After lunch we discovered that it is possible for one rain cloud to follow you for hours. As we hiked through the Gjáin (a grotto of smaller waterfalls along with wet creek crossings), we could see sun on all sides of us. But the constant rain only added to the other worldly feeling of this place.

Climbing up out of the the grotto area, we arrived at a covered area that was the archeological site for Stöng. Stöng was a viking era farm and long house. It was buried under a Hekla eruption in 1104. You can see the original base rocks of the wall and then the layers of turf that built them up.

From there we took a short ride to Þjóðveldisbærinn Stöng, a replica of Stöng. It was created in 1974 to celebrate 1100 years since the original Icelandic settlement. It was very interesting to see how the long house was built, with the sod roof and walls with internal timber supports. Looking down one long hall it was pretty easy to imagine the place packed with people either sitting or sleeping on the long benches down both sides. The ‘washroom’, kitchen, and storage rooms were all there. There was even a doored off area along one of the benches for the master of the long house. I think that I will stick to my brick house with central heating and plumbing, thank you.

To finish the day off, we got a chance to do a bit of sea kayaking at Stokkseyri, a coastal town in the farming district region of Flói.

Before dinner we enjoyed another hot pot soak. And then the dinner to dream for - all you can eat lobster at the Fjöruborðið restaurant. No kidding about all you can eat - large serving bowls were brought out to the tables completely full of small, delicious lobster and small round potatoes. The lobster was rich and had an excellent texture; definitely cold water raised and not from a farm.