This was the day Lisa and I had to say goodbye to our new friends and fellow travelers who share the explorers' mindset. Over the 10 days I was onboard the ship, I observed a group of hardworking and dedicated people who strive to ensure that every traveler leaves with "new experiences, enhanced knowledge, and increased understanding of our role in protecting its trove of natural and cultural treasures." (Source: Lindblad website)
The staff and crew work long days at sea for several weeks. Through my observations and conversations, I saw a group of people who work as a well-oiled team supporting each other. I quickly noted this at the end of the cocktail hour within hours of boarding the ship when the expedition staff cleared glasses from the tables in the lounge. I made a point to discuss this with the staff, and they explained that mutual support, transparency, and humor are critical for the well-being of all.
Although we were disembarking from the ship, we still had more exploring on our journey to the airport. Our adventure took us through the Reykjanes GeoPark, a UNESCO Global GeoPark established in 2015. Global GeoParks aims to raise awareness of issues facing society, such as climate change and how to use our natural resources sustainably.
Grosvenor Girls last adventure
Kleifarvatn is the largest lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula.
The boardwalk allows visitors to safely make there way.
The smell of rotten eggs and the yellow deposits are evidence of the sulphuric gases.
Bubbling mud pool
We spied some of the famous Icelandic horses along the way.
We stopped at Bryggjan Grindavik for a lunch of soup and baked salt cod. I sampled their famous lobster soup, akin to our lobster stew but with smaller pieces of lobster. Located in the Grindavik Harbor, the dining hall has views of Bryggjan Grindavik Netagerðin, a net making-shop.
Bryggjan Grindavik Netagerðin
Our last stop was the Bridge Between Continents, which spans the crack between the North American and Eurasian plates.
The plates rift an average of 2 cm per year. (Source: Reykjanes GeoPark)
A plaque explained that Daniel Alexandersson from Reykjanesbær hoped visitors would snap a photo of themselves holding up the Bridge Between Continents and share it on social media.
All good things must end, and it was time to prepare for departure at the Keflavik International Airport, initially built by the U.S. Military during World War II.
Goodbye, beautiful Iceland! Takk (thank you) for the memories.