Roofs of Reykjavik

About 70% of Iceland's population (which, incidentally, totals 318,000 people) live in the capital, Reykjavik. I am not sure what we expected going to the infamous land of volcanoes, but we were surprised to find the view quite similar to those of Switzerland postcards: colourful houses with snow-capped mountains as the backdrop.

The houses really are build of wood, but to withstand the ever-wet and windy weather, they're covered with corrugated iron - and then the iron is protected with a layer of paint. One would think that Icelanders chose the vibrant colours to make it a happier place throughout the long and dark winter months - but no, the real reason is that bright colours are simply... cheaper.

Along with mountains, comes the hilly terrain of Reykjavik itself. Not too hilly, not quite like some of the San Francisco streets - but still fairly hilly.

And on a sunny day you might even forget that the sea out there is cold enough to give you hypothermia in seconds...

See how many cars there are? Icelanders are really into cars. Especially the 2-wheel drive ones, which they often turn into monster trucks. Which is understandable given what gravel roads turn into during winter months, as well as in spring, when melting snow caps stream down the slopes, creating new rivers in unpredictable places each year.

Icelanders, during those winter evenings, enjoy nothing better than pack themselves into one of those vehicles, looking like they're heading for a Malibu beach (with heat turned on high in the car), and just drive around the streets, sipping coke, window-shopping, and listening to music.

We regret that we didn't rent a car (it would've been much, MUCH cheaper than taking tours), and there is really only one road around the island. But navigating streets of Reykjavik? Not that easy. Try and read those signs while moving (if there are any signs, to begin with) and then try and find something similar on the map. Honestly, I never even remembered the name of the street our hotel was on!

The old city is small and pedestrian-friendly. There, perhaps, is only one place I regret not visiting up-close: this charming church that we saw from an observation point. But one day, we'll come back. We already decided we will. And fix this oversight :)