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@Reykjavík

Þetta er Ísland!
Velkomin til Reykjavíkur!

Our pets are visiting first the magical city of Reykjavik, the capital city, nestled on the edge of Iceland's rugged coastline in the North Atlantic Ocean.

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@Icelandair aeroplane

The Icelandair Boeing 757 started its descent and the pets caught glimpses of their first destination in Iceland as the ground drew closer.

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@Aerial view: Reykjavik harbour

The pets marvelled at the blues, greens and oranges of the houses they were flying over, plus the harbour with its view of snow-capped peaks in the distance.

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@Aerial Cityscape

They were flying low enough to be able to pick out the statue of Leif Erikson, said to have been the first Euro­pean to set foot on continent­al America, approximate­ly half a millen­nium before Christopher Columbus.

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@Keflavik Airport

Their aeroplane landed, with a very slight bump, and they taxied to a stop. The pets happily scrambled to retrieve their belongings, and disembarked, thanking the cabin staff as they left. After exiting baggage reclaim, they were met by their travel guide, Eiður.

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@Exploring Iceland

Their first task was grasping how to say their guide's name, a slightly unusual one, even in Iceland! He explained it was a word meaning "oath", and was pronounced "AY-the". On their way to the hotel, Eiður pointed out buildings of interest they were passing and kept them entertained with amusing stories.

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@Reykjavik, Old Town

Their hotel was located in the Old Town. It was small and very comfortable, with quirky architectural features. After settling in, they joined Eiður in the lobby for a walking tour of part of the city of Reykjavik.

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@Street art, Reykjavik

They passed some street art, which Eiður explained added to the city's vibrant and creat­ive atmos­phere. He said that Reykjavik's em­brace of public art reflect­ed its progress­ive and open-minded society, where the urban environ­ment is not only function­al but also a canvas for artist­ic express­ion and community dialogue.

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@Harpa

From there, they went to the Harpa Concert Hall, where the unusual but entranc­ing windows gleam­ed like the shin­iest of mirrors. They had a break in the café, and watch­ed in awe on screens as Iceland­ic pets play­ed enchant­ing music on instrum­ents that look­ed like the branches of the trees they knew so well. The music swell­ed through the air, and for a moment, they felt like they were float­ing on a gust of wind.

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@Harpa

Eiður told them that Harpa was one of Reykjavík’s most striking land­marks and a centre of cultur­al and social life in the very heart of the city. It was a tourist destin­ation and an award-winning work of art that millions have visited since it opened in 2011.

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@Harpa, Reykjavik

Eiður said that Harpa's distinctive architecture was inspired by the basalt rock formations found in Iceland's landscape. The use of natural light and the geometric patterns of the facade created a stunning visual spectacle, highlighting the creative fusion of art, science and nature.

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@The Sun Voyager

Eiður led them to the Sun Voyager, a majestic sculpture that looked like a giant Viking ship made of gleaming silver. Eiður advised the pets to return at sunset, when the sculpture cast a magical glow over the water. The pets felt as though they had stumbled into a fairy tale! Eiður continued his explanation.

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@Solfar

The sculpture on the harbour, he said, had been a gift from the USA to commemorate the historic alliance between the two countries. The Sun Voyager, or Solfar, is a steel sculpture by Jón Gunnar Árnason representing a Viking ship, symbolising the pursuit of undiscovered territories and the promise of new beginnings.

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@Harbour-front, Reykjavik

The views of the nearby mountains and sea served, explained Eiður, as a reminder of the city's maritime history and its enduring relationship with the natural world.

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@Tugboat

The pets watched entranced as the harbour tugboat expertly guided a large fishing boat into a safe berth.
They were then guided to the Leif Erikson statue, where Eiður explained more about the exciting history of Leif's landing and setting up of a colony in the Americas.

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@Hallgrimskirkja Church

The statue was next to Hallgrimskirkja Church, whose towering spire reached up to the heavens like a giant pine tree. The pets climbed the winding staircase inside, higher and higher. At the top, they beheld a breathtaking panorama of the city, the rooftops a patchwork quilt of reds, blues and greens against the stark backdrop of the surrounding wilderness.

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@At the waterfront

At the waterfront, the pets met a group of seagulls, geese and ducks, who told them that in all their trips abroad they had never experienced such lovely clean, pure water as that of Iceland!
It was then time for a light lunch in a nearby café before continuing their tour by coach.

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@Hafnarfjörður

They were taken to Hafnarfjöður, which, with a population of approximately 28,000, is the third-largest town in Iceland, situated just south of Reykjavik. The cultural heritage of Hafnarfjöður is rich, with the town being recognised for its strong ties to the Icelandic tradition of elves and hidden people (Huldufólk). This folk belief is reflected in various urban legends and has influenced the town's architecture and public art, including the Elf Garden (Alfaborg), which is a significant tourist attraction. Eiður explained that the town was also known for hosting the annual Viking Festival, where the historical re-enactment of Viking culture is celebrated, thus reinforcing its cultural identity.

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@Office windows, Reykjavík

The pets were disappointed that they would miss the Viking Festival. It sounded really exciting!
Eiður said that the economy of Hafnarfjöður was diverse, with a strong focus on fishing, tourism, and light industry. The presence of the Reykjanes Power Plant and the Keflavik International Airport nearby contributed significantly to the local economy.

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@Puffin on Bluff

Eiður told them that Hafnarfjöður was situated on the Reykjanes Peninsula, part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a divergent tectonic plate boundary. The town's proximity to this geologically active region results in a unique landscape characterised by basalt formations, lava fields and numerous geothermal areas. These features are a testament to Iceland's volcanic origin and ongoing tectonic activity. The town's coastline offered a picturesque view of the North Atlantic Ocean.

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@Daisies in dark volcanic soil

Their guide explained that the influence of the Gulf Stream ensured that the town remained relatively warm despite its high latitude. The vegetation is typical of the Icelandic landscape, character­ised by mosses, lichens, and hardy grasses that are well-adapted to the volcanic soil.

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@Tea and coffee?

Eiður took them to the Perlan Museum, with its observation deck offering great views over the city. The pets experienced a breathtaking virtual walk through an ice cave, learning along the way about the dangers of glaciers and the secrets they keep. Once through the cave they headed up to the first floor for a virtual experience of what it’s like to stand on top of Europe‘s largest glacier, Vatnajökull, with a 360° view. This was a stunning adventure, previously possible only for the most experienced hikers. To finish, there was an interactive exhibition on the Northern Lights and the geology of Iceland, and a stunning planetarium show.

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@Icelandic Horses

On their way back to the city, they met some Icelandic horses, which Eiður explained was a breed that has been isolated from other horses since the 9th century, showcasing the country's unique biodiversity and its commitment to preserving its natural heritage.

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@Höfði House, Reykjavik

Located along Reykjavík’s scenic waterfront is a quaint whitewashed building known as Höfði House. Eiður said that in 1909 the French consul imported a wooden house from Norway and had it set up in Reykjavík. There are several of these wooden “catalogue style” in Iceland, but Höfði House is one of the most beautiful. Today, Höfði House is the site for official city social functions.

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@Icelandic Church

It had been a long first day in Reykjavik, but the pets felt they had learnt a great deal about Iceland, and that it was known for its sustainable living, geothermal resources, and rich cultural heritage. The country clearly offered a plethora of attractions that embodied its distinctive character. The pets enjoyed their evening meal and went to bed looking forward to their trip on the following day.

Midge Maisel has enjoyed touring Iceland, but it is time to go home. Please select another pet as visitor, so they can also enjoy this event!