Reykjavik- Part 2

 Reykjavik itself is full of things just too see. I spent several days just walking around the city and enjoyed every second of it. I don't mind getting lost as long as I have no place to go, and in a city like this you are safe to explore as much as you want. Above is a sculpture of an old viking ship (warning, it was the slickest thing I have ever stepped on.)

 Iceland takes pride in it's graffiti artists, and it makes the town very fun to look at.

 Don't forget to grab an old end of your bread for the locals.

 Just about anywhere you are in the city, you can look down the streets to see a beautiful view of these mountains.

      Please don't miss out on the local hot springs when you are here. They only cost 600 krona and you can walk to them for free or take any bus for 400 krona. Even in the winter, if you dress appropriate, it is a beautiful walk and the exercise feels so good. I went to two hot springs in Reykjavik.
      Sundlaug Vestubæjar is a big place, with an indoor pool and several outdoor pools and a steam room. You get to choose your temp and even if you want to be in a hot pool with salt, or mineral water. The slide was closed, it might be that way all winter but I didn't ask. The facilities are clean and high tech, with lockers that open with waterproof wrist bands and you can rent a towel or swimsuit for 400 krona each if you don't have one. The pools are kept clean because they require everyone to shower (naked) with soap before putting on their swimsuits and entering the pool. It may seem weird if you are American, but if you don't make a big deal about it, no one else does either. Don't forget to hop out, roll in the snow, and get back in!

     Nauthólsvík Geothermal Beach wasn't as warm as the other, but it is nice because it is at a beach. I saw people all over swimming in the ocean (it was soooo cold outside by the way, around negative 8 Celsius) and they didn't seem to mind. I decided to give it a shot and forgot how to breath and only lasted about a second. The walk barefoot, back to the pool was really tough. It really showed me how tough Icelandic people are. I saw many little kids (from two to 10) going in the cold ocean water and acting like it was no problem!

    The perpetual sunset in the Icelandic winter makes everything look so beautiful all day long. Or would you call it the perpetual sunrise? The general rule of thumb for swimming in the cold water is one second per degree, so if it is negative outside (Celsius) only a fraction of a second unless you are trained or raised doing this.