We travel early on Tuesday and arrive in the USA in the morning. We did not have to rise early on Monday; we slept in and lollygagged until around 9:00, cleaned up and dressed, located breakfast, and consumed a familiar repast. We later went out to Reykjavik in the early afternoon. We stopped by a pharmacy and then located the famous hot dog stand, only to find another long line again, but this time we waited.
Deborah had a Clinton while I had everything (Bill Clinton had one with just mustard — he was on a diet — and that is the name for just mustard). The dogs were good. We ate them standing with diet drinks.
Next, we wandered up the hill again. Stopping by a few shops as we went. Mokka Kaffi was renowned for its writers and had been in operation since 1958. Computer use is banned there. We had, yes, more baked goods, snacks, and coffee. Here is the secured website.
It was warm and sunny, with the high sixties, which felt sweaty to us now. We continued walking up to the Lutheran Hallgrimskirkja. Today, we purchased tickets to the tower and soon found ourselves looking out the barred, open-air windows.
We stayed long enough to hear the near-deafening sound of 3 in the afternoon.
(Plays for 30 secs before sound. You can advance to half way).
We also liked the look behind the clock face.
Next, we tried the local sculpture garden near the church. Deborah researched many of the Norse myths related to the sculptures.
Next, we wandered some new streets in Old Town and then returned to Odin’s for a beer. We relaxed there for a bit and then walked down the hill (one last time for the trip) and continued shopping.
We decided to repeat dinner at the harbor as it was excellent and cheaper than the area near the hill or our hotel. The Old Harbor House is an order-at-the-bar place with fantastic food, a view of the small harbor, and while not cheap, it was not stupidly expensive.
On the way to dinner, I saw that the underground Punk Rock Museum was still open. We climbed down into a disused toilet that was now a tribute to Iceland’s version of Punk Rock and many of the bands. Each former stall is decorated with the history of Icelandic Punk Rock bands (with an English translation). Headphones were hung from the ceiling to listen to the Punk Rock music of Iceland, and jackets were available for a photo opportunity. I bought some postcards (and some of you, Dear Readers, will receive them). The proprietor had a mohawk and wore a punk rock-aligned dress, although he was now gray and wore glasses. He was happy to explain things and was friendly.
We liked Iceland enough to consider another trip (return for the northern lights, we were told). We enjoyed the people, our hotel was fabulous, the climate was pleasant (even the rain), and we believe in the social justice Iceland has adopted. It is expensive, but well worth it.
Deborah checked, and our return was slightly confused, but we now have a bus pickup as planned. It is very early. We returned to our room, packed, and tried to sleep for the few hours before our return adventure began at Bus Stop 1 in Reykjavik. I wrote a few more postcards and mailed them.
Thanks for reading!
Hotel Reykjavik Centrum, Room 323.
Alohawild (Michael Wild's) Website 