Our tour guide - Wills - explained to us that they are not allowed to report back to Grayline headquarters by saying the number six in Icelandic - because it sounds just like sex. HA! I absorbed many random facts on our different tours. But those will be saved for a different post.
Wills asked the group of us - 16 - if we wanted to see extra things on our tour. Of course - we all said ABSOLUTELY! Our first stop was a waterfall that the government would like to turn into an ecocenter. We had to take random back, unplowed roads to find it on a farm. But it was worth the adventure.
Our next "extra" stop was to see Icelandic Horses. Now, I must ask you a question - Have you seen the YouTube Video "Charlie bit my finger"? Seriously, funny video. Well, as everyone was trying to get the horses to come to the fence (which they didn't), I was able to get one that I nicknamed Charlie. As - Charlie bit my finger :) Meet Charlie.
Charlie and I became friends after the biting incident :)
Our first offical "actually on the tour" stop was at Skogarfoss Waterfall. It was quite cold, the closer you go to the waterfall the colder it was. It wasn't misting off the waterfall, it was icing - in my opinion. But - regardless, it was still great to see.
My "proof I was here" photo
Our next stop was to Solheimajokull Glacier. If you know me - know my ankle issues - you will understand my nervousness about doing a glacier hike. With no ligaments and cartilage in my right ankle, along with dead bone - I get nervous with "adventurous" situations. I was nervous. I spoke with one of our tour guides and he had no doubt I could take on this task. I must say - I was super appreciative. He was by my side for any "nervous" situations. To the point I actually enjoyed it! But, when the hike was done. I was glad I did it, but don't feel the need to do something similar again.
This is the ash field we had to cross to get to the glacier. The ash is from the volcanic eruption in 2010 that caused all the European flight trouble. It was nicknamed E-15 or Kevin.
Upon leaving the glacier - we were cold, tired and hungry. So, we took another detour! Off to the small town called Vik. The restaurant we ate at was right beside a wool factory - this means, DISCOUNTED WOOL PRODUCTS! Yeah. I was a happy girl! This side adventure was perfect! We got to sample the Icelandic Hotdog and then had a bit of time to shop.
After Vik, we ventured to the Reynisdranger Cliffs and the black sand beaches. It was SO windy. But still beautiful!
The drive back to Reykjavik was long with stop at another waterfall. It was so dark that I wasn't able to get pictures of the waterfall. You were able to walk behind it, but due to the previously mentioned ankle issue, I did not. From those who did - it was good I did not! It was wet, slippery and dark ...very dark.
We did get to go on our Northern light adventure, but no Northern Lights were spotted sadly. Maybe next trip!
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