Our time in Reykjavík is drawing to a close. Today is our last full day here before the tour group assembles and we head to our next destination. Starting tomorrow, we’re traveling what everyone around here calls “the ring road” with a journey to a spot that everyone seems to know as the “Golden Circle.” From what I can glean of the Icelandic language, Foss is a suffix that means you’re talking about a waterfall. All the waterfalls are something-foss. This one is Gullfoss, the golden waterfall. In that we’re headed to the Golden Circle, Gold Falls seems like an appropriate name for the falls. More on that later when I get more information from whatever tour guide we meet.
For now, let’s recap the amazing day we just had in and around the capital city of Iceland. We began with a bit of a hustle out the door to meet our transport van that took us to the Icelandic Horse center. It’s horsey day today, and we were all ready to go out and ride these amazing animals.
Things I learned today: Icelandic horses are the most pure bred horses in the world because a some point in history, horses and livestock in the rest of Europe were swapping diseases back and forth, so Iceland decided to take advantage of being an island by forbidding other horses to come and go. As a result, these guys are very specific to the location. They’re smaller than what you’d think of with your American brain but they are great animals. Also, we were told that they are so friendly because of evolution. The ones who were rude or stand-offish to their fellow horses tended to go off on their own in the winter and suffer in isolation. The friendly ones kept each other warm and tended to make more horses. Friendliness wins the genetic lottery. Hooray for kindness!
We also rode across lava fields. Lava fields are interesting. Just a whole bunch of rocky looking space with mosses and some grass. The guide had a joke: If you ever find yourself lost in an Icelandic forest, you should stand up. See, the trees are pretty short around here. No worries, though- the horses are pretty short, too. Apparently, short horses have great personalities. As a 5’4” woman, I can see the value in shortness.
Icelandic horses have Icelandic names. My horse was a very calm soul named Blesi. It was pronounced Blessey. He was pretty chill. They have you stand and greet your horse- pet his head and chat him up a little before they help you hop on. I talked to Blesi the whole time we rode. Some conversational excerpts:
Me: Hey, buddy, why you pulling to the right? You see something cool over there? I don’t want to complain that my horse has bad alignment. Also, what this with following so close. Hit the brakes, kid. Heaven knows what may happen if the horse in front of you stops short!
Blesi: Hrrmmph!
Me: Yep. Makes sense. You sure are a kind and patient horse, kiddo.
Cas was privileged to ride a horse called Styrmir. Steer-mehr for those of you trying to pronounce along at home. His horse was a little more spazzy than mine. Styrmir was often seen dropping out of the column of horses and trying to parallel park his way back into line in his preferred spot. He was a bit of a pill, but Cas was very good at rolling with it. We rode to a spot in the middle of the lava fields, and all of the horses seemed to know that we were in the place where they could take a potty break. I now know the sound of a dozen horses peeing, but I will spare you the description.
Yes, the horses were awesome. Amazing. I need new adjectives.
And when we got back to the hotel, we were hungry. We decided to find some food that was probably best in the city we’re currently in. Our future travels will take us to small places where dinner at the hotel may be the only game in town, and I am sure those will be amazing meals, but I am guessing that this may be our last shot at fish and chips for a while. So that’s what we went out and found. There are really some excellent fish and chip options near our hotel, and we took full advantage. We took advantage, ate way too much and had a nap. Naps are awesome when you’re five hours off your regular time zone and confused by a sun that almost never sets.
After our nap, we had a little energy to burn, and Cas found a spot on his Google map called Bullseye. It is a bar where you can play darts. Whelp, my skill at darts hasn’t improved. It’s not that I am bad at darts, but I am certainly not good. Cas won the first game hands down, and the second game was mine for the taking, but this place has electronic timers on things, so my need to hit one 17 was backed up against his need for the whole dang bullseye. I think I would have had it. Alas, the time ran out, and we decided to just enjoy the good company. Also, he conceded, and I took the win. I’m not a fool, folks.
Anyhow, tomorrow, we learn what the Golden Circle looks like and head out to see the rest of this amazing island. That’s all I have for now. Have a lovely evening, and we’ll catch you on the other side of a waterfall!
Here’s Cas, Styrmir, me and Blessi.
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