Off to Reykjavik

I wasn't back in Denver for very long before it was time for my next adventure. Denver had recently opened its light rail out to the airport, so I spent a bit of time chilling in the beautifully refurbished Union Station. I always meant to spend more time there when I lived in Denver, but never did.

I was taking advantage of IcelandAir's stopover program to spend a weekend in Reykjavik before heading on to Finland. It was nice, though after getting used to 12 hour flights to New Zealand, the hop from Denver to Iceland actually felt a bit short.

I like this lullaby.

The Reykjavik airport had been mentioned in the play I'd just worked on, so I took a few pictures as I wandered through to send back to the writer and director for reference. I also liked the quotes.

I didn't head straight for the city, instead stopping first at the Blue Lagoon to float in geothermal water. I also sprang for an in-water massage, and I can tell you that there's nothing like having a big burly Icelandic man work out your muscle tension while you float in perfectly warm water as snow falls on your face. I highly recommend it.

The landscape was a bit otherworldly. Bonus appearance by cranes, working on an expansion to the lagoon.

The water was beautiful. Absolute murder on my hair, but worth it.

I caught a bus into town and found my hostel, making friends with one of the women in my dorm who became a good travel buddy for the entire weekend. We went out to wander and find some dinner, making a small and furry friend along the way.

Our first stop was Hallgrímskirkja, a beautiful Lutheran church in the center of town.

I *hate* the Keep Calm meme, but I'll forgive this one.

I like the lighting in both of these pictures and couldn't decide on which one to include, so here you go.

I liked the simplicity here. Still soul stirring and beautiful, but not ostentatious.

We went to dinner at Cafe Loki - with a name like that, how could you not? I had a lovely fish and potato gratin and the best rye bread I have ever put in my mouth. http://loki.is/

Wandered around for a bit taking pictures of all the lovely buildings in town.

Spotted in a shop of Viking gear that made me wish I wasn't traveling light, this amused me greatly (it is possible that I am easily amused).

There was a great bar at the hostel, with a fun roof top deck.

I do a lot of wandering. But sometimes, I am totally lost.

I been planning on wandering around the city the next day, but my new friend had booked a tour on of the South Coast the next day, so I decided to go, too!