
Hákarl, Iceland’s notorious rotten shark. We wanted to try it but the timing was never right. Toted as one of the worst things in the world to eat, it took more nerve than my stomach could manage on this trip. Next time, putrified shark, I’m coming for you!
Reykjavik was a wonderland of charming oddities – from some of the cuisine to the names of bars, our four days there barely seemed like enough time to soak it all up.
Here’s some of the fun things we enjoyed:

In the Old Harbor, there are numerous displays for all of the ships that have sunk, burned or ran ashore in Iceland this century. There are SO many that each display is only for a handful of years.

My husband was very intrigued by these guillemot eggs. The woman selling them at the market said they had an “oceany” (but not fishy) flavor.

While we didn’t partake in rotten shark, we did try both smoked puffin and Minke whale – both were really good. Here’s a plate of seared whale with red currants and horseradish from The Fiskmarkadurinn. The meat is dense and rich.

What it looks like when you’re drinking an Icelandic ale in your apartment in Reykjavik in the summer…at 1 am! The 24 hours of daylight thing is no joke.

The hilarity of coming all the way to Iceland to be tattooed by a guy from Arizona. Yeah, that happened.

The Jet Nest art sculpture at the airport (technically in Keflavik not Reykjavik but still…) In a place that has Games of Thrones tours, this art piece fits right in.
Anyways, it was an amazing adventure and we totally understand why people are obsessed with Iceland. It’s such a fascinating combination of old meets new, though none of the fancy gadgets or molecular food can take away the historical magnitude of this place. You can feel it even in such a hip party town like Reykjavik, all you need to do is stroll to the harbor and take it all in.
* Next stop on our vacation – Copenhagen!
Quite the cultural immersion. Did you at least get a rotten shark tattoo??
Ha! No, we have to save something for our next trip. 😉
Chuck Norris Grill!
Right?! There was also a bar called the Lebowski Bar that had a menu of White Russians.
Thanks so much for the terrific tour! My great grandmother was born in Iceland and I’ve always been intrigued by the country.
You should definitely take a trip and see it in person! It’s so worth it. Stunning scenery, unique (and mostly delicious) food and such friendly people. We can’t wait to go back!
I can almost forgive the smoked puffin, since you went to the phallus museum . . .
I’m glad I’m back in your good graces! 😉