Cold as it is, Iceland has become quite a “hot spot” for
tourists and tourism, growing at an almost alarming rate. Seventeen new
hotels are being built in the city at this moment, and skyscraper-height construction
cranes dot the city skyline. The city has also become a foodie paradise with
over 400 restaurants. To find out what all the fuss is about, we took in several
of the top sights.
 |
| Hallgrimskirkja church |
Hallgrimskirkja
On our very first day, we walked in the cold rain to the famous
church, Hallgrimskirkja (dare you to say that three times fast, or even once
ha, ha). The church is a modern, concrete, pyramidal-shaped structure -- an
architectural stunner and a striking symbol of the city. The church sits on a
high point in the town and soars above all the surrounding buildings.
 |
| Double rainbow in front of Hallgrimskirkja (second rainbow is faintly visible above) |
We took an elevator to the top of the church spire for
outstanding views and got a bonus: double rainbows! We had just been complaining
about the rain, but as the old saying goes, without the rain, there would be no
rainbows! We couldn’t believe our luck – what an introduction to Reykjavik.
 |
| Frank checks out a whale penis (could this be a case of penis envy??) |
Phallological Museum
A first on our list of stuff to see was the infamous “Penis” museum. Now before you roll your eyes into the back of your head, this museum attracts quite a crowd of curious but serious folks, anxious to check out the “merchandise.” Us included. This museum is the only one of its kind in the world.
 |
| A load of dicks at the Penis Museum |
An old, Icelandic gent
thought it would be a great goof to collect animal penises from all over and
put them on display. Whales, walruses, elephants,
horses, reindeer, geese, foxes, mice, and even the very smallest, a hamster
penis, are all well preserved in formaldehyde.
The museum even scored one human donation. If nothing else, it was a fun way to pass the
time.
 |
| The 80-foot Andrea our transportation to see the Northern Lights |
Northern Lights
The primary reason we are braving the cold weather at this
time of the year is to have a shot at seeing the Northern Lights which can only
be seen well during the winter months. Our Icelandair package included a trip out
on the water in an 80-foot (or so) tour boat (called the “Andrea”) at
night. The object? To see the Northern Lights!!
 |
| Anne tries to stay warm in the miserable weather |
Earlier that day, we had hiked around the old town of Reykjavik, and it was sleeting, snowing, and cloudy all around the
harbor area. In each of our minds, there
was absolutely no possibility that we would see any Northern Lights
tonight. But as time grew closer to our boat
departure time (10 PM), the hotel desk assured us that our boat was headed out
for the grand event. Skeptical, the four
of us (Anne, Frank, Amy, and Ted) took a cab over to our departure point at the
harbor, and sure enough, "The Andrea" was ready and bound to set sail for Northern Lights
territory! The weather had cleared up a
lot and was not very cloudy anymore. We
never would’a thunk it possible!!!
 |
| Glowing Northern Lights |
Out on the water, in the darkness of the night away from the
bright lights of Reykjavik, we had a chance to see the Northern Lights emerge
just above the horizon. And sure enough,
several miles out, the greenish wisps of the Aurora Borealis came into view. Like swelling waves of lights streaming
across the sky, the lights started out dim, then increased in intensity to full
brightness, then disappeared in typical “slo mo” fashion, just as they had
started. Then nothing for several minutes; and then back again. Again and again, these dimly
lit waves would flare up, intensify, and then retreat from view.
Standing atop the upper outside deck of the ship Andrea, it was
B-I-T-T-E-R cold, and the deck had a sheet of ice covering it. It was all we could do to hang onto the
railings, avoid slipping, and fight the icy cold winds. Also, the ship pitched and rocked so
violently sometimes, it made it even more difficult to hang on. Photographing the Northern Lights was
extremely difficult given these interesting conditions!! The ship did issue full-length coveralls for
warmth, but we were each pretty well suited against the cold.
 |
| The Northern Lights "curtains" |
We were so thrilled to have seen the Lights at all, but
towards the end of our excursion, the Lights gave us one more breathtaking
display. The green glow of the Lights stretched and arched across the sky and
then turned into what looked like curtains, vertical stripes shimmering and
dancing in front of our eyes. What a once-in-a-lifetime experience -- a true
Icelandic miracle!
 |
| Frank enjoys the Blue Lagoon |
The Blue Lagoon
The Eiffel tower is to Paris what the “Blue Lagoon” is to
Iceland. So of course, we had to spend a
few hours soaking in the alleged therapeutic waters. There are many hot springs all over Iceland,
but the Blue Lagoon is the most famous, and the most touristy. We were bussed over to the Lagoon, where we
had about an hour of preprocessing time to get into the water. Standing in line, getting our towels and
robes, possible upgrading each person’s package, getting “smart” wristbands, showers
(yes, you are required to shower prior to bathing), dressing, and finally, the
plunge!!
 |
| Anne freezing outside the Lagoon |
As you emerge from the preparation process in your skimpy
bathing suit, you are hit by the bitter 30 degree outside temp, which urges you
to move yourself quickly into the Lagoon. Once there, wow!! Warmth galore. The Lagoon is this strange milky-blue color about
4 feet deep in most places with steam everywhere rising from the surface. Sometimes, you find a hot spot in the water and
it’s warmer than anywhere else, but other times the area you chose is just lukewarm. The piles of lava rocks all around the Lagoon
add an eerie ambiance to the swim, and the mountainous snow-covered backdrop
somehow provided mental coziness to each of us.
 |
| Ted and Amy all "gooked up" |
Anne, Ted, and Amy decided to follow the two-part facial
treatment beginning with a smearing of the cream-like clay “gook” and followed
by a green algae mask. Many were doing this and most wanted to try it. The spa people issued this skin-enhancing,
age-defying liquid glop for all who thought it helped. Frank was a little skeptical on the benefits,
so he opted for more proof. Anne said that
her skin had never felt so soft! (Frank didn’t notice any difference.)
Later, a free drink was provided poolside as part of the
package, with the hopes that folks would spend more for extra drinks. That fancy little wrist bracelet had a microchip
within, and the bartenders could scan the bracelet as swimmers approached the
bar to conveniently add any new charges. All charges are tallied and paid when exiting
the Lagoon.
 |
| Frank quaffs a few beers at the Blue Lagoon! |
Each of us drank one of
their famous (and delicious!) draught “Gull” beers; we learned the true Icelandic
pronunciation of the word “Gull” was actually “guht”, and that the word gull
meant golden. Can’t describe how good it
felt when that cold, cold Gull beer slid down our hot spring-warmed gullets.
Heavenly refreshing!
 |
| Gulping down some Gulls! |
The romp in the lagoon was soothing and invigorating. We topped it all off by eating a late meal in
the exclusive spa-side “Lava” Restaurant. A final touch was when darkness fell,
and the Lagoon glowed with soft blue lighting.
 |
| Super atmospheric Blue Lagoon |
 |
| Ted gets beautified! |
 |
| Anne soaks in the soothing waters of the Blue Lagoon |
 |
| Gull goes perfectly with a green algae mask! |
 |
| The Blue Lagoon after dark |
