Welcome to Reykjavik, Iceland

Greetings from Reykjavik!

Sorry for the delay in getting this next post out! We were laying fairly low the first few days while Matthew was recovering from the Calgary version of Travelers Revenge (aka food poisoning). So, really it's just been the last day and a bit which we've been out exploring the town and surrounding landscapes.

First impressions, in a word, was "grey" - we landed shortly after 7am and the sun doesn't rise until sometime around 8:30am so it was interesting to watch the grey landscape and the very grey clouds (it was raining) as we made our way from the airport into Reykjavik which is about a 45 minute bus ride. The land really does look like it does in pictures - rocky and weirdly green due to all of the prolific moss.

To our utter and complete disappointment, it has rained for most of our trip - and looks like it will continue during our last day here - this means no Northern Lights which was what both Matthew and I had been looking forward to... However we have gotten to see a few neat things!

First up: The Reykjavik Opera House and Convention Centre- it is actually built at the end of a pier and is lit from the outside with dozens of LCD strips which change colour - it really is super cool, and the opera house is fiery red inside!

Below, it's just blue - which is the most common colour, it goes well with the surrounding ocean.

The Reykjavik Cathedral (1845) is definitely cool, and hardly what one could expect from an architect in the mid-1800s. We went at night since it was when Matt felt up to it, but it was seriously awesome at night since there was barely anyone AND it was all lit up! (Updated with NEW photo!)

Main Stain Glass Windows

Crest on Front Door into the Cathedral

Next up: 

We totally found a random wooden statue on one of the side streets. It was AWESOME.. real life size gentlemanly viking - possibly a scholar with that really unfashionable hat! (The statue's btw, not referring to me)

I don't think it normally gets the attention it deserves since several people actually stopped to try to figure out what we were taking a photo of.

Yesterday, we finally made it to the touristy, but totally interesting "Blue Lagoon". Many people who visit don't realize that the lagoon is actually man-made as a result of the geo-thermal power plant which is located less than a kilometer away - however it doesn't made it any less cool!

The bottom of the lagoon is actually formed by the minerals in the water, covering the rock in a smooth white crust and the wind blows in black sand from the surrounding landscape which has eventually built up into a small layering of black sand under your feet - not that you'd ever see this, since the water is this lovely milky blue colour. (Note: for those geeks out there, it reminded me of the milk in A New Hope that Luke's Aunt Baru gives him). We didn't take the camera in, but here are a few photos from outside to give you the idea of what it is like:

TAA DAAAAAAA!

Walk Way to the Blue Lagoon

You could also put Silica Mud on your face, which was supposed to help exfoliate and renew your skin... unfortunately this didn't make Matt or I any prettier... (le sigh)

Blue Waters plus the Flat Lava Field Beyond

Here you can see the whole setup including the geo-thermal power plant in the background along with the lifeguard in the high visibility vest - who was also in a snow suit! (kinda like 'Where's Waldo?')

Those are the main highlights so far - other than one dinner, but you'll need to watch for an update on the TrippyFood blog within the next 18 hours or so for the full Icelandic details on that!!

We're off to the GOLDEN CIRCLE! (Of Iceland)

Skál! (Cheers!)