Reykjavik
8am on Thursday morning arrived at Reykjavik on an overcast day with temperatures around 10c. Reykjavík is the capital and largest city of Iceland. It is located on the southern shore of the Faxafloi bay in southwest Iceland and has a latitude of 64°08′ N, making it the world’s northernmost capital of a sovereign state. Reykjavík has a population of around 140,000, and the surrounding Capital Region has a population of around 252,000, constituting approximately 64% of Iceland’s population.
Went out on tour with 7 others at 08:30am for a hike to Mount Ulfarsfell. It remained overcast and dry. Apparently, this is normal for this time of year with little sunshine. Our guide today was Haldoor. A 20-minute ride out of town took us to the trailhead. Walked up the wide, rocky trail towards the mast on top of the hill. Several brief stops on the way, for our guide to answer questions and talk about the area. Eventually reached the high point next to the radio mast at 286m (938 ft) and took in the great views. Headed slowly back down, trying to avoid sliding on the loose rocks. Safely back at our bus we headed for a brief stop at a local store to buy chocolate then returned to the dock by 12:10pm.
Patti went off with 29 others on the city tour, leaving at 9am. The tour guide was Linda.
Perlan – the Pearl – is an immersive museum that showcases Iceland’s extraordinary landscapes and nature in an accessible and engaging way. Its impressive hands-on, interactive exhibits and shows explain the country’s landforms, geology and wildlife. Shows include Volcanos, Arora, Ice caves, Latrabjarg cliff. The observation deck lies on the top of the hot water tanks and encircles the entire dome to give an amazing view of Reykjavík and the surrounding area.
Next stop was Hallgrímskirkja church. Inspired by Iceland’s dramatic natural landscapes, the church’s striking architecture is one of the finest examples of modern Icelandic design. Hallgrímskirkja is named after the 17th-century poet and pastor Hallgrímur Pétursson, best known for his beloved Passion Hymns. As part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland, Hallgrímskirkja is an active church community that hosts regular worship services, concerts, cultural events, and educational programmes throughout the year.
On to the National Museum which displays objects that provide insight into Icelandic cultural history. The National Museum was established on 24 February 1863.
Lastly a visit to the Árbær Open Air Museum which is Iceland ‘s largest of its kind and home to a fascinating collection of historical buildings, most of which were relocated from Reykjavík’s city. Showcasing diverse architectural styles, the museum area is divided into a square, a village and a countryside section, vividly portraying Reykjavík’s small-town life and environment in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The tour returned to the dock around 1:30pm.
Highlight of the day: Finding an eclipse chocolate bar in the store.
