Land of the "Living Barbie Dolls" - Reykjavik, Iceland. May 19-21, 2013

2nd Stop - Reykjavik, Iceland (Day 2)

3rd Stop - Oslo, Norway

4th Stop - Stockholm, Sweden

We left Copenhagent at 10:30 pm on May 19 for a 3 hour flight to Reykjavik, Iceland.  Due to time change, we arrived at the airport at about 12:30 am and after getting the car rental, we settled at our hotel, Guesthouse Borgartun at about 2:00 am.  The hotel was located near the city center and was about 40 kms from the airport.

After the free breakfast at the hotel, we planned our day for city center tour and visited the famous Blue Lagoon.  Our first destination was the Perlan, a relatively new landmark in Reykjavik which was also a viewing deck where the city center can be clearly seen from atop.  It was also a restaurant but from what I read from the reviews, the restaurant at Perlan was overpriced and food was not that good.

From the Perlan, we went to the Church of Hallgrímur (Hallgrímskirkja).  Nothing spectacular about the church except the different style of architecture.  It was very simple inside with no intricate designs.  From the church, we strolled around the small city center and went through Laugavegur, the shopping district of Rekyjavik.  Within the area was the small House of Parliament.

We checked out Kolaportid Flea Market but it was not even close to Denios flea market at Sacramento, California.  Kolaportid was more of a bazaar shopping area than a flea market.  In front of Kolaportid market was the Harpa.

From the city center, we went to the Blue Lagoon and along the way, we stopped by in the middle of nowhere and explored the lava rocks.  The Blue Lagoon was going towards the airport but along the way, there were very few establishments.  My mom and I were talking about Icelanders who probably had challenges of getting some help when they had a car breakdown.

At the lagoon, entrance was EUR 33/person and towel was EUR 5.  So we brought our towel from the hotel and saved the extra cost.  The lagoon had a bar by the waterside and beer was about EUR 5 per glass.  At the other side of the lagoon were buckets of "white" mud packs which they said had exfoliating properties.  The Blue Lagoon was a perfect spot for relaxation - thermal water, beer and mud pack!

After 3 hours of full relaxation at the lagoon, we went back to city center for a gastronomic seafood buffet at Reykjavik Restaurant.  For ISK 5,900 or about $45, the seafood selection was exquisite and exotic - pickled Herring, salmon, smoked and cured whale, shrimps, more Herring, etc.  With Brennivin liquor, it complemented the taste of seafood.  Brennivin had its own distinct taste and aroma.  Texture was similar to Gin but it had a mint like flavor/aroma.

We finished dinner at 9:00 pm and there was still sunlight.  We headed back to the hotel and got the much needed rest for the following day's adventure.

2nd Stop - Reykjavik, Iceland (Day 2)