Iceland - Reykjanes and Reykjavik

We started Friday with breakfast in the Ion hotel (there's no other option 😉), then checked out and headed towards the Reykjanes peninsula, southwest of Reykjavik. We got directions from the front desk and were able to avoid the gravel road on the way out. There was a geothermal processing plant near the hotel, and as we drove toward Reykjavik, the road followed a pipeline delivering geothermal energy from the plant to the city.

Geothermal pipeline to Reykjavik

Our first stop was Viking World, a museum that houses numerous archaeological artifacts from the Viking era as well as a Smithsonian Institution exhibit detailing the settlement and history of Iceland. But the main attraction is an exact replica of a viking ship that was constructed and sailed from Iceland to New York. We spent some time among the exhibits and had some fun with the viking costumes.

Sculptures

Viking ship

Viking

We left Viking World and headed for the bridge between the continents, or the Leif the Lucky bridge. The bridge is constructed across the continental rift between North America and Europe, and mainly exists as a clever photo opportunity similar to Four Corners. It is a 15 meter foot bridge with signs at each end welcoming you to America or Europe respectively. We heard about it on the travel show "Raw Travel" before we left on our trip and added it to our list of quick fun stops.

Bridge between continents

Continental Rift
Europe on the left, North America on the right

Unique bridge suspension system

From Leif the Lucky, we went to the Gunnuhver hot spring area. The main point of interest is a huge vent that continuously spews superheated steam. The ground in the surrounding area is actually warm to the touch in spite of the cold weather. An interesting side story is that the spring is haunted by a ghost.

Steam vent

Checking the ground temperature

We left Gunnuhver and made our way back to Reykjavik to explore some of its sights. Our route back took us past the Brimketill lava rock pool where we pulled off to get some pictures of the waves crashing against the lava cliff. When we arrived in Reykjavik we stopped at the Perlan Museum that sits on a hill overlooking Reykjavik and contains interesting exhibits about the geology, flora, and fauna of Iceland. We toured the ice cave that simulates walking though the inside of a glacier cave, complete with -10º C temperatures, and also walked around the outdoor observation deck that offers panoramic views of Reykjavik.

Lava rock pool

Waves crashing on the cliff

Perlan Museum

 

Ice Cave

Reykjavik overlook from Perlan observation deck

Next we drove to the Hallgrimskirkja church. Hallgrimskirkja is a Lutheran church and the tallest building in Reykjavik. We walked around the grounds and toured the inside but opted against the trip to the top of the bell tower. After the church we drove to the Holt Hotel where we would be staying for the night. The Holt is known for its dark wood interiors and extensive art collection. We got checked in and dropped our luggage in the room before heading out to explore Reykjavik. In a minor mishap, I managed to lock our iPads in the safe without setting the unlock code. We decided to solve that problem when we returned from touring.

Holt hotel lobby

Hallgrimskirkja

Hallgrimskirkja interior and organ pipes

Leif Erikson sculpture

We drove to a parking lot in the center of town and explored on foot from there. We visited the Cathedral of Christ the King, a small but beautiful Catholic church not far from our first hotel. Next we walked in search of the stand selling the Best Hotdogs in the World, that I hoped to sample. Unfortunately the surrounding streets were closed for construction, and we could not find where the stand was relocated so I had to go without.

Instead we walked along Reykjavik's Sculpture and Shore Walk to its best known sculpture, the Solfar Sun Voyager. The sculpture's placement allows for some dramatic photos if you are willing to wait for good lighting and the children to stop climbing on it. We took our pictures and headed back. Our walk back took us past the Reykjavik Opera House, an imposing modern building on the waterfront. We took the opportunity to walk around inside, and stopped to shop for a souvenir as well.

Christ the King Cathedral

Solfar Sun Voyager sculpture

Reykjavik's Harpa Opera House

It was getting late and we worried we might not make it back to the hotel before the kitchen closed, so we stopped at the Bazilika restaurant in downtown and both enjoyed their fish and chips specialty. I also tried some Gull, a local Icelandic beer. After dinner we walked back to the car and returned to the hotel. We recruited the desk clerk to solve our room safe problem, then wrapped up the evening with a nightcap in the hotel bar.

Bazilika restaurant

Hotel Holt bar