Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik is the world’s northernmost capital, and where 54% of the population live. Iceland is for “island”, nothing to do with ice. The collapse of the Icelandic króna in 2008 made it a cheap destination, then the huge volcanic eruption in 2010 put Iceland on the map, beaming images of breathtaking landscapes around the world. Iceland’s no longer a bargain, but it’s still every bit as magical.

: Sun Voyager, built to celebrate Reykjavik’s 200th anniversary, with a nod to the Vikings.

: Fishing represents 27% of Iceland’s GDP.

: Godzilla attacking Reykjavik. Kind of like the 2008 financial crisis, when all three major banks in Reykjavik failed.

: Harpa, the stunning concert hall/conference center, opened in 2011. Built during Iceland’s austerity measures, it was incredibly controversial.

: The exterior of Harpa looks like ice, or geodes. Multifaceted windows change colors with the sun.

: View of the harbor from inside Harpa.

: Michèle, Kathy and I trolling for new friends.

: Once Reykjavik cracked down on graffiti, artists started asking for commissions to paint.

: Lief Erikson, born in Iceland, the Norse explorer that discovered the North American continent BEFORE Christopher Columbus.

: Icelandic nuns, warding off the cathedral chill with their cozy wool sweaters.

: The Blue Lagoon, a natural geothermal pool, kept us toasty warm, even though it was cool weather with high winds.

: Michèle, Kathy, Larry, me and Mike soaking up the silica and sulfur minerals.

: Nothing enhances one’s beauty routine like a little Icelandic mud!

: Iceland is a member of the EU, but still has its own currency. The Icelandic króna has one of the smallest circulations in the world.

: That’s one of Iceland’s 130 volcanoes. Their alphabet has 32 letters, excluding C, Q, W and Z and adding eight of their own.

: Despite the language difference, I think I know when snyrting is necessary.

: Icelanders love to swim in the cold Norwegian sea. The guy in the wool bikini here was the groom-to-be withstanding his bachelor party hazing.

: The Icelandic Phallological Museum is the only museum in the world with a collection of phallic specimens from every mammal in a single country. Seals and walrus, stand up.