Iceland, Friday, September 22, 2023...

After my breakfast of skyr, croissant and two slices of cheese, I was ready for another great day of coach viewing and stopping for sites to see.

We arrived at Fjadrargljufur Canyon. McKenna hopped out of the coach and opened her nifty book to the pronunciation of this canyon. We always had the opportunity to try saying these Icelandic names. We never really quite got them right. It was fun trying. As with other stops, This one was in levels of walking. We all made it to the first viewpoint. Most of us made it to the second viewpoint. And some really dedicated hikers made it to the third viewpoint and a bit beyond. Claude and I would make it to the second viewpoint. No one every felt like they didn't do well enough. We all knew we were doing what worked for us. This was, as promised, a beautiful canyon. 

Time to rest our legs while the coach carried us to the Glacier Lagoon. Here are scenes from the drive.

As we got back on the coach after our rest stop, one of the members of a family group of about 15 people on this tour had a birthday. We all sang Happy Birthday to Carlie. After we sang, one of the other sisters said, "Thanks Mom for having Carlie." Then another sisters said, "Thanks Mom for having the rest of us." Then another family member said, "Dad, you were there too!" I got a great chuckle out of that.

We arrived at Glacier Canyon. McKenna passed around a map so we knew where we were. That snow capped area has lots of glaciers flowing down from it and lots of waterfalls. Glacier Lagoon was formed at the mouth of the glacier when the ocean waters worked their way inland to meet the glacier. The warmer ocean water thaws the glacier and a lagoon was formed with icebergs where the glacier has calved into the lagoon. The countries shortest river goes from the lagoon to the ocean. 

Our group would be divided into two smaller groups to get us on a duck boat ride in the lagoon among these icebergs. Before either group got their boat ride, we got our first pictures of the lagoon, glacier and the bridge over the shortest river in Iceland. Don't blink or you will miss it!!

What do you think? Sunglasses or no sunglasses?

Our group did the duck boat ride first. Our guide on our boat was from Russia. She reminded me of Mila Kunis. At one point, another boat came alongside and handed her a piece of glacial ice. It was several hundred years old. We were allowed to pass it around. Got a good picture of Claude holding this ice. This was my first time in a duck boat. We were asked to all sit until the boat was clearly settled into the water. Then we were allowed to stand to take pictures. It was an amazing experience. Wish I could think of another word besides amazing, but I can't seem to find one. It was amazing!

Back on shore, it was our turn to find lunch while the other half of our group, who had lunch while we were in the water, took their boat ride. We found some delicious lobster soup. It was so like the creamy soups we have when on cruises that I love so very much. The soup came with two hard rolls. I only like soft bread. So, Claude was the recipient of my two hard rolls. This was quite fortuitous. You see, my hubby is a sopper. I loves taking bread and wiping out the remainder of anything in a bowl. Even the dressing left from a salad. He was in heaven. Four rolls and a bowl of delicious lobster soup to enjoy them. 

After our lunch, we walked up a hill to get a really great view of the lagoon full of icebergs and the glacier. 

Just before we left the top of the hill, Claude saw a piece calve off of the darker blue iceberg in the center of this picture. We stood and watched it slowly roll over and turn a bit to rebalance itself in the water. We were told that you can tell the icebergs that have rolled over as they are a darker blue in color. The next picture is a closeup of that iceberg after it settled into its new position.

Our next two stops were at the mouth of the shortest river in Iceland. First we went to the west bank. Both these sides of the river are called Black Diamond Beach. The icebergs flow to the bridge over the river. Then under the bridge and out to sea. As the tides change, you can see pieces of the icebergs left on shores or diamonds on a black sand beach. These are pictures of the west bank of the river and the ocean in front. In some pictures you can see across to the east bank of Black Diamond Beach.

To be sure we got as much enjoyment as we could out of these Black Diamond Beaches, our coach took us to the east side. These are pictures taken from the east side. Please note the last picture of a chair made out of an iceberg. 

What a wonderful day. We road back to Vik. Rain and cold winds were coming. At the rest stop, I would get my first soda of the trip. I usually drink Mello Yello, Mountain Dew or Dr. Pepper. These are not found outside of the United States as a general rule. When we leave the States, I try to relish the last soda I will have until we return home. Usually countries have a Coke or Pepsi product including a diet version, a Sprite and sometimes an orange soda. I enjoyed my orange soda, something like a Fanta orange soda. 

This day I used my regular camera to take photos of the landscape of Iceland as we drove along. I share those now. So happy we got to see this wonderful landscape. 

We stayed in the hotel this night. We dined in their dining room. It felt good to rest up a bit.