View from the top of the main cathedral looking down one of the mainstreets to downtown showing off the colourful houses of Reykjavik
So I am now in Reykjavik. Unfortunately I only have 3 days here. I really should have made it for longer but I guess I will just come this route therefore on my return abroad. It is beautiful what little I have seen so far. Rugged, wild yet full of life and nature. I may only be able to post these pictures as their internet connection is not working for my computer and I am having to do things a little awkwardly.
A viking troll - I couldn't resist
What are things Icelandic? Delicious lamb and all sorts of seafood especially fish, lobster, scallops and mussels. Icelandic fashion notably their wool fashions, sweaters. Does “Icelandic Sweaters” ring a bell. Rugged and practical outdoor wear. Music. Vikings and trolls. Volcanoes, lava beds and lava jewelry. Finally and ultimately geysirs and hotsprings. And this is really just denting the surface. I won’t be able to experience it all or purchase all things that I might want (if any at all as my bag is full) but I will do my best to enjoy.
My viking relative
I am staying in a hostel downtown which is great except that one of the guys in the room is a very loud and major snorer. The other problem is that the hostel is surrounded by two bars/clubs and they stay open until 4 am. Apparently there are not very strong laws around alcohol serving. So things stay open until the wee hours of the morning and can open early for international sports events etc… As such, even though I tried to get to bed early, with ear plugs and a night mask, I struggled to have sleep overcome me and was awakened if barely asleep every hour. So that was not the best start. Then this morning, even though I read that Iceland is on GMT time, it was failed to be noted that London is on Day Light Savings Time. As such I was an hour early wondering why everything was so quiet as I wondered about.
Me being me in the reflection at the Pearl - me and my outta control hair
It was pretty nippy in the morning so I walked around aggressively to keep warm and walked up to this science fiction looking building called the Pearl. That is where their Viking museum is and you can get high enough to get a good view of the city. It is this big glass dome and can be seen from most areas of the city.
The unique Hallgrimskirkja which is their main church. It is quite the piece of architecture
From there I headed to the main church pictured above and then walked downtown. I managed to catch the Australia/Ireland World Cup Rugby match too where Ireland beat Australia. It was a good game. Tomorrow I go on a tour to see the geysir and a famous waterfall – really I wanted to get out of the city since the surrounding landscape is very unique. If I had more time I would have climbed a glacier, snorkeled and other fancy stuff. It really is a country full of outdoor activities. On my way to the airport on Monday, I am going to go by the Blue Lagoon for a dip before boarding the plane.
The last standing coffee house of its type in Iceland. More typically authentic Iceland building types
You know for a country that experience a major bank crash in 2008, it is doing pretty well. Unlike the US and Europe where banks are being kept artifically alive, Iceland had to experience reality and as such they will be better prepared and living in more accurate financiall realities than the rest of the world. I guess the world decided that this little island was not enough of a consequence to save and as such they were left to their own devices. In the long run they are so much better off. From the people I have talked to, they are doing o.k. and their unemployment rate is 7.8% which I think is even better than Canada. So they are doing something right. Gives me food for thought.
One of the many interesting sculptures throughout the city
Wow! I am so jealous! Maybe I will come when u go again. You can see the Northern lights from there, yes?
Yes – you can absolutely see the Northern Lights although it was too cloudy my two nights here to see them unfortunately but I have seen them in Canada. But I will for sure see them when I return.