Our flight from Tampa through Detroit was delayed, but we arrived in Reykjavik without too much trouble. A pre-arranged cab picked us up from the airport bringing us to our hotel, Center Hotel Lauvevgar. Although nice, it was too early to check in, so we started out to explore the city. "Old town" Reykjavik has about 150,000 residents. The rest of the residents live in the outer area for only a total of about 250,000. 2 out of 3 islanders live in this area.

Wonderfully quick breakfast at " Broud and Co", a bakery we first heard about from the Netflix series " Somebody Feed Phil". There a few of them around town and the cinnamon buns are deliciously sinful.

We then walked to the easiest sight to see, the famous Hallgrimskirja Lutheran Church, stopping to admire the rather large statue of Leif Eirksson just outside.

The church was beautiful, the outside depicts the cliffs you see around Iceland. The organ and its pipes in the back is often used for concerts, but alas, not today.

We took an elevator up to the bell tower to admire the view from all sides.

Onto the high tech Perlan museum, concentrating on the natural wonders of Iceland. Sections on icebergs, volcanic eruptions ( particularly that of Eyjafjajokoll in 2010), and the famous Aurora Borealis made the 2 mile uphill walk worth it.

Among the many interactive exhibits inside the museum was a -15 degree ice cave to teach about glaciers.

There were also extremely in depth, creative videos on volcanos and the Northern Lights. (Limited photography allowed).

But we had hit our wall and got a cab for the ride back to the hotel.

After not too long a rest, we walked down Lauvevgar street, kind of the main drag, very tourist friendly street and stopped in a soup- in- a- breadbowl place that was fabulous.

Down on the water saw the very famous Sun Voyager sculpture, shaped like an old Viking boat. It points northwest in the direction of the setting sun.

We then went to experience a truly authentic Icelandic experience: a bath in a public pool. This is a regular, almost daily ritual performed by locals of all ages, as individuals or groups. You follow a strict protocol first segregating by sexes to thoroughly scrub and shower (naked), then don your swim attire and head to one of several lap pools, hot tubs of varying temperatures, or saunas for coed bathing. Afterwards you shower again dry off thoroughly and get dressed. A wonderful way to end the day.

A delicious dinner at Reykjavik Kitchen brought our day to a close. Wendy originally chose it because it’s close, finding out later, it is #3 on the list of top restaurants . You need reservations, it was fabulous!