Iceland - Reykjavik - Wednesday 23/05/2007

Iceland - Reykjavik

Wednesday 23/05/2007

Windy, Sunny, Hailstone, Shower - Weather changing every 30 second. 3 oC

The first day of our Iceland trip, very excited.

We flow with BA business class from London Gatwick to Iceland Keflavik Airport. It was my first time to be able to use the BA airport business lounge. Continental Breakfast was served and lots of newspapers and magazines to choose from. Our plane was supposed to depart at 07:30 but due to problem with luggages. It was delayed for an hour and we waited on the plane. Hot breakfast was served on the plane with choice of full England or vegetarian. I chose full England but unfortunately it run out before Fat Bear have a chance to get some, he had to have the vegetarian one. I let him to have some of my bacon and sausages of course. Also the mugs they use are beautiful. After breakfast, I caught up with my travel planning. I have almost finish with the plan but just some final detail to be added.

Look! It's our plane.

We landed at around 11:00. Keflavik airport was very quiet. The first impression of this airport was very organic because of the wood flooring and stone walls. Gone pass passport control, as usual it took a bit long for us Chinese. Every thing was very quick since there was not busy and we were in business class so we were one of the first to get off the flight. Collected our luggages then we walk towards the exit. The Flybus ticket booth and machines were just right there. Apparently there is a Flybus waiting for each arrival flight. The bus driver was very friendly, helped us with our luggages and asked were we wanted to go. On the road, we saw the whole place are just rock rock rock with some kind of alpine on it. After about 45 minutes, we could see some buildings and colourful houses. We knew we were almost in Reykjavik city. The Flybus (ISK 1200) took all their passengers to almost wherever they want to go, i.e., main bus terminals and hotels. We got off at our hotel.

View from Flybus, rock! rock! rock!

We stayed two nights in The Cabin Hotel (2 star) which we booked via hotelconnect.com for about £55 BB per room per night. At check-in we asked for a sea view room, luckily there was one available. The room had three beds and very clean. It looked like just been refurbished. There were no tea and coffee making facility and hair dryer but everything seem to be in good order. We did not waste time and took off straight away. There were lots of information about Iceland and specially Reykjavik, maps, bus route, tour, accommodation guide, dining out guide and activity guide, etc. We asked the receptionist for the bus time and managed to get the 24 hours Reykjavik Tourist Card for ISK 1200 each. She also helped us to booked the Golden Circle Tour with Reykjavik Excursions for next day, Thursday.

There were two buses available outside the hotel, number 12 and 16. We got on the bus by just showing the bus driver the Reykjavik Tourist Card and headed off to Reykjavik city centre. We asked the bus driver to let us know when we arrive at city centre. The city centre stop was quite close to the Tourist Information Centre at Adalstraeti 2. We headed off there first. We have not plan any activity for Friday morning so we asked the staff at the Tourist Information centre for opinion of any half day tour. He suggested a quad bike activity tour or a whale watching & puffin island tour. We booked the whale watching & puffin island tour and really looked forward to it. We also asked he to suggest any good local restaurant for lunch. He suggested Icelandic Fish & Chips organic bistro at Tryggvagotu 8 which was only a few minutes walk from the Tourist Information Centre.

At bus stop and the hotel just behind me, very near.

We went in the Icelandic Fish & Chips organic bistro and the girl behind the counter greeted us and explained that we need place the order at the counter and then take a seat. Fat Bear ordered Gellur (Cod fish cheeks) (ISK 790), mango salad (ISK 450) and tartar skyronnaise (ISK 150). I ordered Porskut (spotted catfish) on a bed of mango salad with koriander & lime skyronnes (ISK 1350) and raspberry & mint soda drink (ISK 180). For dessert, we had creamed skyr with bananas and peanut butter (ISK 290). Icelander have been enjoying this dessert since the settlement. Both fishes were so fresh and moist. We specially enjoyed the gellur. All the food and drink are prepared in a healthy way in this restaurant.

Yummy Fish and Salad

After late lunch, we explored around Reykjavik city centre. We walked back toward the square where the Tourist Information Centre is. Then we walked to the City Hall and Tjornin City Pond where we saw lots of ducks and seabirds. We crossed Lækjargate and walked up the hill from Bankastræti then Laugavegur where was one of the main shopping street. We turned right at Frakkastigur and walked up to Hallgrimskirkja. We took lots of photos outside the stylish white church. Then we went in but unfortunately the main hall was closed for a function. We did not go up to the Tower which cost ISK 300. We walked down the hill via another shopping street, Skolavoroustigur. I saw a very nice bag in one of the shop which sells real animal fur bags and items. The bag cost ISK 27900 and is made from Gazelle skin from Africa. They also have products made from Seal skin from Norway. I did not get the bag because I concern about the animal fur and it was a bit outside my budget.

Icelandic man picking his nose

A church in the city centre

Tjornin City Pond outside City Hall

Hallgrimskirkja

At around 18:30, we took bus number 18 to go to Perlan. The bus stop was at the bottom of the hill. We walked up the hill. It was so windy, cold and rained a bit. We took lots of photos outside Perlan. We went in Perlan and up to 4th floor to go out the viewing platform where we had a 360 degree views of the city and the surroundings. Access is free of charge. We had a table booked at the rotating restaurant located at 5th floor. We ordered the 4 course menu (ISK 5950) which included Lobster Soup with grilled white extra prawns, Pancake filled with wild mushroom and mozzarella, Grilled Fillet of Lamb with parsnip puree and rosemary sauce and Icelandic Vanillaskyr with pistachio mousse and cassis sorbet. The food was fantastic and the view was beautiful.

Perlan

On Perlan's viewing platform

The Perlan Restaurant

Bread, butter, olive and sundried tomato mix

Pancake filled with wild mushroom and mozzarella

Grilled Fillet of Lamb with parsnip puree and rosemary sauce

Fat Bear was going to take some sunset photos but the sky was still bright when we finished our meal at around 20:30. We walked down the other side of the hill and took bus number 16 to go back to our hotel.

Click here for more photos.

Links to our other postings:
Iceland - Golden Circle - Thursday 24/05/2007
Iceland - Blue Lagoon - Friday 25/05/07
Old Harry Rocks, Dorset