Iceland: October 2017
Started the day with snorkeling Silfra, inside Thingvellir National Park. The most clear water in the world between the North American and European tectonic plates... I wouldn't call it a best-in-the-world experience, but it for experienced snokelers and scuba divers, to be in such crystal clear water is something you really appreciate... even when it's 2 degrees C and your hands and face are freezing!
Frederiksen Ale House was a merely decent fish and chips for lunch, then off to Reykjanes Geo Park for the thermal pools and the Leidarendi lava tube. The thermal pools don't compare to Yellowstone or Rotorua, but then, few do. And it's a quick drive to Leidarendi lava tube, which, at nearly a kilometer long, is one of the longest lava tubes a tourist is likely to encounter. Very cool, as well as the moss-covered lava fields surrounding it, but much more of an experience rather than a photo opportunity. Great to have an experienced guide as well, who knew all of the geologic details-- definitely made it a much more valuable experience!
Wandered Reykjavik before dinner. Nice leisurely stroll down the main drag for a bit of shopping, then decided to walk a few more blocks deeper in to Grillmarkadurinn for dinner. A superb meal of minke whale appetizer (looked like beef), a fancy cocktail, and a main course of reindeer and pork belly. The kitchen bar seats are the way to go, as they work the blowtorch and the grill both, right next to your seat!
Baejarins Beztu Pylsur for Iceland's most famous hot dog. Not quite sure what the fuss is, but it's part of the experience? Ice cream at Isleifur Heppni was quite a bit more generic, but not a bad way to wrap up the night, and it was about as reasonably priced as the hot dog (ha!).