After a reasonably good night’s sleep, we started the day with a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. There was plenty to choose from – cheese, meats, salad, yoghurt, fruit, bacon, eggs and all the usual breakfast favourites. We certainly weren’t going to go hungry!

The weather in Reykjavík wasn’t looking particularly inviting, so with our bags packed there was no real rush to head out and explore. Instead, we enjoyed a slow morning before our coach arrived around midday to take us to the airport.

Air Greenland boarding cards were handed out on the coach, although there was already a slight sense of chaos when the driver realised two people were missing. One had checked into the hotel but hadn’t appeared for the transfer, while the other hadn’t even checked in. After a bit of waiting, we headed off anyway.

We were told some old stories by the coach guide: of folklore, the thirteen Santas and the Christmas Cat. It made a 45 minute coach journey more enjoyable.

Thankfully, getting through check-in and security at the airport was surprisingly easy, leaving us plenty of time for a quick lunch. We grabbed a chicken wrap and then settled down for a couple of drinks before making our way to Gate A5 about 45 minutes before departure.

Then came the call to board.

Or so we thought!

And then the waiting began…

The initial delay was announced as 25 minutes. Then it became 40 minutes. Then two hours and 40 minutes.

By this point, we’d given up sitting at the gate and headed back to the bar.

Eventually, the announcement came that nobody wants to hear:

The flight had been cancelled.

And, rather frustratingly, nobody seemed to know exactly what was happening or what we were supposed to do next.

We collected our offloaded bags from the carousel and made our way to the designated meeting point, where… nobody seemed to know what was happening there either!

Rumours began circulating that there had been a lightning strike involving the inbound aircraft and that mechanics were working on the problem. Some others blamed the high winds. Whether that was actually the reason, we never really found out.

Then we were told the next available flight would be two days later.

Not exactly the start to our Greenland adventure that we’d been hoping for!

Back to Reykjavík

Airport staff then separated the solo travellers from those travelling as couples. The couples, including us, were put onto buses to take us back to Reykjavík, while the solo travellers were sent somewhere else.

We eventually arrived at the Hotel Askja, on the outskirts of Reykjavík, where we were checked in for an unexpected extra night. We were informed by the hotel staff that we were booked in for two nights.

At least there was food. We had a buffet meal at the hotel, which was very welcome after the long and frustrating afternoon.

By now, texts and emails were starting to arrive saying that HX – our expedition operator – was doing everything possible to sort things out. The big concern was that a mechanics’ strike was due to start on Wednesday 23 September, which could potentially cause even more problems.

Then, just when we thought we’d have to wait two days, another email arrived.

A flight was being planned for 10am on Tuesday:

So here we are – unexpectedly back in Reykjavík, bags repacked, plans changed and fingers firmly crossed. A really helpful lady called Kathy, who sells cruises and was due to be on our ship, said we’d be picked up at 6:30am.

Our Greenland adventure hasn’t exactly got off to the smoothest start, but hopefully Tuesday will finally see us on our way.

For now, it’s a case of watch this space… and keep everything crossed!

As we arrived at Keflavík Airport, one of the first things to catch our eye was Regnbogi, meaning Rainbow. Created by Icelandic artist Rúrí, this huge sculpture stands around 24 metres high and is impossible to miss.

The rainbow is made from stainless steel and hundreds of pieces of colourful stained glass, with bright shades of red, yellow, green and blue. It stands on blocks of Icelandic stone and is lit up after dark, giving it a completely different feel when viewed at night.

What I particularly liked about it is that the sculpture was designed to remain unfinished. The artist imagined that, many years into the future, someone might continue adding to it, eventually completing the full rainbow.

It seems a fitting piece of artwork to have at an airport, symbolising travel, hope and new beginnings. Against the wide Icelandic landscape, it certainly makes a memorable welcome – or farewell – to the country.