Iceland- Day 7

Today we explored Iceland. We started the day off at the Blue Lagoon. Arriving at opening at 8 AM we got in the warm pool in the dark. It was fun to explore the lagoon in the dark and watch the sun come up. One benefit of going when it was still dark out is that we really didn't notice the number of people who were there. It was so nice to sit and relax in the warm water after 6 days of lots of walking. We stayed in the lagoon until about 11:30. Our skin really was so soft from the water and minerals.

The spot where we spent most of our time lounging on the sloped side. 

We then took a drive around the south western peninsula of Iceland. Our first stop was to view the impressive waves of the ocean crashing on the rocky cliffs.

As we stood on the platform, at one point Thomas said here comes a big one. I turned to look and whoosh I was soaked by a huge wave that came up and over the platform. Yes, I was THAT person.

Our next stop was to stand on the bridge that connects the Eurasian and North American plates.

We made a circle and headed for the airport to fly home.

We had been so fortunate on all of our flights to be able to have some extra space. It wasn't looking like we would on this long leg home. Thomas really was not looking forward to the 7.5 hour flight. As we sat on the bus to be taken to board the plane (yes, Iceland needs to expand their airport) this huge man walked on and I said to Thomas, "I hope that guy isn't next to us." To which he replied, "That's Thor. Like the real one from Game of Thrones." Turns out he was The Mountain from the show. Of course, I'm clueless about those types of things and had no idea who he was but clearly just about everyone else on the plane did. Needless to say he flew first class so we didn't have to share a seat row with him.

We had such an amazing time and are so thankful for my mom and aunt who took care of our kids while we were able to go on this adventure. Already dreaming where our next adventure might take us.

London/Iceland- Day 6

This morning we ate a traditional English breakfast before we left London and flew three hours to Iceland where we have a 25 hour layover. We arrived in Iceland after having to circle in the air for about 10 minutes so they could clear the runway. There was about 2 inches of snow when we landed and it was still coming down hard.

We checked into our hotel- Hotel Keflavik. We paid $130 for the standard room, but upon checking in the receptionist let us know that they upgraded us for the evening to the Diamond Suites and we would be staying in the Topaz room. We said thank you not really knowing what was in store for us. It was a beautiful suite with specialized lighting, a touch screen operated shower, a 100% automated toilet including a bidet and heated toilet seat. We found out by looking online that this suite normally cost about $1000 a night. Not sure why we were gifted with this opportunity, but we thoroughly enjoyed the special treat.

After being shell shocked by the room, we ventured out. We had rented a car for the evening and we couldn't let that go to waste. We traveled to Reykjavik, Iceland's capital city, which was approx. 30 minutes away from Keflavik. We visited the Hallgrimskirkja church which was closed, but we were able to listen to the choir practicing inside and take pictures of the beautiful exterior. We then ate at a little cafe- Thomas ate savory crepes and I ate lamb stew which was delicious. We wandered the streets and looked through the little shops before returning to Keflavik for the night.

London- Day 5

We started off the day taking a cruise in the River Thames to Greenwich. It was fun to see the city from this vantage point. 

We sailed from Westminster where we we stayed to Greenwich. In Greenwich we wanted to visit the Royal Observatory and be able to stand with one foot in the East and one foot in the West.

This was the view of the house taken from the platform right outside the camera obscura. 

We walked the streets of Greenwich on our way back to the boat. Thomas loved how the door handles are in the middle of the doors in many places. We also stopped and bought a snack at a great little pastry shop.

For lunch today we ate at Savoy Grill-Gordon Ramsey's London restaurant. Many famous individuals including Winston Churchill, James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Oscar Wilde, and Queen Elizabeth II herself, have dined here. We both at the trolley special of the day- Beef Wellington with mashed potatoes (the best we've ever had), cooked carrots, and green beans. Thomas also had a chocolate marmalade tartelette with salted caramel icecream. 

After dinner we walked to see Buckingham Palace. 

Tomorrow we are headed to Iceland where we have a one day layover on our way back to the states.