After we ate a hearty breakfast of fruit, croissants, fish, pickles, beets and coffee, we wandered in a light mid-morning rain. We visited the brand new music performance center on the bay, with its sleek, honeycomb window design. We walked past the building in which the cold war was ended with a peace accord. Then we drove up to the Pern building on the hill for a spectacular view of Reykjavik. Afterward we napped (our second nap in 12 hours).
When we awoke, we drove for lunch to Cafe Loki in the shadow of the big church (I won't attempt the name). The menu included fish in many forms, dried, in a paste and "strong tasted shark". This shark beckons me. But, I opted for smoked trout.
So, the Icelandic tradition is to catch and kill a Greenland shark, bury it in the ground for months, occasionally douse it in urine and then, when it is perfectly putrid, eat it. The smell is horrendous, the taste is okay, and the aftertaste is revolting - so, you chase it with a somewhat gross liquor... Of course.
I can't wait.
We visited the church and took the elevator to a breathtaking view at the top of the spire. Then we sat in a pew for a musical performance on the massive pipe organ, with its 5000+ pipes. We then walked the streets, perusing shops and talking with locals.
After sufficient sightseeing, we went back to the hotel for another nap (our third). We awoke at 9:30pm to the brightest sunlight of the day. It was totally disorienting - after all, for us it felt like our third day and it was fewer than 24 hours after our arrival!
Thoroughly dazed and caught in a time warp, we opted for what anyone would; one of Iceland's favorite national foods: hotdogs. We went down to the bay to Bæjarins beztu for two with everything. Delicious!!! Of course, we decided to follow those with dinner at Cafe Paris. The staff was wonderful, as was the food! I enjoyed a Gull beer, native to Iceland. A very drunk man came over to be friendly, the staff escorted him politely elsewhere. When we left, they smiled warmly.
The streets at 11pm were filling up with partiers and musicians. We wandered down toward the rosey dusk on the shore and admired the boats in the shipyard. The maritime vista was stunning in the night sun with its long shadows.
Now we are back at the hotel, only 24 hours after landing and full of admiration for this vibrant city.
When we awoke, we drove for lunch to Cafe Loki in the shadow of the big church (I won't attempt the name). The menu included fish in many forms, dried, in a paste and "strong tasted shark". This shark beckons me. But, I opted for smoked trout.
So, the Icelandic tradition is to catch and kill a Greenland shark, bury it in the ground for months, occasionally douse it in urine and then, when it is perfectly putrid, eat it. The smell is horrendous, the taste is okay, and the aftertaste is revolting - so, you chase it with a somewhat gross liquor... Of course.
I can't wait.
We visited the church and took the elevator to a breathtaking view at the top of the spire. Then we sat in a pew for a musical performance on the massive pipe organ, with its 5000+ pipes. We then walked the streets, perusing shops and talking with locals.
After sufficient sightseeing, we went back to the hotel for another nap (our third). We awoke at 9:30pm to the brightest sunlight of the day. It was totally disorienting - after all, for us it felt like our third day and it was fewer than 24 hours after our arrival!
Thoroughly dazed and caught in a time warp, we opted for what anyone would; one of Iceland's favorite national foods: hotdogs. We went down to the bay to Bæjarins beztu for two with everything. Delicious!!! Of course, we decided to follow those with dinner at Cafe Paris. The staff was wonderful, as was the food! I enjoyed a Gull beer, native to Iceland. A very drunk man came over to be friendly, the staff escorted him politely elsewhere. When we left, they smiled warmly.
The streets at 11pm were filling up with partiers and musicians. We wandered down toward the rosey dusk on the shore and admired the boats in the shipyard. The maritime vista was stunning in the night sun with its long shadows.
Now we are back at the hotel, only 24 hours after landing and full of admiration for this vibrant city.
No comments:
Post a Comment