We wake in New York. Laura wants to sleep for another half hour! Typical. So I take this as my opportunity to do some 'New Yorking' on my own. I head out in search of a proper Bagel House. Just around the corner I find the perfect one. Bustling. So much going on, I'm glad that there are people in the line in front of me. I pay close attention to the art of ordering. "One smoked salmon on poppy, and one poppy with strawberry" - nailed it! With two coffees in hand and my bag of bagels I must have looked like a P.A from The Devil Wears Prada!
1000 EST - Downtown (sung like Macklemore)
Fulton Station, our stop. We emerge into a different part of town to where we have been. I think the craziest thing about New York is that every time you surface from the Subway it feels like a completely different city. There are so many precincts, each with their own look, feel, and vibe. In saying that, it's never long before a new area feel completely 'New York'. "Left or right?", we picked left. And considering the first thing we saw peaking through the building was the Brooklyn Bridge I think we were correct!
After a quick stop in a genuine American comic book store we got to the worlds first steel suspension bridge. It was amazing, one of the greatest pieces of architecture and design I have ever had the pleasure to walk across. And as a nice bonus it has one of the best views of Manhattan, a side effect that comes from not actually being in Manhattan!
1130 EST - Brooklyn Bridge Station
Subway to Time Square.
1205 EST - Time Square Again
We had to see Time Square during the day, besides, Laura promised me a giant toy store, and I wanted my giant toy store. And giant it was. So big in fact that it housed a ferris wheel. I felt like a... well I felt like a kid in a toy shop!
1510 EST - The Shuttle Finally Shows Up
Almost half an hour late, but the airport shuttle finally showed up. And away we go...
1600 EST - Airport, boring!
2000 EST - Take Off
Another six hour flight, luckily Icelandair had Skyfall! Thank christ for Bond movies. + 1.5 hours sleep.
0615 GMT - Touch Down
Finally, Iceland! After going through immigration (the guy barely even glanced at my Swedish passport, Europe is going to be easy) be boarded a bus heading for Reykjavik.
0930 GMT - Longest Damn Bus Ride
After dropping off all the 'Hiltons' and 'Sheridans' we finally get dropped off and Skipholt 27; The Reykjavik Hotel Centre. Not to be confused with the Hotel Reykjavik Centrum, or the Hotel Centrum, or the Central Hotel, bloody hell. Upon arrival we head to reception... no one there. Okay, coffee time? Yup!
1015 GMT - Coffee'd Up
Back to the Hotel, no one there. Okay. Lets take a map and plan some things out.
1100 GMT - Check In
So Turkish Mr Bean finally showed up and luckily he had a spare room so we could check in early. Bonus! Shower time, it's only been 24 hours since the last one!
1200 GMT - Time To Explore.
We were finally feeling good so we decided to head towards the hot pools. But first we must stop at the Fjölskyldu og Húsdýragarðurinn. It was great, we saw a fox, and a minx, and some Sven reindeer. Some scorpions, and lizards, and crazy Icelandic sheep. It wasn't huge but Fjölskyldu og Húsdýragarðurinn was a bit of fun! We finished up with a hot chocolate before heading to the hot pools to soak our bones, it was only 2˚C.
1345 GMT - Pools
Oh my god. Iceland you have this sorted! Pools of Fleek! Let me tell you folks, the grim, stinky, pissy floor changing rooms from New Zealand can move aside. These changing rooms go a little bit like this: Step 1 - Walk in, find a locker, use your electronic wristband to open. Strip down, put your things away then take your togs and walk naked to the wet area. Don't forget your towel because once your wet, there is no going back into the dry area. Step 2 - Wash, jump in a shower and scrub, before chucking on your togs and hitting the pools. Step 3 - Bathe. Holy crap, nothing beats a hot pool in the arctic temperatures. To be honest I feel asleep it was that good.
Anyway... Step 4 - Come back in, shower, strip down and dry yourself. Dry yourself completely as you are about to enter the dry area again. But what about my wet togs you ask? Well, just stuff them in the centrifuge and wait 10 seconds, open it up and you have dry togs! Step 5 - Finally walk naked into the dry area, get dressed, leave the changing rooms, pick up your shoes from the rack and enjoy feeling amazing!
1600 GMT - 45 minute Power Nap
1930 GMT - CRAP!
What time is it!?! Is it the morning? Where are we? Damn you jet lag...
2045 GMT - Dinner
We dragged our sorry selves out of the hotel and found some dinner. Tacos, traditional Icelandic tacos! Wash them down with a cold Viking Beer and that's the perfect way to end a very long day.
2300 GMT - Bed, Finally Bed...
Góða Nótt
Us on the good ol' Brooklyn Bridge
Laura enjoying a hot chocolate after a cold walk
Is that Sven?
Balls, these were the best tacos... way to go Iceland!
