Iceland Day 1

Yesterday (and the day before?!) were very a long day(s).  It was made even more surreal by the fact that every time we turned on the TV, from before we left Seattle on Tuesday afternoon until we finally went to bed on Wednesday night, there was a miner in Chile being pulled out of the mine. Lather rinse repeat.

Blurry Iceland morning, on the bus from Keflavik to Reykjavik

The flight here from Seattle was smooth an uneventful, the engines on the 757 even worked (much to Matt's surprise) and we had the exit row, so my legs were happy and stretched out and comfortable. We landed at Keflavik at 0645 then caught the Flybus, Reykjavik Excursion's airport transfer coach bus. The airport is 50 kilometers from Reykjavik so aside from renting a car it's your only option. I had booked our tickets online, and I'm glad I did, because the bus was packed. Just when you think you've escaped Seattle, you land in Reykjavik during Iceland Airwaves music festival and find yourself in a sea of skinny-jeaned flannel-shirted hipsters. Ah well. Let's just say the minibus to the hostel was even more packed and we were not on it.

Our hotel, Hotel Centrum. An example of the corrugated aluminium seen everywhere.

Our room at our hotel, Hotel Reykjavik Centrum, was the first stop on the bus once we hit the city, and we were able to check in early. I love the hotel, it's centrally located right near the square in the "old town" and it's modern and clean and comfortable. I can't say it's quiet since Icelanders enjoy quite a night life, and our room was over the restaurant, but thanks to the wonders of ear plugs I don't even mind. 

After a breakfast buffet we had a brief nap, then walked around the town center to orient ourselves and enjoy our first pyksur, Icelandic hotdog. Icelanders are really fond of their hotdogs, and I know you'll ask why, to which I must respond, "Why not?" 

We did not partake of the ice cream at the same food stand, although I'm sure it was good too, there was something about the name that put me off. I know you nurses get me. 


To our great delight, it turns out that on Wednesdays the museums in Iceland are free! We went to the National Museum on the University of Iceland campus and then to the Culture House. The Culture House had a really great photography exhibit, photos of everyday Icelanders.


Dinner was at the Fish Market, right next door to our hotel. Matt did a shot of the national beverage, Brennevin, which he declared, 'Well, it didn't taste like licorice, which is always bonus." He also tried the minke whale sashimi, which to me was a weird combination of beef and tuna. All in all, it was a whale of a good time. Oh come on, you had to know I'd throw that in there.


We tried really really hard to be champs and stay up till at least 9:00pm to be able to sleep through the night and wake up truly Icelandic-time, but I don't think either of us saw 8:34 pm. And there were still miners coming out of the ground.