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Published: December 2nd 2007
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Nov. 30 to Dec. 2
"Hal-lo" from Reykjavik, Iceland, where we have spent the final 2 days of our journey.
Don't know why we thought this was going to be such a "hot spot". You could say that there is a lot of "night" life here, literally. Night is much longer here this time of year as we near the winter solstice. (we had barely 6 hours of daylight today). So--the nighttime "partying " must begin that much earlier'. (Actually, Reykjavik really is a "hot" young city, filled with night clubs, high end shopping and fun. ) If you plan on viisiting we advise you to go for the spring/ summer season..... Today it was dark by 3:30 pm. Our hotel starts serving breakfast at 4:30 a.m.
Iceland is not as the name implies. It is a lava rock island, in winter quite cold and windy, but with just a light dusting of snow on the ground.
The population of Iceland is only 300,000 with most people centred around the capital, Reykjavik. Eighty percent of the island is uninhabited. (no big surprise) Fishing is important to the economy as are the vast natural reserves of underground thermal water
used for energy production.
We took a "Golden Circle" tour today, travelling an hour outside of Reykjavik to see some most unusual and interesting sights.
We visited the Kerio Volcanic Crater, the magnificent Gullfoss Waterfall (as overwhelming as Niagara, but without the tacky souvenir shops), the "Geysir" Hot Springs ( very exciting to see a gushing geyser) and the rugged National Park ( which has recently been added to U.N.E.S.C.O.'s list of World Hertiage Sights).
This island is a geological feast. The Volcano Hakla erupts approximately every 10 years, and is due any time now. Earthquakes occur with regularity. A massive quake here in 2000, caused "Geysir"s (means gushing in Icelandic) newest hot spring eruption.
We saw the original geyser that erupts every 5 to 10 minutes. One can see that the water gushes out at boiling hot temperature, yet tourists still must be warned not to touch.
Iceland is a peace loving country, never having been to war, with no army or even a security force to guard their President. Even the policemen do not carry guns. Iceland is ecologically aware, there is no pollution, and the natural resource of thermal energy is abundant, clean
and natural.
For these reasons, Yoko Ono chose this country to be the caretaker of the new Imagine Peace Tower in memory of the late John Lennon. The beam of light is to be turned on each year from October 9 (Lennon's birthday) to December 9, (the date of his death). We were fortunate to witness the first year of this touching and hopeful gesture. The electricity for this commemorative light beam is generated by the inexhaustable stores of geothermal energy here in Iceland.
Iceland is a very expensive country not only to live in, but also to visit. Icelanders pay high taxes at a flat rate of 35%, (regardless of income), plus a high VAT tax, a 70% gasoline tax and yearly car taxes. In return, the island of Iceland provides health and education benefits, boasts almost non-existant crime and has basically no unemployment.
There is a lot more to see here than we've been able to do in one day, especially with so little daylight. (today the first glimpse of light was seen at about 10 am, as we were driving to the volcano and hot springs).....so we will just have to return during their endless
summer days.
Tonight after we pack up, we'll go outside late in an attempt to view the Aurora Borealis. The crisp, clear cold evening holds a possibility of a sighting.
On the way to the airport tomorrow, a morning swim in the famed, restorative thermal waters of the Blue Lagoon awaits us. A dip in this hot spring is promised to add 10 years to one's lifespan. Now tell us, which one of us do you think will go swimming in this smelly sulphuric muck? (Lindsay already has her bathing suit and shower shoes ready in her hand luggage. Her motto is never miss an opportunity).
We really are coming home now----two blondes desperately in need of a touch-up.
Lindsay and MaryEllen are still friends (have we said that before?). What have we discovered about each other during our month of adventure? Well, M.E. learned that Lindsay can always be counted on,...... literally, and to have every known item necessary to a woman traveller. She has supplied everything needed (which M.E. had forgotten to bring) all month.
And Lindsay has learned that MaryEllen's infectious laugh, sense of humour and sincerity has pulled us through lots of situations.
Sunset in Reykjavik
--at about 3:30 p.m. Also, Lindsay is proud that she taught M.E. how to brush her teeth with bottled water.
Somewhere along the line (maybe over the rainbow), our friendship has developed into a sisterhood, (with many Kimono moments).
Despite our various neuroses, we have survived any trials and tribulations and have thrilled to the sheer joy and highs of our Wonderful World Tour.
As we say farewell to our fellow travellers and to the “Incredible Adventures of Lindsay and MaryEllen", we reflect on our great fortune to have been on this remarkable voyage. We have been amazed and awed, have been enlightened and enchanted, have been dazzled and delighted, and have felt extraordinarily privileged to have enjoyed this unique experience. And we've learned volumes about the world around us.
We’re delighted you’ve come along with us ....and to all of you who have sent messages, emails, love and enthusiasm…..thank you so much. We’ve loved hearing from you. You kept us connected.
This is our final wrap so it seems fitting to compose a “Best of” List. Conde Naste eat your heart out.
TOP 18 BEST OF EVERYTHING
1. BEST HAIRDRESSER (M.E. wants to start here)— Ahmed in Egypt,
although the salon was the dirtiest, with the worst manicure
2. BEST SHAMPOO -Ani in Japan, where your face is protected by a cozy mask, the chair reclines to a full bed, the products are superb and the full head and neck massage is beyond delightful
3. BEST MANICURE --Tia in Vietnam (quelle surprise !)
4. BEST REFLEXOLOGY—Leelee in Siem Reap, Cambodia—in a special quiet room, accompanied by green tea and soft music, (with not only massage to hands and feet, but also a mini add-on to back, legs and neck).
5. BEST SHIATSU MASSAGE—Japan of course, and in our own rooms. Instead of names, they had numbers. M.E. misses #18 and Lindsay remembers #27 fondly.
6. BEST HOTEL ROOM ---The Hyatt in Dubai....great linen, perfect bed and fluffy down pillows
7. BEST BATHROOM---That spiffy glass number at the Langham hotel in Hong Kong
8. BEST TOILET----The toto toilet, complete with heated seat at the Rihga Royal in Kyoto
9. BEST ENTERTAINMENT--The Verdi's opera "Nabucco" at the State Opera House in Prague
10. MOST INTERESTING MEAL ON WATER-- Elephant ear fish lunch on the Mekong River, Vietnam
11. BEST HOTEL BREAKFAST---The open kitchen and live cooking performance at Dubai's Hyatt.
Aurora Borealis
...gorgeous light show 12. BEST SUSHI ---surprisingly, in Prague, although maybe we've forgotten Japan, it was so long ago.
13. BEST SALESPERSON---Mohamed in Agra, India, the pashmina guy in our hotel who, just for the fun of it, fitted Lindsay for a saffron coloured sari that he knew she'd never buy, and then dressed us up and took pictures for our blog.
14. BEST SPOKEN "LINE"-- At the airport in Siem Reap, where Carl, our tough as nails ( but soft-hearted) leader, to expedite the process, handed out our personal entry cards randomly, and said----"Take any one---Hell, they can't read English anyway"
15. BEST TEMPLE SITE (this is a tough one)--A tie between the magnificent Karnak Temples in Luxor and the eerie jungle Temple of Ta Prohm in Siem Reap
16. MOST EXCITING THRILL--- Seeing our first Elephants, Zebra, Giraffe and Lions on our first Safari Game drive sighting. We will never forget the adrenaline rush of a 6 ton elephant charging our van.
17. BEST SIGHTSEEING DAY--The non-stop 20 hour marathon day spent in Luxor.
18. BEST NEW SITE WITH BRAGGING RIGHTS --King Tut exposed. The evening at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai is a close second.
AND -----NO WORST
Baby it's cold outside
standing at the edge of the Crater OF ANYTHING!--This TRIP OF A LIFETIME has been too terrific for that.
We've flown 23,056 milles in 55 hours flying time.
We've learned that "living in the moment" is a joyful experience.
We've travelled on many conveyances. ....by dhow, junk, sampan, ferry, canoe, felucca, barge, water taxi, camel, donkey, elephant, hot air balloon, four wheel drive, tuk-tuk, tonga, caleche, combo, rickshaw, moped and tram, as well as the more prosaic "Planes (large jet, small prop), Trains and Automobiles" (includes vans, buses, taxis).......Not to mention the many miles spent touring (and shopping) on foot.
So as we collect our well travelled passports, now finally Homeward Bound, we recall one early morning experience, floating peacefully above the Nile in our Hot Air Balloon. Dorothy's immortal words from the Wizard of OZ ring in our ears ..."There's no place like home....There's NO place like HOME." She was right.
We've missed you all. We so want to see, hug (and speak with) you.
For Michael, M.E. will be with you tomorrow, and for Harvey, Lindsay's on her way to you in Florida in less than 48 hours. And guess what? We can hardly wait!
"Good bye" in
Awesome Blue Lagoon
Do we look 10 years younger yet?
Soothing Hot Sunrise Swim in the morning in Iceland, and back in Toronto in the p.m.
What a world!
Icelandic is "Bless". An appropriate way to end an amazing journey.
Love, Hugs and Kisses...... and farewell......till next time....
xxxooo
Lindsay and MaryEllen
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Lois Fine
non-member comment
I've loved the whole trip!
Hi "Girls", I've enjoyed every minute of your trip and I have learned so much about all the places you have visited. What an experience you've had! Can't wait to hear even more about it in person. Welcome home - there must be two guys who are very happy to see you. Love, Lois