Exploring Reykjavik: Part 2

(Psst… this is my second post about Reykjavik. Part 1 is here.)

Way back in December I wrote a post about exploring Reykjavik. That was Day 1 of my time in Iceland, and I took full advantage of the sunny weather knowing it might not look that way when I returned to the capital city on the last day of my trip. Sure enough, now the weather is cloudy, so I’m glad I got sunny photos of Hallgrimskirkja church when I had the chance. Now I have one full day to see other parts of Reykjavik. My plan is to visit a few places recommended by my sister — a coffee shop, photography store, and fish restaurant — and then simply wander with my camera.

But before I get into this full day, let me tell you about the night before when I dropped off my rental car. I had written to the manager of the rental car company prior to my trip in search of a blog discount, and we exchanged a few emails. Kristjan happens to be there when I returned the car just as they are closing for the night. When I inquire about taking public transit back into town (a few kilometers away) he offers to drop me off as he is going home in that direction. SO kind of him. Then we get into his car… and the seat belts are yellow. Now, I know nothing about cars (truly nothing) but I can tell immediately that this is not a normal vehicle. Turns out Kristjan imports German luxury cars and has done so for a long time. And we are in a Porsche! Here’s a photo I take when he drops me off at KEX Hostel:

My dad loves cars and knows everything about them; I can’t wait to tell him about this. Since my return from Iceland, this photo has been the wallpaper on his iPad:

Back at KEX Hostel, I take the longest and hottest shower of my life. In the previous seven days of camping, I had just one proper shower (at the Myvatn Nature Baths), as it was otherwise just too cold to wash my hair at night. The hot water feels so good.

I spend $7 to do laundry at the hostel. All of my warm-weather clothes need to be washed after camping this past week.

I eagerly order the salmon and kale dish again that I had a week earlier at KEX. This time I add an arctic berry beer to my order. It’s heaven.

There is a musician at KEX tonight providing entertainment:

The next morning I begin a full day of exploration around Reykjavik. This will take two posts because I have so many photos! As you can see, the skies are gray and cloudy. Hallgrimskirkja stands tall in the distance.

Just down the street from Hallgrimskirkja is a restaurant and coffee shop called Cafe Babalu that my sister thought I would really like:

This place is great. As you can see, they have a second floor balcony that I bet is perfect in nicer weather. But the inside is cozy and lovely.

The place is hopping. They have a decent food selection (I indulge in a cookie) and lattes. My sister appreciated their vegetarian items during her visit.

I score a table on the quieter second floor:

Just next store is a little shop called Fotografi that my sister also raved about. The guy who owns it sells his own photographs and books, along with vintage cameras. The neat thing is that you can buy little prints that cost a few dollars, or you can buy larger ticket items — there’s a nice range for all budgets. And his photos are unique and location-specific — for example, of an astronaut posing in front of Hallgrimskirkja. I purchase a very small Polaroid image as a souvenir.

Across the street from Cafe Babalu and Fotografi is a restaurant called fish & more.

My sister recommends the fish stew, so that’s what I order. I am following her breadcrumbs! It’s delicious.

A little further down the block is a pedestrian-only street that has been painted in rainbow colors for Pride a few weeks earlier. How fun!

Love this blue bike — visitors take turns posing on it, with the rainbow road stretched out in the distance.

This wooden Viking statue cracks me up:

One block down is another pedestrian street. This area is great for strolling — lots of stores and restaurants and coffee shops.

Express mailbox to Icelandic Santa! Note the warning at the top: “This is not a regular mailbox.”

Iceland speed dating… pick a glove!

“Ya gotta pay the troll toll…” I just love the quirkiness of this country.

As if I couldn’t love Iceland even more, they have a Dunkin’ Donuts location. Be still my New England heart!

And the inside is more like an upscale Starbucks than DD. Love it.

Flowers as I press on towards the waterfront:

More rainbow themes! Love how open and welcoming this country is.

There’s an Icelandic production of the musical Billy Elliot running while I’m here. I am tempted to see it, even though I wouldn’t understand the language, but my time is too short.