Reykjavik

Reykjavik was amazing. Me and the boy had 3 days there which was just the right time to enjoy the city, the people and the beautiful, if strangely alien landscape; flat and sparse, hot geothermal pools and cool weather (14 degrees Celsius is the high in summer), volcanic and yet calm.

For a look at the raw beauty of Reykjavik, the boy's blog provides a much better report (and pictures), but for me, the surprise highlight was the architecture. Reykjavik really came into it's own post WWII when there was a mass exodus of people from the countryside and outer areas, and the city began to develop into the metropolitan hub it is today. This means that the overall look is incredibly modern - in London I'm used to historic buildings and architecture spanning centuries rather than just a few decades. Reykjavik was therefore an eye opener to how a city could look if it started 'from scratch'.

Hallgrimskirja

This is Hallgrimskirja - a Lutheran church  - and now one of my favourite buildings ever. I can't say I'm normally that bothered about churches, but this blew me away.

Architectural detail from Hallgrimskirja

We also visited a power station that generates enough electricity and geothermal energy to power the whole of Reykjavik. But I was more interested in the steel and glass viewing gallery and the giant wooden staircase.

Hellisheidi geothermal power plant

Viewing gallery in Hellisheidi 

Amazing staircase in Hellisheidi

Of course, as with all other city breaks, we enjoyed the usual 'sightsee-break for a coffee-food, sightsee-break for a coffee-food' routine, and Reykjavik didn't disappoint on that either.

Open art/graffiti space in downtown Reykjavik 

The Boy doing what he does best

Icelandic Skyr dessert and tea

Overall, a great trip. I'd most definitely recommend a visit.