Gullfoss is part of the Golden Circle - kind of near Pingvellir (I'm sure I'm spelling that wrong) National Park. Ask anyone when you are there - not a far drive from Reykjavik. <BR> <BR>There are plenty of tour itineraries that you could go on, or replicate on Sunday. I'd take a rest if you'll be busy other days and hang out at the Blue Lagoon. Though it might be a bit warm now, I gotta say that sitting in 100 degree water in March in -10 degree weather was pretty cool. Never thought I'd wear both a bathing suit and my ski hat together...quite a site! They also have a lovely looking restaurant there.

<BR>#63 - no lutefisk??? :)

OK, did I miss it in the list somewhere, or has no one yet spoken those immortal words: <BR> <BR>Phallological Museum!!!

Escritora, I was waiting for you to bring that one up! I knew if I waited long enough you couldn't resist.

Okay, Escritora, you've got number 64! Jen, thanks for your glowing contributions. (By the way, the beginning of the parliament place is an Icelandic letter that looks like {according to one guide} a "pregnant i", but it's pronounced like the th in "thing" and is usually spelled like that for the non-Icelandic) <BR> I've got a few more to add after a renewing visit, October 5th to 10th. <BR>65. Rainbows!!! <BR>66. the view from Hallgrim's church bell tower--especially at noon with the carillon going wild above your head <BR>67. the kid's park and zoo at Laugardalur <BR>68. an official city guide that includes how to say the phrase "you're cute" in Icelandic, English, and German <BR>69. black sand beaches, with cliffs and caves <BR>70. soup, soup, beautiful soup <BR>71. the tapestry that autumn makes of the low growing plants <BR>72. "Our only army is the Salvation Army" <BR>73. dogsledding available! <BR>74. tap water that's better than most bottled water <BR>75. the puffiest, fluffiest sheep ever-- they're so cute! <BR>76. skyr--sorta like yogurt, only a lot better <BR>77. sculpture in many public places <BR>78. greenhouses that grow tropical plants and flowers, just a few degrees below the Arctic Circle <BR>79. a special glowing quality to the light--but it's not there for too long this time of year! <BR>80. waterfalls of all kinds--including one you can walk behind <BR>81. a glacier that is black due to volcanic ash--land of fire and ice incarnate! <BR>82. the little steam engine that could, sitting at the harbor <BR>83. extremely exhilarating wind (and even rain--but do wear something to cover your ears) <BR>This is just off the top of my jet-lagged head--maybe I'll make it to a hundred this time. Or maybe I'll just go back sometime, and actually get to the north!

Wow! I wanna go. Amy, do you have a list of your ten best seafood meals in Iceland?

Cool! Thanks for all the info! I'm always looking for great places to go :)

#84 Play the Iceland's national sport, tree hunting.

I've been thinking about Iceland, too. What's the best time of year to go? <BR>BTilke (Brussels)

BT - go anytime! Obviously, summer is warmer...but I went in the winter (really cheap airfare - 2 for 1), and it had its own magical feel. Such a great place!

<BR>61:have afternoon tea in the tiny cafe by candle light on the top of towering spire of Hallgrimskirkja church,overview miles of miles of Reykjavik. <BR> <BR>62:riding Icelandic horse on purple Lupins covered meadows or lava fields. <BR> <BR>63:catching trouts in the crystal clear glacier stream. <BR> <BR>64:hiking on black sand deserts with giantic black and white glaciers by the skyline. <BR> <BR>65. visiting tiny fishing ports along the picturesque fjords on the east coast. <BR> <BR>BTilke: Iceland is for all seasons, but if you really like to appreciate the magnificient sceneries ,summer will be a better choice for the long daylight and open roads. <BR> <BR>

Oops, please change the number to 85.

Just reminded of one for #90 by an e-mail I received... <BR>90. low population density! (oh, give me land, lots of land under starry skies above; don't fence me in) <BR>91. And speaking of starry skies, aurora borealis can be seen here--but alas, not when I was there (the nights weren't clear or cold enough) <BR>For a one-time deal, I'd choose summer, I think, because it's only then that Thor's Woods (Thorsmork) is accessible, plus you get all those lovely long sunlit days. On the other hand, I do agree that any time would be great!

Amy how long does it take to get to Iceland from the East coast. What is the best time of yr to visit? Should I say if you don't want to have to bundle up. Glad you enjoyed your vacation so much.

Escritora's comment piqued my interest and so had to go surfin'. Yup, there really is an Icelandic Phallological Museum. <BR> <BR>http://www.ismennt.is/not/phallus/ens.htm <BR>See for yourself !!!

OK - I have a couple more... <BR> <BR>92. The Tower room in the Hotel Borg. Great hotel room(s), with living room, 2 bathrooms, and a huge bedroom. <BR>93. Dinner at Apotek. <BR>94. Nightclubs that stay open until 9:00am! <BR> <BR>

Catching up on a few of the questions... <BR>I don't actually have a list of my top 10 seafood places, as some of the best were in farmhouses and little spots in the fishing villages. Hotel Island's restaurant was good five years ago (haven't been since) and Laederbrekker and Caruso in the downtown area of Reykjavik were very good. One of the top-ranked restaurants in the world is in one of the hotels there-- Siggi Hall's Odinsve, I believe it's called--but I haven't had the luck to get there yet! <BR>Mo, it's a five hour flight from the east coast. Icelandair and Amtrak do a codeshare to BWI that works really well from my area, and they also fly out of New York. <BR>And... <BR>95. Hot chocolate with whipped cream and a flakey pastry from the bakery along the main street while you're waiting for your hotel...and then being able to check in at 9:30AM! Calloo, callay!! (Of course, this was probably due to it being off-season, but still!) Also, hotel breakfasts are pretty good and sustaining. <BR>

95.) One the of the Government web pages (I forget which one) actually advised tourists that Icelandic women can be "dangerously friendly". <BR> <BR>96.) The Irish pub, where you can sit at any table, speak to anyone, and no one buys individual drinks... everyone offers to get the next round for the whole table. <BR> <BR>97.) The sheep round ups. Oh man... best part of our trip! <BR> <BR>It was great, they really don't have a lot of fences there in Iceland, so the farmers jump on their horses, and just start rounding up sheep that are roaming the country side. Many of the locals show up to help round up sheep into a central area and start grabbing them in this big cement circle where they all are sorted by ear tags. If you find one that's yours, you grab it by the horn and drag it to your pen. I'll never forget seeing a tall, beuatiful icelandic woman who, at 9:00AM had a tall can of beer in one hand and a sheep by the horns in her other hand! <BR>

I fell 1 number behind... <BR> <BR>we're actually on 98 right? <BR> <BR>98.) The nice people in the tourist office at the bottom of the hill who translated the Icelandic news for a frightened American on Sept. 11th. <BR>

99. The low crime rate - we left our camera in the taxi from the airport to Reykjavik, told our hotel of this, and they replied 'oh, there's only 1 taxi company that services the airport - what kind of car did you drive in, and was it a male or female driver?' Once we had given those facts, a phone call was made to the taxi company, and our camera was returned an hour later. Unreal!

Ooh, this is exciting! We're almost at 100! Can I quote just a fragment of Emily D.? <BR>100. "Beauty crowds me"...but that's the only thing that does.

topping for Debbie

I went to Iceland in 85. Even then, a can of coke from a drugstore was like $2.75. I must say, the most beautiful women in the world made me forget about my fleeting dollars fast.

Dan,<BR><BR> Of course, if you even look at one of those beautiful women, you probably get bonked by one of those big Icelandic men! They are bit protective, which is not a problem - just warning you.

Thanks for the tip, but my wife who I met after my trip, would bop me even harder.

topping

Blue Lagoon. Great Restaurants??? Things have changed since I lived there for three years 72-75. It is a beautiful and very different country. Will have to go back for a return visit one of these days. Have they changed the drinking/driving laws? Surprised nobody mentioned the fact that if you have car keys in hand and walk toward your car you can be arrested for drunk driving, given a test ,thir choice not yours,and if guilty face severe penalties.

Topping for Tracey.

Someone asked about seafood restaurants- Naust is great, and so is the Pearl which I'm surprised no one has mentioned. It has a glass dome ceiling and the food is great.

We will be at Reykjavik for one day off a cruise ship. What shuld we try to see and what is there to buy? Loved your 100 things thread. Did not know there were so many things to do in Iceland.<BR>Thanks for your help.<BR>Victoria

`<BR>Up for Helen. Put your concerns re: earthquakes/volcanoes aside. Rather take a trip to Iceland and see for yourself.

The Black Castles at Lake Myvatin.<BR>Seeing President Vigdis Finnbogadottir walking about talking to people perfectly naturally and with no armed gorillas protecting her. Seeing icebergs for the first time, I hadn't realised that they were so beautiful or that they were blue.

The Black Castles at Lake Myvatin.<BR>Seeing President Vigdis Finnbogadottir walking about talking to people perfectly naturally and with no armed gorillas protecting her. Seeing icebergs for the first time, I hadn't realised that they were so beautiful or that they were blue. On my first trip, flying over Surtsey while it was erupting. It was a very dangerous thing for the pilot to do and he had to make an emergency landing in Glasgow. It was an unforgettable sight though!

Victoria, hope this isn't too late--<BR>If you only have one day, um... run away from your cruise ship and don't come back for a week? <BR>Seriously, though, it would depend, obviously, on your own interests, but I'd suggest a horseback ride/Blue Lagoon combination followed by a Viking dinner with singing. But if you just stay within Reykjavik, be sure to go to the top of the church tower and through the park that is by the city hall and to the shops that sell lovely woolies and the hot dog stand by the harbor!<BR>Have a wonderful trip.

Topping

For the person asking what to do in Iceland...

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Drink a toast to Magnus von Magnusson, the world's strongest man.