Another place in the world I never thought I would get to go: Iceland. Will found a flight home that allowed for 24 hour layovers. So we left Paris at 5 am Paris time and flew for a few hours to Iceland. We arrived around 8:30 am Iceland time. We rented a car (including getting all the information about how to not wreck the car by opening the doors when it was windy) and went to our airbnb. We couldn't check in yet. I was so exhausted from the day before and getting up so early the next morning. I took my pillow and took a nap in the car while Will took a hike on his own.
After a little (a lot of) rest we drove out to another hike. I went this time up to some hot springs. Iceland is cold and windy (even in July) but SO beautiful! I we enjoyed the hike up past boiling steam vents.
When we got to the top of the spring there was space for people to get into the water. I was a spoiled sport and wouldn't get in the water. Even though it was hot in the water I didn't want to walk back to the car in the wind when I was wet. Will had to take the hot dip alone.
Back at our airbnb we unpacked a little and went to find dinner at a Spanish Tapas place next door to our airbnb. The food was delicious and the atmosphere was loud and wild. We finished eating around midnight and took this picture of the unsetting sun.
Thankfully the airbnb had black out curtains and we got a good night's sleep. Iceland is so far north they have endless days in the summer and endless nights in the winter. We both want to take the kids back some day.
We walked around Reykavik and had brunch at a sweet little spot. It was interesting to see the different architecture in Iceland compared to Paris. Turns out Iceland has very little natural recourses. Trees grow slowly and the volcanic soils sin't good for concrete. So they have building materials shipped in from Europe. The house we stayed in was built in England and shipped, flat packed, in parts to Reykjavik. It is one of the oldest buildings in the town.
The last thing we did before heading to the airport and home was Fly over Iceland. I guess it is a thing they have in lots of places but Iceland was the first place I ever saw it. It was a spectacular swoop over the most amazing scenery. It made me want to go back to Iceland even more! Some day.
After a short but packed 36 hours we headed back to the airport to fly home. I cannot believe I got to go to Paris and Iceland in one week of my life. I am a lucky girl!
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