Chris and Deirdre Iceland Getaway Day 6
After a physically exhausting day yesterday, today was all about shows and museums. We also planned an extravagant anniversary dinner at the Old Iceland Restaurant, but the Alda Hotel trumped it with a beautiful apology gift for the coffee misunderstanding on Day 3.
*We were so tired today that we didn't even take a selfie together!
These activities were booked through Viator.com.
In October, volcanic activity seemed imminent in the Reykjavik peninsula about 30 miles southwest of Reykjavik. It did not erupt until December 18 - eight days after we came home.
So, we had to find another way to get our lava fix. Fortunately, Reykjavik has the only live Lava Show in the world! Besides becoming overheated (lava is hot!), we were perfectly safe while watching our host play with molten rock.
Want to feel like you are taking a helicopter tour of Iceland without the helicopter? Flyover Iceland is a beautiful simulation of an island tour. I even lifted my feet a couple of times to avoid mountains!
Everything you've ever wanted to know about whales. It was interesting, but I am glad it was one of my "free" activities from my Viator points.
Anniversary Dinner - A Gift from the Alda Hotel
On Day 3, we made the mistake of helping ourselves to coffee at what appeared to be a complementary self-service machine. It wasn't, and the server at the hotel's restaurant - Brass Kitchen and Bar - let us know on no uncertain terms. After mentioning to the hotel management that it could have been handled more gently, they surprised us with a bottle of sparkling wine, sparkling water, and a charcuterie tray with Islandic cheeses and grilled bread. We were too tired to attend our fancy anniversary dinner, so it was very welcome. After looking it up, we realized they gave us a $100 apology!
Statues in Reykjavik
Reykjavik loves statues as much as it loves murals. I could fill a page with them but can't seem to find a comprehensive webpage listing more than a dozen. This Viking Statue is outside the Saga Museum, which looked very interesting, but we ran out of time. Anyway, here are a few of my favorites and tomorrow we'll visit the Einar Jonsson Museum and Sculpture Garden.
Migratory Birds?
Reykjavik's Tjörnin Lake is home to hundreds of birds all year round, especially waterfowl like whooper swans, graylag geese, mallards, and tufted ducks. The city warms the water at the lake's edge, and the residents and tourists keep the birds well-fed. Maybe too well, as some of them are quite demanding.
