Monday 7 March 2011

Iceland〜アイスランド〜vol.3

I went to Iceland from 21st to 25th of Feb.
One of my purpose to visiting Iceland was the music.
I was wondering why numerous artists, such as Bjork, Mum and Sigur Ros play around the world,even though the population is small.
Other aim was foods which I would eat only in Iceland.
I ate many eccentric foods, and all were surprisingly delicious.
The food in pack is Hakarl, which is rotten shark meat.
Hakarl was in a jar when it was served due to its strong smell.
The smell was the worst ever, but the taste was very nice with Vodka.
This bird is called Puffin.
Don't be sorrowful to hear I ate meats of the beautiful bird.
It was smoked, and tasty with mustard.
I ate the raw whale's meat with wasabi and soy source.
You can eat traditional Icelandic foods in 3Frakkar, which I have heard is not famous for visitors but papular for local people.
I ate delicious lobster soup with hot breads in The Sea baron.
The price was more reasonable than I expected.
This lunch was only one luxury meal during my trip.
The Humarhusid , the most famous lobster restaurant, is located in centre of Reykgavik.
I will never forget the taste and the price.
Pylsusinnep, a hot dog shop, is famous for ex-U.S.A president Clinton ate this hot dog.
Much recommendation for this shop is on the Internet.
To be honest, The Hot Dog is the best food in my life.
I ate 8 pieces in 4 days. The taste is incredible, Everyone should go Iceland to eat it.
The special source of Pylsusinnep is in the supermarket.
I got one to try to make hot dog.
I also bought Icelandic sweet as souvenirs for friends.
This taste is unique and addictive for me, yet my friends hate it.
A staff of Mundi told me the live performance in a bar, Bakkus.
She played as Mr. Silla. I was so impressed by their performance.
You can listen her delicate and tender vice at Mum, which she also play.
They are We Are All Romans, a band from NYC.
There are many fashionable people in this bar.
It is rare and difficult to watch the good live performance for free in Japan.
Bakkus was nice place to listen confer music with beers.
A man sitting next me in Bakkus recommended me to go the other club, Sodoma, where a band was playing. I don't know the name of the band, but I really enjoyed it.
Now I suppose that one reason why many worldwide artists were born in Iceland is existence of bar and club where they can play with good audiences and alcohols.

I deeply missed silent town, foods, music and kind people in Iceland.
I wish I went to there again.

Friday 4 March 2011

Iceland〜アイスランド〜Vol.2

I was really impressed by Iceland although weather was not good during my trip.
I booked the bus going to the Golden Circle Tour.
On the morning, I was waiting on front of the hotel,but no bus stopped.
I called the agency, and they said "Your name is not on the list".
I said I booked on the website, then they asked to go the tour tomorrow.
On the next morning, They forgot to pick me up :P!!!!
I went to the tour on the last day of my trip after all.
We went through a small village where Vegetables are grown in vinyl houses.
These are mysterious and have cool sharp.
This is view from Pingvellr National Park.
The continental drift between North American and Eurasian plates can be clearly seen in the chasm. It is called Gja, crack of the earth.
Geologically, Iceland is on North American plate.
There are thousands of wild horses in Iceland.
Once we came out of bus, they were coming forward us.
They knew human gave them foods!!
Blue Lagoon is the biggest open-air bath in the world.
The temperature was quite low for Japanese who have many hot springs.
The color is mix of blue and milk.
When the sun was shining between clouds, there looked like HEAVEN!!
I enjoyed swimming and Blue Lagoon facial pack with above sands.
After I was surprised at The Great Geysir, I visited a massive waterfall.
Some stones were piled on other stones nearby waterfall.
Someone did it?, or.....
This building originally constructed as a prison is now Prime minister's office.
A charity box can be seen on the wall of Reykjavik Photograph Museum.
Surprisingly all book stores in Reykjavik have cafe rooms.
Customers can read any books, use wifi and even charge buttery.
I know only two this kind of book stores in metropolis, Tokyo.
Numerous birds were on the frozen lake.
A man was giving them small pieces of a bread.
Bonus, Icelandic supermarket chain, uses cute plastic bag.
You have to pay money to get it which is strong enough to use many times in the future.
I learnt a lot of ideas in Iceland.
I went to a wonderful boutique, Mundi for 4 times.
Unique clothes, nice music and a kind staff make a lovely space.
I bought a Lung Knit.
There are many Tax Free shops in Reykjavik, and if you receive a tax free paper, you can get money back in the air port.

Thursday 3 March 2011

Iceland〜アイスランド〜Vol.1

I visited Iceland, the country of fire and ice, at 21st to 25th Feb. There were many eccentric things for me in Iceland. Someone said that the country was named "Iceland" because in old days citizens didn't want immigrants to come the island to prevent to be crowded. I now can understand the feeling of them and even would like to live in Iceland.

Please read this article with Icelandic music, Mum.
There are some basic information about Iceland.
(1)The capital, Reykjavik, is the cleanest city in the world
(2)They generate all electricity by hydraulic and geothermal powers, and there are no unclear power plant.
(3)Icelander read the largest amount of books in a year.
On the way from Keflavik airport I saw thousand s of streetlamp both sides of the road. Those lamps make a wonderful night view which is completely different form Tokyo's one. The lights are tender and look a huge snake in the dark.
After I checked in Hotel Cabin, cheapest and nice!!, I bought some local foods. Skyr is very yummy and, the taste is more creamy than yogurt. Try it with a bread!
The color bar of Iceland was so COOL! and it was MOVING!!
Japanese one is boring and too simple underneath.
I have heard from my friends that Chinese use the same one. How about other countries?
The houses are small and colorful. This was my first time I saw cars run on the right side.
U.K is left side as well as Japan.
FREE public toilets are equipped around the city.
This has an automatic washing and door system!
The Hallgrimskirkja church, which was designed by an Icelandic architect, is a symbol of Reykjavik.
The inside of the church is full with sanctity and beauty.
Luckily for me, I could listen the sound of the massive pipe organ.
The strong and divine sound echoed in the church.
The view from the top was magnificent.
This city is so small and cute, and each house looks a toy.
It is easy to guess that a visitor may die when he open this door from inside.
Decorations of shining pieces are on the wall around the city.
When wind blows, it starts to shine.
I found at least 3 this sort of decorations in Reykjavik.
Green polka dots are on the road.
I suppose it might cause traffic accidents because it's too lovely.
Pop!Pop!Pop!
What's that?? I have no idea. They were in a small nearby the church.
What's that?? I have no idea. It seemed to a mix of Icecream and Natto, fermented soybeans.


To be continued......