KEFLAVIK AIRPORT….There is a tourist information booth by the baggage claim. If tour doesn't include a shuttle to Reykjavik, you can get a FlyBus ticket at the FlyBus counter. 2500 ISK (Krona) per adult for a one way ticket or 4500 ISK roundtrip. Another option is to buy the FlyBus voucher through Icelandair while still in your home country. Driving time from Keflavik airport to Reykjavik is 45 minutes. a WELCOME CARD is available at the tourist desk for discounts around town including free entrances to Geothermal spas around Reykjavik. Good option to save if staying in Iceland for a longer period. The card also covers fees to certain museums.
FACTS:
The Prime Minister is on the phone book.
PINK ICELAND, a gay, lesbian, transgender organization in Iceland holds yearly "Gay Pride Parade" where even the Mayor dresses as a Drag Queen. Gay marriages are legal and gay couples can show affection even in public areas. Lots of gay couples go to Iceland to get married.
PINK DECEMBER, winter activities for the gay community like museum visits, shopping, etc. The Prime Minister is also openly gay of which locals only found out through US media.
People in Iceland leave their things like shopping bags on the side of the road and not get stolen. It's not uncommon for mothers to also leave their kids outside a coffee shop to get coffee. Scary but true.
CURRENCY: Krona $1 USD equals 115.03 ISK (as of 04/2013). Keflavik airport exchange counter is one of the few (if not the only one) exchange counters with NO COMMISSION. At the airport store, exchange is 118.34 ISK.
The country is wired for internet. Even the local buses have free internet. At Natura Hotel (where I stayed at) wifi cost 900 ISK/24 hours. A SIM card is available for 2000 ISK.
Iceland has NO MILITARY but is a NATO member. The country relies on over 1000 SAR volunteers called ICE-SAR (Search and Rescue). Iceland has limited Coast Guard boats and helicopters, so any adventurer local or tourist alike is encouraged to leave itinerary/whereabouts at a SAR center in case of emergency.
If you come across a local or tourist having car trouble, never attempt to rescue. Call ICE-SAR instead. Any damage caused on the vehicle will be the responsibility of the rescuer.
NOTES:
If flying through Icelandair to other parts of Europe i.e. Paris, an option for a layover in Reykjavik for up to 7 days is available at no extra charge. Iceland's way of promoting tourism in the country. Most tourists on a long layover would opt to go to the Blue Lagoon to soak in its wonderful mineral waters. A bus is available from the airport to the Blue Lagoon and back.
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| Flying over Reykjavik from Akureyri |
POINTS OF INTEREST: REYKJAVIK
HARPA…Home to Iceland's symphony orchestra with a beautiful architecture. Height is 141 ft and a has a floor area of 300,000 sq. ft. Consists of a steel framework with geometric shaped glass panels of different colors. Construction took about 4 years to complete at a cost of 164 million Euros.
ICELANDIC PHALLOLOGICAL MUSEUM
A museum that contains a collection of penises that belong to the Animal kingdom including a human penis.
It contains a collection of more than 200 penises and penile parts belonging to almost all the land and sea mammals that can be found in Iceland.
Entrance fee: 1000 ISK per person (as of 04/13). Children under 13 years free with the company of their parents.
HALLGRIM'S CHURCH (HALLGRIMSKIRKJA CHURCH)
The largest Church in the country. Its tower arises to a
magnificent 74.5 m (245 ft). It houses the largest organ in
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| Inside the Church showing the organ |
Iceland, it stands 15 m (approximately 50 ft) and weighs about 25 tons. For those musicians out there, you might be interested to know that the organ is driven by 4 manuals and a pedal, with 102 ranks, 72 stops and 5275 pipes. The church is a significant reference point in Reykjavik among visitors. For a small fee, you can take the elevator to an observation tower which affords picturesque views of the country's capital. In front of the Church, you will find the grand statue of Leifur Eiriksson, the first European to discover America. He was said to have landed on the shores of America before Christopher Columbus.
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| Ticket to the Observation tower |
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| Statue of Leifur Eiriksson |
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View of Reykjavik from the Observation tower |
THE GOLDEN CIRCLE
Another option to see Reykjavik on a limited time is a tour around the famous Golden Circle which includes the KERIO VOLCANO CRATER, GULLFOSS WATERFALL (a waterfall shaped like a pizza slice), GEYSIR and THINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK. There are bus tours available which can take all day. Some buses don't stop at Kerio volcano crater due to extra charges (it's privately owned). Another option is renting a car usually a jeep with huge tires to tackle Iceland's snowy roads especially in winter months. Lucky for me and my companions, I have a friend who lives in
Reykjavik who took us on a private tour of the Golden Circle with her husband. They also took us on a picnic at Thingvellir National Park and let us have a taste of local Icelandic cuisine. Food like smoked whale, smoked salmon, pickled herring (pink color due to beet roots), "ugly cheese", mold cheese, dried fish (eat with butter).
Another option to see Reykjavik on a limited time is a tour around the famous Golden Circle which includes the KERIO VOLCANO CRATER, GULLFOSS WATERFALL (a waterfall shaped like a pizza slice), GEYSIR and THINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK. There are bus tours available which can take all day. Some buses don't stop at Kerio volcano crater due to extra charges (it's privately owned). Another option is renting a car usually a jeep with huge tires to tackle Iceland's snowy roads especially in winter months. Lucky for me and my companions, I have a friend who lives in
Reykjavik who took us on a private tour of the Golden Circle with her husband. They also took us on a picnic at Thingvellir National Park and let us have a taste of local Icelandic cuisine. Food like smoked whale, smoked salmon, pickled herring (pink color due to beet roots), "ugly cheese", mold cheese, dried fish (eat with butter).
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| Kerio Volcano crater |
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| Geysir |
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| Gullfoss Waterfall |
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| Picnic at Thingvellir National Park (tectonic plates can be seen in the park) |
THE BLUE LAGOON
Ask your hotel for a FlyBus to the Blue Lagoon. A cab can cost up to 16,000 ISK ($140) one way. A FlyBus can take you to the Blue Lagoon, then to the airport at a cost of 8000 ISK including entrance fee to the lagoon ($70). Van or bus leaves hotel by the hour. It takes 45 minutes from Reykjavik to the lagoon then 20 minutes from the lagoon to the airport. So plan your visit accordingly so as not to miss your flight. There is a luggage storage at the Blue Lagoon. Arm bands with microchips are worn. These armbands are attached to your credit card for charges like towels (800 ISK) or robes (1600 ISK) and bar drinks at the lagoon.
FOOD AND SHOPPINGFood is generally not inexpensive. A light lunch at Cafe Paris which consisted of soup, halibut with potatoes and cheese underneath with a side of salad cost $17. A bottle of beer $8.50, on tap $8.30, soda $3.50 and coffee $4.50. Food was great at this place. Had dinner at Geysir Bistro and bar in downtown located in the same building as the Tourist information center. Myfriend Marvi (a local) took us to her fave cafe called TEN MORE DROPS. A very charming cafe with a vintage feel to it. "Ten more drops" is famous Icelandic phrase or expression when they ask for a refill or more drinks. Iceland is famous for its wool and a good wool sweater can cost $150 and up. Souvenir T shirts $25 and up. There is a coop sweater store where you can buy wool sweaters at a cheaper price.
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| A bargain sweater store. Still expensive at $50 and up |
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| A street mural |
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| ORR, a unique jewelry store designed by famous designers from Denmark |
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Ten More Drops cafe
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