Return to Civilization
Trip Start
Aug 04, 2008
1
7
12
Trip End
Aug 15, 2008
Reykjavík,
Iceland
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Return to Civilization
Dear Readers:
We complete our full circle tour of Iceland today, making a fairly rapid transit across the miles from Akureyri to Reykjavik. Other than photo and pit stops, our first visit is to the Deildartunguhver (try to pronounce that one) hot spring. It gushes out more hot water than any other hot spring in the world. The Icelanders have devised a way to pipe the water as the source of heat and hot water for several cities along the western coast.
A brief stop at Reykholt takes us to an historic church built at the place where the King of Norway had the famous saga author Snorri Sturluson murdered in 1241. Snorri (love the name) is believed to be the man who recorded Egils Saga, as he was the descendant of the saga hero Egill Skallagrimsson. Snorri pissed off the King of Norway because he left his diplomatic post there and returned to Iceland without the King's permission.
Barnafoss is a name which means "Children's Waterfall." It got this name because two children once fell off a stone arch that crossed the raging river and were lost forever. Their mother was so distraught that she had the stone arch destroyed. The river is now spanned by a bridge, and the waterfall is stunning.
We arrive in Reykjavik at 5:30pm, making it an early day as planned. The evening is free for everyone to do as they please. Eight of us eat at a seafood restaurant on a ship in the harbor. Afterwards, I check out the atmosphere at the place we have scheduled for our farewell dinner tomorrow night, and give it a "thumbs up." Let's hope the food lives up to the ambience!
Hugs,
Dan
