2019.7.8~9During this trip, we passed through Iceland three times. The first time was upon arrival, transiting through Iceland, from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavík Airport, with only a few hours’ stopover in Iceland.

On our way from Greenland to the Faroe Islands, we stayed one night in Iceland. The flight to the Faroes departed from Keflavík Airport, so we chose a small hotel very close to the airport for convenience.

Compared to Reykjavík, Keflavík feels much quieter with far fewer people. In the evening, we had dinner at a seafood restaurant called Kaffi Duus, then walked back to our hotel along the coast. Not a single person was in sight, just a serene blue hours surrounding us.

After returning from the Faroe Islands, we planned to spend a day in Reykjavík to explore the city. Our flight landed just before noon. When we arrived at our hotel, we were told we had been moved to another hotel within the same chain. The new place was closer to the city center, making it much more convenient to step out and explore the streets.

We had lunch at a food hall near our hotel. Unlike the typical mall food courts, this type of food hall is an open space where many individual restaurants gather under one roof. It is quite common in Europe.

Reykjavík’s city center is quite compact, featuring a main street running parallel to the coast that stretches all the way to the newly built convention center on the other side. Nearby are a few streets around the cathedral. Compared to other major European cities, Reykjavík’s downtown feels less trendy. Its look is a bit older and more modest.

The Nordic countries definitely serve as a testing ground for modern architecture. It is clearly visible throughout the city.

Several landmarks in the city center are also worth a visit. All within walking distance and easily covered in under an hour.

We departed in the afternoon the next day, leaving us with half a day in the morning. I visited the National Museum of Iceland, located not far from the city center. The museum primarily exhibits artifacts and photographs documenting Iceland’s history from the earliest settlements in the 9th century to its independence in 1944 and into modern times.

This trip marked our first time venturing into the Arctic and crossing the Arctic Circle. We wandered among towering icebergs and walked along cliffs above floating lakes. Along the way, we were accompanied by stunning landscapes and delicious food, while also gaining deeper insights into the geography, culture, and current affairs of Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Perhaps this is the true meaning of travel.