First things first, a stroll through Lækjartorg provided a much-needed stop for sustenance. Apotek Restaurant has a cozy lounge with window seating where we could watch the city life around us, and refuel on a trio of waffles (topped with trout, lamb and duck) and a glass of wine. It was from this perch on the square that I took my “Seek a Different Perspective” photo.
Austurvöllur is an old Reykjavik square with a cool statue of Jón Sigurdsson, who led Iceland to independence. He was my first opportunity to get wide with a Sony Vario-Tessar T* 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS E Mount Lens I had rented. Most of my photographs are shot with a 50mm prime lens, so this was time I needed to experiment before taking this lens out to the big country and landscapes of Iceland’s Golden Circle.
From there, we strolled around Reykjavik’s city pond/lake called Tjörnin. Statues and small parks surround the pond. Pretty views of the city are available from the entire shoreline and reflecting off the water when winds are still.
I find it is best not to have too rigid a walking plan… meandering is best. This approach proved successful once again as the famous Laugavegur Street shopping district became an end-of-day surprise. Bustling with afternoon shoppers, it was nice to wander into this area at the end of a hearty walk. Quite a pick-me-up. The 70mm lens allowed me to capture the energy of a few friends just enjoying a beer together… I so wanted to join them. The other pleasant surprise was how close this new discovery was to our AirBnB apartment. We’d come full circle and found a gem just two blocks away.
We glanced up Skólavörðustígur Street toward the Hallgrímskirkja church — you can see this in the line of easels photo here — but we saved that walk for another day…
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