Monday, June 9, 2014

Relaxing at Last....Aaaahhhhhh

One thing I forgot to mention about yesterday. We finally stopped into the neighborhood church with Leif standing out front. Found out it is a Luthern church. Pretty simple inside compared to what we have recently experienced in Europe. The big running joke is that the church bells are never on time. We noticed it immediately and then we found out it's a thing. Apparently everyone knows that the church tower clock is never correct. Next to the church is a sculpture museum. The gate was open, so we took the liberty of walking through on our way home.

Moving on to today... Our sunshine has run out and it was cloudy and misty
all day with a few showers here and there. The Fontana Spa does not open until 11am so we had a pretty leisurely morning. Planning our route, we chose an off highway road that takes us up through some passages and to another geo-thermal power plant. We were driving for a while when we realized something was wrong. Just so happens we were coming up to the only coffee place on the road for miles. Stopped in to get directions. Sure enough, we missed the turn off. Fortunately, we weren't too far out of our way. The road was great and although it was cloudy, the scenery was awesome. Since we were headed to the power plant, we were following this giant pipeline all the way up. Absolutely no traffic. Saw one couple from Hawaii (who were headed to a Dartmouth reunion in NH) at one of the over looks and that was about it. Not a bus in sights.


Got to the spa at around 11:30. We had signed up for this rye bread demonstration at 2:30, They bake the bread in the earth which is cooked  by the geo-thermal hot spot underneath. It takes 24 hours to cook. Since we had plenty of time before the demo, and it wasn't raining yet, we opted to take a hike in the hills and loop around back to the spa. Checked in and headed for the locker rooms.

This spa is very low key. There are about 4 different pools with different temperatures and one naturally heated and no chemicals. There are several steam rooms that sit on top of the bubbling cauldron producing the steam. There is also a dry sauna. The facility sits on a huge lake with access for swimming if you dare. Not many people here at all. A few  locals and one other group of tourists.. We were trying out the various pools and rooms when Geoff heard something about the L Street Brownies. This is a group
in Boston that go swimming in Boston Harbor on New Years Day. So here we are in Iceland and run into 2 couples from Massachusetts. One couple has retired to Martha's Vineyard and the other one now lives in London. Lots to talk about. The man who now lives in  London actually did legal work in the original dispute for the Channel 5 license from WHDH. What are the odds?? Plus the Martha's Vineyard folks know the great woman who owns the Duck Inn that took us in all those years ago when we needed a dry place to sleep. Next time we are on the Vineyard we are definitely going to look them up. 

Our new friends came back from dipping their toes in the lake so we had to have a go at it as well. Really no colder than back home. The temperature is layered. It is very warm at the top and extremely cold on the bottom. Speaking of the bottom, it is covered with lava stones, so walking in was a challenge. Got about knee deep and walked out. Got a bit too close to the bubbly part and it was extremely shallow. I felt my ankles stinging from the heat. Quick rinse to wash of the black sand and it was back in the pools. The rain finally came and it was wonderful sitting in the hot baths in the cool rain. Did all the soaking and steaming we could - showered up and went to the cafe for lunch.

After lunch we all gathered for our rye bread experience. Trotted down to the edge of the lake following the gal with the shovel. A couple of shovel fulls and she dug up a round bucket. Replaced it with another bucket for tomorrow's bread. Back in the cafe we all sat around eating the bread which happened to be very tasty. There
was a lot of talk about what holiday today was for Iceland.  Our bread lady said it was the Pentecost. This made Scott go deep into his iPhone to figure out just what that meant. After a huge discussion on the subject, we all agreed we really didn't care that much. Said warm good-byes and parted ways.

Took yet anther route home which merged into the road we used this morning. The skies were clearer and we found an observation deck overlooking the power plant. More photos. We are now driving back to Reykjavik in the rain. Sure hope it stops before dinner. Think we are going to try the soup place that is not too far from us and not in the throes of the shopping mecca.

We had a great last day off the beaten track. So glad we took the road less traveled option. Don't think we would have had a private steam and sauna at the Blue Lagoon. Nor would we have met such a nice group of very interesting people who also appreciate the road less traveled. The absolute best thing to do on a rainy last day in Iceland.

Home now and the 6:00 church bells are ringing. Of course, it is 6:10 but who cares! Bags are all packed for the long trek home.

Had a last trip meal of cauliflower soup in a bread bowl and some pretty powerful Icelandic Lava Beer, which was practically a meal in itself. Sat for a while and watched the tourists and the rain come down. On the walk home took just a few more parting shots of a very cool little town.

Turning down for the night. Early start to another long day ahead.

Next time... We're Going Home

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