Iceland Day 4: morning

As I sit on the plane we are rocking back and forth.  I thought it was the loading of the luggage and other preparations. But it's so strong at moments and hasn't stopped. I realize it's the winds.  When I got off the bus from the hotel, my breath was taken away as I got off.  The winds were so strong I couldn't actually catch my great outside.  It was very disconcerting, like what an asthma attack must feel like. I quickly grabbed my bag and headed for the indoors. It's not that the temperatures are bad. It's the wind!

This morning I got up at 3:40, not having slept that well.  I thought I'd enjoy a deep sleep after a day of such activity, but wasn't really that tired and then felt like I should get sleep, but wasn't as I saw the clock go from midnight to 2 am.  I think I did get more sleep than I realized but time will tell later today.

I did make one big mistake.  I had booked the pick-up from hotel to airport for the 4 am bus. Although it was plastered on the ticket, to be ready 30 minutes prior, and that everything else over the days were based on a 30 minute prior pickup. I somehow missed it this time.  I think I didn't want to face having to wake up even earlier. I check out just before 4 am and then sit and wait.  At 4:10, with no one arriving to pick me up, I realized my mistake. 

The receptionist was really helpful and called.  Turns out they had come at 3:30 and the doors were locked.  I thought I'd have to catch the 5 am bus, which still should have been fine, but you never know.  My flight was at 7:40, and it takes about an hour to get to the airport. 

But in the end, I made my bus.  The guy came back, picking me up last (instead of probably first) and we made it to the bus terminal with ten minutes to spare.  It's strange, the little van drops you off and you walk through the bus depot, and go out the doors on the other side where the big buses are waiting.  This happened for the airport trips and the blue lagoon trip. 

After checking in - I did self checkin where you print not only your ticket but also the tag you put on your luggage. I made it through security minutes and walked through the shopping they tunnel all travelers. 

I have about two hours to kill so do a little window shopping at the two shops.  My souveigners up to this point were rocks I lugged back from the edge of the glacier and a few unspent coins.  On a side note, no need to get cash. Everywhere they expected you to pay with cards. I only used the cash for tipping the tour guides and breakfast that one morning. The rest is added to my collection. 

At the airport I find this danish store going out of business.  Still, I'm resolved not to buy any of the beautiful danish items since I'll be visiting Denmark later this year. I was able to get wireless and could check the price of this crumble Copenhagen map. With the sale, it's a great deal, so I pick one up. 

I also treat myself to a little Christmas ornament for the tree and a locally made bowl - both Icelandic made. Now I'm carrying around a fragile bowl in my bag. Fingers crossed the bubble wrap does the trick. 

Overall, the trip was amazing. I'm so glad I decided to tack the visit on my way over to Paris. Three days was a good length, and the order of journeys was perfect. I'm still struck by the cost of things, I don't think I mentally prepared myself for that one. My expensive hotel I prepaid online through one of the travel websites, tacked on a hotel,tax of nearly $100 per day making it the most expensive hotel I've ever paid for by far. But I guess this is nothing compared to the taxes Icelanders pay - something like 47%. 

I really got a sense of Iceland through the great tour guides. Hearing about what they were proud of and their friendliness and love of sharing their unique land.  The place is definitely changing, that was the theme - what was here three years ago was nothing compared to now, and even so the infrastructure struggles to keep up with the tourists pouring in. 

Although I struck out on seeing the aurora borealis, I did learn about the wonderful Norwegian mail ship from fellow travelers. And think I may try again next year in my quest to see the northern lights. In the meantime, I'm going to watch the short documentary on the inflight entertainment.