day one Iceland

Iceland day one
If you have been to Iceland before, skip this post!

Iceland in general can be found in many places on the web. Go there for the particulars, size of Kentuky, population , etc.

If you have never been, a few things about the airport....
There are some nuances to be aware of, first, the International flights, Icelandair, come into the the old Keflavik AFB airport, about a 40-50 minute bus ride from Reyjavik proper. There is another airport in Reykjavik, which is the one used for flights around Iceland and I think to Greenland. Not the same place when planning your trip!

The ONLY Planes I saw at the Keflavik airport were the Iceland air fleet. After deplaning, you go downstairs, get your passport stamped, then board a shuttle bus that takes you to the luggage. From there you go to the customs stop, Green line if you have nothing to declare, Red line if you have something that might be an issue. You know me, so I went to the red line. I must say, they were much nicer than the Canadians about things.
So, customs cleared and ready to get to the big city, note that the airport has duty free shops, a bank with ATM machine- put your card in strip down and to the right to get the menu choice of English- and a place for currency exchange. It is to the left as you exit the customs area. To the right is the kiosk for traveler information, and the line to get your bus ride to town. They take VISA/MC/AmEx, which is a good thing, as I understand that the bus ticket, in cash, takes exact money, and I have no idea what that is! Cost today was about 35 US, and that was for a round trip. You get a discount if you get the round trip at purchase time, and it is open ended. Once on board, they bring you to a downtown station, tell you if you need to go to a mini bus, or stay on the big one while they make the rounds of the hotels and hostels. Don't be afraid to ask and show them your paperwork, our American tongues will mutilate their language all too easily!
The Hostel itself- note that check in time is usually two PM, and the bus will get you here at about 9:30 or 10 AM....lucky for me, there is a comfy couch in the lounge area for power napping. In the room, I have to myself, for a small surcharge, there are 5 beds, in bunk and trundle style, a set of hooks, some mini lockers that lock up nice and safe, and a private shower/toilet and sink. With hostels it is bring your own bedding, or you can rent it form them. Do bring your own towel. Very basic, but dry, warm and with plumbing, not bad for about 30 US a night. They do have a breakfast option, but then again, you can cook in the common kitchen area.
Also of note, the hot water from the tap does have a high sulfur content and the requisite odor. Cold water is another thing entirely! Let it run a moment to clear the line and you have that wonderful stuff we buy in the bottles back home! From the tap! FANTASTIC!
So, other than being dead tired from only about two hours of any sort of sleep in the last 25 or so, I will blog up, head for the grocery store for some food stuff, and then likely sleep until about noon tomorrow! Unless I get up for that fishing trip I want to take while I am here...we will see!

Tomorrow, the ride from the airport and local observations!