humpback variety) cavorting near our boat.  Sadly, we have yet to see one fully breach the surface, but it was exhilarating nonetheless.

That night we had dinner at the Hafnafjordor Viking Restaurant.  Whoops...  A costumed bard asked us where we were from, we responded with "New Zealand", which prompted him to burst into Waltzing Matilda.  Whaaat?  I had whale for my dinner, the irony of which wasn't lost on me, not to mention some guilt.  It was nice, but seriously, I don't know what all the fuss is about. 

The next day it was off the Blue Lagoon for a swim in the luke warm geothermal springs.  There was crazy silica clay stuff to put on your face, which we did, while I gazed longingly at the people getting massages on lilos in the pools...  next time.  We also drove a fair way around the coast looking at lighthouses and the rugged landscape.  It was very beautiful and offered good opportunity for post-swim naps in the back of the car.  A fine meal of Icelandic fusion tapas (including smoked Puffin - eww) later and four tired kiwis were ready for bed.

Next day it was off on our Golden Circle tour to take in more of the landscape.  We were taken to a tomato farm/orchard with ginormous greenhouses to keep the fruit alive.  They made lovely tomato soup which kept the cockles toasty warm long after we'd left.

We witnessed the eruption of "Geysir", from which all others geysers take their name.  It was crazy to see the giant dome of water build at the surface before the pressure burst and water shot up however many feet in the air. 

Following that, we found ourselves Beyond the Wall in Thingvellir National Park, where the Gullfoss Waterfall (meaning "Golden Falls") is.  We didn't know it yet, but this was the first of two Game of Thrones locations we would visit that year.

A quick burger and a massive choose your own adventure ice cream and it was back on the plane back to London. Good times!