Iceland > Reykjavik, just like a big village

At twenty minutes past one, the Icelandair Boeing takes off from Schiphol Airport. Two and a half hours earlier, I had been dropped off at the airport, where Theo was already waiting. After checking in and going through the baggage inspection, we ordered coffee to pass the time. When it was time to board, it turned out that pier B18 was still quite a long walk away. Boarding had already started, and we were able to walk straight onto the plane without waiting in line. The flight to Reykjavík would take three hours, which we filled with a meal, a movie, a puzzle, and the newspaper. As we approached Iceland, we could see Europe’s largest glacier beneath us. Shortly after, clouds took over the view as we neared Reykjavík. At 3:20 p.m. local time, we landed at Keflavík International Airport. After going through customs formalities — Iceland is part of the Schengen zone, so there was no passport control — we met Margo, our tour guide for the trip.

Iceland - Hallgrimskirkja towers above Reykjavik

Margo is Dutch but has been living in Reykjavík for five years. We also met our fellow travelers here. Margo led us to the bus, and in about forty-five minutes we reached our hotel in the capital. Along the way, we passed barren and rather monotonous lava fields. My first impression of the landscape was somewhat disappointing — hopefully, this isn’t representative of the rest of Iceland. Hotel Björk is located about a half-hour walk from downtown Reykjavík. We withdrew some Icelandic cash and set off with a few of our travel companions toward the city center. Reykjavík feels much like an overgrown village; the center itself is quite small. I actually know very little about Reykjavík — only two famous buildings come to mind, and that’s about it. I couldn’t recall much about its squares or landmarks typically associated with the city. Wandering through the streets, we came upon one of those two buildings: the Hallgrímskirkja. The 74-meter-high church, shaped like an inverted icicle, towers over the city. The other well-known building, Höfði House, we would visit later in the week. Construction of the church began in 1944 and wasn’t completed until the 1980s.

Iceland - The reflection in the inland lake Tjornin at night

The building has a strikingly modern appearance, and as the sun sets, the Hallgrímskirkja is beautifully illuminated. Following the road in front of the church, we continue toward the city center. In the shopping streets, Reykjavík becomes livelier — the rather plain architecture of the suburbs gives way to charming shops and cozy restaurants. Near the Tourist Information office, we find a restaurant offering an appealing daily menu. We decide to go in and take a seat in the upstairs dining area. Studying the menu, we quickly notice that prices in Iceland are considerably higher — and alcohol is even more expensive. Naturally, the menu features fish (halibut and salmon). After dinner, our coffee is served by the fireplace — since new guests have already taken our table, the staff offer the coffee “on the house,” and it’s refilled several times. Around ten o’clock, we step outside again and walk via the fishing harbor to Lake Tjörnin in the city center. On our way back to the hotel, we stop to take a nighttime photo of the Hallgrímskirkja. Finally, back at the hotel, we enjoy a small glass of wine in our room before heading to bed.