Reykjavik 2016

On the way home, we stopped very briefly in RVK. It was bad summer weather and since it was the tail end of the holiday, we were pretty tight on cash. Since we were staying in the east end of the centre, I decided to check out a few places that were in close walking distance finally.

Goslings in Grasagarður Reykjavíkur (the Reykjavik Botanical Gardens). It's free admission and offers a quiet escape from the rest of the city.

Goslings in Grasagarður Reykjavíkur (the Reykjavik Botanical Gardens). It's free admission and offers a quiet escape from the rest of the city.

Laugarneskirkjais a smaller church hidden amongst the residential streets in 105 RVK. The weather just seemed perfect for this stark Nordic, art deco-esque building.

Laugarneskirkjais a smaller church hidden amongst the residential streets in 105 RVK. The weather just seemed perfect for this stark Nordic, art deco-esque building.

The ferry to Viðey is very reasonable and it was an excellent way to get away from tourists and enjoy the small bit of nature that's available in the city centre.

The ferry to Viðey is very reasonable and it was an excellent way to get away from tourists and enjoy the small bit of nature that's available in the city centre.

Standing stones, or "Áfangar" by Richard Serra. Read more about it here.

Standing stones, or "Áfangar" by Richard Serra. Read more about it here.

A ship in harbour is safe but that's not ships are built for. You can see that Viðey is not too far from shore but there is no other way to get there than the ferry.

A ship in harbour is safe but that's not ships are built for. You can see that Viðey is not too far from shore but there is no other way to get there than the ferry.

I've never been to the black beaches around the coast, especially down near Vik, so when I saw you could visit something close, and it was nearby, I was sold. Viðey has so much to see even when it's pouring rain like it was when I visited.

I've never been to the black beaches around the coast, especially down near Vik, so when I saw you could visit something close, and it was nearby, I was sold. Viðey has so much to see even when it's pouring rain like it was when I visited.

Neither of these buildings were open and I'm not sure why. Normally there is a cafe. I think it was because there was a large tour group of Icelandic students staying over on the island. (The public are not allowed to camp here.)

Neither of these buildings were open and I'm not sure why. Normally there is a cafe. I think it was because there was a large tour group of Icelandic students staying over on the island. (The public are not allowed to camp here.)

Summer wildflowers alongside the road.

Summer wildflowers alongside the road.

On the ferry.

On the ferry.

The shores of Viðey island.

The shores of Viðey island.

If this doesn't seem even vaguely iconic Iceland, I don't know what else it could be.

If this doesn't seem even vaguely iconic Iceland, I don't know what else it could be.

This is perhaps the shark cove.

This is perhaps the shark cove.

Here is a big rock. I think it is igneous. It's just sitting in the middle of a beach.

Here is a big rock. I think it is igneous. It's just sitting in the middle of a beach.

Duck and duckling at the botanic garden.

Duck and duckling at the botanic garden.

I took a few jaunts to the 10-11. This car was there for 3 days straight.

I took a few jaunts to the 10-11. This car was there for 3 days straight.

Flying home.

Flying home.

The students pack up the tents and campsite. In the distance you can see the east of the city and Mosfellsbær

The students pack up the tents and campsite. In the distance you can see the east of the city and Mosfellsbær

Here's a lady. Washing. Near Þvottalaugarnar (The Washing Pools). This used to be a place for workmen and housewives to do their washing in the hot springs but was closed in the 1930s.

Here's a lady. Washing. Near Þvottalaugarnar (The Washing Pools). This used to be a place for workmen and housewives to do their washing in the hot springs but was closed in the 1930s.