Exploring rainy Reykjavik

Nothing like some sleep to make us all feel better. After 12 hours of rest, we all woke up really refreshed and ready to explore this amazing place. Even the rain outside didn't stop us from having a great breakfast and do our weekend morning family dance together before we headed out. 

Adidas Day!

This was a tradition in my family: my parents used to dress us up in Adidas suits for our family trips. I am not quite sure why, but I guess they were easy to wear, comfortable and they don't get as dirty. So,  as a joke, or as nostalgia, Mike and I always bring Adidas outfits on our trips. And the girls help us to keep the tradition alive. (PS. Adidas doesn't pay us for this)

10 bucks for those who can pronounce this correctly.

(for non-Icelanders only!)

One of the beautiful buildings at the tourist area, close to the harbour. 

"Flea markets are the same everywhere," said Mike as soon as we walked into the Kolaportid Market, at Tryggvagata 19. And he was right... but still we spent a good couple of hours looking at vintage clothing, used books, dvd's, antiques, as well as toys and woolen goods.

 The market is opened every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm in this old industrial building.

It was a great option for a rainy day like today.

http://www.kolaportid.is/Index.aspx?lang=en

Look who Julia found here. The one and only Elsa. And her day was complete.

Basically across the street from the flea market is the Hafnarhus, one of the three buildings of the Listasafn Reykjavíkur. The Reykjavik Art Museum is the largest visual art institution in Iceland. We scored big time going in! 

Part of this museum was closed while setting up a new installation but we were super happy about what we got to see. The building itself is already an art statement.

 Coffee and Icelandic news. A perfect combination for Sunday morning.

Enjoying some story telling on a funky chair made of tape.

This was my favourite installation. It is called God, by Ragnar Kjartansson. Basically is a room that reminds us of a theatre set up, with a video being projected on a wall of an orchestra ready to play. The main singer repeats in a very soft voice: "sorrow conquers happiness," over and over again. You keep waiting for the others instruments to kick in, but nothing happens.

You can see part of the video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=em7z-mEv3Rw

This installation plays with our minds, mixing solid boxes and projected images of boxes. Fun.

 A tent dress.

On the main floor of the museum there is a little library where Julia and daddy played chess.

One of the streets of the old city, close to the harbour.

Street art.

 The introverted and the extroverted. Just like my girls.

This is what most of the residential streets look like, outside of the tourist areas.

Before the day was done we decided to do a very Icelandic thing: to swim in one of the thermal pool publicly available in the city for $2 a person. We chose one closest to us on Barónsstígur. Sundhollin is the oldest swimming pool in the capital.

http://www.trip-to-iceland.com/what-to-do-and-see/reykjavik-area/sundhollin-oldest-swimming-pool-reykjavik/

My little fish swimming all by herself!

  

UNDERWATER SELFIES:

Back outside... The sidewalks here are headed with geothermal energy. No need to shovel the snow or use salt to melt the ice in the winter.

This is a cable free city. All the electrical wires are underground. More beautiful visually.

After all that walking and swimming we needed some hot chocolate and food for energy. We searched online for Reykjavik's best hot chocolate and found Tiu Dropar, this quiet and charming bistro.

We had a fantastic sandwich, a delicious French meat soup, sweet waffles and probably one of Iceland's best hot chocolate.

From TripAdvisor: "One of the oldest cafes in Reykjavik, hidden away in a basement locale on Laugavegur 27. 'Grandma-style' interior and traditional-style cakes and other delicacies. // Each night after 6pm Tiu Dropar turns into Le Chateau des Dix Gouttes serving wine, cheese and other gourmet."

ICELAND - We made it!

"I've always wanted to go there!"

"Why Iceland?"

"What's in Iceland????"

These were the three most common answers every time we told friends and family about our vacation destination. Through this process I've realized that this small island country is still a mystery for many and fascination for others. I guess I was gravitating towards both. As much as I wished to visit Iceland (I have been thinking about it for may years), I wasn't sure what to expect, beside the moon-like-scenery. But here we are and maybe we can bring some wonderful experiences to you in the next week.  

The idea came up after postponing for next year plans to visit friends in Fogo Island, in Newfoundland (Canada). We had to come up with a destination to travel as a family and after many discussions, New York City seemed to be it... until I accidentally saw an online advertisement for a package trip to Iceland. That was it! No questions. We had our family vacation all decided.

The options of travelling without the girls crossed our minds for few seconds, but immediately we agreed that they should be part of it. We are aware that this trip will be totally different and somewhat limited because of them - Iceland is a great place for hikes and other outdoors activities - but the idea to leave them behind was not really an option. We might do it differently next time, but having the family together has been great... so far!  

The plane ride is actually pretty smooth. It's only five hours on a direct flight from Toronto to Iceland's capital, Reykjavik. We left at 9pm and got here at 6am local time, which was still 2am at OUR time. So, sleeping didn't really happen. The girls managed to get 4 hours each, but neither Mike nor I got any rest. Crazy! By the time we got off the plane, got a rental car and figured out how to get to our hotel, we were two grumpy parents trying really hard to be there for the kids. It was a recipe for a family disaster. And it was! But lets focus on the good things. ;)

Flying Icelandair was a fantastic experience. The only downside was the fact that they charge for food - which it seems to be a norm at any airline service for flights less than 5 hours. But they were so cool with the children, giving us an extra seat, and bring kids meal and a super cool toy package... both for free.

We were also very impressed with the airport approach to family with children. As soon as we stepped outside of the plane, a ground crew member escorted us to the security and passport control, cutting to the front of the line. And right after she got us an airport stroller, until we could get ours at the baggage claim room. Before coming here, I read that Icelandic people are children friendly, but they treat the kids as part of life - don't expect special menu for them at restaurants.

Outside Keflavík International Airport - it was a foggy early morning, 10 degrees celsius, followed by a perfect rainbow. 

The taxi ride from the airport to downtown - our rental car was too small for all the bags and baby car seats - was insanely expensive: about $150, but the view was beautiful. 

The view from our apartment balcony. We are right on the main street, Laugarvegur, beside the tourist information office. As it it is a common thing in Europe, we rented a one bedroom apartment fully furnished and with a kitchen. We are staying for less than $200 a night in the best location possible with internet, cable, phone and garage. I highly recommend for family or groups: http://roomwithaview.is

After getting settled in our amazing apartment, we went out to explore the world's northern most capital's little downtown. Children style!

Sofia of course loved the stuffed bears in front of a store and Julia said: "I told you: Iceland polar bears are friendly!"

Around the corner there was a park and a playground, found by the girls. I guess we'll spend a lot of our vacation time here.

After all the travelling madness to get here, mommy and daddy deserve some romantic time. Photo by Julia.

View from the top of the hill park.

Across from that there is the magnificent Harpa Concert Hall (it has a unpronounceable Iceland name, of course), a beautiful glass building along the water.

Julia was convinced she was going to run into Elsa (one of the princesses from Frozen) at any time. "This is her castle, mommy!"

The building is really worthy a visit. I wish I could actually see a performance there. 

Maybe next time.

http://en.harpa.is/

Streets of Reykjavik.

The reward for being such a good girl today (Julia, of course): ice cream!

Mommy and daddy (well deserved) reward!