Day 6: Back to Reykjavik

Overview.  Spent most of the day driving from Akureyri back to Reykjavik. We spent some time along the way climbing the Grabrok crater and visiting nearby Glanni Falls, and we stopped for lunch at the gas station at Borganes, but that was pretty much it. In the evening, kids stayed at home, while Olga and I trekked to the Grotta Island Lighthouse at the very tip of Reykjavik's peninsula, and spent some time there.

Leaving Akureyri.

Weather. Akureyri met us with cool morning and a low hanging mist. About 20 km inland the mist disappeared and the rest of the way to Reykjavik was sunny. The temperature was between 15 and 19 degrees Celcius, with 17 degrees being the most common along the way and in Reykjavik. Good weather overall, except for the very beginning of the trip.

The mist outside of Akureyri.

Heading south. Woke up, had breakfast, packed the bags, checked out of the house, got gas, stopped by the same bakery as the day before to get coffee and some baked goods, and drove south. Had some unforeseen delays, but eventually made it to Grabrok.

The mists are disappearing  as we go inland.

Grabrok Crater. I wanted to find something to do along the way to Reykjavik but recognizing that it a long drive, the kids are tired, and we won't be doing touristy things the entire day.  I found Grabrok Crater - which is conveniently situated right by Route 1.

Grabrok Crater from Glanni Falls parking lot. And yep, that is the correct horizon line.

 I remembered driving past it on the way north and wondering what it was... Well, wonder no more.

A panorama of the inside of Grabrok Crater.

It is one of three volcanic craters (two are still standing, one has disappeared "due to mining operations"). There is a parking lot right off route 1, and a short, but steep, although well-established climb to the top of the crater, and a path along its rim.

Grabrok Crater and the vicinity.

 The crater itself is quite dry, but there are some really nice views in various directions.  We spent about 40-50 minutes climbing, hiking along the rim, and returning back.

Panorama with Grabrokafell Crater as seen from the top of Grabrok Crater.

Grabrokafell: the other crater in the system.

Glanni Falls. The shortest sightseeing detour we had....  Basically, needed a bathroom break, and the visitor center - about a mile south of Grabrok Crater parking lot advertised a cafe. It turned out to be a golf club, but it did have the facilities, although I had to part with two bucks to use them. In an act of civil disobedience (free the loo!), I let other tourists use the facilities without "suggested donation". We then walked to the falls themselves. The Glanni waterfall is pretty, but after all the falls we saw up north - hardly as impressive. Took some pictures, went back to the car.

Glanni Falls in all their glory.

Borganes. Stopped there for lunch. The tourist web sites advertised the Ljomalind farmer's market as something really cool. Nope. Just a store.  After that we paid a visit to a nearby liquor store - our first trip to such a store in Iceland. Bought some beer and cider.  Then, crossed the street to Grill 66, which is a fast food eatery inside Olis - one of the gas station chains in Iceland. Had burgers.  Drove down Borganes penninsula, but nothing in the tourist part of town (except for the church that impressively was perched on top of a cliff) struck a chord with us, so we turned around and headed home.

In Reykjavik. Kids just wanted to be left alone - right on the mark - our usual observation is that they require half-a-day of recharging at home for every three days of activities, and a full day - for every non-stop week of activities.  We looked at our step counts and decided that 7pm is too early  stay home. I looked up places to go, decided to see what the end of the world looks like in Reykjavik... Turns out, it's a lighthouse on an island.

Grotto Island Lighthouse at high tide.

We drove there. Lighthouse is not accessible - we were the at high tide, and the pathway was under the water.

Grotto Island:  almost the westernmost part of Reykjavik.

 Instead, we walked along the beach, passed by the infamous Kivka foot bath (on the way out, some kids were bathing there, on the way back a couple decided to submerge entirely.... this is why we cannot have nice things), and went all the way up to the point where the single-occupancy houses gave way for apartment/condo complexes, and then went back. Took some pictures of Reykjavik skyline.

Reykjavik skyline.

We then drove to the old town, parked on the same secret street as on our first day, walked to Ingolfur square, had some drinks in a bar. Then, went back to the car, stopped by 24-hour Netto to get potatoes, and headed home.

Viking-themed restaurant on Ingolfur Square.

Driving.  Around 490 km. Will post the exact odometer reading later.

Walking.  11,959 steps according to Google Fit, most of them in Reykjavik.

Day 7 plans. Flea market visit in Reykjavik, and then  - we'll see.