Capital Blues

This day was the transition to the city. After a lazy breakfast and a short packing, we were on our way to the big city. "Big", you understand, is a relative term. Reykjavik has almost half the population of Iceland, but is still two-thirds smaller than Hamilton.

On the way from Hveragar∂i to Reykjavik, we passed through lava fields which were spectacular in their scope and stark beauty.



We decided to stop at the geothermal plant for their tour. It is amazing to me how the Icelanders have used this source of "free" energy. They live over molten lava (not right over, but it is closer to the surface than in most places). And they are in the area where the two major tectonic plates touch and are in fact separating. This has the downside of giving them more than the usual number of earthquakes (this part of the island has had four significant ones since 2000), but also gives them abundant heat energy.

At the plant, the drill a hole between 1-3 kilometres into the earth, where the water they find is about 300 degrees Celsius. This is brought up, the steam that come off it is used to power turbines, and the hot water remaining is used to heat the homes. The hot water is transported through insulated pipes the 27 kilometres to Reykjavik, losing only 2 degrees Celsius on the way. The system is so cheap and efficient that the city now heats 99.9% of its homes this way. And the electricity is also relatively cheap as well.





A pretty impressive feat, all told. The Icelanders now have the best geothermal technology in the world, and can export this to other countries.

And from here to the big City. We are staying in a B&B which is quite large, and somewhat under renovation. They are working on the outside of the three-story place. But it is near the downtown, and we soon found a lovely commercial area about five blocks from where we are staying, We had a lunch at a cafe française, then went back to our room.

While Darlene read and Dan and Katy slept for a bit, I went out an explored the older part of town. I had a lovely walk, almost got lost, found the main cathedral


And then found my way home. The city is certainly more lively than where we had been. More noise, more bustle, more lights.

As I write this, it is getting dark. Darlene and I have decided to stay at home while "the kids" go out for a night out. The city reminds me of the feeling I had in Bergen, three years ago. Houses are similar in architecture, colours are bright.





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Location:Miðstræti,Reykjavík,Iceland