2018 ICELAND Grindavik 24 - Ultimate Relax

On our last full day, rain started for the first time. Up til now it had been sunny. We didn't mind though, as we thought swimming in the hot Blue Lagoon with cold rain coming down would be pretty enjoyable.

On our way, we swung by the Harpa Concert Hall. It had windows in many shades of blue and was again reminiscent of the natural basalt columns seen in the landscape of Iceland. Today was gray. I'm sure it is much more impressive when it is sunny. Still striking though.

The first concert was held here on May 4, 2011. It houses the Icelandic Symphony, as well as the Young Opera Academy. The hall was impressive, but we were in a hurry to get to the Lagoon, so we passed on the inside tour.

In looking up info on Harpa's website, it advised they were "closing early today (6/26/2018), so personnel could watch the FIFA international soccer match between Iceland and Croatia." What a country!!! Alas, they lost 1-2.

Out of the parking lot, we were stopped by a gaggle of fat ducks crossing the road.

Next stop was for gas. That was another 90+ USDs.

Finally headed to the Blue Lagoon. We went through some industrial (but very clean and modern) areas and some high-rise apartments.

As we got further out of town, snow seemed to be deeper and more widespread. Roads were wet with the rainy precipitation and looked icy. Took our time.

The GPS did not recognize our hotel...the Silica. That was a little worrisome, but we just followed Grandavik signs. We knew it was somewhere near that town. We got there fairly easily with GPS sending us in the general direction and road signs.

We got to the hotel about noon. Our rooms were ready. Yay!! It looked nice but basic from the outside. I'll tell you about inside next time. Here's T&L.

We got settled in and then decided we needed a bite before exploring. We headed to Grindavik, about 7 kilometers or 4 miles away. It was a long 7 kilometers. This was the first time we had hit ice and snow on the road. Drove in slo-mo and glad there was barely another car. Much of the way we drove in two wheel ruts through the snow pack. I took my time on this drive.

Here is the town of Grindavik with population 3,300. It is one of the largest fishing centers in Iceland. It has a guest house, camping area, 18-hole golf course, Reykjanes lighthouse, swimming pool, and a museum featuring fishing and mineral and energy resources.

We didn't have a restaurant in mind and we didn't really see any eateries except at a gas station. We stopped at what looked like a possibility. The sign said Fish "something." Laur went in to inquire or to get directions. She said when she walked in the door, she got hit with a blast of fish stink. Turned out to be a fish processing plant, but they did give us directions.

We saw a place called Salt and later learned that was THE place to go, but we ended up at Bryggjan, a local fishermen's hang-out. And glad we did. We liked hanging with the peoples.

The decor was quirky and eclectic--fishing tackle, wood-carvings, Viking-related, stuffed puffin, huge framed King crab, and a memorial to John Lennon.

That last one threw me a bit, so I looked it up. To read the Lennon story, go to: http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2010/10/eco-special-feature-john-lennons-iceland-imagine-peace-tower.html

The menu big sellers were lamb or lobster (really langoustino) soup.

L and I went for the lobster soup and bread (all you can eat for 20 USD). It tasted great, but if there was a tablespoon of "lobster" meat in my soup bowl, I would be surprised. Tom got the open-faced sandwich with salmon and boiled egg (10 USD).

After lunch, we walked around the small harbor. We learned haddock and herring were the major fish hauled in here. It was cold (2C degrees) and rainy, so things were pretty quiet today.