A few of my friends wanted an exotic holiday and a break in the flight from Hong Kong to Canada, so we picked a week-long break in Iceland. After an overnight flight from Canada, the early morning drizzle gave way to a peek of sunrise in Reykjavik's outskirts.
Reykjavik's city centre is quaint, with streetscapes of lowrises and not too many people roaming around. After all, it's still early in the morning.
The sea was calm, but the skies were angry.
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A hardy survivor as winter approaches.
These brave souls are about to embark on an adventure of their lives.
A home with a view.
The new opera house stands right by the waterfront on its own to emphasize the prominence. Hope the glass facade won't accumulate ice during the winter months.
Next door, the harbour awaits workers to begin the day.
Puffins were around ... lingering in stores waiting to be bought. I didn't see one in nature though.
Reykjavik's city centre is not large. There is no sense of claustrophobia here, but I wished the streets could be livelier on such a cold day.
By late September, these leaves have turned colours and were getting ready to end their lives on the trees.
The Icelandic parliament is the oldest such institution in the world. It is now housed in a modest black building.
Next door, the city's cathedral is dressed in white. Also modest, the interiors are simple yet warm.
Recalling the traffic jams on the way into town from the airport, I was surprised to find a number of buses running around.
Tjörnin is a small pond bordering City Hall. The wildlife was still out despite the cold temperatures and annoying drizzle.
It looks like a London cab, but it is not a London cab.
Landakotskirkja is quite a name to pronounce. It is perched above the city on a hill. Too bad the tower's top was not open to tourists.
A number of statues adorned this quadrant bordering Stjórnarráðið.
You are here!
The weather played many tricks. Morning came with a rainbow, then the torrential rains returned, later replaced by an incredible windstorm.
Hallgrimskirkja can be practically seen from anywhere in the city. Inspired by the Icelandic landscape of volcanoes and glaciers, the Luthern church is actually fairly new. Work began in 1945. A statue of Leif Eiriksson stands at the front of the church.
Inside, the church is simple yet futuristic. Grey walls and a lightly-coloured carpet go quite well.
A small entrance fee later, the entire city was at my feet.
The church sits at the end of the diagonal that slices across the city centre.
I didn't have anything particular in mind to buy from Iceland. After all, it's an eco-tourism destination. Best to keep nature where it is.
Simple designs are compensated by the right use of colours.
Adding orange slices to water gives an interesting tingle.
A typhoon hovered over Reykjavik when I reached Perlan. The winds were strong enough to lift people up and away.
