The Icelandic morning light started to appear at about 7:30 today, although sunrise is officially around 10:30.

Paul started his day with a nice soak one of the city’s public pool and hot tub, Sundhollin. Built in 1937 and the oldest pool in Reykjavik, Sundhollin is a nice little walk from our hotel. The building was designed by the same architect as the Hallsgrimskirkja church (started in 1945) and other landmarks. Once past the admission desk, Paul didn’t hear anything but Islandic spoken. Public hot tubs are very much a part of the Icelandic lifestyle, often as part of a local resident’s morning routine. Some hot tub destinations can be touristy, especially in summer, but there weren’t any other touristas on this early morning in the winter.

The swimming pool building with the snow globe effect.

Sitting in the outside pool under the dark sky and looking overhead, there was another sign of the changing times in Iceland. A looming tower crane started to become active for the day with its big lights on. The city is getting a makeover, even in this small residential corner of town. We’ve seen old 4-story buildings being demolished for newer, taller ones.  There’s a whole section of town that didn’t exist 5 years ago that has risen up out of parking lots and unused land.  The views for each building are jockeying for position above and beyond or around each other. We heard some of the new buildings (shops down below and apartments up top) don’t see direct sunlight at street level in the winter time.

The scene outside the parking garage at 10:30 am. I really like the buildings on this part of the street. The center Art Deco style building ( a theater I think) looks kind of massive next to what use to be the taller style buildings in the city. But still feels like it fits, unlike the towers popping up along the harbor.
Clickable for a larger view.

 

We decided to throw caution to the wind and head southeast along the coast in the direction of Selfoss and Vik. Readers of our past blog will know Vik is pronounced Veek and is Icelandic for harbor.

But, first we had to content with the automated parking garage exit. Ransom paid with the assistance of a kind Icelandic gent who pressed a button labeled in Icelandic, we were on our way heading south.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the wind blowing snow across the roadway, sleet hitting the windows, and wind rocking our cute Suzuki 4wheel drive jeep thing, it’s obvious we are not in Scotland anymore, Toto.  But the raw beauty of this place is undeniably stunning.

A storm is brewing ahead.

As we traveled south on the ring road, the weather turned worse. We could see the huge gray clouds swelling up above the landscape coming our way. It was only a matter of seconds before it hit us and enveloped us along with the landscape. I was taking a photo of a distant mountain and a few second later it was whiteout conditions.

Just one minute before the storm’s arrival.

 

Same view out of the front window as the storm hit.

We had diverted onto a smaller road which would lead us along the coast line.  But, once the storm kicked up we decided to retreat to the main road thinking it would be better maintained. Keep in mind this is the main road, the Ring Road, Route 1, that encircles the island.  We could see that main road heading back to the city had already been closed off with a gate and traffic person.  Hopefully, that would just be temporary.

Travel was slow and exciting at times.  We went as far out as we could before it was time to head back for our evening walking/eating tour.

A clear spot for a bit more inland from the sea. But, that cloud indicates more is to come. The wind was fierce and driving snow across the road in front of as as we headed towards the cloud. I am clickable if you’d like a bigger view!

We saw this church from the main road and thought we would check it out. The wind was so fierce that Paul had trouble opening the door to get out to get this photo. I am also clickable.

Our car in the church parking lot, beautiful blue sky and clouds that would soon disappear in the next blast of gray weather. Click me too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’re in the white section of this map.

Off we went hoping that our road would be open once we reached it, which thankfully it was.

As we pulled back into the city, we lingered a little while at the harbor, noticing how much building along its coast has occurred since our first visit over 20 years ago.  It seems like a large metropolis now, the smaller homes now dwarfed by giant hotel blocks and possibly apartment buildings.

In the Harbor the wind blows snow off the sun kissed mountain tops beyond while it dances across the water below.

As the wind skittered across the water in the harbor caused the water to move in multiple directions as once, creating interesting movements. We also noticed that the street lights were now on a little past 2 pm.  Seems evening will be descending fairly soon.

More about the food tour tomorrow.