2018 ICELAND Ring Road 13 - Ride to Skógar Continued

We saw structures built part way into the ground or hills...I'm sure to save building materials and protect against cold.

Or sometimes bales of straw were used for insulation.
This barn was particular interesting because it was built into a huge standing rock. The roof was snugged up under sheets of the rock. It was vacant at this time and we were warned not to get to close due to falling debris.

Along the way back we re-visited the Icewear store in Vik. This place is almost warehouse size, but a very nice store with quality products. There is the clothing shop with everything sheep-wool-ish (scarves, sweaters, ponchos, jackets, hats, gloves, mittens, socks, linens, blankets, etc).

There were many local Icelandic products--foods like jellies, salts, canned fish. Also paper products and flag-themed items. This area was protected by a super-sized elf. My what big feet and nose you have!

There was a woolen factory attached to the building. Ordinarily you could tour the area, but today they were closed. However, there was an upstairs viewing spot where you could look down into the manufacturing space and observe the machinery and work space. When completed, the products made there way out to the sales floor.

Another area was cold weather gear that don't involve wool--shoes, raincoats, waterproof coats and jackets, etc. And cold weather sports equipment like skis, sleds, and snowshoes.

Attached to the facility was a large and modern grocery store and deli. We looked for things we usually buy and found all of them I could think of (not brands, but in some form).

This was about the extent of the prepared frozen food department. It was the only area that may have lacked compared to home. But maybe that is a good thing because people would cook more local and fresh instead of using processed foods.

Fabulous produce department. Not big on quantity of each, but certainly a wide range. Fresh herbs, every fruit and veggie, and exotic things like mango and pineapple.

Many variations of dried fish (on right) and smoked salmon (on left).

Mike purchased a package of dried cod fish for a snack. When he opened it in the car, we other three almost gagged from the strong odor. Not used to that! Thankfully, Mike re-sealed the bag in deference to his traveling companions. We opened the car windows for about 10 miles to clear the air. That did the trick. Even though he loved it, I think Mike tossed it for our sake.

Huge cheese and dairy products, including a big selection of skyr (Iceland's wonderful version of yogurt).

Icelandic chocolate. Not sure where they grow cocoa beans (sic), but these packages were hard to pass up.

We did, however, buy some reindeer "poop" candy. It was chocolate balls wrapped around black licorice. A very weird combination, in my opinion, but a common candy here. I don't like licorice myself, but my mom does. So I got some for her and our cat sitters. I didn't try it, but they all said they liked it. (Maybe just being polite!)

I didn't really check the meat department, as I am a pescatarian, but I know lamb is a big part of the meat diet here. Other than that, I could be happy doing all my grocery shopping at this place.

There was also a sleek and modern cafeteria, but it was pretty much the same menu we had seen next door on our first travel day--just a little nicer dish ware and ambiance and a little higher price.

There were also departments for books, toys, puzzles, games, and novelty items. It was a huge temptation to buy these Viking opera singer helmets. Man, I always wanted to be blonde.

But my sis and I resisted. Let's leave it at that and get on to our hotel for the evening.