Reykjaviking Part One : whale eating monsters from the blue lagoon

Well folks, we have officially left Canada. Right now it feels more like a vacation, but I think in a few weeks it may start to sink in that we will not be returning for quite some time. We will miss you all across the waters, however we feel this is just the right time to do something like this. There are so many changes in the air, so why not make a fresh start? Let’s take a break from expectations and do our own thing for a while! England, our oasis, we are coming for you, baby! But first, we need to give Iceland some love.

Here is how our first 24 hours of travelling went down.....

We woke up at 9 in the morning on the August 31, finished up some last minute packing and enjoyed a deliciously indulgent meal of fried potatoes, courtesy of Trevor’s father (sorry Trev, your father’s potatoes kick your potatoes...but I think you know that). We got off to the airport a little later than expected, but found no major problems with time. When we arrived at the airport we found our brother and sister Duane and Krista (along with niece and nephew), my best pal Shandell, My parents and sister. They were the best send off crew ever! (thanks everyone for the wonderful travel gifts!)

It is nothing short of miraculous that we were able to get our entire luggage on without paying an extra cent. Firstly, our two largest suitcases were five pounds over the limit – but after a chaotic game of Tetris, moving items to our underweight bag, we had them at 50 pounds each. additionally, we somehow managed to shove our expedition packs into the dimensions required, yet I think had she asked us to weigh the packs, we wouldn’t have been able to take them on. Flew under the radar on that one!

The plane flight was a typical one – no crashing in flames or emergency water landings here. Though I felt bloated the entire time as I usually do on planes for some reason....thank you, thank you, thank you Shan for the fibre one bars!! (I know, TMI). Trevor and I found ourselves in Reykjavik at 6:30 in the morning Iceland time, 12:30 am our time and were pleasantly surprised to find ourselves feeling awake and alert. Then, after scrambling around for an hour or so to see if there was anywhere to keep our bags at the airport, we conceded to take the mammoth luggage with us. Yet, alas, we had missed our first bus –the bus that would get us on time to meet my friend Trish at the hostel. We left her waiting for 2 hours later than expected, but we got there in enough time to spend part of the afternoon with her.

Trevor, Trish and I went out for lunch at an Icelandic bar, enjoyed each other’s company and ate some traditional cuisine. Trevor and Trish were brave enough to try a whale burger, but I just could get past mental pictures of eating Free Willy. It looked surprisingly a lot like steak, and they raved that it was some of the best meat they had ever had. I did manage one micro sized bite, and I have to admit that if I didn’t know what it was, I probably would have thought it was delicious. I settled on lamb soup which was very satisfying and perfect for a brisk, windy day.

It was such a treat getting to stroll around Reykjavik with a familiar face and hear her stories of traveling Europe this summer! It got us so pumped for the year we have ahead of us!

Once we saw Trish off, we hit the sack for a short nap. We were both exhausted. At this point I was starting to feel like my head was floating and things were moving in faster time. Any longer without sleep and I think we may have started to hallucinate.

Once we woke up we went on a bus excursion to the “Blue Lagoon,” a mineral hot spring. It was so nice for two jet legged folks like us! I would describe it as a bright blue, salty, natural hot tub with steam and fog rising from it. It was devine. They even had a place where you could put mineral mud on yourself like a face mask. Trev and I had fun giving each other spa treatment. This was such a good choice for our first day of travels - so relaxing!

When we came back from the lagoon we went to bed almost right away. I am starting to regret going to bed so early, seeing as I am writing this on Microsoft word at 4:00 am. Trevor is sleeping like a baby, the lucky monkey!

Time to go try and get some rest! More updates to come!