|

A DAY IN REYKJAVIK

Iceland
, , , , ,
  1. Home
  3. Iceland
  5. A DAY IN REYKJAVIK

by David Simpson

YouTube
Instagram
Title

THE NORDIC SERIES, DAY 14

ICELAND

5 years ago I remember reading an article about a walking tour in Iceland about the financial crash, how it came about and what the repercussions were. I was riveted with documentaries about it at home and since then I didn’t forget.

We met Magnus, who’s a economical historian and was involved in the prosecution of some of the top bankers who were jailed so its fair to say he has an insight. He owns a company call citywalk which offer a number of different tours.

  • Unfinished foundation of new banking headquarters in Reykjavic, Iceland. A day in Reykjavic
  • David Simpson and local tour guide in Reykjavic, Iceland. A day in Reykjavic

WALK THE CRASH

The tour lasted 3 hours but it wasn’t always about the financial crash. Some of the stuff the bankers were up to was astounding, they were just left to do as they pleased! There are still scars or open wounds rather that show the effects of what happened. One perfect example are the foundations of the new banking headquarters which stopped in 2008 and are still incomplete, over 10years after!

SUMMED UP….

  • 3 largest banks were 14 times the size of the Iceland GDP and 20times the state budget.
  • 33 Bankers were imprisoned.
  • Relatively speaking, The U.S. would need to imprison 33,000 bankers to match it.
  • 80% of the stock market was wiped out overnight

THE BEST SOUP IN REYKJAVIK

To help get our body temp back up to the positives we headed to Svarta Kaffið for some soup in bread and it will challenge any soup I’ve ever had!! After hearing it only offers 2 options (1 meat, 1 veg) there wasn’t a lot of enthusiasm form the others but it soon proved to be a winner!

  • Soup in bread at Svarta Kaffið in Reykjavic, Iceland. A day in Reykjavic
  • Christmas tree dessert at Svarta Kaffið in Reykjavic, Iceland. A day in Reykjavic

WHALES OF ICELAND

Like most of the trip it was out of one place and onto the next as we made our way to the Whales of Iceland exhibition, something I wasn’t sure about visiting but glad I did. Each whale has been scaled to the exact inch and standing up close gives you an incredible sense of size, something you don’t get from Nat Geo.

  • Whales of Iceland exhibit in Reykjavic, Iceland. A day in Reykjavic
  • David Simpson at Whales of Iceland exhibit in Reykjavic, Iceland. A day in Reykjavic
  • Mom at Whales of Iceland exhibit in Reykjavic, Iceland. A day in Reykjavic
  • David Simpson and family at Whales of Iceland exhibit in Reykjavic, Iceland. A day in Reykjavic

GRILLMARKAÐURINN

Tonight is a another recommendation and a great place to go if you want to try some traditional Icelandic food. Puffin, reindeer, whale and horse are all on the menu at Grill Market (Grillmarkaðurinn). I had the horse fillet as it was recommended, full of flavour and very tender.

  • Local food at Grillmarkaðurinn in Reykjavic, Iceland. A day in Reykjavic
  • Local food at Grillmarkaðurinn in Reykjavic, Iceland. A day in Reykjavic
  • Local food at Grillmarkaðurinn in Reykjavic, Iceland. A day in Reykjavic
  • Local food at Grillmarkaðurinn in Reykjavic, Iceland. A day in Reykjavic
Grillmarkaðurinn in Reykjavic, Iceland. A day in Reykjavic

NEXT UP

Our last day and what a way to end it at the Blue Lagoon! Click to read.

SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
138/229

This post is part of The Nordic Series, click to explore or for episode 1 click here.
To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.

Question Time

  • Have you been to Reykjavik, what was your experience like?
  • Where did you stay?
  • Can you recommend anything else to do?

Let me know in the comments below . . .

Send this to someone who might like it
DIVING BETWEEN TWO TECTONIC PLATES
THE BLUE LAGOON, ICELAND

About the Author

David Simpson
From Northern Ireland, David is a keen fitness fanatic, aspiring photographer and adrenaline junkie (with motion sickness). Well on his way to visiting every country in the world, David usually lives outside of his comfort zone. Whether that’s talking his way out of problems in a Peruvian Police Station, getting mashed with the Maseru tribe in the Drakensberg mountains or just chilling on the beach, he’s an all or nothing guy.
YouTube
Instagram
Title

Related Articles:

Got a question, some advice or want to tell me about your experience?

I’d love to hear it . . .

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fill out this field
Fill out this field
Please enter a valid email address.
You need to agree with the terms to proceed

Menu