We had a very early start that morning. Our flight that morning was at 08:00 and we needed to be at the airport 3 hours prior to departure. This meant that we were due to be picked up at 3:30. We got up at 03:00, packed the last odds and ends and then headed downstairs to check out. There were other people already waiting for a pickup as well. Again, we were picked up early and this time, we were picked up by a minibus and we headed straight to the bus station.
I was surprised how many people were heading for the airport that early. Not only was the coach full, but they had sent more people on the coach than there were seats. We managed to get on the bus just before the rush started and had two seats together in the middle of the coach. I cannot even remember leaving the bus station. I must have fallen asleep straightaway. When I woke up, we were just pulling up to the terminal in Keflavik.
I got a certain sinking feeling when we entered the terminal. The lines seem to be huge. However, there was no need to be worried. The whole check in process at Keflavik is automated. There was plenty of staff around to direct people and to help if anybody was struggling. Within about a minute and a half, we were directed to a check in kiosk. This was very smooth. I just had to scan our passports and click on how much luggage we were checking in. The kiosk then printed our boarding passes and luggage tags. We were then directed to the luggage drop off area. This line was a bit longer, but it was still less than 5 minutes until it was our turn. This was really straightforward as well. It was just a question of scanning the boarding pass and then put the corresponding piece of luggage on the luggage belt. Then we were free to head to security.
This was actually where we had the longest wait. Multiple school groups had all arrived at the same time. The line looked impressive, but again, everything else was well organised. About 10 minutes later, we were free to head to the departure lounge.
Like at so many airports, we had to go through the duty-free shop to get to the departure lounge. This suited me just fine on this occasion as I wanted to get some local craft gin to take home. I was absolutely spoiled for choice. In the end, I decided on a bottle of blue gin.
We still had plenty of time until our flight left. I figured breakfast was in order. I found a bakery counter. There was a bit of a line, but there was nowhere else I needed to be. Graham found somewhere to sit, and I got in line. There was a good reason for my enthusiasm to stand in line however long it would take. There was one more Icelandic speciality that I really wanted to try and that was a Kleina. They had successfully eluded me, but they were advertised on that bakery counter. Kleina is the Icelandic take on the donut. It is made from the same kind of dough as a donut, but is rolled out and twisted into a knot or bow and then deep fried. I got us one each as well as a latte for Graham and a flat white for me. The Kleina was delicious. It was very crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle.
Just as we were finishing off our sweet treat, our gate number was listed. As expected, our gate was at the far end of the airport. We stopped at a bathroom on the way. When we got to passport control, we were the only people there. We then headed to the gate and there was also nobody there. Opposite was a little shop with grab and go items. They had Collab and I decided to get another couple of cans just in case the cans in my suitcase would not make it. I got one can of apricot and raspberry and one can of forest fruits. Then I went back to the gate and read.
They called us for boarding quite early. They scanned our boarding passes and then we waited in another room until the buses that would take us to the plane arrived. Eventually the buses arrived, and we were on our way. The bus ride back to the plane took a lot longer than it had taken on arrival. Eventually we got to the plane, and this turned out to be one busy flight
The flight was smooth. Graham slept for most of it. I enjoyed a beautiful sunrise and spent most of the flight reading. I got some Icelandic orange soda. I had hoped for a can, but only got a cup. I still enjoyed it.
We arrived in Manchester pretty much on time. This time round, the gate was at the far end of the terminal and a bit of a walk. The line at passport control looked impressive, but moved pretty quickly. The egates behaved for both of us. Once we got to the baggage hall, we only had a short wait for our luggage. I collected this and then we headed out.
I had assumed that we would just take the train into town. However, Graham pointed out that this was a Sunday and there was likely to be engineering works. We decided to check if Street Cars had a car available. They had and advised that our driver would get us in 5 to 10 minutes. It was only 5 minutes. We had a clear run home. We got the laundry going and then we had a nice, relaxed afternoon.
Dolphingirl’s Travels 
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