Iceland

Iceland

   Although our original plans of travel did not include Iceland, it was fortuitous that Icelandair offered the most affordable ticket across the pond to Europe. So like the Vikings that traversed the Atlantic to Canada, we chose the same route a millennium later leaving from Toronto to Iceland’s capital Reykjavik (pronounced Ray-kya-vic). It is a very clever marketing strategy of Icelandair to offer up to a one week layover at no additional charge to encourage tourists to experience what this little island, formed by geologic events along the mid-Atlantic rift, has to offer. Considering its unique climate and the fact that it is situated amidst plates of the Earth’s crust that are drifting apart, Iceland offers a variety of outdoor activities and sites for the geology enthusiast.

The Hallgrimskirkja

Day one in Iceland began with a 6:30 AM arrival into Kelavik International Airport, followed by a forty-five minute shuttle bus to Reykjavik.  Our hostess, of French origin, informed us that our room would not be ready until 11 am. However, she graciously fed her tired and disheveled guests, with no additional charge, a breakfast that included Icelandic greenhouse grown vegetables, cheeses, meats, hard boiled eggs, and local breads with preserves.

Madame subsequently sent us out with a guide map in hand, to experience the unique features of the city. Reykjavik is very much like many European cities with the usual cafes, bistros, and bakeries. However, the cool brisk morning streets were calm and with few people milling around the corrugated metal-sided houses and buildings, with the exception of the ones that frequented the morning coffee shops. Most businesses opened after eleven, which may be due to Reykjavik’s active nightlife that begins well after 10 pm and continues to early morning. Because beer and wine are so expensive in Iceland, most locals drink at home first before heading out for the evening.  However many establishments offer “Happy Hour” to try to lure people in. The “Appy Hour” app on the iPad is very useful for locating the best of these deals!

The Sea Baron 

Some of the most noteworthy places to see in town include the dominant central church, Hallgrimskirkja, which lacks ornate details seen in other European Churches, the modern   award winning designed Centre of the Arts building or Harpa, and the old fishing docks with seafood restaurants that serve locally caught seafood including minke whale. We had our first paid meal in the founding establishment along the docks called “The Sea Baron”. This locally popular seafood “shack” lacks the refinement of newer establishments. With its cluttered seafarer paraphernalia, storage canisters seating, and vintage sailing and fisherman pictures, the delicious lobster chowder felt all the more authentically Icelandic.