After going to bed last night, it was still light until a few minutes after midnight and waking up at 0400 (it was light for over an hour), today was our day in town and, it’s a small town. From our Airbnb room, it’s less than 10 minutes to the heart of the city. We have simple directions to get back. Up the hill to the church (big), past the Russians (Embassy), turn right. No problems.
At 0400, the sun was out and very bright, I was hoping for a beautiful day but, by the time we got up, it was cloudy and very windy. I saw a t-shirt that said “Iceland Summers Are A Joke”, I would second that, they’re more like the same pitiful day in March in Minnesota.
We had a quick breakfast, not a big deal in Iceland and walked the town up to Hallgrimskirkja a giant Lutheran Church with a statue of Lief Erickson in front of it. The plaque on the base of the statue gives Lief credit for discovering basically, the entire New World. I’ll give him credit for some of that.
We visited the Landnamssyningin (Settlement Exhibition) which featured a long house that was discovered while excavating for a new building (they had to move the building). The long house was from around 871 but, they allow for a little deviation, it’s actually called 871 +/-2. Interesting exhibit. If there was much else to do, I’d skip it but…
After a short jet-lag induced nap, we ventured out to watch the England-Belgium futbol match. spoiler alert, Belgium won. The Petersen Svitan (Petersen Suite) is next to and above the Gambla Bio, a movie theater from the 1920’s, this was the owners apartment. Nice place on the top floor, if the weather was ever nice, the roof top patio would be a treat. Good drinks, high prices (welcome to Iceland), I would recommend it.
Dinner was at Apotek which apparently has a reputation for it’s after hours environment, we won’t be seeing that tonight. Food choices were very good, definitely recommend the frites as a side, the aioli was very good. Apotek is located just off the Astervollur and serves many locals. Once again, you will pay premium prices but, if you live in a large city, you won’t be shocked…much.
Back at the accommodations, Spa tomorrow at the Blue Lagoon.
Finally, my friends on the Camino, Katja and the Professors (Chris & Steve) have completed or almost completed their Camino. Katja is in Santiago and I hope she’s partying to celebrate her trip down the Norte and Primativo, Go Katja! The Professors are in Cee and will be at the end of the world tomorrow, I hope it’s as magical as it was for me!