Iceland - Day 17

Reykjavik

Early morning, early breakfast, early bus, meant 9 am. arrival to Reykjavik. After a short walk, I managed to find my accommodation and simply dumped my backpack and set off with my mini backpack to do some walking. My original plan was to just start sightseeing, but that changed as soon as I smelled freshly baked croissants. I followed my nose and came across this gorgeous place with a big selection of goodies. I pointed, bought, and devoured a few within seconds.

The roads and high street were very quiet this time of the day, so I just started walking and taking pictures of mostly everything. My first stop was the famous Hallgrímskirkja church. The artist is said to have designed it to resemble the trap rocks, mountains, and glaciers of Iceland's landscape. The views from the tower were stunning, and I didn't waste a moment taking pictures from all 4 corners.

Next came the 'Sun Voyager' sculpture of a Viking ship at the waterfront, followed by The Harpa concert hall. After yesterday's food fiasco, I was keen to eat some Icelandic food. So, I booked myself onto a food tour with a local guide that started from the Harpa. While I was waiting, I noticed this VR experience about Iceland. Oh my God, the second-best decision I made today. Four movies / 12 minutes, viewing everything from above and covering the North, the South, the Snaefellsness Peninsula, and of course the active volcano. It was fantastic.

I dared not to eat anything after the croissants so I could fully enjoy the tour. Boy, oh boy, was that a good idea.

Once Tinna, our tour guide, arrived, we were off to visit 5 restaurants and taste 8 very Icelandic dishes:

1. Slow Cooked Lamb and Flatbread from the Westfjords

2. Artic Charr and Blini

3. Lamb Hot dog

4. Pan Fried Artic Char Cooked in Honey and Butter

5. Fish Stew (Plokkfiskur) with Rye Bread

6. Traditional Icelandic Meat Soup (Kjötsúpa)

7. Fermented Shark (400-year-old) with Brennivin (aka the Black Death ) and Einstök White Ale

8. Rye Bread Ice Cream with Twisted Doughnut (Kleina)

The history lessons, the commentary, the atmosphere, and all the laughter were worth every penny. I also met a lovely lady from Maine, US, who had Hungarian grandparents and could still remember a few Hungarian words. It was great fun chatting with her and going through the random words she remembered.

Once back at the hotel, I officially checked in, had a super long shower, and headed back out again. I wasn't planning on visiting every touristy site, I just wanted a chilled evening that included some leisurely walking, some reading, and a small dinner (no judging, please ). Seeing and being around so many people was a shock to the system, but my dirty (and definitely slightly smelly) clothes kept most of them away.

I was back by 8 pm lying in an actual bed. I mean a REAL BED. After more than 2 weeks of sleeping on a mat, it was a weird sensation. Believe it or not, I missed my cramped little tent and sleeping bag. Today was my final day of the Iceland Adventure, and what an adventure it was. Unreal, out of this world, stunning and amazing are just a few words that can describe it. Happy I had this much time to experience, see, taste, and absorb the feel of Iceland. Nothing could have prepared me for the dramatic beauty of the landscape. Tomorrow is going to be a long journey home, but I'm sort of ready to get back to reality. Goodbye Iceland :)