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hkskyline

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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.

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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.

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The sea was calm, but the skies were angry.
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A hardy survivor as winter approaches.

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These brave souls are about to embark on an adventure of their lives.

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A home with a view.

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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.

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Next door, the harbour awaits workers to begin the day.

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Puffins were around ... lingering in stores waiting to be bought. I didn't see one in nature though.

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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.

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By late September, these leaves have turned colours and were getting ready to end their lives on the trees.

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The Icelandic parliament is the oldest such institution in the world. It is now housed in a modest black building.

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Next door, the city's cathedral is dressed in white. Also modest, the interiors are simple yet warm.

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Recalling the traffic jams on the way into town from the airport, I was surprised to find a number of buses running around.

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Tjörnin is a small pond bordering City Hall. The wildlife was still out despite the cold temperatures and annoying drizzle.

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It looks like a London cab, but it is not a London cab.

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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.

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A number of statues adorned this quadrant bordering Stjórnarráðið.

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You are here!


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The weather played many tricks. Morning came with a rainbow, then the torrential rains returned, later replaced by an incredible windstorm.

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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.

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Inside, the church is simple yet futuristic. Grey walls and a lightly-coloured carpet go quite well.

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A small entrance fee later, the entire city was at my feet.

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The church sits at the end of the diagonal that slices across the city centre.

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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.

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Simple designs are compensated by the right use of colours.

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Adding orange slices to water gives an interesting tingle.

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A typhoon hovered over Reykjavik when I reached Perlan. The winds were strong enough to lift people up and away.

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Check out the other Iceland galleries on my website!
 

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