Rejkavik and Pingvellir

This was really an unforgettable last day for many different reasons. As we left the city to visit the Pingvellir national park, I thought we had struck a mini heatwave as temperatures reached 12.5 after a week in single figures more or less. It certainly did not last long. About 30 kilometres later, as we reached the beautiful lake Pingvellir, pronounced Thingvellir, Iceland's largest lake, the car was suddenly caught by violent wind gusts and the massive dark clouds made it clear that the heatwave would be short-lived. This idyllic scene below was spectacular, with phenomenal silvery streaks on the lake and its islands, but the wind chill was extreme as I took this picture, struggling to hold the ipad steady!

Although I had walked along the incredible fissure, which is the junction between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates,  two years ago, I really wanted to see it again, despite the fear of being blown over! Actually, it was surprisingly well  protected so it was a super walk. Luckily, they have opened up some new areas to visit, which are amazing.

I love looking at all the shapes of the lava sculptures. I wonder if anyone else can see a chick sculpture?

The area did not always have a positive side to it. 
Over 70 people are known to have been hanged from these stones, sometimes two at a time, for theft! Harsh punishment indeed. Women were drowned rather than hanged,, all rather barbaric!

Now, this bad era has gone here and tourists simply enjoy the beauties of Pingvellir, be it the spectacular views to the mountains and glaciers in the distance, or out to the lake, or this waterfall which was billowing out water when gusts caught it. 

The views were fantastic, with the heavy, dark clouds adding even more to the already spectacular scenery. I kept waiting for them to reach me and fully expected a torrential downpour, but that never happened.

I so enjoyed this final view of this lovely lake . It is such a brilliant region, with so much to offer scientifically, geologically, historically and scenically. 

 Back to the city, where I wandered on my own. Cities are best explored that way! Our guest house, Gestinn, was very close to the famous newish Hallgrims Church, so this was my first stop. What a wonderful piece of architecture it is.

Inside it is really simple, but nevertheless impressive and beautiful. The organ certainly is incredible, with over five thousand pipes!

Towers are not really my thing, but this one looked, and was,  harmless. It was also accessible by lift, making it even more attractive. The view from the lookout floor was marvelous and not at all scary! I could see our colourful row of houses, heading diagonally to the right corner of the picture.

Rejkavik is a very colourful city, and as I meandered down pedestrian streets and little alleys, I realised what a great place it was. There were some pretty special graffiti designs. I loved this one on the walls of a bar, in particular.

The next seemed rather remarkable for the outside of a fairly upper class fashion shop, but it was certainly eye- catching and I guess easy to find if you are looking for the shop!
It is a bit creepy, though!

The shop I loved the most, even as a non- reader, was the next one. The shop window caught my attention with all its photos of former actors, actresses, royalty and politicians. 

Then, this description of the bookshop owner made me even more inquisitive, and so I ventured in. 

I think the owner of the shop, a huge man with a long grey beard, certainly matched every criteria mentioned. What an unbelievable place this was. I spent ages just looking around at the huge assortment of books, old and new. The owner told me he could find any book, just as long as it was put back in the right place. Brilliant! There was a wonderfully musty, old- book smell to match the visual impact of the vast shop. 

I really wanted to see the 7-year-old concert hall, Harpa, down by the harbour where so much construction is going on at the moment. En route I passed this painter finishing off his masterpiece on the side of a building at least 6 storeys tall. I watched in awe. How can someone achieve such perfect dimensions, and what's more, how can someone be perched up there painting in such strong winds,.... wearing only a t- shirt on his top! Unimagineable. There I was below him  with merino, scarf, hat and gloves still feeling a little chilly!

Here I got my first glimpse of Harpa, Concert Hall and conference centre, and it was all I had imagined it to be and more. Even though it cost the Icelanders far too much and has put them heavily in debt again, it is a building they can most certainly be very proud of. The architect tried to use local resources to construct it and there are stories behind the magnificent windows and ceiling.

I was so glad I took a tour of the building. This place is so special. I hope we can have some buildings in Christchurch which can be as phenomenal as this is. I am pleased I do not have to clean the windows!

We were lucky enough to be allowed into Eldborg, meaning 'fire city'. Hence the red walls and decoration. The tour guide explained about the wall flaps which can be lowered to alter the acoustics, depending on whether a rock band or orchestra is playing. It can hold about 2500 spectators. I wish I could have been to a concert, but none are on today. 

The view outside is no less dramatic, with the mountains in the distance being mirrored onto the walls of Harpa. I would recommend every visitor to Rejkavik to visit.


So, after culture, it was time for something totally different, the outside viewing of the World Cup. What a pity we are not here tomorrow when Iceland plays their second match. This one didn't stir up the crowd much but I enjoyed watching the second half.

What picturesque buildings there are in the old town.

As I was heading back to the guesthouse, I spotted this fabulous cat sitting like a doorman at the entry of an Icelandic clothing and souvenir shop. Just like the sheep by the roads, the horses in the fields, the Icelandic people everywhere, it seemed ultra laid back. It was oblivious to the onlookers and disn't flinch when stroked. Unbelievably uncatlike! 

All good things have to come to an end and it is time to leave this majestic country which left me spellbound on virtually a daily basis. I have to admit that much of the scenery is even more stunning than in NZ, but all in all I would rate them as equal overall. I would love to return, but probably will not as there are so many other places to see.

As Einstein said ' Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you need to keep moving'.

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Home again to a very warm Russikon after twelve unforgettable days in Iceland.