It was a languid sort of day; knowing we were ending our adventure around the island by returning to the city and returning the car.
We started the day by stopping at a cave house. Being our usual early starters, no one was there but we did get a peek inside.
We then moseyed on to Þingvellir (‘thingviller’) which means ‘assembly plains’. Now a National Park, and the most important historical site in Iceland. For two weeks each summer, Icelanders from all parts of the country gathered at Þingvellir where the early clans met to establish laws and the commonwealth, settle disputes, conduct commerce and meet and establish new friends and relationships. This annual meeting went on from around 930-1798.
From there it was only about an hour back into hotel in Reykjavik. We offloaded everything in the car at the hotel and, after some sleuthing, Ellen figured out we could return the rental at the local airport about 3 miles away instead of having to drive it 45min back to Keflavík, then take a bus ride back into town! Greg and Jeff were back in less than 45 min, including stopping to fill-up with gas before returning the car.
We somehow managed to put 2,100 miles on our 800 mile trip around the country. I’m sure Greg is looking forward to not doing any driving for a couple weeks!
We were too early to get into our rooms, so the hotel stored our bags and we headed out to do a little city exploration.
Linda and Tony van Son, more friends from Arizona who are taking the cruise, had arrived the day before and were out on an 11 hour excursion. They sent a picture after they arrived while out exploring the city.
As luck would have it, we spotted the same gnome while we were out and about 🙂
We headed back to the hotel so we could get checked into our rooms, grabbed a bite at the square down the street and watched the local skateboarders try to, and crash off, the steps of the square. They were nothing if not persistent!
Back at the hotel we had another fun round of cards, then turned in. We planned to meet up with Linda and Tony at breakfast.
