Day 11: Back to Reykjavik
Good Morning, Beautiful.
Our last full day in Iceland greeted us with sunshine - and it couldn't have been more perfect. We had to be back at the rental office by 9, and had a little over an hour's drive, so we were on the road pretty early. We turned in our dirty little campervan-that-could, said our thank yous and goodbyes to the owners, and got shuttled to our digs downtown.
We booked a room with Apartment K - and it was OK, because it was relatively inexpensive for a room in Reykjavik - but we had some issues. First of all, there is no sign. Anywhere. You have no idea which door is actually theirs. We walked in to the hotel across the street to ask, and he was like, "uh, yeah - you're looking for the place across the street with no sign. Happens all the time. Stay with us next time!" We probably will. :)
Once we figured out which door it was, we couldn't get in the building. The front door is locked at all times - which I'm not sure I understand, because crime is rare in Iceland - and you can't even get to the front desk to check in without someone buzzing you through. This was annoying as Hell, standing on the sidewalk with all of our luggage, ringing the buzzer every couple of minutes & banging on the door. We finally ended up walking in behind someone who had a key - only to find two people sitting behind the desk, ignoring our calls from the street. ME = PISSED.
We got checked in, and dropped our stuff in our room, which was cute and very Scandinavian. The bathroom was cool - the walls, floors and shower were all smooth river stones. None of my pictures did it any justice so I didn't bother. Other than the issue with the desk service, the place was fine for the price we paid. It was not far from the waterfront, and within walking distance of all the shops and restaurants. It's a pretty excellent location - not much of a view from our room, but we didn't need one. Once you have your key, you have access to all the doors - so it was only an issue at check-in.
Our last full day in Iceland greeted us with sunshine - and it couldn't have been more perfect. We had to be back at the rental office by 9, and had a little over an hour's drive, so we were on the road pretty early. We turned in our dirty little campervan-that-could, said our thank yous and goodbyes to the owners, and got shuttled to our digs downtown.
We booked a room with Apartment K - and it was OK, because it was relatively inexpensive for a room in Reykjavik - but we had some issues. First of all, there is no sign. Anywhere. You have no idea which door is actually theirs. We walked in to the hotel across the street to ask, and he was like, "uh, yeah - you're looking for the place across the street with no sign. Happens all the time. Stay with us next time!" We probably will. :)
Once we figured out which door it was, we couldn't get in the building. The front door is locked at all times - which I'm not sure I understand, because crime is rare in Iceland - and you can't even get to the front desk to check in without someone buzzing you through. This was annoying as Hell, standing on the sidewalk with all of our luggage, ringing the buzzer every couple of minutes & banging on the door. We finally ended up walking in behind someone who had a key - only to find two people sitting behind the desk, ignoring our calls from the street. ME = PISSED.
We got checked in, and dropped our stuff in our room, which was cute and very Scandinavian. The bathroom was cool - the walls, floors and shower were all smooth river stones. None of my pictures did it any justice so I didn't bother. Other than the issue with the desk service, the place was fine for the price we paid. It was not far from the waterfront, and within walking distance of all the shops and restaurants. It's a pretty excellent location - not much of a view from our room, but we didn't need one. Once you have your key, you have access to all the doors - so it was only an issue at check-in.
From our apartment, we wandered around downtown for a bit, and slowly made our way to Hallgrimskjirka - one of the city's best-known landmarks and the tallest church in Iceland. It was commissioned in 1937, and the design is said to be inspired by Iceland's famous landscape features like basalt columns, mountains and glaciers.
We waited in a ridiculous line and paid a ridiculous amount ($18 total, I think) to get stuffed into a ridiculous elevator for a ride to the viewing platform at the tippy top of the church. Reykjavik is a vibrant, colorful city - and the views from the top of Iceland's capital city are A+.
WAFFLE WAGON. Get out.
This has to be the coolest bathroom in Iceland.
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We kept seeing people walking around with these enormous cinnamon rolls - I mean, people everywhere were partaking in some serious food porn. They were from this bakery. You're welcome.
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This is a plywood wall blocking a construction project. Even those are full-on art installments in Reykjavik.
Icelanders are happy, creative people.
Icelanders are happy, creative people.
Upstairs patio - ONE FLOOR CLOSER TO THE SUN, man!
And yes - that's nearly $11 for a vanilla shake.
And yes - that's nearly $11 for a vanilla shake.
Lunch. Because honestly - how can you not?
We had WABAMM! burgers. Just like Chuck, they had kick. If you like your face to sweat uncontrollably while you eat, this will probably do it.
And whatever you do, guys - claim the aim. Don't disrespect the cleancode!
And whatever you do, guys - claim the aim. Don't disrespect the cleancode!
It wasn't gourmet, but neither are we. Perfect comfort food to top off a fabulous trip. We left full and happy. And down about $50.
EVERY HOUR IS HAPPY HOUR
I'm bummed that this photo didn't come out better - but it does a good job of showing the cool vibe of Reykjavik. We stopped at this café for coffee and cake on our walk to check out the Harpa Concert Hall on the waterfront. It's on the ground floor of the Canopy by Hilton.
Everything in Reykjavik is artsy. Everything. Even the sidewalks. There are little details everywhere. They take pride in their city.
Harpa Concert Hall and Convention Center is stunning. I enjoyed it much more than Mark, because I LOVE this shit. Can you tell from the 12,000 photos? I WANT YOU TO APPRECIATE HOW COOL IT IS. At this point Mark was tired and hot and annoyed at me for wanting to just GO GO GO. Even the large hunk of carrot cake I fed him wasn't enough to keep him happy for long.
We wandered around the gift shops for a bit and I bitched and moaned because the rest of the building was off-limits due to a private event, and I had to pee but couldn't because YOU HAVE TO PAY TO PEE HERE. I didn't have enough money to pee, and there was no option for plastic. There was actually a dude sitting at a desk policing entry to the bathroom. I'm sure to Icelanders paying to pee is no big deal, but Mark will tell you I once had an issue at a Walmart that was narrowly averted only because the bathroom was ten steps away - and free of charge and immediately available without fumbling for change. That situation would have been apocalyptic at Harpa - just sayin'. So don't break the seal here if you can't make the deal. And be prepared with a backup plan.
We wandered around the gift shops for a bit and I bitched and moaned because the rest of the building was off-limits due to a private event, and I had to pee but couldn't because YOU HAVE TO PAY TO PEE HERE. I didn't have enough money to pee, and there was no option for plastic. There was actually a dude sitting at a desk policing entry to the bathroom. I'm sure to Icelanders paying to pee is no big deal, but Mark will tell you I once had an issue at a Walmart that was narrowly averted only because the bathroom was ten steps away - and free of charge and immediately available without fumbling for change. That situation would have been apocalyptic at Harpa - just sayin'. So don't break the seal here if you can't make the deal. And be prepared with a backup plan.
Just a short walk from Harpa, down a waterfront pathway for walkers and bicyclists, lies Solfar, or the Sun Voyager. It resembles a Viking ship, but was intended as something else - it stands facing Mt. Esja, across Flaxafoi Bay, as an ode to the sun - and contains within itself the promise of undiscovered places. It is a permanent symbol of progress, freedom, light and hope. Something we could all use a little more of these days. What a perfect way to end this epic Saga through the magical, mystical Land of Fire and Ice.
Thank you, Iceland -
for eleven days of pure, intense and powerful magic. You blew our minds and captured our hearts. We will be back.
Because you still have so much to show us.
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Because you still have so much to show us.
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Oh, one final but not unimportant thing :
Don't wear an underwire bra through security at Keflavik airport unless you want to cause an international incident.
This is a Public Service Announcement.
Don't wear an underwire bra through security at Keflavik airport unless you want to cause an international incident.
This is a Public Service Announcement.
All photos are © Sugarjets Studio - all rights reserved. Please don't steal them. Stealing is shitty.
Don't be shitty. And please don't make me be mean.
Don't be shitty. And please don't make me be mean.