Iceland, 11: Reykjavik

By the time we got to Reykjavik on the 26th we had other worries, so seeing the capital city was not a high priority. We'd be back on our return tickets anyway in November. To enter the UK on June 28th, however, we had to book COVID tests on arrival and also complete the passenger locator forms required. After much research, Vicki had booked the tests, at Heathrow, but the government passenger locator forms would not accept the test bookings. Both are required for entry, even boarding. Many tries, emails, chats and attempted phone calls were of no avail. In addition, we'd dutifully had our pre-boarding COVID tests in Reykjavik on the afternoon of the 26th, with results promised in an hour; but nearly half a day passed before there was any word there. It was not until well into the morning of the 27th that all these issues eventually resolved. We were nearly too relieved to go out and do more sightseeing. There was also the ominous issue of packing up and getting the camper ready for our departure. But we persevered and found a few hours Sunday afternoon to walk around the inner city. 

We spent Saturday night at the very nice Reykjavik municipal campground, adjacent to and run by the municipal hostel. Since our departure from Reykjavik was quite early the morning of the 28th, we spent the night before parked outside Lava cars and campers. We had some further issues to address with them too.  

Our walk around Reykjavik was, um, desultory, sort of. We just wandered. I promise to do better in November.

Of course the high point, so to speak, was the
Phallological Museum; we did not go in; maybe
next time

The flea market was relatively large, indoors, and afforded me the
opportunity to sample some Icelandic delicacies I had missed,
e,g,, fish jerky (ick), puffin (tastes like chicken), and assorted
licorices

Iceland does not have an army, or a navy, or an air force, but it
does have a coast guard; this is perhaps the flagship?

The national dish, so to speak, is the hot dog, and this is the place

to get it

A combination of beef, pork and lamb; the mustardy substance

is really a sort of remoulade; beneath are both raw and fried

onions; certainly satisfied my curiosity

Hot dog stand serving apparatus

We are at ground zero Reykjavik

Reykjavik tweens

Gotta get one of these

Happy hour at the Hard Rock: I finally get to
sample the national liquor, Brennivin; sort of a
schnapps; I'll stick with the Islays

Gudjon Samuelsson's Hallgrimkirkja, Lutheran
cathedral: very much Iceland's Gaudi; educated
in Denmark, but determined to have his style
speak Icelandic: basalt cliffs soaring to the heavens

The Leif Ericsson statue; a gift from the US
celebrating--not the "discovery" of America--
but rather the 1000th anniversary of the founding
of the Althing, the Icelandic parliament (occasionally
we do something right)

A little color is good

Nearly art deco

Crenellated art deco

Definitely art deco, the national theatre, also designed by Sameulesson