Iceland 2009

GROTTO FILLED WITH WATER, MIX WITH HISTORY AND END AT THE SEA
DAY 5 : THURSDAY AUGUST 13, 2009 (2/2)


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 the sun on all sides of us. But the constant rain only added to the otherworldly feeling of this place.

Climbing up out of the grotto area, we arrived at a covered area that was the archaeological site for Stöng. Stöng was a Viking-era farm and longhouse. 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 longhouse 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 longhouse. 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.

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