REYKJAVIC -ICELAND- AND WE THOUGHT IT WAS COLD IN LONDON!
Thursday  5^TH JANUARY 2017

Do you know that it is possible to explore a new city when the sky is dark? When the street lights are still shining, the reflection of the buildings in the lake water is sparkling, twinkling their coloured Christmas decorations and lights at you because the sky is black. So you say, nothing new, we often go out at night you say….
Wrong- this is 10am in the morning.

Today we ventured out into another world away from the historical realm of London. A world so far removed from London. A world so pretty and with its own history to tell! Reykjavik- the capital of Iceland.

Reykjavik is such a  pretty city compared to the drabness of London. They have left all their Christmas lights up and it appears like a fairy city. So different from London where everything was dull and gray and drab! But even without these lights, the buildings are bright colours and the whole place is attractive. So different from historical London….even if it is old too!

It was so funny to be walking around the city, (or at least the section where we were staying), in the dark- the sun had not come up yet at all! No sign of it either! We ventured outside from our one room ‘villa’ where we were staying, completely wrapped up in our winter gear because the wind was blowing and the rain was falling. Not a good day to be exploring! We were warned that the winds here can be extremely strong and believe me, we felt them today! (Did I say Strong? Not quite the word I would use. Being blown sideways complete with snow and ice particles in your face, as you try to walk along the footpath, being swooped and thrusted forward as the wind caught your body. Sound fun? Not quite!) But our morning walk in the dark gave us a different perspective of being in the morning in Iceland!

The sun does not rise in Iceland until 11.30am and sets around 4 pm. There is a twilight until about 5 and then it is dark once more. So, we decided that we were not going to let the dark hours control our sightseeing, although I have to admit, getting out of bed was hard as it was still dark and my body simply wanted to sleep some more…I sleep so much better in the dark……. but I managed to find my way out of the comfortable bed and explore.

We travelled around the lake and made our way up to the Iceland Museum, where we learnt much about the history of Iceland. Only two floors and so quite doable in a couple of hours. Plus, unlike the British Museum, plenty of places to sit and rest. Lunch at the museum and this is where we watched the world change from cold grey, rain clouds to snow falling.

A world that changed so quickly. And this is what we walked out into to find our way back to our lodgings …
Everything went white.

Even though we thought we knew where we were…. Yes, we were lost. The first time I have ever been caught in a snow storm flurry. As the wind was pushing and propelling me with huge gusts, every other way I wished to go, (almost able to pick you up in the air) …. Marc grabbed me and we sheltered in a side alley next to building. All those ‘lost dying’ movie scenes of Everest and Antarctica came rushing back to me as I clearly felt myself panicking as this storm seized us so quickly. But Marc, not afraid to ask for directions, he ventured into this building and we were assisted to find our way back to our Villa room!
And , as quickly as it came, it went. Snow still was falling but the flurry part was gone and we found ourselves back in known territory again.
Quite a scary moment there for me I must admit.

Iceland is also a world quite costly in price too! Everything is expensive! Two kebabs cost 50.00 AUD, 2 soups, I biscuit 2 coffees, cost 40.00 AUD and don’t even think about having an actual meal……! I think they started at 80-100.00 AUD (We are enjoying our cheese and crackers and apples at the moment!)

So the morning was eventful, weather wise and historical – but where do you think we went in the afternoon.
‘The Penis Museum”.
Yes, you heard correctly.
A museum full of different penises – just what a girl wants to see!

The Icelandic Phallological Museum contains a collection of more than two hundred and fifteen penises and penile parts belonging to almost all the land and sea mammals that can be found in the world. There is even a donor who will be giving his 13.5inch specimen to the museum on his death. And I needed to know that!

How do I describe this ‘delightful place’! I cannot describe what it feels like when walking around all the exhibits in formaldehyde’….just use your imagination! Even Marc, even though he is a doctor, learned a few things about penises that had not been included in his human anatomy lessons! He did not know that most mammalian penises actually have a bone in them to assist with longer erections. Men have lost this ‘useful’ addition so have to rely on Viagra.

I think that is all there is to say about that!