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Destination Spotlight: Reykjavik, Iceland
When MichaelJM finally got around to visiting Iceland, he had only a day to take in the sights and sounds of Reykjavik, its vibrant capital city. Luckily, as his 70+ journals to date prove, he knows how to make every second count.
From Eating, sleeping and praying in Reykjavik
We quickly discovered that compromise is not something Iceland excels at, as evidenced by the summer season's everlasting sunlight. It's truly a weird feeling to know that we had 24-hour daylight while we were there, and to see people out walking their dogs at 2am. We were left wondering how it feels during the winter, when the exact opposite happens and the sun hardly ever shines on the snow-covered terrain.
Iceland's proliferation of bird life was also quite memorable. Although we're not bird-watchers, we quickly found ourselves entranced by the antics of the oyster catcher and its comical walk. The ringed plover—well-disguised against the Icelandic vegetation—darted across the ground while the black-tailed godwit stood still in the marshes of the fjord. There were numerous types of gulls, and we watched swans, geese, and waterfowl strut their stuff as well.
For stupendous views of Reykjavik and the surrounding countryside, it's well worth parking your car at the summit of Oskjuhlío and having a wander around. The outside sculptures, where a geyser intermittently erupts, provide an interesting foreground feature, and with a zoom lens there are excellent photos to be had of the town's churches and colorful, corrugated houses. There are also trails that meander through the grounds, and plenty of chances to admire Iceland's flora. If you fancy it, there's a Viking museum on the ground floor of the water tower, too.
Luckily, Reykjavik is an easy town to walk around. In the center, parking is generally on the meter (between €10 and €6), and the traffic wardens are out in force. Buses seemed to be freely available, and we did see the odd taxi. My driving experience on appalling mountain roads with extremely poor visibility is not something I'll seek to repeat, but our encounter with the mountain's hot springs and gurgling geysers is something we'll never forget. The pace of life and the laid-back attitude of the Icelanders is totally memorable—if you want to rush them or tie them down to an exact time, you will be fighting a losing battle.
To top it all off, the scenery is just amazing—fjords; glaciers; waterfalls; mountains; a hostile volcanic landscape; and lush, green fields. Once we left Reykjavik, which houses over 70% of the population, small communities became the norm. Iceland is a country of contrast, with clear water and fresh, breathable air—no congestion here!
