Iceland - Day 5

On Jan 2nd we woke up, got ready and ate breakfast downstairs. I should mention the water, is powered by the government and is geothermal so it has a smell of sulpher. Interesting but gets getting use to. Breakfast than our your bus picks us up (Iceland Excursions) to take us to their bus terminal to exchange our voucher for tickets. 

The tour we chose for Thursday was "Golden Circle Classic". 

Our tour guide informed us due to it being the shortest day of sunlight of the year we would be doing the tour in reverse. So here is what we did. 

Hellisheiòi Geothermal power plant: this power plant explained how Iceland gets their water and electricity and can provide it to their citizens for free. In Iceland , they aren't charged for heating. 

Bus. 

Skálholt Church: famous church given to Icelanders by Norway. Pretty colored stone glass. Also had remains of old tombstones to view downstairs for 200 ISK. 

Bus. 

waterfall Gullfoss: this waterfall was amazing. It had three main sections to it and several little sections. Took many photos here. Issue was we were faced with hurricane winds (as my husband calls it) and I was being pushed everywhere. Also, Iceland is not called Iceland for nothing. The pathways are super slick and you will slip if you don't have good shoes. They say they salt some areas but really the ground tends to be heated because of the geothermal heat. 

Bus for short time. 

Hot springs of Geysir & Strokkur: Here we watched the Geysir blow up. It was neat to see the bubble expand until it exploded. Again, the wind didn't make me want to stay out too long. It was about 32 degrees, maybe , but the wind cuts that in half. 

Geysir shop to eat & drink. 

Bus. 

Pingvellir National Park: this park makes me think of Games of Thrones. Icy paths and bridges to get across. The oldest church were parliament first met. About a 30 minute walk. Beautiful sunset then boarded bus at end of trail. 

We asked to be dropped off at the Reykjavik city centre and walked to the famous hot dog stand. Cheapest meal yet of Iceland. We got the hot dog with all it came with. It was delicious. 

From there we went to a gift shop and found some more goodies. 

We had to run to bonus, the cheapest supermarket there, before they closed at 6:30pm to pick up dinner and snacks for hotel room. 

Reykjavik Day 1

Currently watching local Icelandic television in their native language. Whatever local show this is, it's strange. A version of "bill nye" but I don't see a purpose. 

Arrived in Iceland this morning , Sunday, at 7 AM. Found our way to baggage claim and then to the arrival gate. My husband chose to change our USD currency at the Iceland airport. No fee. Exchange rate wasn't insane. 

I wandered to the tourist guide/pamphlet desk. I like reading material. 

Purchased our round trip flybus tickets to hotel and back to airport. Stepped outside to seek bus and saw snow. It had snowed and we got the end of it. Exciting. 

The flybus tendants loaded our luggage and we boarded. I sat next to a stranger on the bus and we sparked a conversation. He was from Chicago but actually from The Woodlands, TX. He graduated high school in '03. He was visiting a friend I Iceland  

Stopped at a bus station to unload people but we ...

Whooo, past out and took a nap. 

So the bus took us directly to our hotel. We were able to check in early. The receptionist was such a sweetheart and very nice. She told us we needed to make reservations for Tuesday night (New Years Eve) and helped us with where to go in the city to gain our grounds. 

We got to the room and then ate breakfast which was provided by the hotel. After returning to the room for a power nap we showered and headed out to the town. 

Walked the city. I plan on getting a sweater & lava jewelry. The shirts here are funny. Plan on getting one. 

Ate at a hole in the wall place with a yummy burger , lots of fries and a drink. Expensive though to eat out. So on way back, we went to grocery store to buy hot chocolate, noodles and cookies. We saw lazy town things at this hole in a wall place. Had to take a picture. It was filmed here. 

The church closed at 5 for viewing from tower. The city was decorated still for Christmas. Beautiful. While walking I saw a glacier from afar. Tomorrow I will have to visit it. And take the ferry across. 

It is only daylight here for less than 5 hours. One must use that to their advantage. Shops close after. 

Iceland - getting there

Layover in North Carolina currently. Charlotte to be exact. More connecting flights and more layovers , cheaper the flight. 

Part 1:

This was not suppose to be a layover. We were suppose to have connecting flight but we were told to get off for like 30 min. Whatever. That means food and shot glass for us. Fries, yum!! 

Kicked off flight , so...

To the gift shop we go. 

And then food. 

Boarding time! Again. 

Monterrey pt 4 - Obispado

Monday, the 23rd, my aunt and cousin took me to ...

Backtrack

We were woken up with gifts. What a morning. Every lady should be woken up with gifts at least monthly. 

So, big item of Lunes was going to Obispado. Wasn't sure where to park so we parked down hill and walked up. Mind you, Obispado is on a mountain, kind of. I was not feeling the climb. My calfs hurt from the climb before at the Grutas. 

So we climbed and climbed and climbed some more. At the top you see the museum, then keep going and you see the poles where the flags should be. They were not on display as they were being cleaned. 

A carousel and large (like half my size) chess set sat atop the hill. We then looked around. Beautiful. 

On each corner there is a sign saying what you are looking at. El Norte, el sur and two more. I want to post my pano pictures. 

Oh, and for kickers, the climb...

Monterrey pt 3 - Grutas

Ugh. Just climbed the Grutas de Garcia. Pain. I am not an athletic type and we choose to walk it up and down. Exhausting!! Get there before the crowd comes. By the time we are half way we see the air trolley go up. My aunt was exhausted and I just wanted water. 

At the top , no water. No congrats. There's a coca machine charging $15 pesos for a can. I fall victim. Hoya de mañzana it is. 

Again, that commute up was a beast. Steep slopes, hard rocks and the loops. You never know how close you are because it keeps going zig zag. 

The Grutas de Garcia on the other hand was relaxing. Though the inside of this cave has had its touch ups it's cool to see. The gorilla, the mano de muerte and Arbol de Navidad. 

It was cool too, weather wise. The sun was on our side and hid. Mind you, in Mexico in December and it's a high of 85. I know. Yesterday was sooo hot. 

No water is provided up top so make sure to bring your own for the walk. Water is sold down below for 15 pesos. Which is about 1.50 USD. 

Eating candy and drinking water now as we leave to go to next location. 

Monterrey trip pt 2 - the border

Okay, so been a little over a mile back now from the border entering Mexico. Why the wait? Because the highway leading to the border is narrowed and we have dumb drivers. The far right lane is closed though people will continue to use it to try to skip ahead. Left lane, I don't know what's going on there. Then there is us. Our driver attempted to talk to ppl about forming lines via cars and just didn't move. Left goes, right goes we don't. Go around mr.driver. Or at least move forward. Arrg. 

Once we get to the border my friend and I will have to get off the bus (with luggage) and get entry visit. Not sure if we pay because of the amount of day. 

Usually at the border, all get off the bus with luggage and go to the conveyer belt to run luggage through. (Or is that coming back?) at the belt, we press button to get searched or not. 

Over one hour and a half. Drive you driver. Not moving. Letting people go ahead of him. 

The bus is hot. Weather in tx w the aim is crazy. Hot! 70s. Sweater , your killing me. 

Sleeping on bus is hard. But maybe a good nap is in order. 

How we transport things.

Monterrey pt 1 - The Bus

Sitting up front on the bus  with my best friend. Time: quarter after midnight. The sound from the road is loud and you can tell its windy. It's been raining off and on since San Antonio pit stop. Our driver has a Bluetooth in and has been talking the whole way. Probably a good way to drive long distances besides EDM music. I was unable to figure out how to push my seat back like a recliner. Therefore, I sit here with my eyes open/shut with a hand towel as a pillow. 

Still in the US and headed to the border. Prior to our trip I was told ,repeatedly, not to go anywhere by myself and buddy system the whole Time. Due to previous news articles, I take any open bag with me off the bus when we stop. Crime in Mexico is said to be something of a concern. I am standing my ground. No strangers and don't go off. 

During this journey, I feel we are looked at as type a tourists. I am wearing my alumni shirt and the best friend looks amazing. Driver speaks English to us. 

Later, will need the currency of pesos in order to do what we had planned. 

At this hour in the evening, most are asleep. The driver, the wind entering the autobuses, the tires on the road are what I hear. My eyes feel heavy as they have since this afternoon. 

Driver just told whoever he is speaking to he sees a "puente" in the distance. 

To nap to just wake up at the border. Not ideal.