IT IS A NICE DAY TO GO TO REYKJAVIK, BUT EVERYDAY IS A NICE DAY TO GO TO REYKJAVIK:

IT IS A NICE DAY TO GO TO REYKJAVIK, BUT EVERYDAY IS A NICE DAY TO GO TO REYKJAVIK: 

On May 20th we received an email from Hurtigruten advising us of some changes to our itinerary. Below in quotes is the body of the email explaining the changes.

As we say in Iceland Þetta reddast. Basically means it will be what it will be. So stand by to ride along for the changes.

“We are delighted to welcome you on board MS Fram for an unforgettable Arctic expedition. As we prepare for your expedition, we are writing to inform you of an important change to your embarkation schedule.
 
Earlier this month, MS Fram entered dry dock in Panama for essential maintenance. Unfortunately, a technical issue at the dry dock caused a delay, postponing embarkation in Reykjavík until 29 May. We sincerely apologies for this unexpected development and for any disappointment your delayed embarkation may cause.
 
What happens next?
To make the most of your extended time in Reykjavík, we’ve created a bespoke land-based programme, designed to deliver the same sense of discovery and depth you expect from HX. You’ll then embark MS Fram on 29 May and set sail. Due to the delay, the port calls of Grundarfjörður, Ísafjörður, and Akureyri have been cancelled. Upon leaving Reykjavík, we will call at Húsavík before charting course for Jan Mayen. The rest of your itinerary remains unchanged. We kindly ask you to review the following information for an overview of your stay in Iceland.
 

 
26 May: Welcome to Reykjavík
·         Your journey begins with a warm welcome in Reykjavík, your expedition base camp for the coming days.
·         We’ll take care of the accommodation, transfers, and excursions from 26-29 May, ensuring you experience the very best of the region. Please keep your original flight to Iceland to make the most of the new pre-cruise programme.

·         Our local representative will greet you in the arrivals hall of Keflavík International Airport. Look for an ‘HX Expeditions’ sign. The drive to the hotel takes approximately 45 minutes. 
·         Fosshotel Reykjavík (Þórunnartún 1, 105 Reykjavík) will act as our expedition base camp. You’ll stay at this four-star hotel from 26-29 May. Our team will be present in the hotel to answer questions and provide any additional support you may need.
·         Breakfast, lunch and dinner (with coffee, tea, house wine and beer) will be included throughout your stay. Each guest also receives five drink vouchers per day, valid for cocktails, beer, and wine at the hotel bar.
·         After dinner, join us for a welcome reception in the hotel, where you’ll meet the HX team and get a first look at the land-based adventures awaiting you in Iceland.

27 May: Golden Circle
·         After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll embark on a full-day guided tour of Iceland’s Golden Circle, an iconic route renowned for its geological wonders.
·         Highlights include:
o        Þingvellir National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates visibly meet.
o        Gullfoss Waterfall: One of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls, cascading into a rugged canyon.
o        Geysir Geothermal Area: Iceland’s legendary geothermal zone, where superheated water bursts from the earth in dramatic style.
·         You’ll also enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

28 May: Snæfellsnes Peninsula
·         Today, you’ll explore the Snæfellsnes Peninsula on a full-day guided tour.
·         The peninsula is often described as ‘Iceland in Miniature’ for its variety of landscapes, including glaciers and lava fields.
·         Highlights include:

        Grundarfjörður: Surrounded by steep peaks and quiet fjords, this serene harbour town offers postcard-perfect views in every direction.
o        Kirkjufell: One of Iceland’s most photographed mountains, beautifully framed by the nearby Kirkjufell waterfall.
o        Djúpalónssandur: A hauntingly beautiful black-pebble beach, scattered with remnants of shipwrecks and flanked by lava formations.
·         Enjoy an included dinner at Harpa, one of Reykjavík’s most iconic architectural landmarks, overlooking the harbour.

29 May: Embarking MS Fram
·         MS Fram is scheduled to arrive in Reykjavík at approximately noon on 28 May.  However, it will take time to load supplies, refuel, and complete necessary preparations before embarkation can begin. Embarkation is expected to begin at approximately 10 am on 29 May, with our departure scheduled for noon.
·          The transfer from the hotel to the ship will take approximately 10 minutes. Transfer information will be provided once in Iceland.
·         You’ll receive your HX jacket after embarking the ship. Please remember to bring your own jacket to wear beforehand.
·         All cabin guests will receive one complimentary laundry service during the voyage (laundry is included for suite guests).” 



We are also receiving additional bits as compensation for this change. Personally, I feel we are being well taken care of in a more than generous way.

NOW BACK TO THE JOURNEY:

 


We were up and at um, coffee and a snack at the hotel. Over to the Parking Spot and parked the Jeep. Dropped off our bags and headed to the UAL Club for some breakfast.

While Iceland air has non-stop flights from DEN to KEF, we choose to stick with UAL for loyalty reasons. I.E. Club access and FF miles. We fly to ORD (Chicago) and then to KEF. KEF is the airport code for Keflavik which is Icelands international airport.  

We thought we would, have time at ORD for a club visit, but plane was late, so only had time for a quick snack before boarding started. 

 A Chicago Sunset



We landed in KEF and made our way through passport control etc running the Duty Free gauntlet before we picked up our bags. Here is a money saving tip, should you want adult beverages get them at the airport duty free as prices are the best there.

 

We find the public transport in the Reykjavik works great for us. We get the 10 ride senior tickets to saves a bit. (we purchase them at the 10-11 store)

We use the Flybus to get into Reykjavik. One can reserve ahead of time but this is not really necessary. The Flybus is easy to locate and they leave on a regular basis.  Buying your Flybus tickets on line will save a couple dollars. 

The Flybus takes you to the BSI (central bus station) there one transfers to a smaller bus to get to your desired location. Ours goes to City Hall or Bus Stop #1. From there we make a short walk to the Center Hotel Plaza. 

We like this property for the location and good breakfast. It is located in the center of old city where everything is in walking distance.  

One always arrives early into Reykjavik so the room is rarely ready. Surprise our room was ready. We come prepared by having our swimsuits packed in our carry on. We did a little unpacking of our bags and headed for a swim. This a very Icelandic thing to do.

On the way to the #14 bus stop we stopped at the 10-11 and got some new bus tickets.

We take the Strato Bus #14 to Laugardslaug City Pool. We get a 10 visit pool pass and it can be shared with family members. Yes one must shower naked to enter the pools. 

 



As it was close to noon we decided to get our pool hotdog for lunch. Yes as good as ever. I was in Heaven. Yes they are the best, they must be had with everything on them.

Then to the pool for a swim, I even had a steam bath.

On the way to the pool we saw groups of young people dressed in matching outfits. Then I remembered.  The reason, there  is a decades-old tradition called dimmisjón (sometimes spelled dimmition or dimission), a celebration that senior students across the country take part in around one month before their graduation.

Classes or friend groups usually decide on a costume the whole group will wear, and in Reykjavík, they spend the afternoon strolling down Laugavegur as animals, objects, or movie characters. Some groups ask passers-by for photos or while others may sing or dance in celebration.

All in good fun as a celebration.

 

Returning to our hotel via good old bus 14 we made a stop to visit Reykjavik Ink, my go to Tattoo Parlor, to check my Monday appointment. It was nice to be recognized as we walked in the door. Had a nice chat about how warm Reykjavik had been last week. Temps were as high as 80F and that is super high for Iceland.

Late last year a new pub opened up near Reykjavik Ink. We dropped in for a pint. Nice but not the Rabbit.

 

 A sad day as The Rabbit is closed for renovation :(

 


Next stop was Bonus for some room supplies. Then back to our hotel, finishing the day tired with a bit more than 10,000 steps. 

We are in the room for a bit of unpacking and we hope to keep our eyes open for a bit longer. 

 Some may say a small room, but we find it very adequate.