Springing back to Iceland to see it in the green! COMPLETED 6/29 - Page 34 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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So sorry the rain set in to stay this day and totally messed with your plans, but maybe Iceland wants you to come back for round three. Dinner looked very delicious. Thank goodness you checked on the ice cream flavors as personally I couldn't stomach licorice.
Tuesday 2 May – part one: heading out of the city….
We woke up about 7:30am, which wasn’t bad. A good 10 hours’ worth of sleep! Still throughout this entire trip, we haven’t made it late enough to see darkness. Mark looked out just before 10:00pm last night, and it was still light. So weird…
We headed up to breakfast, and boosted by my success in waffle toasting yesterday, I headed straight for that. My first effort was a huge success, and I even found syrup to go with it. However, let’s just say that I became a little over-confident at this point, and managed not to put enough mix in for my second waffle, and had to re-fill. Oops… oh well, it wasn’t too bad.
It looked better weather wise, although the wind was still strong, with white caps in the harbour. Definitely another day not to be out on the water!
We headed out about 9:30am, and took two loads to get everything into the car, as we were carrying our coats, sweatshirts etc. While we were in the room, we’d both complained of feeling really hot, so we’d opened the window. It hadn’t done that much to cool it down, so we figured it wouldn’t be that bad outside. Oh my goodness, we should’ve known better. The wind almost knocked me over as I came out of the hotel!
We finished loading up, and I went to check out, and reported the steam room hadn’t been working yesterday, and apparently reception has to reset it once that happens. She did ask why we didn’t call them, and I explained I’d seen the phone, but it wasn’t that simple, and perhaps they needed an idiot’s guide for people like me? I also strongly suggested they put plastic or paper cups down there for water, as they have a sink, but no glasses. I got when she said they didn’t want glass down there, which is fair enough, but there are other options…
We got talking, and she told us that when the couple of feet of snow hit in mid-March, the owner of the hotel chain took his Jeep out, drove around, and picked up staff and brought them into work, as it was the only way to get people in. She said they had no cleaners, the reception staff couldn’t get in to relieve the night shift – you get the idea. It sounded like a nightmare!
All checked out, we decided to head over to City Hall, as I wanted to admire the lake again. I did plan on parking up, and getting up and having a walk around, but (and I’m sure you can see this coming…) just as we pulled up, the rain started again. Oh good grief, this is getting old rapidly! I got some photos from the car, and then we headed off again.
I got some photos as we left the city, in between the rain, which was coming down heavily now.
The wind was still raging as well. It was beginning to feel that it would never end…
There was even a rainbow…
We were soon back into some of the volcanic lava fields we’d driven through on the way from the airport, peppered with industry, and it looked as if they were working to potentially add more in….
We were soon arriving in Grindavik, where we’d be staying the night…
We decided to head for our hotel and drop off our luggage there, We could see the steam from the Blue Lagoon and nearby geothermal power station as we drove by…
We found our hotel easily enough….
… and checked in, or tried to. They didn’t have any rooms ready, so we just left our luggage, and headed out again.
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Well the breakfast was a good way to start the day. But dang that rain - and wind!
The hotel looks good from the outside, looks new and modern!
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Yikes, you have me thinking I should pack some serious rain gear for our stay! Hoping it's less rainy in September!
I think it's hard to say. I can't remember - is this at the start or end of your trip? If it's at the start, just check the forecast. In fairness, I knew it was likely to be rainy for the last couple of days, I just wasn't expecting all the wind that went with it.
I think it's hard to say. I can't remember - is this at the start or end of your trip? If it's at the start, just check the forecast. In fairness, I knew it was likely to be rainy for the last couple of days, I just wasn't expecting all the wind that went with it.
Yes, it's the very start - Reykjavik to Barcelona, and then the WBTA cruise to NYC. So we will have a pretty good idea of weather before we even leave home.
Too bad with the weather as an ongoing thing! What a great buffet that was as your choices looked so good and better yet with service to match! Looking forward to your next hotel stay and experiences in the area.
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Yes, it's the very start - Reykjavik to Barcelona, and then the WBTA cruise to NYC. So we will have a pretty good idea of weather before we even leave home.
That's good. I think you'd want a coat or something that stops the wind, as it seems as if Iceland is prone to strong winds.
Good grief! This is the most uncooperative weather. Makes me wonder when the best time to visit Iceland in the spring/summer might be.
That thought crossed my mind too. I'm not sure there is a best time. I noticed when Deb Wills (from All Ears Net) was there about a week ago, they had some nice days with sunshine, but they were still bundled up from the cold.
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However, let’s just say that I became a little over-confident at this point, and managed not to put enough mix in for my second waffle, and had to re-fill. Oops… oh well, it wasn’t too bad. 
The wind almost knocked me over as I came out of the hotel! 
I also strongly suggested they put plastic or paper cups down there for water, as they have a sink, but no glasses. I got when she said they didn’t want glass down there, which is fair enough, but there are other options… 
I got some photos from the car, and then we headed off again. 
Looking forward to your next hotel stay and experiences in the area.
Makes me wonder when the best time to visit Iceland in the spring/summer might be.
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