Day 9: Blue Lagoon

It has been nine days of intense traveling. Droved over 1500km since the round-the-island trip began, we finally went back to where we started – Reykjavík . We drove around the town, visiting touristy places like Tjornin (the lake), Hallgrimskirkaja (the church) and along the coastline.

Tjornin

Hallgrimskirkaja

Reykjavík city from above

We had one of the best lunch in Iceland in the city center in a restaurant called Geysir. They serve very nice seafood soup (with lobster, fish, scallop, etc.) and some pan-fried fish. The capital is a green, neat, well organized city with a beautiful landscape.

Legendary Icelandic Seafood Soup

Pan-fried Cod Fish

Leaving the capital, we traveled to the very last stop in Iceland – Blue Lagoon. The place is famous for its mineral-rich hot springs. Jumping into the 37^oC water, the only thing you would want to do is to lie there and let the water bubble your skin. Silica (a kind of mineral) is well-supplied for you to put on your face as a mask. Though I don’t feel a significant difference in terms of the smoothness of my skin, the experience was interesting. Compliments to the management of the lagoon as the design of the facilities were very user-friendly, e.g. supply for plastic bags for wet items, hair dryer. (Sorry, photography is prohibited in Blue Lagoon for obvious reasons.)

Blue Lagoon

Photo credits to big-ashb

Now I’m staying at Northern Light Inn, a family-operated business, tired out. After a good night sleep, we’ll be leaving Iceland tomorrow early in the morning heading back to London.

Day 3: Photos, photos, photos

I can't deny that 'pictures worth thousands words' for today as we walked around the island to capture the vivid landscape through the lends of my camera. Imaging myself living in this heaven-like environment, there wouldn't be such word as stress in my dictionary.

Eating Ice-cream in Iceland

Our lunch: Lamb sausages

Trying to be professional

Isn't it gorgeous?

It was pity that we didn't have time to take a closer look at the Puffins (owing to time concerns). We then left the island and headed back to the capital, Reykjavik.

Sea cave seen from ship

During the 3-hour ship trip, I took this video to ... describe my excitement or maybe I was too bored (You could barely hear my voice because of the strong wind):

By the time we settled ourselves in the hotel, it was already 9pm. Just the right time for bed.

Sunset

Note: Sent a postcard to a VIP. Hope it's going to arrive soon. :P

Day 2: Welcome to Iceland

Despite the chaotic arrival day, our 'real' trip to Iceland has been pretty impressive so far. Stepping out of the airport of Reykjavik, a chilled breeze blew gently on my face, seeming to welcome me to one of the northest countries in the world.

Reykjavik Airport

Our first stop in Iceland is an island called Vestmannaeyjar (3 hours ship from Reykjavik) famous for its characteristic bird called 'Puffins'. The landscape on our way to the island was gorgeous and would highly recommend geography students to visit the island and figure out the geo-features they have studied on textbooks. The house are in eastern Europe style - concrete walls, squared, lightly painted, at most two stories.

Ship to Vestmannaeyjar

Then we climbed up one of the volcanoes and looked down to the small peaceful town below us. The view was spectacular, very impressive indeed.

From the mountain top

Since it was Sunday, not many shops or restaurants are doing business so we went back to our hotel to have dinner - a seafood meal. This made up my first day in Iceland.

Hotel at Vestmannaeyjar

Our seafood -mix dinner!

Note: While I'm writing this, it is 10pm but the sun is still high up. Iceland Sun!