Natural Wonders of Iceland
Day Eight – 23-24 June 2013
Weather: cloudy and chilly in Iceland. Not in Boston.
I was up early as usual. I had woken at one and got up to see if I could watch the sun sink just below the horizon, but my room was just out of view. It was a perfectly blue sky with a touch of red on the clouds near the horizon.
Our transfer was a really cheerful guy and picked up eight of us at 7:30. We got to the airport just after eight and it was empty (a lot of flights go out between seven and eight so I imagine it was crowded then). I went through security and first went to the VAT office where a male clerk worked in slow motion. I’ve never seen anyone take so much time to staple two receipts together. I got back 5000 krona. About $42. Worth the slow motion wait.
Then I went in search of the souvenir shop. Better than the Lagoon, but no good t-shirts and no sweatshirts or nice fleeces that I had seen earlier in the tour. I got some necklaces, fridge magnets and little bottles of Iceland schnapps. They’re under 100 ml so they should be allowed through security if you want a last minute gift from the airport. I’m not worried about the security because I am staying in Boston overnight and can pack them in my luggage.
The airport has the “go to gate” system where a guy just pulled aside a barrier to let us board. No row numbers, no old or young or mobility impaired going first, no Saga class going first. Pretty relaxed.
I got my Saga seat. On my last seat, I sat in Freya’s seat. Today, I’m in Thor’s spot.
The seat was complete with comfort kit, blanket and water. Dinner was grilled beef. Mine was too rare, and without mentioning it, the flight attendant noticed and offered to cook it some more.
Sweet.
I got hot bread while I waited. The beef was cooked to just under well done. It was delicious. Dessert was a local mousse. Really good.
I watched The Prestige (if you haven’t seen it, watch it. Twice. Amazing movie. I’ve seen it about four times and still see new stuff in it) and The Shawshank Redemption. I left Skyfall for the AC flight tomorrow.
We landed on time and I got a great view of Boston as we landed.
It’s a great spot to spend the night cause the downtown is so close to the airport. After we landed I headed for passport control. Here is where you come across a definite advantage to being first class and first off the plane. They had one officer on for the non-US visitors and there was a Japanese flight on before us and they were getting close scrutiny. By the time I got to the officer, he had just spent ten minutes with two Vietnamese visitors scrutinizing every piece of paperwork they had.
I got to the luggage carrousel and the luggage had just started coming out. I picked up mine and got waved through customs. Then, having come from ten degree Iceland and wearing a long sleeved shirt and jacket, I walked out into thirty-five degree Boston.
I didn’t walk into a furnace. I walked into the sun. Holy cow, if there had been a line-up for the taxis, I would be a puddle on the sidewalk.
Luckily, I got one right away and it was a fifteen minute drive to my hotel. Only $28. I checked in, got the lowdown on what to see and I went up to my room and changed into shorts.
Yes, I had the foresight to take shorts!!
Otherwise, I’d be spending the day in the hotel room.
At 1:30 I started walking. First thing I did was look for sunscreen. That’s the one thing I didn’t think I’d need in Iceland. I did bring a lot of insect repellent, but no sunscreen. I found CVS and lathered it on as I walked.
I went through the Boston Commons and Public Gardens which were full of people sunbathing and playing Frisbee. I came across statues that were dressed in Bruins jerseys (that seem to have been specially made to fit the statues).
Who knew Washington was a Bruins fan?
Or the ducks.
Then I crossed the street and found Cheers.
Then I started looking for a baseball cap before my head got sunburned. I walked down Newbury Street thinking it was the tourist pedestrian area, but it’s not. It’s just regular shops. I found one that sells Patriots stuff and got a t-shirt and a nice flat top Patriot’s cap.
Then I went looking for Gatorade and water.
Another CVS.
On my way back to the hotel I came across the Boston Marathon memorial that was full of running sneakers and well wishes and that. There are the Boston Strong messages everywhere and t-shirts.
Nope. I didn’t get one. I want the one that says Newtown Strong.
Back at the hotel, I asked where the touristy area is and they were like “ohhhhh” and I had to go in the other direction to Downtown Crossing and Quincy Market. A twenty minute walk away. In thirty-five degree heat.
Luckily, the area is well shaded. And it’s the spot to go on a hot Sunday afternoon. The place is alive with people, shops and performers.
I got my Tom Brady jersey and I walked through the shops, got some fridge magnets and then headed back to the hotel around six. Everyone else seemed to be heading out then too. I got back and took a cold shower.
I packed my luggage for tomorrow and was out like a light by nine.
Probably had something to do with the black sky outside.
I slept a solid ten hours. I took a cab to the airport for a very reasonable $25 and checked in. In order to use the US Airways lounge in Terminal B, I had to go through security for the US Airways wing. With four hours to kill, it was a no-brainer.
The lounge was nice and quiet and best part, the wifi didn’t keep dropping like the Logan wifi service did. I chowed down on a bagel and tea and did some computer stuff then headed out to the Air Canada section of the airport. It’s tiny and just has a pretend coffee shop (a cashier and a couple of fridges).
I got a snack and wrangled with the Logan wifi then gave up. Then they called our flight. This plane had single seats on one side for first class. Sweet.
We didn’t get a meal, which was fine but got some snacks and a great view out the window.
Yeah. Niagara Falls!
I had about an hour and a half in Pearson but I knew I could make it through customs in about an hour from previous experience. That’s exactly how long it took. By the time I got to my gate, I had fifteen minutes left. I was starved and had no time to get a burger.
I got on the plane and got settled in when this woman asked me if I’d switch seats with her. At first, I thought she wanted to sit next to a child then realized she wanted to sit next to her husband. Their seats were across the aisle from each other – so she wanted me to give up my window seat on a beautiful sunny day for an aisle seat so that she could sit four inches closer to her husband on a three hour flight.
When I asked her if it was for a window seat, her husband stopped her and said it was fine. Which is good cause I was going to say no. I’ll switch so a parent can be closer to a child, but seriously folks, why would anyone put out a stranger to sit four inches closer to their husband? I can understand the request on 12 hour overnight flights. It is more comfortable to be next to the person you’re travelling with, but on short daytime flights, I won’t do it anymore. Did it twice before. Regretted it both times as I got worse seats.
Just a pet peeve of mine.
There were even some pretty cool anvil clouds en route.
I got back home by nine. Enough time to give the cats a chin scratch and unpack.
I have mentioned it other places in this thread, but I can say that Iceland is a destination that you go to because you want to. You want to see what it has to offer, or as some on our tour, you have roots there that you want to explore.
It’s a place for people who enjoy nature. Mountains (oh sorry, volcanoes), snow capped hills, glaciers, waterfalls, faults, lava, unusual rock formations, icebergs, horses, whales, puffins, hot springs, geysers, mud pools, black beaches, lighthouses, changeable weather, white nights and friendly people with an amazing history.
If this appeals to you, Iceland is the place to see.
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