Day 1 in Reykjavik
It was cold, gray, and rainy on our first full day in Reykjavik. But, whatever the weather was, we were determined to see a lot during our stay in the city. We woke up around 6:30 am in high spirits and a bit in disbelief that we finally made it to the country we had long avoided due to the high cost of traveling there. We followed the advice of many tourists and we bought our food from the supermarket during our entire stay. For breakfast on our first day, we ate rye bread, the bread Iceland is famous for. I have to say, I loved it. In fact, we bought more of it as the days passed.
Shortly after breakfast, we got ready and left the hotel at 7:30 am. It was very quiet in the city and from the looks of it, everyone was still asleep except us. I got to see the Hallgrimskirkja without any tourists gawking at its facade. It was wonderful. A few minutes into our walk, it began to drizzle. Although we had eaten breakfast in our hotel room before setting out for the day, we also wanted to visit a bakery and try out more Icelandic bread. There was one, Braud and Co., housed in a very colorful building close to our hotel and that's where we went to buy more food. From there we walked towards the harbour where we saw the famous Sun Voyager and Harpa Concert Hall. Although we had our umbrellas, it was good that the Harpa was close by. There we had to stay a good hour until the rain which turned heavy stopped.
Fortunately for us too, Harpa had a small exhibition of photos in the lobby as well as a huge souvenir store selling all kinds of Icelandic products like woolen rugs, mugs, t shirts, as well as an assortment of home decorations. When the rain finally stopped, we were able to visit the outdoor mall close by and then walk back to the city center passing by the famous Rainbow Street and what seemed to be the city's gay area. Reykjavik's city center was certainly geared towards tourists as we saw souvenir stores and galleries sit side by side and block after block.
We had lunch mid afternoon and once done, we went inside the Hallgrimskirkja which by then was replete with tourists. We also walked around the city some more admiring the city's architecture along the way. We passed by the country's National Museum as well as its various art galleries which we would later visit during our vacation. Everything seemed to close by 6 pm.
In front of the famous Hallgrimskirkja, one of Reykjavik's attractions. We went inside several times while we were in Iceland. How could we not? It was tight across our hotel! It was later in the day when we decided to visit and check the church out. I have to say, I was totally floored by what I saw. The church was very, very bare! The total and complete opposite of the catholic churches I've seen in Spain and Portugal whose altars are ornately decorated and often covered in pure gold.
It was hard to not like the colorful houses in Reykjavik. They were so cute. The houses were all painted so brightly.
Here's another beautiful Icelandic house we passed on our way to the harbour.
This was the first bakery, Braud and Company, we saw during our morning walk on our first full day in the city. Here Marc was finally able to try what he had been hungry for.
These were some of the freshly baked bread for sale in Braud. Photography was highly encouraged as per one sign they had inside.
Here's the happy guy! He ordered a slice of bread and coffee and paid the equivalent of $16! Expensive! While we were in Iceland, I couldn't believe the number of American tourists around. They were everywhere! Had I closed my eyes and just listened to my surroundings, I swear I'd say I was back in the USA!
Once fed, we continued our walk down to the harbor. Guess what we saw, the Sun Voyager!
By the Sun Voyager at Reykjavik's waterfront
In front of the HARPA Concert Hall
The Harpa Concert Hall was impressive inside and out in terms of architecture. Luckily for us, it had just opened for the day and we were able to get inside while the rain outside got stronger and stronger.
The HARPA Concert Hall was truly very modern.
While waiting for the rain to subside, we decided to go window shopping. There was a huge souvenir store inside HARPA and this toy puffin, was for sale.
One huge mural inside the Harpa Concert Hall
The Harpa Concert Hall. I didn't take this picture. It was on display inside the lobby of the concert hall. I decided to take a picture of it so I would have an idea how the main hall looked. What do you think?
Once the rain subsided, we left HARPA and continued our sightseeing. We saw a modern brown colored hotel called Editions as well as an outdoor mall a few yards away. We saw lots of souvenir stores. These viking dolls were some souvenirs that made me smile.
Another bakery in the city center
.jpg)
At Rainbow Street. We got here after we had left the concert hall and walked on the street where everyone seemed to be.
Right around Rainbow Street were bars and restaurants painted in the rainbow colors. I figured this was the gay area of the city.
I liked this mural. I see Einstein. I am not sure who the other one is. Is that Tupak Shakur?
Hallgrimskirkja's church organ
A view of the main altar of the Hallgrimskirkja
Here's a view of the church taken from the main altar area facing the aisle leading to the main entrance of the church and the organ right above it.
A stained glass window inside the Hallgrimskirkja