Iceland Pictures - Day 3.5 - Fire and Ice Debauchery

     So down the driveway we go with the poor rental car that had no idea what was coming. We got out and the first thing you notice is steam coming from everywhere. There looked to be a nice pool, and a gorgeous guest house located right on the river with a hot tub mere steps away. A geothermal suana downstairs and a relaxation room, exactly what we needed!

     However, there was no one there. The house was unlocked and while we were poking around, looking at how amazing this place was (the operator turned out to be a curator for the Museum of Art in Reykjavik), I think Neil and Shannon went back up to the sign by the road to call the number on the sign. After spending approximately $47 in coins on the pay phone because we couldn't get it work, we finally managed to figure out the manager was on his way here. So we hung out and talked about how damn expensive it was probably going to be to stay here but how cool it was nonetheless. So the nicest old man shows up and we talk a little bit and it's going to cost us about $70 each to stay the night. More than we had been paying but less than we thought, so after a brief discussion we jumped on it. The guy showed us around (the pool was heated geothermally as well) and told us about a great local cuisine/seafood restaurant which he was nice enough to call and make reservations (actually just make sure they'd stay open) for us.

     The old guy could really sense what we needed so he gave us a couple of hours to clean up and hit the hot tubs before we had to make the trip (back to Selfoss as it turned out) to dinner. I think this will be a great place to start in on the pictures . . .

This is a shot looking out from where Shannon is standing in the next picture.	The river, of course, was cold, but there were tons of geo-thermal features popping out of the ground everywhere.
Neil in the parking lot, you can see the windshield of our poor rental car.	In the parking lot of Fire and Ice as well; Hveragerdi is famous for its thermally heated year round greenhouses.
Seth took this picture from the parking lot, this guest house had a great yard, a pool, hot tubs, you name it this place was great.	When the wind blew (which was quite often, it was winter in Iceland!) we would often disappear. Great trick.
The following series of picture was before we left for dinner. We got our Fire and Ice robes on and headed down to the hottubs for some pre-dinner cocktails. (Even though some of them look dark, it was somewhat daylight out before we left, and each camera picked out the light differently.)	The hot tub was right below our deck, we could almost jump into it (and I'm pretty sure we debated doing just that for while).
We were having such a great time, kicking back and having a few beers that this place seemed like heaven. . .	So, we took numerous pictures, none of which can adequately do the experience justice.
The hot water in the tub seemed to vary, sometimes it was almost to hot to get in, and then it would go cool for awhile. . .	I guess that's because the geothermal water isn't always a constant flow of the same temperature.
Later on in the night, we would have contests and the loser had to do penance by laying down in the river.	River doesn't look so warm, does it? The contests were much later at night, however. . .
You can barely see us, but you've got to say, "Those are 4 extremely happy guys in a hot tub!"	After we polished the last of the vodka, we had to send Seth on a booze run back up to our rooms.
Seth happily complied, bringing us more Fanta 7's and Egil beers.	Shannon inspecting Seth's work.
Here we are reloaded with beers and 7's, thanks to Seth.	You'll notice the full bottle of Vodka and Egil tallboys which did not make it to dinner. . .
Here is the brain trust behind our jaunt. Neil and I discussing the finer points of Iceland and hot water . . .	Seth is usually happy.
I think we've forgone the Fanta by now and are just drinking beer and vodka straight up, which will explain the next series . . .

Every town you'd come to would have these signs; when you got close there would be this yellow sign with a picture of a town. When you left there would be a yellow sign with a picture of town and a red stripe through it. "No town" signs. Hillarious.

Unfortunately, these were my last 2 pictures. I guess it was good because I put my camera back in the car and wouldn't have to worry about losing it. But we didn't get any shots of the restaurant and our poor waiter, which was the best meal I think I've ever had.