The Golden Circle

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Hi everyone,

We've had a most enjoyable full day in Iceland today (Thursday) - we had a bus tour of the Golden Circle. While I've been on this tour 2x before, it is always a pleasure to drive through the countryside, enjoy the view and the fresh air, and see it again.

We started out at about 9 a.m. and it was still pitch black. I took a photo of the clock on the bus to show you the time and the fact that it was still dark outside - and I was trying to get a good shot of the bus ahead of us, driving into the sunrise. Beautiful countryside -

We enjoyed seeing horses, sheep, farmhouses, mountains, the glacier, and so much more. The air was fresh - the winds were howling, quite frankly.

When we got off the bus at the waterfalls, and walked up the steps to get closer to the falls and get some photos, I had to hang on to my camera with both hands, firmly! The wind gusts were unbelievable! - and chilly! My fingers were a bit numb - but the view was fabulous. Last time I was here, the waterfall was completely frozen - what a difference a few years makes. The weather and temperatures in Iceland are changing - just like we are experiencing in North America. Not much snow here at all in winter anymore.

It was so interesting to hear about the crime rate in Iceland - or lack thereof, to be exact. A few weeks ago, there was news of an armed robbery - they hadn't had one in over 40 years I believe our guide said - it just doesn't happen here. People don't have weapons - don't know what to do with weapons and, in fact, the police spend a lot of time at the station playing chess. Now that is something we could aspire to.

Our guide shared a lot of information about their superstitions (about the 'little people' who live on the hills, etc.), about the trees - or lack thereof - in Iceland, about their education and family lives. I love hearing all this - the world does not revolve around North America and I really do wish more people would get out and travel and get some perspective. (the views expressed in this blog are my own and are not a reflection of Travel Guild, LOL!)

We saw the Falls, the Geyser, the continental divide, the crater and so much more. Loved it. It was a great day and I have lots of photos to share to prove it. Lunch was another tasty experience - the tomato soup got the rave reviews!

Back on the bus and back to Reykjavik - some got off the bus at the Mall in the city, while the rest of us continued back to the hotel.

I had the pleasure of catching up with my friend, Gugga, who had been our local tour guide 4 years ago when we were here. She came to meet me for tea at the hotel at which time I learned her son is a Chef here and was involved in creating our gala dinner menu - so, of course, we needed a group photo! Ben joined us for that. I continued blogging in the hotel lobby since the internet was not working in my room - too funny to have many of YOUR family members come up to me telling me about your comments in that you were missing the blog posts - we've had internet challenges over the past few days and I just couldn't get these out to you on a regular, daily basis. We love that you are missing us, and the blog.

I will stretch it out so that you have your 'blog fix' through the weekend- I must wean you off this gently, LOL!

Then, tonight, we had our Gala Dinner. Posted quite a few of those photos because we all had such a great time! Part of the evening activities included an auction, for a charitable cause - some of the items auctioned off include prime seating on the plane (including first service, first drinks, first boarding, etc.) - through to special caps we had - and so on.

For now folks, I am heading to bed - it's late and my eyes are heavy. We leave in the morning and, on our way to the airport, are stopping at the Blue Lagoon. I can't wait to share that with you - photos and all - because it is truly AMAZING!!!!!!!!

So, sit back and enjoy - hope you are loving all the photos - I am taking hundreds each day and it is quite the challenge to narrow it all down to just a few for the blog each day. (In the meantime, let me introduce you to one of the couples who has been on this amazing trip with us - Smita and Pradip Joshi, from St. John's, Nfld! - check out the video clip - the link is on the top left hand side of this blog post. YOU may want to be on the next trip - because this is a 'do it now' kind of thing - NOT a 'perhaps later' trip.......think about it!)

Good night, Mom - I'll be with you tomorrow (Friday) night and I can hardly wait. I love you lots!

Bye all,

Happy Pat

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