{"id":17263,"date":"2022-08-19T10:00:41","date_gmt":"2022-08-19T14:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/?p=17263"},"modified":"2024-11-19T13:20:37","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T18:20:37","slug":"extremely-satisfied","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/?p=17263","title":{"rendered":"Extremely Satisfied"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/?attachment_id=17270\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17270\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright wp-image-17270\" src=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/13.driving-church-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/13.driving-church-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/13.driving-church-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/13.driving-church.jpg 862w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a>Originally published August 13, 2020 by Linda Lou Burton posting about Reykjavik, Iceland from Little Rock, Arkansas \u2013 <\/em>We did it! We actually did everything on the list that each of us wanted to do. <em>Extremely satisfied<\/em>. And now we\u2019re on the plane, headed for Washington DC. I\u2019ve got to sum it up, for history\u2019s sake. Yesterday I rented a car; hey, steering wheel on the left, driving on the right, small town. The GPS gave me English, so getting around was a breeze. Drove 3 miles along the waterfront to breakfast, here\u2019s how <em>Wednesday<\/em> went.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Kaffivagninn<\/strong> for breakfast; we called it the Kaff. Friendly place, boats to watch, birds; everybody ate eggs in some form, I loved the coffee. Note: Icelanders drink a lot of coffee, also a lot of Coke, the highest per capita consumption in the world! <a href=\"https:\/\/kaffivagninn.is\/en\/\">https:\/\/kaffivagninn.is\/en\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/?attachment_id=17273\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17273\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-17273\" src=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12.museum.saga_-300x235.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"235\" srcset=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12.museum.saga_-300x235.jpg 300w, https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12.museum.saga_.jpg 598w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>Saga Museum<\/strong> next, it was right at the corner where we turned. It\u2019s the VIKING Saga Museum, legends from the Icelandic sagas in 17 exhibits, wax historical figures like Leifur Eiriksson; an audio device to hang around your neck, select your language and go. At the end you can dress in Viking clothes and take pictures of yourself looking fierce. We did, it was interesting, and fun. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sagamuseum.is\/\">https:\/\/www.sagamuseum.is\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Old Harbor Souvenirs<\/strong> for souvenirs; Whale Watching boats galore; a little walking on the Sculpture and Shore Walk, so pretty, and there we were at the famous Penis Museum. Of course we went in.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Icelandic Phallological Museum<\/strong>, the only museum in the world containing phallic specimens from all types of mammal found in a single country; 17 different kinds of whale, 7 different kinds of seal and walrus, and 20 different kinds of land mammal; in all, 209 specimens including Homo Sapiens. There are even 24 folklore specimens! Well organized museum; awards from Trip Advisor and others. <a href=\"https:\/\/phallus.is\/en\/\">https:\/\/phallus.is\/en\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/?attachment_id=17275\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17275\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-17275\" src=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12.museum.punk_-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12.museum.punk_-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/12.museum.punk_.jpg 714w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>Icelandic Punk Museum<\/strong> was just a few blocks away. Another unique; NOT organized is part of its charm; it was once a public toilet; exhibits are in the former toilets and washbasins; photos, posters, instruments, streaming videos; the story of Icelandic punk. Pull-down headphones for listening to records; jackets to pose in with guitars and drums. Johnny Rotten was here for its opening in 2016. <a href=\"https:\/\/m.facebook.com\/Bankastraeti0\/\">https:\/\/m.facebook.com\/Bankastraeti0\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>From Leif Erikson to Johhny Rotten in four miles! Time for a lunch break. \u201cWell,\u201d we agreed, still sort of dizzy, \u201cwe\u2019re not likely to see any of that anywhere else.\u201d That\u2019s the \u201cGuide to Good Sightseeing\u201d rule. <em>Nowhere else in the world<\/em>. On to the food court.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Hlemmur Food Hall<\/strong> was busy, and we scattered to make our choices. One went for pizza at <em>Flatey<\/em>, two went to <em>Skal<\/em> for small plates, like vegan, and codcakes. Flatey\u2019s wins Best Pizza awards year after year; everybody that ever eats at Skals agrees the food there is \u201cto die for.\u201d Everybody happy. Next? Harpa Tours happen only at 2 PM. We admired the Concert Hall from the outside earlier, now we want to see how it was built. On to Harpa. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hlemmurmatholl.is\/english\">http:\/\/www.hlemmurmatholl.is\/english<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/?attachment_id=17277\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17277\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-17277\" src=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/13.harpa_-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"317\" height=\"238\" srcset=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/13.harpa_-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/13.harpa_-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/13.harpa_-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/13.harpa_.jpg 1138w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 317px) 100vw, 317px\" \/><\/a>Harpa Concert Hall <\/strong>is home to the Symphony &amp; Opera, it seats 1,800 and is 300,000 sq ft and 141 feet tall, an architectural masterpiece with an amazing glass fa\u00e7ade. Its unique design was inspired by Icelandic forces of nature and the northern lights; tours go to places only performers get to see; learn about how it was built, the acoustics, the technology, and some of the great performances that have taken place here. Great photo ops, awesome. Underground, next. <a href=\"https:\/\/en.harpa.is\/\">https:\/\/en.harpa.is\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/?attachment_id=17279\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17279\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright wp-image-17279\" src=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/13.settlement-girls-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"251\" height=\"188\" srcset=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/13.settlement-girls-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/13.settlement-girls-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/13.settlement-girls-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/13.settlement-girls-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/13.settlement-girls-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 251px) 100vw, 251px\" \/><\/a>Settlement Exhibition <\/strong>is an archaeological open excavation-museum; just below ground in downtown Reykjav\u00edk. Discovered during building work in 2001, the remains are the earliest evidence of human settlement here, with some dating to before AD 871\u00b12. A 10th century longhouse is the focal point; the museum combines technology and archaeology with interactive multimedia tables explaining the excavations; a space-age panel allows you to steer through different layers of the longhouse construction. Very cool. <a href=\"https:\/\/reykjavikcitymuseum.is\/the-settlement-exhibition\">https:\/\/reykjavikcitymuseum.is\/the-settlement-exhibition<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>National Museum of Iceland<\/strong> covers Iceland\u2019s history; the Settlement Era \u2013 including the rule of the chieftans and the introduction of Christianity \u2013features swords, drinking horns, silver hoards, and a powerful bronze figure of Thor. The priceless 13th-century Val\u00fej\u00f3fssta\u00f0ir church door is carved with the story of a knight, his faithful lion and a passel of dragons. Modern-age displays too, and a smartphone audio guide to explain it all. A perfect fit after the archeology, but we are beat. To the hotel to rest and spruce up a bit before the <em>One and Only Last Night\u2019s Dinner at Grillmarket<\/em>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thjodminjasafn.is\/english\/\">https:\/\/www.thjodminjasafn.is\/english\/<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/?attachment_id=17282\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17282\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-17282\" src=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/13.grillmarket.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"190\" height=\"253\" \/><\/a>Grillmarket<\/strong> reservation, 8 PM, they offer a <em>Tasting Menu<\/em>, chef\u2019s selections served family style; and a <em>Trip to the Countryside<\/em>, with three of the most popular starters and then beef steak with fries and vegetables for everyone; then a taste of each of the desserts. TEMPTING, but our independent natures decided we\u2019re rather ponder our choices. And we did, each to his own, oh my, delicious. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.grillmarkadurinn.is\/en\/\">https:\/\/www.grillmarkadurinn.is\/en\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Thursday<\/strong>. A really good night sleep, the final desserts last night made sure of that. The sun came up at 5:14 this morning but we didn\u2019t see it; we were still snoozing and it was raining. A lazy breakfast at the hotel in our picture-window breakfast lounge; pack the bags, load the car, and head for Perlan, and then the Blue Lagoon. Did we save the <em>Best for Last<\/em>?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Perlan<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/?attachment_id=17283\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17283\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright wp-image-17283\" src=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/13.perlan-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"359\" height=\"271\" \/><\/a>Perlan, or <em>The Pearl<\/em> is Reykjavik\u2019s # 1 attraction as a a <em>Must-Visit Landmark<\/em>. Now a \u201cNature Exploratorium\u201d with a revolving glassdomed restaurant and observation deck, it sits in a forest atop \u00d6skjuhl\u00ed\u00f0 hill overlooking the city. We get tickets for everything; <em>Wonders of Iceland &amp; \u00c1r\u00f3ra &#8211; Northern Lights Planetarium Show; <\/em>the Wonders of Iceland exhibit shows Icelandic nature, glaciers, geysers, and volcanoes. There is also a timeline explaining how Iceland was formed and how life in Iceland evolved. We definitely want the Planetarium Show about Icelandic nature and the solar system. Perlan was opened to the public in 1991. The building is a story in itself; composed of an immense glass dome that sits on six hot-water tanks, each carrying 4 million litres of geothermal hot water. All of this is supported by a colossal steel frame, which serves important functions in addition to holding everything together. The framework, hollow on the inside, is actually a gigantic radiator. In the winter when it is cold, hot water runs through the frame, while cold water is used in the summertime. Of course we have lunch in the revolving restaurant, chewing slowly to be sure we make the full turn. And then a 40-minute drive to the Blue Lagoon. <a href=\"https:\/\/perlan.is\/?lang=en\">https:\/\/perlan.is\/?lang=en<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Blue Lagoon<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/?attachment_id=17285\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-17285\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-17285\" src=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/13.-blue-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"364\" height=\"273\" srcset=\"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/13.-blue-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/13.-blue-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/13.-blue.jpg 794w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 364px) 100vw, 364px\" \/><\/a>The Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa in a lava field. It is a top attraction in Iceland too, nearly a million people a year wade and swim in its milky-blue mineral-rich 102-degrees waters. The lagoon is manmade; the water is a byproduct from the nearby geothermal power plant Svartsengi where superheated water is vented from the ground near a lava flow and used to run turbines that generate electricity. After going through the turbines, the steam and hot water passes through a heat exchanger to provide heat for a municipal water heating system. Then the water is fed into the lagoon. The water completely renews itself every 48 hours; the average pH is 7.5 and the salt content is 2.5%. Despite not being artificially disinfected, the water contains no bacteria, fungi, or plants. The Comfort Ticket covers our entrance fee, a silica mud mask at the mask bar, a towel, and a free drink. A Premium Ticket includes a bathrobe and lunch, but we are happy just floating in the warm waters enjoying the scenery. It IS otherworldly, as advertised, steam rising on this chilly day. What a relaxing place, after yesterday\u2019s rush, but alas, we had a plane to catch. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bluelagoon.com\/\">https:\/\/www.bluelagoon.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Keflavik International<\/strong> was just 20 minutes away. Our Iceland Air flight to Washington DC departed at 4:50 and lands at Dulles at 7:10 EDT. The sun sets at 8:04, just about the time we get to the Hyatt Place on New York Avenue; it is raining there too, and hot. I\u2019ll be back on US soil for the first time in 26 days. That\u2019s a good thing. But Iceland was truly the <em>icing <\/em>on the cake of my <em>NDI RTW. <\/em><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s hard to leave a country of such good natured, fun loving, happy people that it leads the world in the \u201c<em>I\u2019m extremely satisfied with my life<\/em>\u201d factor!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Originally published August 13, 2020 by Linda Lou Burton posting about Reykjavik, Iceland from Little Rock, Arkansas \u2013 We did it! We actually did everything on the list that each of us wanted to do. Extremely satisfied. And now we\u2019re on the plane, headed for Washington DC. I\u2019ve got to sum it up, for history\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3464],"tags":[3885,3912,3886,3906,3908,3909,3902,3913,3911,3887,3465,3907,3910],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17263"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=17263"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17263\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19198,"href":"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17263\/revisions\/19198"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17263"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17263"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/capitalcitiesusa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17263"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}