A few days in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia 16-20 September 2025 - Part 3

 "Travelling gives you a home in a thousand strange places, then leaves you a stranger in your own land." - Ibn Batuta

A four hour tour in a Grab Taxi, with an affable driver, took me around some of the must see sights of the northern and southern parts of the city.

1. The Likas Bay has a 7 km promenade with jogging and cycling track and stretches from the city port to the iconic Tun Mustapha Tower. The international dragon boat race is held every year in the bay. The necklace like promenade is studded by several prominent buildings and landmarks.

2. The Sabah International Convention Centre or SICC is the largest convention, exhibition, and entertainment facility in East Malaysia. Spanning five levels, with over 153,000 sqm of function space, SICC's well-designed floor plan allows for interference free multiple events.

3. Almost diagonally opposite the convention centre is studded the state motto: Sabah Maju Jaya, which translates to Sabah prospers. A couple of cab drivers sneered while translating the motto! This indicated that reality was at variance according to them.

4. The Tun Mustapha Tower is a 30-storey, 122-metre-tall glass tower built in 1976. The building, formerly named Yayasan Sabah Tower, housed a state-sponsored foundation to promote education and economic development in the state. In 2001, the tower was renamed to honour Tun Datu Mustapha, a former Sabah chief minister and state governor. There is a revolving floor on the 18th floor, which slowly spins to give a complete view of the Likas Bay. It makes one 360-degree rotation per hour.

5. The Kota Kinabalu City Mosque is popularly known as the Floating Mosque thanks to the manmade lagoon surrounding it. As I could make out there are three levels of entry regulations to the mosque. Non- Muslims are not permitted into the mosque. One can enter the second level if you wear an abaya. For those who only buy an entry ticket of RM 5, one can only walk around the walls of the lagoon and marvel at the white mosque with a striking blue dome.

6. Kinabalu Tower, also known as Sabah State Administrative Centre, is a 33-storey, 182-meter-tall, government office complex building, which houses the office of the Chief Minister of the state and other cabinet ministers. This is the second tallest building in Borneo, with the Jessleton twin towers being the tallest.

7. The Pink Mosque is within the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) campus, the sprawling university campus. To enter the campus one must take a entry ticket costing RM 10 per person. Its beautiful architecture in pink is stunning, to say the least. Again, one has to rent an abaya to gain entrance to the mosque.

8. The Pinakol Staircase, or De Pinakol Steps, is a unique feature of the UMS, characterized by 138 steps adorned with decorations. It's a known landmark on the campus, attracting visitors with its distinctive design.

9. Standing at a height of 9 meters, the clock tower is situated at the heart of the UMS roundabout. The symbolic significance of the UMS clock tower is that  it represents the value of time for intellectuals and scholars.

10. The Signal Hill Observatory Platform is a high-roofed platform, shaped in the form of a UFO, located at the edge of Signal Hill overlooking Kota Kinabalu and the South China Sea. The observatory is said to afford visitors panoramic views of the Likas Bay and the Tanjung Aru areas; it is considered to be one of the most scenic viewpoints of Kota Kinabalu. I was disappointed when I reached there, hoping to catch the sights described in travel sites. The entrance to the viewpoint was closed and seemed so for some time. Nearby were also a few places where minor landslides had occurred due to the heavy rains during the past week.

11. Sutera Harbor Resort overlooks the tranquil South China Sea with views of tropical islands and the majestic Mount Kinabalu. It is a sprawling 384-acre grand expanse of spectacular array of resort facilities, from a choice of luxurious five-star hotels, an award-winning 27-hole Graham Marsh-designed golf course, a 110-berth marina and exhilarating recreational services. The resort ambiance of The Magellan Sutera Resort, offering a combined total of 956 guestrooms and suites, is to be seen to be believed.

12. The Tanjung Aru beach derives its name from casuarina trees,or Aru trees, that fringe the fine sandy beach. The beach is to Sabah what Bondi is to Sydney or Copacabana is to Rio. It is popular for kite flying, surfing, picnics and feasting on local food.

13. Petagas war memorial is dedicated to the Second World War victims in Sabah, particularly the 324 resistance movement members, who were executed on 21 January 1944 at the site by the Japanese occupying forces of North Borneo for their involvement in the Jesselton Revolt.

14. The early catholic community of Kota Kinabalu comprised of immigrant workers and some Europeans. The Parish was founded in 1911 and the first church was also established then. The current Sacred Heart Church is the fourth built on the same hallowed grounds. It was consecrated in 1981.

15. The most interesting interaction in the island happened with taxi drivers, Yap, Michael, Irene and Firoze. None of them seemed impressed by those in power. All of them were friendly and open to conversation. Fortunately, they were not directly impacted by the fury of the weather over the past two weeks, even though more than a dozen people had lost their lives and properties were destroyed by landslides and flooding. Irene asked me why I was 'white', while she found most Indians 'black'! I told her that her observations steamed from a combination of lack of exposure to Indians and colour blindness.

A few days in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia 16-20 September 2025 - Part 2

"When you stop doing things for fun, you might as well be dead." - Ernest Hemmingway

Gaya Street is often touted as the most visited place in Kota Kinabalu. It was established in 1902, during the period of the British Crown, after the construction of shop houses. Originally it served as a railway track for transportation of rubber from the estates in Tenom to the Jessleton wharf. Since then, farmers and ordinary folks from the rural areas and fishermen from the coastal areas would make their trip to sell their produce in the market; these included the Chinese immigrants as well Filipino and Indonesian traders.

Aside from agricultural products, local food, souvenirs, arts and craft, footwear, antiques and even pets are sold in the market. Gaya Street is known as the Chinatown of Sabah due to many Chinese coffee shops, retail and souvenir shops and restaurants situated there. An arch gate was also erected in 2005 lending credence to its name.

The market street is where the old Jesselton Post Office and the iconic Jessleton Hotel are located. The Api-Api Night Food Market in Gaya Street is a must-visit food fair that happens every Friday and Saturday night. The night market was inaugurated in December 2018.

By 6 pm on Friday, the vehicle parking bays along the street are vacated and vendors take over the street setting up their tents and stalls. The entire Gaya Street is closed for the Api-Api Night Food Market from 6 pm to 12 midnight, thereby enabling visitors to walk freely along the road and enjoy the food fiesta.

It’s a food display unlike seen elsewhere, from one end of the street to the other showcasing multiracial vendors selling a wide variety of food and beverages. Aside from cash payment, most vendors nowadays accept e-wallet payment. Credit or debit cards are a no-go.

I couldn't resist the wafting smells of food and succumbed to a portion of prawn noodles. The food and beverages are extremely cheap and wholesome. Besides the food stalls, there were local artisans showcasing their talent for music, painting, etc. Large crowds throng the area, including in front of the Malaysian monument. No litter, no noise pollution, no nuisance.

Every Sunday morning the Gaya Street fair starts as early as 6.00am and ends at 1.00pm. I was fascinated by the various items and goods sold at this fair. From arts and crafts, batik sarongs, footwear, fruits and flowers, local snacks and cakes, antiques and souvenirs, to even pets and herbs, this is the best place to experience the culture and lifestyle of the locals.

"You buy, I cook" should be the tag line of the Kota Kinabalu waterfront seafood market. It is a lively and vibrant open-air market renowned for its selection of fresh seafood and the hawker fare. There are numerous stalls and vendors who solicit customers and explain the various types of seafood on display. They also take you through the various laminated recipe sheets you could choose from.

Depending on the number and preferences of guests you can select from the live lobsters, crabs and such like or the freshly landed catch. While the entire place is neat and clean, first timers, especially vegetarians, will find the place nauseating. When you are on a short trip, food and drink are not things that you should take a chance with.

Beyond the seafood market are jetties where the fishing boats land their catch and the Filipino market, which is quite known for its Borneo pearls shops.

Another thing that is 'in your face' in Kota Kinabalu are the massage centres. Prominently advertised as reflexology centres, they attract tourists and locals alike. I pared into one of the massage centres which operates across the street from Hyatt Regency. The array of services provided in the massage centre is prominently displayed outside the large hall which houses the massage facility.

I was curious about the normal rate and the promotional rates for the various services. The normal rates apply after 9.30 pm. The discount during the promotion times is about 20 percent. I must confess that I got hooked on to the 60-minute foot massage sessions. I found the engagement a relaxation after getting back from the day's work. The place was neat and clean, and the masseurs were thoroughly professional.

A few days in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia 16-20 September 2025 - Part 1

 “Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.” — Dolly Parton

An opportunity arose at work that took me to Kota Kinabulu, the capital city of the State of Sabah, Malaysia. Hopping from Bhuj, Gujarat to Delhi and via Kuala Lumpur I arrived at the immigration desk of Kota Kinabalu on 16 September 2025. The first thing that surprised me about the trip was the need to clear immigration in Kuala Lumpur and again in Kota Kinabalu.

Both the international airports being in Malaysia, the dual immigration stamps on my passport bewildered me. My enquiries to find a reason for this elicited an unverified response that Sabah and Sarawak, having got independence and joined the Malaysian federation a few years later, have their own immigration requirement. In fact, there are many restrictions for movement and work between East and West Malaysia or, in other words, between the states in the Borneo Island and the mainland of Malaysia.

The stern looking immigration officer told me that I had arrived at a 'not-so-good' time for sightseeing in Kota Kinabalu. He told me of the foul weather they had been having over the past week. He told me that besides flooding and landslides, 13 lives had been lost in the aftermath of the mayhem caused by it. Later I came to know that the National Day celebrations, which fell on 16 September, was cancelled as a mark of respect for those who had lost their lives. I prepared for the worst and expected to spend most of the spare time indoors in the Hyatt Regency, a waterfront property. But, HE had other plans. Except for an overcast sky on the day I got into the city, I found time and good weather to walk around to see the sights in the immediate vicinity of the hotel and on another day to visit other sights in the outskirts of the city centre.

The Marlin Statue is literally a stone's throw from the Hyatt Regency, at an extremely busy roundabout in the heart of the town. This statue was put up in the year 2000 to celebrate the coming of age, as it were, of the city of Kota Kinabalu. There are many types of marlins - the common feature is their speed; they can swim 100 metres in 4 seconds. This makes the marlins a challenging game fish.

I walked along the theme painted wall of Hyatt Regency that fronted the street leading to the Jessleton ferry point. The waterfront walkway was forded off due to seafront reclamation and beautification projects, evidently a Chinese initiative. On the way to the Jessleton ferry point, almost bang across the massive Wisma Merdeka Mall, is a large new ferry terminal with floating jetties. I could make out these jetties are used for fishing tours and Borneo Wonders tours.

Beyond the imposing Suria Sabah Mall, the Jessleton Duty Free Mall and the Customs building is situated the quaintly scenic Jessleton Ferry Point that has an unmistakable historical feel to it. A large arch welcomes the visitors to the ferry point, and the commodious booking hall is replete with snapshots of a bygone era, those of Kota Kinabalu city (Jesselton). As if to remind one of the historicity of the place there are vintage red English phone booths. Not far from it is the ubiquitous "I ❤️ KK" signage for selfies.

The busy Jesselton Point Waterfront serves as the only ferry terminal for Labuan-bound passengers as well as the main boat terminal for Tunku Abdul Rahman Park and the resorts at Gaya Island. Jesselton Point Waterfront also offers casual dining, leisure and retail experiences with its array of F&B outlets, handicraft stalls, and a four-court futsal centre. As was to be expected, the waterfront was busy, it being a National Holiday.

The massive Suria Sabah, opened in 2009, is the most modern Mall in Kota Kinabalu. Spread over 11 acres, it houses premium and mid-range retail brands, food courts and a hotel. A good place to spend time in comfort, window shopping and grabbing a drink or sinking one's teeth into something delicious.

Just across the street from Suria Sabah to its right, is the awesome and colourful mural on Wisma Sabah. Across the street from Suria Sabah, in front of it, are brightly coloured blue columns without a ceiling, which are the ruins of the old Land and Survey Department in Kota Kinabalu. The building was destroyed by a fire in 1992. The ruins are now used by local artists and used to be the location for the Pillars of Sabah project, which featured pillars painted by local artists.

The Atkinson Clock Tower was built in 1905 in memory of Francis George Atkinson, the first district officer of Jessleton, who died of malaria - then known as Borneo fever - in 1902. Ships calling port at the Jessleton wharf used the Atkinson Clock Tower as their navigation landmark, as it could be seen from the sea. The clock tower was illuminated at night and was used as a shipping landmark right up to the 1950s. Extensive reclamation and tall buildings diminished the navigational importance of the Tower.

The Merdeka Square was the site where sporting events and parades were organised, during the British Crown period. It was here that the then Chief Minister announced the formation of the Federation of Malaysia on 16 September 1963. I was visiting there exactly 62 years after the event, on the very same day, the National Day. I could not explore the park any further as the grounds had become slushy due to the excessive rainfall the past few days.

A Nordic Escapade - The Land of Fire And Ice, Iceland - Impressions - 19 May 2025

 1. The landscape of Iceland is sculpted largely by glacial, volcanic and geothermal activity. Therefore, lava fields, craters, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, gorges, canyons and basalt cliffs predominate the tourist experience.

2. One of the first things a tourist is told on arrival in Iceland is that tap water everywhere in the country is safe to drink. Hotels and guesthouses have this laminated and stuck on walls for attention of tourists.

3. However, the hot water is smelly due to its sulphur content. It does get some getting used to. Perhaps due to this, soap does not foam as much as it does in soft water.

4. Grocery stores and normal merchants' shops can sell only liquor with less than 2 percent alcohol. Regular alcohol is only sold in special liquor stores like Vinbudin, which are not open after 6 pm and are closed on weekends.

5. The three main vendors of fuel are Ob, N1 and Orkan. Prices are more or less the same when you factor in discounts offered by the various fuel companies to its regular customers. The price of 95 octane is about INR 215 per litre and diesel is a bit more expensive.

6. Fuel stations are largely automated. Automated fuel stations normally take pre-authorization on your card for ISK 30,000, which is roughly USD 230. For someone like me, who is not a acquainted with the process, it is alarming the first time over. To be sure, the company charges only for the amount of fuel pumped.

7. Smoking did not seem to be popular among the Icelandic population. This certainly helps in keeping the environment healthy.

8. The people are, by and large, peace loving and engaging. They are calm and seldom argumentative.

9. The Icelandic population is sparse, just 4 million in a vast country where nearly 40 percent live in urban conglomerations like Reykjavik. As against this, the tourist inflow is more than 10 million a year.

10. The crime rate is quite low in the country. In fact, it is said that no car theft has been reported in the country. I gathered that pickpocketing and other tourist related petty crimes are reported at times.

11. The food is expensive and eating in restaurants can burn a hole in your pocket. I economized on this front by carrying muesli, maggi noodles, pasta, etc. If you don't want to do this, one can shop in grocery stores like Bonus and Netto and cook in the accommodation, if it has a kitchen.

12. Entrance to attractions is expensive too. Interestingly, most of the touristy attractions charge a parking fee, depending on the size of the vehicle, and that doubles up as the entrance fee too.

13. Parking fee is normally paid using an app called Parka. Through this app entrance fee can be paid, booking of attractions can be made, payment of toll charge can be organised, Parking fee is divided into four zones, based on the primacy of the location; P1 parking is most expensive while P4 is the least. In a city like Reykjavik, it is virtually impossible to find free parking. However, parking is free between 9 pm and 9 am on weekdays.

14. Public toilets are clean, and they are provided with adequate toilet paper, soap and water. Users ensure that the public facilities are used responsibly.

15. In general, a vacation in Iceland is a costly proposition as compared to even other places in Europe, not to talk of a South Asian vacation. However, self-cooking and staying in guesthouses and hostels can reduce the impact on solo travelers and young couples. I was amazed by the abundance of guesthouses in various parts of Iceland that cater exclusively to tourists.

16. Driving in Iceland is pretty much hassle-free if one follows road rules. The roads are generally single carriageways, decently maintained and exceptionally well sign posted. Speed restrictions are expected to be followed without exception. Traffic cameras identify the deviant, and fines are so steep that people generally follow the prescribed speeds that range between 50 and 90 kph. Another matter strictly enforced is the use of reserved parking slots. Violations are taken seriously and dealt with accordingly.

17. The churches in Iceland are simple and small; nothing fancy or ornate. They are normally Lutheran churches, and each village and small community has one.

18. The basic infrastructure in Iceland is less about grandeur and more about functionality. Whether it is road infrastructure, malls or residential buildings, functionality predominates.

19. In most public places I did not find garbage bins. Nor did I find waste strewn about. I looked for at least a piece of paper or a plastic jacket. What has to be kept in mind is that they are all places that are tourist oriented. Moral of the story is that the culture of cleanliness and public hygiene practiced by the local citizenry rubs off on the visitors too.

20. I did not see any overarching presence of policemen to enforce traffic rules and societal norms. Their quiet efficiency must be appreciated. Exemplary punishments and monetary penalties keep almost all in line.

21. By and large, Icelandic people are friendly and helpful. They do not jump in to help if they find you struggling, but they will wholeheartedly pitch in if you seek their assistance.

22. Pedestrian crossings are sacrosanct, and pedestrian is King. She owns the road. Similarly, villages are also protected by enforcement of speed limits through them, mostly 50 kph and often times 30 kph too.

23. People of Iceland respect nature and their environment. Any action by the authorities that are deemed to go against preservation of nature is vetoed by citizens and even the government cannot overrule them. Thus, in recent times there have been calls to curtail tourism, as this industry is seen to be in conflict with preservation of nature and the environment. Well known tourist sites are shut down for years to guard them against vandalism and damage owing to uncontrolled tourist arrivals.

24. Icelandic people are brought up on a diet of elves and trolls, it is part and parcel of their folklore. While elves are naughty, mischievous and invisible, trolls live in caves and are thought to be half human, half giant. 

25. Icelanders' sagas are a distinct genre of Old Icelandic literature, often considered to be a precursor to the novel. Recurring themes in the sagas include feuds, family loyalty, revenge, and the consequences of social and political upheaval.

26. During the summer months of June and July daylight hours stretch to about 22 hours with the rest reserved for twilight. During the peak winter months of December and January daylight hours are restricted to about three hours. However, wind and rain lead to unpredictable weather conditions.

27. Renewable energy sources contribute almost to be entire requirements of power supply in Iceland. Hydroelectric generation contributes 70% while geothermal sources contribute the balance 30%. 

A Nordic Escapade - Hellissandur to Keflavik International Airport, Iceland - Day 9 - 18 May 2025

The last day in Iceland dawned, or must I say the last night in Iceland never came. Right through the so-called night it never became dark as we are used to in India. It is bright, brighter or brightest in this part of the world in summer. While in winter Iceland gets just 4 hours of sunlight, in summer the roles are reversed with daylight stretching to 21 hours and more. For a tourist, this is great. One can pack in a lot more activities in a day. However, museums and other attractions have fixed working hours.

I scheduled activities on the final day in such a way that I would be able to return the car to the rental company by 8 pm. As things turned out, I got to the rental company an hour earlier. I tried to fill up the tank before returning the car. But the station turned out to be automated. I decided to seek the assistance of the car rental company. At the counter I met Kante who went through the documentation online and said that since I had taken the platinum insurance, I could leave the car as is, without topping up the fuel.

I could not believe what I was hearing. I told him about the email I had received last evening in which I was specifically told to return the car with a full tank of fuel. He said he would take care of that, and I could leave the car at his disposal after unloading the luggage. Kante even got me a luggage trolley to ferry my stuff to the airport. The young man had just saved me over USD 70. Miracles continue to happen and in different ways. Kante turned out to be my Guardian Angel for the day.

To get back to the day's activities. After breakfast of bread and eggs, washed down with coffee, I left the Hostel for the Saxholl Crater, which is located in the Snaefellsjokull National Park. It´s an easy climb of 385 steps over a metal staircase. The staircase looks like a necklace on the slope of the crater. Once you get to the top of the crater you should be careful of each step you take there as round pebbles and lave debris is quite slippery. The view from the top is spectacular, to say the least. One is blessed with incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean and the expansive, dried lava fields of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.

The Djupalonssandur black sand beach and bay is only 15 km from the Saxholl crater. In times past it was home to sixty fishing boats and was one of the most prolific fishing villages on the Saefellsnes peninsula. However, today the bay is uninhabited. As I walked down from the parking lot to the beach I came across an arch of weathered lava stones that invited me for a couple of photographs. As I stepped on to the beach I came across the four lifting stones that were used by the fishermen of Djupalonssandur to test their strength. The lifting stones varied in weight from 154 kgs to 23 kgs and were traditionally used to qualify men for work on the fishing boats.

On the beach there are remains of the Grimsby fishing trawler Epine that was wrecked there on March 13, 1948. The debris is spread over a fairly large area. Authorities have placed request at many places not to disturb the remains as a mark of respect. The Atlantic Ocean venting its fury on the stacks and cliffs is a sight to behold. The aquamarine waters against the greyish black rocks, one pushing and the other holding their own.

The lighthouse at Malarrif was built in 1917 close to the Londrangar. The newer lighthouse which stands tall at the site now at 20.2 meters also houses the keeper of the lighthouse. In 2003 the lighthouse, along with six others, were declared protected monuments to commemorate 125 years of the commissioning of the first lighthouse in Iceland. The visitor center at Malarrif is a treasure house of information. One can also buy souvenirs and gifts from the center. I walked around leisurely to admire the lighthouse and the imposing Londrangar.

The viewpoint of the Londrangar basalt cliffs is a must visit. They are amongst the many geological attractions of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. After millennia of ocean battering, all that remains of what was once a volcanic crater are two pillars upon a cliff, one 75 meters high and the other 61 meters. They are referred to as 'the rocky castle' considering their dramatic scale and incredible formation. The lands surrounding the Londrangar have never made use of by farmers in the area as elves are rumored to live there.

The Gatklettur or the "Hellnar Arch" is a famous, naturally formed stone arch found between the villages of Arnarstapi and Hellnar on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The cliffs, the arches the ocean and the birds nesting there provide a fertile ground for amateur and professional photographers. The strange, swirling patterns across the rock itself is a testament to the ocean's constant barrage. It is, without a doubt, one of the most fascinating places in Iceland.

A popular summer tourist attraction is the gorge at Raudfeldsgja. It is a natural formation that and the name Raudfeldsgja Gorge translates to Red-Cloak Rift. The name is inspired by the Saga of Bardur Saefellsas, half man and half troll. While the trek up the mountain is gradual, slippery pebbles warrant a careful step all along the way. The rift is not very big, and a steady stream of icy cold water makes you do multiple hops, steps and jumps on round, slippery boulders before getting to the central portion of the gorge. Skylight filters into the gorge from a large opening above.

The Budir black church is one of the three black churches in Iceland. The exterior wood of the church is painted with pitch, to protect it from the harsh Icelandic elements. The Budir church has been here since 1703, built by a Swedish merchant with his own money. When Budir reduced as a trading post, the hamlet was no longer a parish. Hence, the replacement church was not forthcoming from the church.

Steinunn Lárusdóttir, a widow, petitioned the Danish King and won his permission to build a new black church. When her church was completed in 1848, a plaque claimed that the Budir black church was built without the help of the “Fathers”, in other words, without any help from the Lutheran Church. She was buried in the cemetery adjoining the church and it stands witness to the steely determination of Icelandic women.

The Bjarnarfoss waterfall is a two-tiered waterfall that cascades on magnificent basalt columns. The waterfall is tucked into a picturesque valley of fields and is surrounded by tall mountains, which makes it a beautiful backdrop for photos. The dark basalt columns that form the high cliffs were formed millennia ago by lava flow and through the years, water has carved away at the basalt cliffs behind the waterfall. Intrepid visitors climb so close to the waterfall that they get sprayed by it.

I stayed on the viewing platform to take in the uniqueness of the waterfall and read up the legends connected to her.  One legend tells the story that the Lady of the Mountain, Fjallkonan, stands at the waterfall's base, with the water crashing upon her shoulders. The Lady of the Mountain is a national symbol of Iceland. In fact, it is the female personification of the country itself.

Another Bjarnarfoss legend tells of a rich farmer Bjarni, who turned away a passing stranger who came to him for shelter. The stranger, in turn, cursed Bjarni and his farm, which resulted in his livestock and crops dying. Bjarni went mad and threw away his money into the waterfall's pool, where some say it remains. I was in no mood for a treasure hunt!

Gerduberg basalt columns cliff is hardly noticeable from the road when driving even though the cliff is around 500 meters long and quite close to the road. Hundreds of basalt column stacks stand like an army of pillars in a row. Like the cliff, the columns are also quite regular. Some are even leaning forward, giving the cliff a spectacular view as you walk by the cliff. I walked up a grassy incline to the foot of the basalt columns to enjoy and be super-awed by the magnificence of nature.

With that the activities scheduled for the day was over and all that was left was to return the car to the rental company. From the Gerduberg cliffs I had over 160 km to go for the Keflavik International Airport. When I reached the car rental drop off location I had logged 2490 km on the tour of this wonderful island nation.