Land Cruise!!!!

Today we finally begin OUR vacation.  Up until now, it’s been Theresa’s vacation while Bill worked (to pay for the life of leisure Theresa enjoys!).  We set off on a LAND tour, beginning in DeutschLand, to IceLand, the Faroe IsLands(1), ScotLand, Northern IreLand(2), IreLand, (Land of) Wales(3), Isle of Man(4) (an IsLand), and EngLand, ending in France(Land).  This will net us a total of four new lands!

We packed up and left our hotel next to FRA T1, and caught the bus to T2, checked in, through security, and then to a lounge, about 70 minutes after leaving our room. There was a bit of poetry in our start.  Flying Iceland Air, we were able to get into the Air France Business Class lounge.  So, in a way we start and end with France (oui oui!!).  Since we had a late breakfast, we weren’t looking for much food, but Bill thought he saw beets, so was very enthused (turned out to be red cabbage slaw—it was good, but not beets).  Bill got a Pilsner, and Theresa got a Chardonnay, while we relaxed for a bit less than an hour.

Center Seats!!

The flight was specially chosen.  On Friday, Icelandair had a 737.  But on Saturday…it was a 767!!  Also, the Business Class had a 2-1-2 layout, so we booked the “Captain Kirk” middle thrones!!  It was a once in a lifetime…because I’m not sure we’ll ever fly a 767 again, and frankly these weren’t as cool as we’d hoped.  Anyway, the flight was fine.  It was a little sad for me (Bill) seeing all of the 767 recognizable elements, and thinking back.  Having worked Interiors on the 76 for 3-4 years, then Structures for another 11 years, the plane holds a special place in my heart.

Off the plane, we picked up our rental car, the smallest thing they could find, and began our roughly one hour drive to Reykjavik (from Keflavik where the airport is).  The drive was familiar since we’d been here just about a year ago, and getting to the hotel, all was recognizable.  It struck us a little funny when the agent said, “I see you’ve been here before” and then put us in what seemed to be the same room as last time!!  (It wasn’t but was not far off.)

We went to the lounge to get some food, and found a delicious fish soup (a little spicy and a lot of tomato), and a few other finger foods.  We listened to neighbors talking and then found the couple next to us was going to be on our cruise also, and they are also from the DFW area, so neighbors back home too!  Later, we met another guy who is also going to be on our cruise.

At 8:30 or so, we wrapped up and headed back to our room for some relaxation.

View from the Lounge!