Day 24 - Vik sunrise

 This morning we went back to Reynisfjara Beach for sunrise.  The weather actually decided to play nice and we got a sunrise, without wind or rain or freezing temperatures.  It was a bit cloudy, but compared to the weather we’ve had, we’ll take it. 

 We got there about for sunrise at 8:38am and the beach was already crowded with photographers and tripods. The beach is known for “sneaker” waves and every now and then, there would be a wave that would wash higher up than most.  Nothing dramatic like I have seen footage of, but enough to make those not wanting to get their shoes wet scurry up the beach.  Of course they are in such a panic to get away from the surf that they care not where they are going, and several cameras left sitting on tripods almost got tipped into the sand and surf.  It really was comedic.  

Instagram versus reality

I lost the plot with two people who thought the really big obvious “no drones”did not apply to them, and one woman who I approached as she was setting up, went back to the car park and flew it from there.  I hunted her down and told her off again.  Irritates the crap out of me. 

Whether I like the rules or not, I can see they make sense, especially in these crowded spots, and the rules should apply equally.  I also told off an old guy – (“sorry, did not know” – don’t care, big sign of a drone with a  cross through it that does not need translation) who kept flying it, checking whether I was still watching, and eventually landed it when B approached him as well. If they are serious about no drones, they really need to enforce it, have people patrolling and giving hefty instant fines for those that transgress.   There have been several places where this has happened.  Godafoss was another one.  And despite my best pleas that the drones fall into the sea or river, it doesn’t seem to happen to those that most deserve it.

Enough ranting about drones.

Once we were done telling people off, we went back to Dyrholaey Lighthouse, the weather was appalling last time we -were here and figured a re-do with good fine weather was in order.

Once we were done, we mooched our way north  to Keflavik airport, stopping occasionally to snap horses by the roadside, buildings or structures that caught our eye and eventually made it to a Netto carpark (grocery store) where I went in for one last donut while B crammed everything into her bags.

Packing

I dropped her at the departures section, and headed in to Reykjavik to try out the city campsite.  You have to have pre-booked this one, unlike all the others, but I was able to book from the carpark outside and you are given a 4 digit code which will get you in to all the facilities.  Quite a clever system I guess, though it is a little annoying to have to keep entering your code.  I also didn’t get the promised email with my code, so I had to walk next door to the hostel that is affiliated, and get them to re-send it to me.

I did a load of laundry – hurray – a fresh stash of clean underwear – at a cost of 900 KR ($11.17) for a wash plus the same again for a dry.  They provide the soap, which is quite a smart way to do it. I took a shower while it was washing, so I feel brand new.  They also have a natty system of lockers which contain power points, and you can put your stuff in to charge and padlock the locker shut and not have to worry about someone nicking your stuff, or unplugging it before it’s charged.

I wandered to the local Pylsuvagninn (hot dog stand) and grabbed the recommended “yes please to everything” and scoffed it on my way back to the van.  Catching up on the blog as I’m three days behind again – sigh.  Up at about 6.30 tomorrow as I am going on a snorkelling trip to the Silfra fissure.  I’m sure I will regret it !