Wotae: 25.06.2018
On Sunday morning, the day started very early as we had planned our ferry crossing for 8:30 a.m. Once we arrived on the mainland, we went straight to a special hot pot called Seljavellir. This is the oldest still operating pool in Iceland. The unique thing about it is that the slope of the mountain on which the pool is located also serves as the wall of the pool. So, it is located in the middle of a breathtaking natural landscape, accessible through a footpath.
After a short bath, we headed to Landmannalaugar. This is an area near the Hekla volcano in southwest Iceland, characterized by its colorful rock formations, lava flows, and hot springs. Since Landmannalaugar is located in the highlands, the road had the characteristics of a single-lane gravel road. Nevertheless, we braved this and other difficulties (numerous annoying mosquitoes) for a few kilometers to not miss out on this experience.
Without further detours, the navigation system guided us to the "Handknitting Association" in the heart of Reykjavík. Here, Tamara and Silke found what they were looking for and were finally able to buy the long-awaited Icelandic sweater (*scratch*). Afterwards, we drove with great expectations to our Airbnb apartment. These expectations were exceeded when we entered the charming basement apartment for the first time. After cooking, the day ended as usual :)
Today, sightseeing was on the agenda. We first bought tickets for the typical red bus. Although we had already had excellent experiences with this in other cities, THIS tour was a disappointment: poorly timed audio commentaries, a mixed-up schedule, and comparatively little information. Nevertheless, we made the best of it and were able to admire some of the city's sights. Among other things, we shopped at the huge mall, visited the Harpa Concert Hall, ate the most coveted hot dogs in the city, learned about the city hall, visited the Dómkirkja and Hallgrímskirkja (two impressive churches), and explored the old harbor district. We also couldn't resist a detour into Reykjavík's culinary world. At "Valdís," we ate huge ice cream scoops, and at a charming bakery, we bought delicious cinnamon and vanilla swirls.
For dinner, we had German home cooking again: Flädlesuppe made from the leftover pancakes from the previous day :)