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Reykjavik

I forgot to mention in my last post that the check in process at the hotel we were staying at was really warm and inviting. The lady at the hotel told us her personal favorite spots in the city and really sought to understand how to recommend things that would interest us without overselling anything. (It was a stark contrast to the guy we met at the Tourist Information center downtown who couldn't have been bothered whether we enjoyed our stay or not.) Following her advice, we snagged a reservation for the Blue Lagoon tomorrow afternoon and have already planned a scenic road trip to get there.

After a shower and a nap, we were much happier and excited to hit the night scene. We found a craft bar (Skúli) which was homey and lively with locals, surrounding us with Icelandic chatter. Food was obviously part of the evening as well - with a stop at Icelandic Street Food to grab lamb soup and fisherman's fare (fish and potatoes). 

After the dinner and drinks, we took a walk to the Harpa concert hall to admire the architecture, attempting to reflect the beauty of the northern lights in its glass panes. The city looks very different at night, lit up in a tapestry of colours against the intense darkness. I actually found it more inviting than the daytime landscape. Here's hoping we'll catch the aurora borealis for real when we're outside the city lights!

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