As soon as we left Blue Lagoon and headed through Grendavik, a tiny fishing town, little things were blowing my mind. First of all, there are examples of the economic handicap all over the place. Dori pointed out a small apartment tower that had only one occupant because in the middle of building it they ran went bankrupt and she was the only one with a completed flat... so she lives there all alone in a 10 story building that's 90% gutted.
Beyond Grendavik there was amazing landscape. Rolling mountains with which a single lane lava gravel road is carved. Dori was saying that once a year they close it for a rally car race... which would be really dope and scary cos it seriously has some crazy turns that drop off.
Dori stopped at quite a few key places to take pictures. Its a good thing we had our rain gear cos at some of the high points on the land it was effen monsoon season. Cold rain coming at you sideways. Totally worth it though.
One of the stops was a small church from the 1800s. Pews still in it with the original priest/pastor buried right in front and a painter buried just beside it. Gorgeously creep, especially in the rain.
On and on we went, back down the mountains and stopped by some hot springs. They are actually sink hole that happen randomly because they are on the edge of two tectonic plates. Dori says that one week will be normal and the next there will be a new sink hole that has bubbling sulfuric water. All of these are too hot to swim in but its remarkable to witness.
One of which we stopped at, the geothermal activity starts halfway up the mountain and creates a small stream down to a sulfuric pool that bubbles and pops all the way around.
Next came a huge lake with "black sand." Dori mentioned that it was more than likely formed by a melted glacier. Seems quite likely because the landscape around it has what look like melt lines in the volcanic rock. Its either melt lines or how the ash settled as it fell and/or rolled down the mountain. You'll see in the pics.
As for the landscape that was about the end for that day. As we got back into Reykjavik, Dori drove us through a part of town that was hilarious. First of all they have the cutest little old houses. On every block was a random spot of lava rocks. The neighbors refuse to allow anyone to tear them down for development because the ELVES wouldn't have a place to live and bad spirits would be brought upon those that live there! Unfortunately we didn't stop so I could take pics cos it was a one lane residential street.
We stopped at a gas station where Dori convinced the ladies to give a free hot dog "med ollu" (with everything on it). These hot dogs are AMAZING! Fresh onions, fried onions, ketchup, roumalade sauce and mustard... sooooooooooooo good!
A quick stop at the Saga Museum just to take in the view of all of Reykjavik and our road trip was over.
Today... Reykjavik Art Museum, a film or two (I'm thinking Antichrist by Lars Von Trier... look it up), another bad ass meal somewhere (we had traditional Indian last night at Oliver that rocked my face off!), and top it all off with live music (Retro Stefson, FM Belfast and Pedro Pilatus & Bear Hug)
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