We are in Reykjavik

7-16-10   We made it to the airport. No problems getting past security. US Air kept us on the ground 20 minutes, due to some "delay program" to aid the flow of traffic through Charlotte. Twenty minutes on the tarmac without air conditioning. Then there was the testy stewardess.

  One man went to the bathroom without permission. Another man used an electronic device before it was time. The stewardess threatened to remove them from the plane. Some lady threw up in her seat, due to the heat.

  The flight to Boston was not much more pleasant. Still intolerably hot. The problem with connections is that it is a sprint to get to the next plane. On Iceland Air, we ate sandwiches, which came with Skyr. This is a whipped Icelandic yogurt, slightly sweet for dessert. We both enjoyed it.

  It was a long flight into Iceland. The light changed. The "midnight sun" which never sets never did. We landed and found out that the quick sprint we had made making the connection in Boston meant that the bags stayed in Boston. Our sweatshirts and clean clothes. Berry's bins. The tripod for my spotting scope. They will arrive tomorrow.

We rented a car and came into Reykjavik. We rented a room at the Fosshotel Baron downtown. We have already seen our first Icelandic bird, the Arctic Tern (Sterna Paradisaea), coursing over the water of the bay. It has the most amazing tail.

Arctic Tern

  The money used here is the krona. About 125 to the dollar. But credit cards are used everywhere. Very convenient. "Talar thu ensku ?" I say and everyone speaks English. Very nice. We are resting up before we head back out.

-Robert

(photo by adespets )