I certainly did not do Iceland justice by stopping only for two days, but it was not meant to be to a trip to explore this scenic island in the midst of the Atlantic, 2800km from the North Pole.
The glaciers, geyers and volcanoes need to wait for another journey. The only reason I set foot on Rejkavic was that I could not see myself sitting in a plane for 10 solid hours, going to New York City. So I broke up the journey.
Iceland’s glacier Approachching Rejkavic
Driving into nowhere
Having only two days, I asked travellers who had visited Iceland before and their advice was, get out of Rejkavic immediately, rent a car at the airport and see Jökulsarion, a bluesih lagoon dotted with icebergs, and or the Golden Circle.
Screenshot
When the car rental person asked if wanted unlimited miles and I said yes, kind of guessing all this is a bit far. The person looked a me like a ghost and explained it was a five hours drive each way. I knew this was not feasable, since I was aleady dead tired, before even starting off. I had to sleep in one of these capsulas at Zurich Airport the night before, due to a change of flights.
Zurich Airport Capsula Hotel for 120 US
So I drive off, not knowing where to. There are not many roads leading aways from the airport, since it is at the very east of the Island. Since I wanted to avoiding Rejkavic I had to go south, and by sheer luck discovered the Blue Lagoon, for € 110 you can swim in the warm water, sipping a drink. Needless to say that you need a reservation, which I did not have, so after taking plenty of photo I continued.
Running into this scenic place so soon and by accident, led me to the false impression that these natural wonders are waiting behind every curve. So wrong. It started raining, fog settled in, there was nothing up rocks with green grads in between, for hours. I had not eaten since dinner on the plane, but even restaurants where nowhere to be seen. I was getting dizzy and almost nauseous, still I kept going. On the map: the area around “my loop” – black Lines, is what I covered on that afternoon.
Scenery for hours driving south of the airport and west in a loop
Once I passed through a small town before I reach Gullfoss
I checked the map, Gulffoss Waterfall was not so far, by the time I got in the town I was so exhausted that all I wanted was to sleep, but hotels were around € 200-300. No sign of a waterfall either. I made a very quick decision: straight to Rejkavic, and straight to bed.
Hotel Fron – right in the center for 160 US
Driving in Iceland is usually slow, many streets are narrow, on the other hand, I often had no car coming towards me for an hour. The rental cars starts peeping immediately you exceed the speed. I was fascinated how the car computer knew exactly what speed limit was where.
Dashboard of rental car
Rejkavic – Bay of Smoke
Which I did. Unfortunately. Because Rejkavic has a lot to offer for two days, various museum, with the Penis Museum most likely the most unusual one. But I had to learn the hard way.
The city center is nice to walk around, in July, if you like 24 hours, lots of small shops, bars and restaurants. Something is cheap by the way.
Cathedral of Christ the King
Tourist trail
I always travel light, especially since Iknew I word be in hot weather in NYC and Virginia, all the time. And no, I did not anticipate how chilly Rejkavic was. I was wearing every shirt with long sleeves i had packed, was not enough. Then I saw a Sign, rent a jacket. That’s what I did, for €36 for a day.
Rented jacket for Euro 34
Penis Museum
Most of the penises exhibited are fron animals
American Presidents can be pretty disgusting
Stranded whales – their penis is held back by a muscle, relaxed (iewhen animal is dead) is prodrudes
Tjörnin – The Lake
This Lake is very populär with locals and tourists alike. Lots of important buildings are found on its shore, but also scenic ones. I visited the Iðnó, it is built into the Lake, on stilts and the view through the window is quiet Impression-like an infinite pool.
City Hall on Tjörnin – The Lake
Shorts of Tjörnin – The Lake
Monument of Unknown Burocrat – unique statue sculpted by Magnús Tómasson in 1994,
I walked down to the harbour because there is another famous building- The Harp, full of shops and restaurtant.
The Harp on the oceanfront
Rejkavic oceanfront
Iceland’s Cuisine
I did not really get to taste a lots of it, since prices were dear. Luckily I was too exhausted to hat much, besides the breakfast buffet of the hotel took me through the day.
A glass of wine for 9 Euros during summer offer
3500=24 €
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