Sunday 25 July 1999
It is moist and we shudder slightly in the cold morning. It is 4.30am and we are packing our tent. Hagen comes walking from downtown – seems like he fell into a party again. We say farewell to him yet again and starts walking to get the shuttle bus to the airport. Twenty minutes later it finally turns up and we are on our way home. The airport is located in “Keflavik” south of Reykjavik and the drive gives us a last opportunity to enjoy the capital. We pass the fancy restaurant “The Pearl” located on top of a water reservoir.
The airport is located next to the NATO-airbase, which makes sense. We begin to understand the influence and significance of the American investments when we see all the business and industry around here. The airport is rather small but very aesthetic built.
At the entrance I young girl approaches us and ask us to participate in a survey for the local tourist agency. We begin answering the comprehensive questionnaire and all of us used some time responding to the question: “If you should describe Iceland in one word, what would you chose?” Our answers were something like “Wild” and “Untamed”, which is a suitable description of the tough, rural and cold nature.
We get our tax-free receivable returned and spend some time using the last Icelandic money before we fly back to Copenhagen where a train-ride, sun and summer approaches us. Iceland is more than just a wild idea and wild nature. It is hospitality, grandiose and maybe one of the few white spots on the travel map these years. It is a very special experience, very far away from budget- or package holidays, but full of nice memories.