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Well the good news is that there are not so many banging doors in this hotel so we actually managed to lay in until 0800 this morning. This was also good as we were planning a much less things to do kinda day and actually take things a little slower that they have been. `There are lots more things to do here in Iceland but not really when you are using Reykjavik as your base.

So we have a leisurely breakfast and then headed for the car at the first stop of the day approximately 7km south of a place called Hafnir. Now we are no geologists and to be honest we both vaguely understand what they are talking about when they go on about seismic moment and the shifting of tectonic plates but its seems that this little place is where the land mass split and created Europe and

America as we know it.

On this site that is in the middle of no where in the middle of the bleakest most desolate volcanic lava field you have ever seen (not helped by the continued lashing rain and the windiest conditions we have encountered) there is a bridge that crosses the split between these two land masses. On one side of the bridge you are in Europe and on the other in America but only by the fact that this is where the once singular land mass splits from, its not like you need you visa or anything.

I have to say that this was a whistle stop tour of this site as the wind was treacherous and it was actually hard to walk back to the car against it. Still it was fascinating and certainly got the grey matter spinning when you think that we are still some good way from America.

Back in the wind free car, he headed off to our second and final stop of the day, the world famous Blue Lagoon. It was on this part of the drive that tragedy struck. Two ducks (male and female) came from nowhere right in front of us on the road and there was no time nor was it safe for us to even try to brake.. Its the first time that anything like that has ever happened to me and it was very upsetting. I guess they just could not move in the howling gales and they seemed to get blown in front of us, horrible experience indeed.

Finally we made it to the Blue Lagoon and we were two of the few very mad people that were going to brace the wind and rain and get it a hot pool with the biting wind all around us. The actual Blue Lagoon complex is a very modern flash place, they handed over our flip flops, robe and towel and we headed off to get changed. The package that we had chosen also included with it a drink at the pool bar and a meal afterwards but I have to say like most of Iceland, it was very pricey but you only do these things once.

Showered and changed we headed out of the glass door and into the wind and rain. You have never seen two men walk so fast to get into the steaming waters of that Lagoon and it was a massive relief when we stepped down into the warmth and protection of its waters.

Now the Lagoon is a natural lake but its been helped along by the knowledge and engineering of man. The waters themselves are geothermal hot waters so totally natural but they are pumped into the lagoon and replenished every hour or so to keep the lagoon clean and hot and boy was it hot. I would guesstimate that we were in waters that were hitting 30 degrees and they felt warm. The base of the lagoon is black volcanic sand as is the rock surrounding the pool. The waters themselves dont have the significant sulphur smell like similar pools in New Zealand and it was actually quite pleasant to just wade around it its warmth and relax. A highlight had to be standing underneath the waterfall with the hot geothermal water lashing over your back and body, one of the best massarges I have ever had.

We spent a good couple of hours in the pools and our fingers had taken on the characteristics of man form atlantis, all webbed and crinkly so it was time to have some lunch.

It was another Icelandic affair with Minke Whale back on the menu followed by fish, fish and then some more fish but very very yummy and the surroundings in the Volcano restaurant (as it was called) were also very stylish as well. All black granite floors and walls with black acrylic serving bowls and a view out over the lagoon (you could not actually see that much as the windows were constantly steaming over from the steam raising off the lagoon, one window even had a wiper arm on it!!).

Lunch over and the obligatory exit through the gift shop we got back into the car and headed back to Reykjavik. Our thoughts were already starting to drift towards tomorrow and what will be a massive travel day as we head off to Alaska.

Back in the city we deserved a Latte and some cake so we headed out to the local coffee bar and looked up more information regarding the rest of out trip.Its been a great day today and finishing off with the lagoon has made up for the madness of all the miles we have driven since we have been here.

So after sitting down for an hour or so it seems that we have both lost the energy to actually go out tonight so we have just got back from the supermarket with a few essentials for a night in (making the most of our luxury suite!).

So its good night from me and goodnight from him. Its a very long day tomorrow as we lose 8 hours up in the air so chill out time it is.

Night night.

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