 |
| This
view of Reykjavík is dominated by the tall and elegant church
of Hallgrímskirkja. |
 |
| This
is Laugardalur, the city`s main swimming pool. Even when there is
ice around the pool, the water is really warm and very inviting ! |
To the north-east
of Tjörnin is a group of old wooden buildings, collectively
known as Bernhöftstorfan. These were very nearly lost due
to threatened "redevelopment" but were saved and now house the
Tourist Information Centre, some little shops and the delightful Lækjarbrekka
restaurant which specializes in seafood. Just in front of this is an open-air
chess-set where future Grandmasters (Iceland has already had six) might
be spotted. If you find this deserted (or taken over by skateboarders)
then check the day`s television schedule — the chess fans might be
at home watching a big match on the box!
The architecture of the city`s buildings owes more to the practicalities
of living in a cold and damp climate than a wish to emulate classic architectural
designs. However, one building that (literally) stands above them all
is the tall and elegant church of Hallgrímskirkja, which
is on a hill overlooking the whole city. The steeple soars skyward and
the view from the top is breathtaking. A statue of the explorer Leif Eiríksson
stands in front of the church. Contrary to what many of us were taught
in school, this Icelander, not Christopher Columbus, was the first European
to "discover" America and "Leif the Lucky" landed
there in 1000, some five hundred years before Columbus.
The number five bus goes past Laugardalur. The name means "hot
spring valley" and was where people used to wash clothes in the natural
hot water. Now they come to the huge open-air swimming pool and practise
the country`s most civilized habit — bathing, swimming or just lounging
about in the warm water. Many regulars come here before breakfast no matter
whether its sunny or snowing. You can swim in the large pool or just relax
in the "hot-pots", small pools in which a dozen or so overheated
bodies can sit up to their necks in warm water at 37°C or more. (The
real hardy souls come here first thing in the morning and collapse into
the 45°C pool!) There`s a number of these communal tubs and it`s best
to try a few of them to find out which one`s temperature is most bearable.
The new waterslide is great fun except when you can`t descend fast enough
to escape from the twenty screaming kids that are catching up on you.
Back
to the list of articles about this country
|