Iceland Day 5 June 28, 2017

At times in my life when something unexpected is thrown my way right out of the blue that I did not plan, that I am not prepared for, that I know very little about, then left with a tiny window of opportunity to become informed and prepared mentally, panic sets in, I become flustered and confused and worried and all those bad things.  Today I was thrown one of those curve balls but I caught it and held on tight so I could fully embrace it.  When I was planning this Iceland trip and figuring out what I wanted it to look like, I remained practical to a certain extent when it came to the costs.  I had priorities of where big money would go.  Some things that were a must I went for no matter what, other things that were outrageously expensive (in my opinion) that I would love to do but were not must's, I quickly erased from the planning board.  One of those "would love to do" but was not a must was to hike on a glacier in Iceland.  Three hours into what was to be for me a sighting seeing tour along Iceland's south coast, the realization set in that I was on the wrong tour.  At the pick up point he called my name and I hopped on the mini bus for the Skaftafell and Jokulsarlon Lagoon Sightseeing Tour when in fact three hours later I found out I was on the Jokulsarlon Lagoon and Glacier Hike Adventure Tour.    What the six other people paid just over $400cdn for, I would be getting for $200cdn.  Things happen for a reason and are just meant to be.  Today turned out being a diamond of a day!

When this mixed up mistake came to the forefront, our guide made a phone call, confirmed I could go on the Glacier Hike and not have to wait in the vehicle, then he went into recovery mode and worked to make this day right for me too.  Vik was not on his itinerary but it was on mine.

Stopping to admire glaciers was not on his itinerary but was on mine.  The other six people were now beginning to feel OK that I was along as their day was including nice unplanned visits.

Today's highlight for me was to be at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.   Two friends, ML and RW, both who had ventured here, both recommended to hit this location.  On the way here we passed through a wild rain storm and even saw two tornadoes off in a field.  I thought just enjoy it no matter what.  As we got closer it cleared and it was "pinch me is this for real" beautiful.

As we entered evening it was time to head to the Glacier Guides Headquarters to meet our guide, sign the waivers, collect our ice axe and crampons then hop on the big bus that would take us up to where we would begin our hike to the glacier.  As we began hiking towards the Glacier, I captured a zoomed in shot of our destination.

                                        going higher and higher

                         surrounded by the walls of the Falljokull Glacier 

We stuck to the gentler sections of the Glacier. I could see a group far off much higher up roped together and sporting helmets.  There was loads to see where we were and we had to pay attention to our foot placement.

Our guide showed us how to drink the glacier water without getting our hands cold and wet. I secured my ice axe over the stream, held on to each end, straddled the steam then kicked back my feet and stuck my crampons into the glacier to secure my feet, then bend down and drink the purest water in the world.   

                   We had the opportunity to play on the Glacier.

It was well into the evening now and time to retreat from the Glacier.  I took one last look back at where we were and took a minute to think, thank you to whoever wherever for what transpired today.

We were on our way again, we were all falling asleep off and on.  Our guide still wanted to make today right so at 10:00pm he pulled into the parking lot for Seljalandsforss Waferfalls.   

                                       

These are the waterfalls you can walk behind so of course I did.  

                                       

 I arrived back at my home away from home shortly before 1:00am.  Wired? Yes! Tired? Yes!  It's light out and I need to eat dinner but feel like I should be having breakfast.  It's the next day what ever day that is. I do know it's the day after yesterday!  As I am writing this story, I can't fully wrap my mind around what I saw and experienced today.  It was a diamond of a day!