*Long post alert* (Got a short post yesterday and a long one today-I had to even it out somehow).

Day 4: I slept pretty good last night and stayed in bed as long as I could this morning. With this being our last full day here in Iceland we were in for a long one. The tour provider (Artic Adventures) was set to pick us up at 10am for a Snowmobile and Ice Cave tour. After breakfast we managed to meet Hendon (our guide-not sure if this is his name because I don’t remember) at the exact moment we got to the lobby. We hopped aboard the van and were told we needed to pick up 2 more people at another stop and then we’d drive to the basecamp which was an hr and 45 mins away.

The basecamp was not too far from the Golden Circle area but in a different direction and since we had some time, Hendon stopped on the side so that we could see some horses. There were 3 of them, they were so cute and they looked happy to see us. There was an opportunity in which we were able to feed them by paying a small fee for their candy so we did. The 2 that were together were ready for us lol. We fed them and tried our best to split everything evenly. The horses here in Iceland are special.

There’s something called gaits that all horses have naturally and that includes: walk, trot and canter/gallop. With an Icelandic horse you can add tölt and flying pace to the list. Icelanders are offended if you call them ponies because they are horses. After feeding the horses we headed to basecamp. Once at basecamp, we stopped in the area where they had toilets and could grab a bite to eat before the activity began. No one opted for anything just yet and I sat and talked to the other 2 girls that were on the van with us. One girl was from Doha, Qatar and the other from Chihuahua, Mexico.

After about 30 minutes we met another group at the basecamp and put on all of our gear (snowsuits, helmets, goggles, headband scarves and gloves). It would take about 30-40 mins to get to where the snowmobiles were on the glacier. We all boarded this super jeep and headed up towards the glacier. The ride at times was a bumpy one and we rocked from side to side like a rollercoaster ride. At one point you could look around and all you could see is white (snow snow snow everywhere).

We arrive at the base on the glacier Langjökull and were given instructions by our guide Arnie. Arnie did a great job showing us how to operate the snowmobiles with the most important functions: on, off, brake and accelerate along with a few others that weren’t necessarily needed during our ride. Everyone understood and had a shared ride so since each snowmobile was a 2 person ride the person that drove up would be different from the person driving back.

I drove up to the ice cave while Kassandra drove back and seeing as though this was our 1st time doing this we did well. I would say manuvering is easily adjustable but keeping up and trying to stay a safe distance (and taking overall safety into account) is what was the toughest part (we got it done though). For me I was worn out a little bit after getting off (due to the reasons mentioned above). At the top all you could see was white and it was snowing. We all got a chance to go in the ice cave and what a narrow entrance although the inside was bigger. Ducking down (especially if we kept our helmets on) we had to watch our heads. Inside there were steps and a rope you hold onto and once inside there’s a spot in which we were all able to spread out and sit down. We were told a bit of information about the glacier and glaciers in general. We took some photos and videos once inside and stayed for about 15-20 mins. After coming out it was time to drive back from whence we came so we switched and Kassandra drove back. Snowmobiling was really cool and I enjoyed it; it’s definitely something that I would do again.

Back at the glacier base we took some photos and videos and boarded back onto the super jeep. The snow seemed to be picking up now so it was a good thing we were wrapping things up. Right in front of us was a monster Jeep paving the way (although that actually made it harder for our smaller vehicle). Back at basecamp we took some last photos and turned our gear back in. Now a few people took the time to grab food or something to drink. Ironically the girl from Doha said she was able to see the Northern lights on Monday while showing me pictures (they were nice). I definitely emailed our tour company that night to let them know because he said he had confirmed with other guides that they didn’t see anything.

I asked Hendon before boarding the van back to Reykjavik if he could drop me off at the hotdog place Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur and he said he would get me as close as he could (which he did). We had a reservation at Messin a highly rated seafood place at 8pm and we were due to get back around 6:30pm so I just thought it was smarter to be dropped off by the hotdog place since they’re close to each other and I could just browse around the area until 8pm. As we were on our way back Hendon asked us if we liked ice cream and we all said yes. He said that since we had some time he would stop by a natural ice cream place on the way back where they raise the cows and make thier own ice cream, milk and other things.

So we stopped and got ice cream, I opted for a scoop of salted caramel on a waffle cone and it was delicious. There we got a chance to actually see the cows (and there were some baby ones). Upon leaving there we stopped at one more surprise spot which was a “hot pot” area outside for baking and apparently it was a spot that Gordon Ramsey cooked something in for a tv show. We felt the water nearby which was bubbling and warm. Hendon explained the baking process to us and after that we left.

We got into Reykjavik around 6:50pm so it definitely made more sense to be near downtown. We got off and went to an art museum which honestly by the end of it I was thinking, “What did I just see?” We stopped to get our hotdog and though it was good I think that it’s overrated (I wouldn’t get another one but I was glad to try it). Just around the corner was Messin a small, quaint yet busy place (I can see why you need a reservation). We were seated and ordered. We both enjoyed our meals and had enough leftovers to take home. We walked from the restaurant to the hotel which was a good 24 minute walk and along the way we browsed into closed store windows, open stores and restaurants as the snow fell and the wind blew us every which way.

It has been a long day and I’m tired. With today being our last full day here, it was certainly a good one. Here are a few things that were mentioned today that I want to share that covers a variety of topics discussed:

• It’s common that people don’t lock their doors here because Iceland is one of the safest countries

• Dating at one point was tough because everyone practically knew each other but with the growing amount of foreigners adding to the population it’s not as bad

• The Icelandic horse is a 4 wheel drive horse lol (they have crampons to run in the snow)

• The horses are born, bred and domesticated here (and are very friendly)

• Icelandic horses love children and butt scratches

• Lava fields encompass 40% of Iceland

• Moss here takes 50 years to grow back and you can get fined or deported if you walk on it

• We actually snowmobiled in Europe due to the tectonic plates

• Langjökull is the 2nd largest glacier in Iceland and Europe (it’s long and flat-what the name translates too)

• The ice inside the glacier is 0°C

• A snow monster jeep tire costs $8,000 (for one)

• Iceland is the fastest service connected country in Europe (internet works everywhere)I hope you all enjoyed the write-up for tonight. Kassandra is sleep but I’m posting and packing. We’ll be back in the U.S. tomorrow.