And just like that these trips are over. I have to start by giving a shout out to Magnús Thoroddsen of Prime Tours. This quick trip would not have been the same without him. A great driver, guide and traveling companion gave us all the flexibility we wanted and kept us on schedule. And lots of laughs as well. Takk fyrir Magnús!

And just like that these trips are over. Kim and I returned home via Seattle, the 7 hour leg from Reykjavik seemed much shorter. Clearing U.S. customs in Seattle was incredibly fast, starting on the last trip we started using the Mobile Passport App for to get through customs, they claim you will “breeze through customs” and we certainly did. We filed our customs declaration electronically when we landed and received back a receipt per traveler good for 4 hours. When we approached the immigration posts we showed them the receipts and they told us to go on to collect our luggage. Barely stopped. After we gathered our luggage we showed the receipts to a customs agent at the start of lines, they opened up a special queue for us and the agent there scanned the receipts QR codes and we were off. Longest delay we encountered in the whole exercise was waiting for our luggage to arrive. The Alaska Airlines flight home was just as quick, made nicer by the fact that the 737-8 we were on was only two weeks old and still had that new plane smell! Next thing we knew we were having our traditional end of trip meal, Tony and Alba’s Pizza.
Sydney came home the day after we did. We built in a cushion in case we got delayed. She flew home from Managua via Houston having to get up at 3:00am to make the flight. Yikes! On top of that flight delays at SFO delayed her return until the evening. Syd shed some happy tears when she saw us, she enjoyed the trip but was very glad to be back. On the way home she told us about her journey, building the playground, swimming in lake left by a volcano, no hot water and endless beans and rice. She brought home some thoughtful gifts, she made Kim a bird with a ‘V’ in it because Kim is a Virgo, plus she some coffee beans from La Garnacha for obvious reasons. Syd said she tried to avoid anything that looked touristy, she certainly did a good job. At home she was happily reunited with Max who has been her constant friend all her life. Then she noticed the gifts we brought her from our trip said she loved them then said, “Wait. You went to Iceland?” After a little dance and many “OMGs” she said she was ok and in fact wanted to get to other new countries before we do. Sydney also admitted she is glad we did not tell her what we were planning, she would have worried. We thought this may be the case and are glad with the out come. Kim and I thought the travels may turn her off and instead she is turning it into a competition. Good.
With that this blog is over. Certainly a unique one, a blog on travels to Nicaragua and Iceland at the same time. But all I can say is I am grateful for all of us to have these opportunities.
And once again my thanks to Maggie at Ladera Travel, another great trip made better with your guidance. Thanks also to Nancy and Les at Ladera for having such a great crew. What is next? Chile and Easter Island certainly calling but lets just see…










