Reykjavik, Iceland 1

We have 2 days here in Reykjavik to start our Iceland trip – well 2 nights anyway – but plenty on the list to see !

Yesterday was pretty much a “travel day” so I’m combining the 2 days together here.

There was a bit more rain overnight in Turku and the forecast for the day was for more rain so I think we did very well with our weather over our 3 days of activities. We set off around 10.30am from Turku for our drive back to Helsinki and our flight to Iceland. There were a few very brief showers along the way however the roads are good and the traffic was pretty light so we arrived just after 12 to drop off the car and check in for our flight.

We found a spot at O’Learys – an American style sports bar chain actually established in Sweden – and had a bite to eat whilst we waited for our flight. It was pretty busy at the airport however our flight was on time  and just before 3pm we were on our way.

Whilst the weather forecast for the next week doesn’t look too good, we were all looking forward to what Iceland has to offer !

Our flight was on time into Keflavik Airport – about 3.15pm local time (with the 3 hour time gain) and all our research indicated that the first thing you do is go to the duty free to stock up on your alcohol as it is so expensive in Iceland (everything is really). Armed with our supplies, we collected our bags and made our way to collect our car. We have a Kia Sportage 4WD for this part of our tour – nicely optioned with heated seats and steering wheel no less ! After bundling all our luggage and duty free into the car, we set off for Reykjavik – about a 40 minute drive from the airport. The first thing that struck us was the open view everywhere around – not a tree to be seen !

On the way, we couldn’t help but stop at Costco – yes, they have a store and we had bought our membership card – and we bought a few bits to have whilst staying at our AirBNB in Reykjavik. Another quick stop at a Bonus – another “cheap” supermarket – for more supplies and we eventually pulled up to our apartment around 6pm. It is in a great spot an easy walk from all the sights. The only slight problem was that being right in town, and a Sunday afternoon, parking was at a premium but we managed to get a spot not too far away. All the street parking is “pay and display” however not too badly priced for a major city. As Sundays are free parking, we will effectively get 2 days parking for a total around A$25.

After a quick unpack, we headed for the major landmark in town – the Hallgrimskirkja. This Lutheran church has a spire 74.5 metres high and is the largest church in Iceland. It is also amongst the tallest structures in the country. The inside of the church is very minimalist – very cream with no paintings or stained glass. We paid our entry and went up the tower to take in the view across the city and the harbour. The weather, at this stage at least wasn’t too bad.

Hallgrimskirkja

Overlooking the city and harbour

After a quick stop back at the apartment, we walked down through part of the town and to the waterfront. Right on the water is an impressive sculpture called the Sun Voyager – not that there is a lot of sun around at the moment ! It is described as a dreamboat, or an ode to the sun. The artist intended it to convey the promise of undiscovered territory, a dream of hope, progress and freedom. Although it looks like a viking ship, this is apparently a common misunderstanding of what it actually is. Either way, it is quite impressive !

Sun Voyager

With the time difference it was getting late so we headed back to the apartment to have our “Costco” dinner – a nice chicken pasta and green salad.

Today, Adrienne had a walking tour organised for us. Having pulled together lots of her research, we set off through the streets, the old town, down to the waterfront and around the harbour. Appearance-wise, the Harpa Concert Hall is a stand out building right on the waterfront. Finished in 2011, the building features a distinctive colored glass facade inspired by the basalt landscape of Iceland.

Harpa Concert Hall

Part of the ceiling inside

Quirky-wise, Iceland’s national fast food is said to be the hot dog. An Icelandic hot dog as most Icelanders do them are served on a warm, steamed bun topped with raw white onions and crispy fried onions, ketchup, sweet brown mustard called pylsusinnep, and remoulade, a sauce made with mayo, capers, mustard, and herbs. In Reykjavik, Baejarins Beztu Pylsur (“The City’s Best Sausages”) became famous in 2004 when former US President Bill Clinton was in town and had one offered to him. So we thought we better try one, of course ! Luckily, with the drizzly weather, the queue wasn’t too long and they weren’t bad at all !

If it’s good enough for Bill Clinton ….

At the end of our walking tour, we headed off to Bryggjan Brugghus – Iceland’s first micro-brewery and bistro for a tour, lunch and a bit of a sample ! The beers were excellent as were the fish and chips. Eventually, well fed and watered, we braved the cold and wet again and made our way back to the apartment, via a few souvenir shops on the way. There was also some excellent street art on some of the buildings along the way.

Everybody dressed for the weather !

Can’t miss that church, pretty much from everywhere !

Peter Dutton perhaps ! 😂😂

Parliament Square

Russian Tall Ship – 2nd largest in the world !

So, having done Reykjavik pretty well,  tomorrow we set off on our road trip around Iceland – more news then !

Today’s Tour Trivia – Reykjavik has the world’s only penis museum. Its collection includes “parts” belonging to almost all the land and sea mammals that can be found in Iceland, including human samples – one said to be from a 95 year old womaniser – A very cocky man by all accounts ! 😂😂😂