Day 11

We broke up camp for the last time. Perhaps a little sad that the trip was almost over, but also very much looking forward to a comfortable and warm shower and bed again. Our driver took another road back to civilization, that took us past yet another volcano that to everybody’s surprise had not erupted yet and then onto the longest stretch of straight road in Iceland, that reminded me a little of death valley (albeit a lot less warm). We had lunch on a site next to a river on the highway to Reykjavik, where we thanked our driver and guide and then we were taken back to the same hostel where we started our trip. Since our guide now knew that Willem and I were mere acquaintances we got a room with separate beds and slightly more space.
First order of business was a shower and since there was no time limit anymore, I took this all the way past 4 minutes to at least a solid 7! Just enough to make a point, but not so long as to keep the others in line from having their comfort. Although the water was warm for the full duration of my shower, I did start to get less than positive feelings about the smell of rotten eggs that popped up again. (Apparently warm water is transported from hot spots outside the city all the way into the city and to prevent the water pipes from corroding they add some sulphurous compounds to it). I then quickly decided however to not let this ruin my first decent after-camping shower and ignored the smell.
Next order of business was getting my stuff organized and packed for the trip home. Since I did not want to wear my taped-up hiking boots in public in the absence of a challenging hiking trail, I had to find a way to get these big clogs into a backpack that was already full on my way to Iceland when I was wearing the oversized footwear. (Instead of leaving them behind, I’m still thinking about trying to get them fixed). Somehow, I am always amazed at how much more stuff will fit in these backpacks, even after you think it is full.
After another relaxing read, we asked two other group members that were travelling alone, to join us for a drink in town, which we managed to enjoy in relative comfort outside in the sunshine. For the evening we had asked our guide if he could find a restaurant for us for a final group dinner, which everybody joined, except two couples.