Day 8 The last day at Gauksmyri

When I woke up I was quick to discover it has been snowing a lot during the night. After the marvel of yet another night of northern lights, but not as good as the first night, it came as a surprise because it was snowfree when I went to sleep.

I enjoyed my last day having fun with snow, with taking pictures of the dogs being happy with the snow too.  I was happy for not having to go by car to Reykjavik, but also worried the bus would not go. But Jon the owner called Straeto and confirmed the bus would run. The road would be ok to pass later on when they came to clean and put salt on it.

Notice the black spots in the distance? Those are stonemen, aka snowmen ;-) Exactly how they work, visible as landmark.

I really felt so sad about leaving :-( I could almost cry. Jon took me to Hvammstangi to get the bus there at the regular busstop. It would be better, they typically drop off people anywhere but picking up is different. The bus arrived perfectly on time, and I had a double seat on my own. With Icelandic people on board eating dried fish, making knittwear and drinking brenniven it couldnt be a better say goodbye trip. The highlands were all white now. I took lots of pictures, but the beautifull part around Bifrost in autumn colors was no where to be seen. I really really really would do my very best to arrange a car in next years visit.

Grábrok volcano. As some kind of I do not belong here bump it marks this country side. Like a pile of pitchblack fresh produces volcanic ashes it stands there, out from the rest. When I go here by car, I go hike it :-)

Well I arrived in Reykjavik at 17.00 after check in I went to shop for my souvenirs, but I could not find my shampoo :-( Buuhuu... I had to leave very early the next morning, but I was on Laugarvegur noisy with partying people. It also was another night with northern lights. My camera cards were almost full. At 2.30 at night I went out to chase the lights. They were there, but so were the clouds. The lights were very intense because I saw them incredible strong dancing overhead between the clouds. It was very hard to take a picture, the clouds mainly screwed it, but the very bright green spots even through the clouds told me it was a huge show going on. I gave up on picturing them and just enjoyed it just in front of thjodmenningarhúsid, where the original saga manuscripts are kept.

When I arrived back at the hotel it was my last ritual, to close my suitcase. Which was too small because I didnt want to take a large one by public transport. So hopping and jumping on it to have it closed, last check and fetch some on the go breakfast, the buffet wasnt open yet. Actually I had to buy it the night before. And then the busdriver was already waiting for me, they didnt take in count I requested the service a bit later. Nevermind... when it is time to go, I don't want to waste more time. Off to the airport, and silently cry. Because I am so scared I won't return for a long time...

At the airport I meet the girls from Gauksmyri again, who depart the same time for Frankfurt. And that feels funny, because I never ever spoke to anyone at this airport (except to those who work there of course). We go our separate ways, and with a spare batch of skyr and bitafyskur it is time to go back to hell... Pitty me... but I take the very good memories with me, and 3 more high ranked wishes take off my bucketlist. But it is not said I won't do them again ;-)

- Joining a horse round up
- Seeing northernlights unspoiled
- Walk barefeet on Icelandic soil.

There are still plenty awaiting on the bucketlist!

And then I see the clouds turn pink, purple and orange. A golden glow falls over Myrdalsjokull. I am flying high along the southcoast, Westmann Isles below me. Bye bye my love... Until we meet again! My tears won't reach your waters and soil from this place. It won't rain down on you. Despite of the rain that fell at the airport.