Time to travel back to Iceland:

We were up early as expected getting the house together as much as we could.The Boys were excited about Puppy Camp and were eager to get their vacation started. 

The Drive to DEN was uneventful and we were plenty early as we expected a busy holiday travel crowd at DEN. IcelandAir did check our vaccine and COVID test results at check in. It was so calm, the TSA Pre-Check line was not even open.

As we are flying IcelandAir, we did not have access to the UAL Club, but there is a new American Express Centurion Club that just opened. It is very very nice, excellent food and drinks, only allowed three hours there and that is before your flight leaves.

The IcelandAir gate agents said the flight was full, well it was not. We were in economy and had done the Window  Aisle seating hoping the middle would stay empty.  The flight was not even close to full and our middle seat remained empty so we had some room to stretch out. 

We were over Greenland when I noticed the Northern Lights dancing about. I was able to get a quick cell phone photo. 

We arrived in KEF early due to a nice tail wind. I think Odin was pushing the plane to get us there sooner. Masks were worn in the terminal. 1st is Passport Control, easy and quick. Next was baggage claim, where your Iceland pre-visit registration is checked, get bags and upon exiting bag claim, your vaccine and COVID test results are checked. Then off ya go. 

We use the Fly Bus to get from the airport into Reykjavik, easy peasy. So we arrived early at our hotel the IcelandAir Marina. We have stayed here several times before and really like the attic rooms. Small, but the balcony over looking the shipyard and harbor is kewl. 

Yet as expected the room was not ready, so we repacked our bags and stored what we did not need for the immediate days walkabout.

Hungry we were, so coffee and food were in order, found a local coffee shop and got doughnuts and coffee. Cost was $20.00. 

 Being Sunday the buses were not operating quite yet so we made a nice long walk (a good mile or more)  to Hlemmer a central bus station. We got the 14 Bus to make a grand circle tour before our morning swim at Laugardalslaug, our favorite pool. 

Iceland tip #1 is to always have your swim suit and towel with you for a nice warm relaxing hot pot soak and swim.   

Public Bike repair station, with QR link for help, KEWL!!! this was at Helmmer Bust Station. 

 

After the swim we got a hot dog, as one should do. We took the 14 bus back to the old town area and went to Kolaportid, the only flea market in Iceland, as it is only open on Saturday and Sunday. I did see a sweater I liked for 20,000 ISK ($160 USD) but I have too many clothes. We did find a few other items. 


Walked back to our hotel and room was not quite ready. We then walked to the Bonus Store and got some dinner items like bread, cheese, soup and Skyr. Oh and lots of Licorice, our bags will be heavy headed home. :)

Room was ready so we got unpacked and organized,  then did another walk about before having some soup and cheese for dinner. Then I turned off my phone and crashed. 

The weather has been, as we say, Troll Weather, rain and clouds and wind. At first the wind was light and we thought we should have packed our umbrellas. The while walking about, the wind did blow as we expected and we were glad we did not have our umbrellas. 



Not sure what Monday will bring as Troll Weather is expected even more so. It will be what it will be.