Wayfare Wednesdays! A Travelogue of Ports Unknown!

Ahoy there me mateys!  Welcome to the newest installment on me Log, Wayfare Wednesdays!  As ye scalawags know, yer Captain always be spending me time dreaming of the next far off ports and searching of a good adventure.  So I thought I would give the crew some insight into the fascinating people, places, and things I saw while ye all were wallowing in port in some filthy tavern, swilling grog, and missin’ the sights.  Ye know in case ye miscreants ever get the chance to plunder visit these destinations in the future . . .

wayfare

way·​fare | \ ˈwāˌfa(a)|(ə)r, -ˌfe|, |ə\

 archaic : an act or course of journeying (source)

As some of ye may know, I recently had a line on a rumor of a bit of Viking treasure, Scottish ruins, and Elizabethan artifacts.  The sea was a’ calling.  So off I went.  After eighteen days of adventurin’ in Iceland, Norway, Scotland, and England, I be back to share me tales.  I shall be splittin’ these stories into several installments due to yer befuddled, swill-saturated noggins.  So the first foray be Iceland.

Iceland be a beautiful land of stark volcanic rock, beautiful mountains, and lots of other scenic wonders.  One of the best things about the country is the pride the citizens take in their heritage and their understanding of their own past.  I spent two full days in Reykjavik and the surrounding areas.  This post will deal with day one.  We (me and the ma) saw:

(side note: photos are being weird for some reason and not posting clearly.  they may be a little fuzzy.  let me know if if ye still can’t see them)

Volcanic Rocks Everywhere

The Blue Lagoon

Aye, it be touristy but I have to admit that soaking for hours in the hot waters was super relaxing and I loved it.  If there is one thing that Iceland has tons of it be hot water.  Delightful.  The water was actually even brighter than the photo below.

After spending some time floating, it was off on a tour of Reykjavik.  Some of our favourite sights:

Hallgrímskirkja

This beautiful Lutheran church was built in 1945 and is named after  the Icelandic poet and clergyman Hallgrímur Pétursson.  Hallgrimur is the author of the Hymns of the Passion.  There be fifty hymns that have been sung by the Icelandic nation for centuries and are read yearly on national radio during Lent.  We got to hear an organist play but I have no idea if it was one of the hymns or not!

Árbæjarsafn

This was an open-air museum where ye could see 20 historical buildings.  Despite Iceland’s long history, Reykjavik is extremely modern in feel.  Most of the architecture has been updated so if ye want ideas of what it used to be then this be the place.

Perlan aka “The Pearl”

This was extremely touristy and silly and I wouldn’t have gone here given me own choice.  But it did have some lovely views of Reykjavik.

Alþingishúsið – The Parliament Building

This building is from 1881 and is one of the oldest stone buildings in Iceland and is made from Icelandic stone.  Did ye know that Iceland is the world’s oldest parlimentary democracy established in 930 A.D.!  Also the presidency has no term limits.

Horft Til Hafs aka “Facing the Sea”

N 64° 08.966 W 021° 56.300

This status shows the importance of the fishing industry to Iceland.  Arrr!

Harpa

This is one of the most stunning buildings I have ever seen.  It is the home of the Icelandic opera and symphony and also holds lots of other musical festivals.  I wish I could have seen a live event here but I am grateful that I was able to walk around the inside.  As for the name, Harpa “is an old Icelandic word that refers to a time of year and is in fact a month in the old Nordic calendar. The first day of that month is celebrated as the first day of summer and marks the beginning of a brighter time where nature comes to live and the colours of the environment sharpen. Harpa also refers to the instrument that refers to the activities and operations within. In the opinion of some, Harpa looks likes a drawn harp from a certain angle.” (source)

Bòkin – a used bookstore

No I did not get to go in (closed).  Aye, I be devestated.  But I want to make sure ye book-loving crew knows all about it so ye can go when ye be there.

Trolls

Did ye know they exist?

So that be me first day in Iceland.  Keep a weathered eye out for more of me wayfare adventures.  Arrrr!

x The Captain

Side note:  The Wayfair Wednesday featured image (source) is of two sailing vessels “dressed overall” with their international signal flags.  Signal flags are the flags used to contact other ships.  Well unless ye be a pirate in which case the Jolly Roger and yer cannons speak well enough.  A ship dressed overall “consists of stringing international maritime signal flags on a ship from stemhead to masthead, from masthead to masthead and then down to the taffrail. It is a sign of celebration, and is done for occasions, anniversaries, and events, whether national, local or personal.”  (source)  Well, Wayfare Wednesday is certainly a celebration, occassion, and event no matter how ye look at it.  Arrrrr!