Day 4 – Walking Tour of Reykjavik, Icelandic Horseback Riding and Return to the National Geographic Explorer!

Today we were able to get a little later start in the morning!  Much rest has been really needed because every day is packed with so much to see, do and experience.  I have to remark that fish and lamb is the center of almost all of the meals here.  I prefer the fish and it is by far the best I have ever had.  Cod, salmon and shell fish… you name it!  Every bite seems like the fish was caught an hour before! 

Walking Tour of Reykjavik

Today we were able to get a little later start in the morning!  Much rest has been really needed because every day is packed with so much to see, do and experience.  I have to remark that fish and lamb is the center of almost all of the meals here.  I prefer the fish and it is by far the best I have ever had.  Cod, salmon and shellfish… you name it!  Every bite seems like the fish was caught an hour before! 

Our walking tour took us through the heart of Reykjavik where we visited many of the old, established streets and buildings from centuries ago.  Everywhere you look, there are corrugated steel buildings all painted in beautiful colors – purple lilac, soft yellows and bright oranges are some of the many colors you will see.  Our tour guide explained that in the winter, Iceland gets very little sunlight.  The Icelandic people use the colors to keep them cheered up.  Our tour guide also explained that she even has been known to decorate her house with pineapples and palm trees in the winter to help keep her spirits bright, lively and silly.  It sounds like something Mr. S. would do!

We were brought to many famous locations of historic significance.  One of them is the main Lutheran Church that is the primary symbol of the town.  The front of it has graduated columns on each side shooting to the heavens above.  When you enter, the church, while very grand and big, the vista is of simple elegance.  White walls and interior architectural lines lifting higher and higher, there isn’t the usual décor of a church.  You are able to appreciate the melodic Icelandic organ music and appreciate the purpose of Iceland’s most noted places of worship. 

We came to many local artesian shops where the Icelandic sense of design was ever present.  Iceland is known for blending nature into their artistic inspiration.  So, it isn’t surprising when you hold up an amazing pair of salmon skin boots – of the trendiest design.  Or, you might pick up a beautiful green beaded necklace made from local seaweed.  Even picking up a coffee mug will have touches of leaf imprints and finger groves to make holding your coffee that much easier, pleasant and fun. 

Horseback Riding

So, Mr. S. has NEVER even touched a horse before.  Several of the guests encouraged me to try this one out.  I admit I was nervous.  The stables make their riders watch a video explaining 100 things to do and not to do when riding a horse.  I told them that I was EXTRA new to these animals; they picked my horse very carefully to me.  Finally, when I was introduced to my horse, I learned that her name was Gangster.  Yikes!  I thought I was in for some real trouble.  The girl running the stable insisted that I shouldn’t worry and that Gangster was a loving, gentle horse who listens quite well. 

It was true.  After getting up on Gangster, we were soon off.  The sound of the horse feet made a rhythmic sound that almost put you in a trance-like state.  It was then that I could totally take in the incredible scenery of our trail.  Our path first took us through alpine pine trees with snow-capped mountains in the distance.  The air was crisp and sweet – like a granny smith apple you just took out of the refrigerator.  The path then brought us through rolling lava fields; this was an especially wonderful treat!  We have seen many of these fields from our buses.  However, it felt like we were really one with nature having a horse below us, and the beautiful world of Iceland really coming alive!  Our ride was fun – and we were even able to take our horses up to several different speeds… fast, slow and then galloping again!  Gangster was beyond sweet and knew what to do the entire time.  I loved every second of it!

Mr. S. riding horses in Iceland!

After our horseback riding, I was then brought back to the National Geographic Explorer!  This was an almost emotional experience for Mr. S.  This is the same ship that brought me to Antarctica.  Now, I am lucky enough to return to it to visit Iceland!  Even more remarkable was the staff aboard.  I can’t tell you how many people remembered me and from down the hall said, “Oh my goodness, Mr. Tom… how are you?”  Such a wonderful experience to be back and see many people who are dear to my heart. 

The Trolls the Trolls!

I do have to tell you one more anecdote.  One of our tour guides today told us about how Iceland has 13 different Santa Clauses!  Sounds like a good thing?  Well, not so much!  I only heard about four of five of them.  They are notorious for causing so much mischief the weeks before Christmas.  They turn chairs over, mess up rooms, slam doors and enjoy making the lives of the children of Iceland a little challenging.  However there IS one very, very mean troll, the mother, who lives in the giant mountain by Reykjavik!  The guide explained that the mother troll is VERY big, VERY mean and VERY scary.  She comes down from the mountain with a giant sack on her back on December 24th.  She walks through the town and finds all of the naughty boys and girls who normally would be on a “not nice” list for Santa.  Not here!  She collects the misbehaving children and cooks them for her Christmas dinner!  OMG!  I couldn’t believe it.  I told the tour guide that all of MY kids are always nice, lovely and caring little love bugs.  Be warned if you every come to Iceland!  You don’t want the momma troll to get you!