Iceland Day 2: DC to Reykjavik 

From Dulles … again!

Yesterday was a bit of a dress rehearsal. You know … drag the luggage down the steps, take an Uber to the airport, check the bag, go through TSA, have a glass of wine and catch up with Sue and Don, find out your flight is delayed, find out the delay means you will miss the connection at JFK to Reykjavik, book another flight connecting through London, wait to get checked bags back, miss the rebooking because it took so long to get the bags back, start making calls for a new flight, and finally take an Uber home.

But today we are booked on an Icelandair flight direct to Reykjavik, arriving early tomorrow morning. We will met up with the group then begin touring on the way to Hvammstangi. The group departing from Boston arrived in Reykjavik earlier this morning. They spent the day in Reykjavik seeing the city …

The shops and cafes of Laugavegur street

Bessastaðir the official residence of the President of Iceland

Hofdi House where Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev met for their 1986 Reykjavik Summit.

The Hallgrimskirkja Church observation tower viewing deck to see the city and surrounding mountains. Hallgrímsjirkja’s 73-meter height towers over Reykjavik. Dedicated to the Icelandic poet, Hallgrímur Pétrusson, the church is home to a 25 ton mechanical action organ.

Icelandic Saga Museum for a journey through key moments in Icelandic history.

As the capitol of Iceland, Reykjavík is the gateway to the island’s natural wonders, volcanic landscapes, geothermal pools, and coastal vistas. With our delayed flight Sue, Don, and I are missing this first day, but hopefully at the end of the trip we will have some time to get to know Reykjavik and its blend of vibrant cultural life, colorful architecture, street art, music, food, and small-town charm.