October 1, 2009

Slept rather well, was woken up at 7:30. Ate some breakfast, and hit the road. Headed out around the Snæfells peninsula; the western most part of Iceland. The Snæfellsjökull glacier marks the tip, sitting atop its mountain at around 1440 m. Was the setting for the entrance point in Journey to the Center of the Earth. Drove up to a road going up the mountain, and were greeted by a snow-covered road and a sign that read:impassable. Ah well, so much for that. From there, stopped and ate breakfast in Olafsvík. A small town, bounded by mountains and the ocean. Climbed a waterfall on the edge of town. Almost slipped and fell off taking photos off the edge...but I didn't. Nice try, nature. Picked up some liquid provisions and headed north towards Akuryeri, the second-largest town in Iceland. I took a bit of a wrong turn, and headed up the wrong side of a fjörd, almost running us off the road as i was driving and looking at the map. Got back on the right track though, and eventually made it to Akuryeri. Looked around for a while for a place to stay the night. Hotel far too expensive. After an hour or so of searching, found a hostel. Oh, reception is closed? But your self-locking door, failed to do its job. Found a shower and towels in the hallway. Washed up. Drank our drinkin' drinks in the common area upon very comfortable red leather couches. Amazing. Drunkenly made it to a bar. Water guns and shots of fire and people buying us shots and all around merriment. Got split up, Jamie and Peter went joyriding with some locals, the rest of us found our way back. Talked in the kitchen with some French guy who was actually supposed to be there and ate some peanut butter sandwiches. Come to think of it, not sure how we got back in the second time. The door definitely locks after you close it. Ah well. Slept comfortably.