Over the past month, we have plotted about thirty different travel scenarios that involved everything from Tbilisi to Beirut. Every day the situation seemed to change. Guidance was mixed at best whether vaccinated Americans would be welcomed back to various destinations. And whilst the United States, for once, was doing alright with its covid numbers (or is just testing far fewer people), other parts of the world were getting hammered — further complicating our efforts and plans. This was not aided at all by the U.S. State Department who decided they would give 180 countries a Level 4 (Do Not Travel) Warning — thereby putting Syria and Afghanistan in the same category as . . . Antarctica.
The planning for this trip was far more complicated than our trip back in October/November. We went through a lot of scratch paper, and after thirty different scenarios, we still don’t entirely know what the future holds for us. One step at a time. We’re now in Boston.
There are more flights between LAX and JFK, but they were all full because this Tuesday is when everyone has decided to travel (at least domestically). However, it is perhaps divine providence that we were in Boston Logan Airport because I had a free cookie perk at Potbelly’s Sandwich shop that was expiring in two days. I was devastated about the prospect of not being able to redeem it.
Boston Logan Airport could use some updates, but as they are the city of the “Big Dig,” such changes will be unlikely to occur quickly. We had four hours to kill before our next flight, but all the lounges were buried deep in the bowels of the airport . . .and closed.
While everyone was flying all over the United States today, the international terminal was pretty dead. We were given seats well in advance of boarding which is always a bit reassuring. Every passenger onboard our Icelandair 767 could have also fit on a CRJ-200, so there was ample room.
Our flight to Iceland was shorter than the transcon flight from LAX to Boston, but our bodies were a bit fatigued from a day of travel. Overcast skies greeted us to Keflavik Airport. Initially we had debated hiking to a volcano today since weather was supposed to be fairly favorable, but the short walk from the terminal to our rental car lot was shockingly cold and windy. Furthermore, in the ever-changing covid rules, we are evidently supposed to quarantine until we get the results from a very deep nasal PCR test that was given to us upon arrival. Our vaccine cards were checked multiple times, but this does not give us an entirely free pass . . .yet. Ironically, these rules come at the same time that Iceland has lifted its mask mandate.
In any event, it was quite windy for our Dacia Duster 4×4 on the open road. It was almost a three hour drive to the Hotel Kria on Iceland’s south coast. The landscape gradually changed from volcanic drab to dramatic cliffs, lush greens, glacial mountains, and striking waterfalls. Many could be seen just off the road. Eventually I saw one so big in the distance, I had to pull off. This turned out to be Skógafoss, one of the more famous waterfalls in Iceland. Other than one other small group of visitors, we were the only people present.
Though the sun was showing its face, it was so windy and cold that I could barely manipulate my camera. As it is just off the road, we can always come back when conditions are more favorable. The wind here is no joke. I have read numerous warnings about it, but didn’t fully understand the extent. I had to struggle to close the car door after I got back from taking pictures.
We arrived at our hotel thirty minutes later and were able to check-in at 9am. This was a relief as we could get somewhat settled. We hit up the grocery store across the street to get some items for breakfast, including skyr (Icelandic yogurt), Kleinur (Nordic donuts), and bananas (yellow fruit).
We enjoyed our makeshift breakfast before resting and regrouping to see where the rest of the day might take us.
passports & pepto bismol 