Day Twenty-Six - Reykjavik, Iceland Wednesday 06 August 2014

Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland with a population of about 120,00 (all of Iceland is just 230,000).  The city started to grow around a homestead of an early settler when he opened wool mills in an effort to modernize the Icelandic economy during the 18th century -- a town charter was received in 1798.  In 1944 when Iceland gained home rule from Denmark Reykjavik became the country's first capital.

We arrived at 8:00 am -- and are docked --- almost three miles from town.  There is a shuttle bus run by the city which costs 5 Euros each way -- a bit steep but we decide to take it just to get the lay of the land.  We are dropped off at Harpa Concert Hall -- a large new building with glass prisms for walls -- housing an information center, a gift shop, a coffee shop (no wifi) and very nice restrooms.

Pat Among the Sunk Ships Boards

Phil has mapped a walk for us.  Our first stop is the "old harbor" which is active with restaurants, shops and tour companies -- fishing and other boats fill up the harbor in a very colorful manner.  On the way to the old harbor we pass a large display of maps of Iceland showing where ships sunk over the past 100 or so years.  Each map is labeled with the years and a list of the ships sunk during that time -- ships are also depicted on the map in their location of demise.  It's an interesting way to show history.  

This was an Active Ship Sinking Period - 1939-1945!

Moving on to the oldest street -- Aoalstraeti St. -- I have no idea how it is pronounced but I do know that excavations have shown ruins going back to the Vikings on this street.   The oldest timber building in Reykjavik is also here  -- it was the residence of Bishop Geir Vidalin from 1761 to 1823 -- whose hospitality was infamous at the time.

Phil in front of oldest Timber Building in Reykjavik!

We pass by the Parliament Building -- next to a lovely small church with a concert going on inside.  Phil thinks its Catholic -- I'm not so sure.  

We have been looking for a place to have lunch -- all the menus indicate at least $50 per person.  We find Café Paris -- looks like a lot of locals are here.  Phil has catfish and a beer --- I have grilled cheese, french fries and water -- all for less than $50 for both of us -- such a deal!

After lunch we move on to the "shopping street" called -- "Laugavegur" -- this street got its name many years ago from the washerwomen who trudged down this muddy path carrying loads of laundry to the geothermic pools.   (Lauga+vegur = pool+road).   We also pass the "Penalty House" -- built in 1874  -- and still a functioning prison.

Lutheran Church with Leif Ericsson Statue.

At the top of the shopping street is the iconic Lutheran Church that one can see from all over Reykjavik.  It is stark and modern -- there are eight clear bud vases each holding a rose  arranged on the floor in the back of the church -- not sure of the significance.  Outside this church is a statue of Leif  Ericsson with an inscription that this was a gift from the United States in 1930 commemorating Iceland's one thousandth anniversary.

Bud Vases in the back of the Lutheran Church!

 Unfortunately almost all of the signage whether in a tourist area or not is in Icelandic only -- nothing is in English.  However all the people speak perfect English -- they are required to take it in school.   Maybe not officially but in practicality English is the second language here.   As visitors we found it most frustrating not to have the maps or some signage in English.  The guidebook did have an English version -- but the explanations were not always helpful. 

We have had a pretty full day -- time to take the shuttle bus back to the ship.   The tourist shop on the dock has wifi -- everyone gets twenty minutes free -- then you must pay.   We all take our free minutes and leave the rest.  The plus is that it can be accessed from Deck Six on the ms Veendam. 

We spend the afternoon reading and after dinner go up to the top deck to enjoy the spectacular view.  Since we are overnight here we'll have a second day in Reykjavik.

Thanks for Reading!

Pat