After June’s 100th birthday party, we realized that ragweed allergies were just going to get worse (hot weather and lots of rain just kept the plant flowering and pollinating). Monday afternoon, i booked flights for Dallas and me to leave Tuesday afternoon for Iceland. We had actually wanted to visit Greenland, but it was too late in the season, snow and ice already moving in and tourist boats being pulled out of the water, so we spent 2 weeks in Iceland instead.
Iceland population: 339,661 Reykjavik population: 120,000 (200,000 in the Capital region) Iceland has a surface area of 39,770 square miles and it is the 108th largest in this respect. However, that harsh geographical landscape is one of the reasons why its population remains so low. Iceland has the lowest population density of all European countries at just 8 people per square mile.
We flew United Airlines, and as usual had stellar service. They have implemented a new strategy wherein they can know if passengers are arriving late for a connection and hold the next flight if it is reasonable to do so. We sat on the plane in Newark nearly an hour waiting for 15 passengers who would have missed the flight to Reykjavik since their flight was delayed by thunderstorms out of Houston. So, while the record for on time departure may look wonky, the record for getting passengers where they need to be will soar!
The first week was spent entirely in the capital city, Reykjavik. I was concerned that we’d be twiddling our thumbs for want of activities, but i was unduly so. To our surprise, there are oodles of things to do and see at a leisurely rate – even without booking day tours (which are numerous!) outside the city.
Next morning after arrival was a trip to the pharmacy for cold meds. (our first ‘souvenirs’) Armed with drugs, we were ready to hit the streets within a few hours. Hooray!Hallgrimskirkja
Lutheran mass services start at 10:30a on Sunday mornings and are in Icelandic.Organ in the Lutheran Cathedral, Hallgrimskirkja The sculpture garden behind the Einar Jónsson Art Museum.
Listening to the warm up for this evening’s season opener in the magnificent Harpa. https://en.sinfonia.is/concerts-tickets/ravel-and-sibeliusDallas in line for a world famous hotdog from street vendor downtown Reykjavik.The green and white label indicates having been grown in Iceland. Icelandic regulations on ingredients, additives and labeling generally follow EU directives. Since 2012, a regulation on Genetically Modified Organisms requires any product containing more than 0.9 percent materials produced from GMOs to be labeled and for manufacturers to maintain traceability records for five years.Grocery stores, conveniently located around the city are the way to go to save considerable money on food. Eating out is REALLY expensive. This is a produce display at SUPER1, (Hallveigarstígur 1, 101 Reykjavík S. 419-7600) just 5 minute walk from our Centric Guesthouse.So, our grocery bill was a bit higher than necessary! But gotta have my Mars bars when in European countries. Why are they not sold in the US?!The National Museum of IcelandAllow at least two hours to explore this treasure trove of Icelandic culture and history. Highly recommend. National Museum of IcelandWent for a short walk to the National Museum (in the 47 F with random wind gusts and downpours) to discover it would close in only 1 1/2 hours so we’ll go in the morning. However, our return yielded a beautiful full double rainbow-too wide to fit in my camera. Arching over Reykjavik with ducks, geese, and swans splashing about on Tjörnin, the pond. (What’s the national bird of Iceland? why ‘crane’ of course! HA< HA>HA)Sun Voyager sculpture at the edge of the ocean. It is located on the Sculpture and Shore Walk. Much to see, read, and enjoy on this lovely paved walkway.
“Domkirkjan is Reykjavik’s Lutheran Cathedral, or the Reykjavik Dome and the bishop’s place in Iceland. It is located downtown in the capital right next to the Alþingi, house of parliament and together they form a unity of law and order in the country. The altarpiece and artwork inside the church are definitely worth the visit!”
We were walking around town and saw the announcement of a performance offered free of charge at this lovely cathedral. Of course, we made special effort to attend. Just lovely.
Excellent meal at Icelandic Fish and Chips in the capital city. This one attached to The Volcano House museum about the island and its not-always-tame explosive geography.Random sculpture on streets of Reykjavik
Iceland is an island of fire and ice. Geothermal vents spew heat and steam all over. Just gotta build the infrastructure to capture and transport it.Perlan (The Pearl) – notable landmark in Reykjavik
Dallas always has a different perspective and interest, so enjoy his photos of Reykjavik.
