DAY 2 ICELAND

Enjoying Reykjavik 

Emily you are correct we walked by  Baejarins Beztu Pylsur — Which many say is Europe’s finest hot dog stand! We didn't get a hot dog but we did have one during our pre-cruise stay in 2021.

Before we focus on today we wanted to share some thoughts. We always think the most challenging part of cruising has nothing to do with the actual cruise. It's all about getting to the pre-cruise city if you have to fly. These days flying has many benefits compared to many years ago. The overall cost when adjusted for inflation is lower than before. There is more competition. Aircraft are more advanced. There are often more options to get to a given city.

At the same time, airports are busy, flights are full, security is tighter adding challenges as you are screened, and all of this can add additional stress. If something goes wrong it can sometimes cause havoc. For example, we took United Airlines from Chicago to Reykjavik and during the prior week they had a computer glitch delaying several flights and also driving the cancellation of many flights. This has happened to other airlines in the last few years. Thankfully, we have minimal issues. In our case boarding was delayed as the inside of the aircraft was too hot possibly and once we were ready the pilot said two pieces of luggage were late arriving to the plane so we would wait for the luggage. Once in the air everything went well. We did have about 45 minutes of turbulence but that is part of flying.

When we did land as was the case from last year we did not taxi to the terminal. Instead we we took a walkway off the plane. From there we could take an elevator or walk down the steps. The two of us got in the elevator with four other people. However, it would not close as we had too much total weight. So, Keith offered to get off and walk down the steps. Then we got on a bus and they packed us like sardines into the bus.  The good news is this was not a third world problem and we were just happy to have arrived to Iceland.

Reykjavik serves as an excellent city to visit before embarking a cruise.  
 
We've always had a soft spot for cities, and Reykjavik is like the cherry on top of our city-loving cake. Back in 2021, when we embarked on the incredible journey aboard the former Crystal Endeavor, we had the thrilling experience of sailing all around the magnificent island of Iceland! We made several exciting stops and joined some of the expedition ship's shore excursions. We also visited Reykjavik on other Crystal Cruises stopping for the day and taking several tours. There is so much to see and do.With all these amazing adventures, we decided not to plan any pre-cruise tours.

This morning's weather was fab! Imagine wearing a cozy fleece and a trusty North Face Jacket. With temperatures in the low 50s and a bit of wind, it’s the perfect Icelandic summer. Bravo! We ventured out to several familiar spots, kicking off our adventure at the legendary Hot Dog Stand. Unlike yesterday, it felt like it was just us and the stand. It doesn’t get better than this.!

We made our way up the street that huffs and puffs its way to Hallgrimskirkja, the big boss of Reykjavik, watching over the city like a hawk with a steeple. This church isn't just a regular church; it's a national treasure chest. Eventually, we moseyed towards the water, waving at some familiar sites along the way. We strolled over to the pier where smaller Ocean Vessels/Expedition ships, dock. It is this spot where we hopped aboard the former Crystal Endeavor expedition ship back in 2021. The universe has a sense of humor, because there sat a ship we cruised on in 2004 and and, marking our first tango with South America, including a waltz through the Drake Passage and a spin around Cape Horn, not to mention our first and only visit to Norway. We kept on trucking. After a quick pit stop at the Apartment Hotel, we hit the road again. We clocked in five miles, and thanks to the glorious weather, we didn't even break a sweat. Not bad for a morning walking the streets of Reykjavik.
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After lunch we went out for another very long walk. Lots of locals and tourists walking around. A joyous time.

We hope you are enjoying our blog. More tomorrow.

Cheers, 

​Anne Marie & Keith