Reykjavik: Adorable.

Keflavik Airport: Adorable, fast.  But an excruciatingly far and cramped bus trip from Reykjavik.

Skyr, famous Icelandic yogurt-type stuff, is pretty good.  A little tart, but thick and creamy.  It’s lowfat, though, so it’s really quite nice and nutritious.

Jet lag is hell getting old.  No matter trying the “stay up till local bedtime” trick, I was still wide awake at 1 aM.  Will just have to power through it for another day and then should be fine.

There are tons of Thai and Asian restaurants all around Reykjavik.  For dinner last night we ate at “Noodle Station” just down our street that had this rich, deep beef broth with with ramen noodles and tender chunks of beef.  An interesting first meal for coming to Iceland you’d think, but it was super yummy and pretty reasonable – $15 for both of us.  Considering you don’t ever tip here (it’s not expected) that’s about what you’d spend in Seattle for the same with a tip…

That said we paid $7 for three bananas at the grocery store.

Iceland cold tap water tastes amazing.  Comes naturally from springs and said to be the best in the World.  I’ll argue that the Pacific Northwest has some equally awesome water, but still – Iceland is better than some parts of Washington.

On the other hand hot water, amply supplied by natural geothermal sources, smells gross like sulfur.  Lets just say showers are quick.  Hot and cold water come from two different sources.

Paprika potato chips are pretty good.

Our apartment that we rented is great.  A veritable Skandinavian Ikea showcase.  It has one of those spiral-staircase-of-death things to get in, though (it’s on top floor).   It’s on Skólavörðustígur street.  Sko-la-worth-ust-iger is what we think that is

Iceland has 320,000 people or so, yet is a first world country with generally excellent roads, airports, telecommunications, utilities, social services, hospitals, schools, etc, etc…(bank failures notwithstanding…)  How they run an entire country with less than the population of Seattle proper is interesting to ponder.

Everyone speaks English without an attitude.  But not between themselves, of course.

Today we are off on a day trip to the Snaefelsness Peninsula and will probably have a bunch more photos.

Also, as you know I’m a big airplane geek, I actually posted a “trip Report” on airliners.net: Icelandair FI680 SEA-KEF February 2012

Two hours later….two inches of snow

This is the view down our street the other way – Hallsgrimskirka

It’s a nice day in Iceland

We have arrived…

This is the street scene from our cute little apartment in Reykjavik

Next stop…. BIKF

First leg begins…Uber, take us away!

I think I got everything!

Lets hope so!

Testing new phone/camera that will work for Iceland trip on Tuesday!

Enjoying wine, cheese and crackers on the deck!

Flowers breaking ground?? No no no no no!

I hate spring.

I think a lot of people will enjoy this, not just airplane nerds like me…

From: http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/flightblogger/2012/02/a-touch-of-truth-and-humor-for.html

787: She is drop-dead gorgeous, she has all the “right” friends, and all the boys want to date her. She loves spending time at the spa, and she is addicted to social media. Predictably, she is a drama queen. Every little problem gets blown out of proportion, resulting in tears and tantrums. She has an attitude of entitlement, believing that everyone exists to serve her needs and desires.

767: He isn’t terribly smart, or good-looking, or popular, or talented. He is a little clumsy and socially awkward. Though he is a diligent and reliable worker, his only real option for the future is to go into the military, because frankly he has little prospect of finding employment in the private sector. But bless his heart, we love and adore him.

777: He’s the family overachiever. Eagle Scout, 4.0 average, captain of the football team, scholarship offers flowing in, a gorgeous and smart girl friend. He wonders to himself how he could possibly be related to this cast of characters, and secretly wishes he weren’t.

747: Quiet and studious, she tends to keep to herself. She’s a bit heavy and has a touch of asthma. She seems wise beyond her years, and is burdened by an unspoken sadness. Yet she is unfailingly loyal and will go to the wall for you. Others would do the same for her in an instant.