......come Friday AND Saturday, this is the great Icelandic (Reykjavik Pub Crawl)....people walk down the main streets, drunk as anything. the popular accessory is a glass (or two) of wine in hand. Quality stuff. We´d been ´warned´ about this even before we got to the Guesthouse. the funny thing is, we ´slotted´ straight in....SKAL!!!!!!

......We´re off to London tomorrow to play a sold out ´overnighter´ somewhere near Heathrow Airport. Then off to Belfast on Wednesday to catch up with family.

Iceland has been amazing

"Takk Fyrir, Island........"

...this place is SO expensive. It´s about $10+ for a pint, and that´s at the cheap establishment.

Do send money, pls!!!!

:-)

....we spent the wee hours of Friday night in a bar called ´Sirkus´. It´s a funky, laid back place not unlike some bars in Fitzroy (back home). We got talking to the editor of Iceland Geographic magazine, Thordis (þordis). A lovely young lady who was spending time out (from her two kids and hubby) with her great friend, Rundelheister (must check that spelling). They were women willing to share their Icelandic views and news with us. A great time was had by all.

Takk fyrir, ladies!

....a day of self indulgence was had by the touring party this past Sunday at the famous Blue Lagoon. If you´re unsure what the Blue Lagoon is, take a look at the following link here. Amidst lava rock formation that are occasionally as sharp as shark's teeth, lies the soothing pale blue waters of the Blue Lagoon. The Outside temp (during out visit) was 1 degree, with the waters a crispy 40 degrees. It was pure luxury and a treat we'd thoroughly deserved. Apparenntly, it´s made up of saltwater that comes from a bore some 200 meters below the surface. Combine this with the nature blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) and it´s straight out of a luna and at time, very unbelivable landscape (setting). It is totally surreal. Whatever is in the water truly does help and we haven´t felt so dream-like since our departure.....

...this isn´t one for the vegetarians amongst you, but this is soup central. We´ve had reindeer soup, lobster soup, beef soup, lamb soup...oh and a really delicious vegetarian soup. All of which (the meat\fish dishes) are local foods...delicious.

On Friday we took a bus trip around the South West of Iceland, this is known as ´the Golden Circle' because of it's famous natural wonders. It was fantastic (although, i hate bus tours). We stopped at many various locations including a Lava Field, þingvellir (the site of the first Icelandic Parliament), Geysir (you are surrounded by bubbling hotpots of 80-100 degree water) and where Strokkur (the Churn) spews water about 150 meters into the air at (verying) intervals (every 3-10 minutes) and Gullfoss - which is Iceland's most incredible waterfalls.

...all is not lost, we´ve found the Ice Bar....

.......after a 3 hour flight across the North Atlantic Ocean we´ve finally arrived in Iceland and it´s capital, Reykjavik. We arrive late night to find the weather crisp...or shall we say...freezing. This place is like a small village. It´s very cute, almost toy-like....but very real. The people are incredibly kind and gentle. We spent our first day walking the tiny capital, weaving in and out of small laneways, bordered by colourful wooden houses. In the evening, we found ourselves lazing around a bar called, Kaffibarrin. A cool, slick place where young pretty things are absorbed in their laptop screens and latte´s. We, on the other hand, prefer $10 pints......damn straight......I´ll have 6 of those. Time to put on the beanie and long johns and head out into the winter night...until next time, soon....happy surfing.....later.

....London has some fine markets, Portobello Road, Petticoat Lane...just to name a couple. However, to us...the creme de la creme was the funky Camden Market. This place is huge. Everything and anything is available from funky Jewellery to the latest Techno gear. Be sure to check as much of the Market as possible as it´s very large. Oh, and the tip go Friday as it´s packed on the weekends. We ate spicy Carribean Food (Jerk Chicken) while sipping on Mulled (warmed) Wine.....

....one of the great joys about London is it´s great pubs. Around the corner from our B&B was without doubt a great pub. The Carpenters Arms was a small, slighty smoky old fashioned English bar that served fine hand pumped ales from all over England. What´s more is that the owner and staff were more than amicable towards us......10 out of 10. Oh, and do try the Betty Stog´s Best Bitter when you´re there...

.....South London's hot bed of caribbean culture, Brixton is often infamous for it's race riots of 1981...but there is a hell of a lot more than just a misunderstood past. We ventured down to the Brixton Markets on Thursday, where the waft of Jamaican 'green' mixes with floor-cracking bass, beef jerky and sirens. The Prince Albert Pub was a nice soft place to rest aching feet and Mr. Bob Dylan is in town to play 4 Sold Out shows at the Brixton Academy.
When Eddie Grant sang about 'rocking down to Electric Avenue', in the last 48 hours, it's all become very, VERY clear.....!!! For more information on Brixton, please visit 'The Editor' amazing website at
Urban75

Later!

.....we've just been informed that the bacon, for which we eat at our B&B is from the same supplier that the Queen get her bacon from. It's confirmed.....we are royality.......

....we've been recovering from and/or celebrating the Socceroos victory by visiting some historic sites. Our first adventure was the Sir Christopher Wren designed St. Paul's Cathedral. The second biggest dome in the world (after St. Peter's in Rome, Italy). This Baroque style church is a marvel of architecture. The 500+ steps to the roof top view is well worth the struggle, giving superb 360 degree views across London. Ouch, my feet!

......it's now reality. Australia has qualified for the World 2006. Germany here we come!! We must say a big thank you to those that kept us in touch via sms (you know who you are!). We haven't seen a second of the game but we do know that it came down to a penalty shoot out. Our time had come.....it's beer, bratwurst and thigh slapping next July!!!!

this is it....we feel it in the Thames River and in the pints we've been drinking.......Socceroos to qualify for the 2006 World Cup. Our predicition, Australia 3-1 Uruguay.

Come on........

Arrived London after a short flight across the English Channel. ONe of the travelling party blocked the toilet at London's Heathrow Airport. Anybody take a wild guess??

London is fantastic, although bloody cold. Regent Street is illuminous with Xmas lights.

There's free internet at the Apple Store (all three floors of it).

aaaahhh, and the pubs.....

.....found a great little pub tonight in the Latin Quarter. ' La Pinte ' serves Belgian Beer fresh from taps held aloft by what appears to be male urinals......ah, those wacky French publican's.

The story must be told that Airo endugled in Blanche, while her sis also enjoyed the delights if 'witbier'. I, on the other hand, was tempted by the Delirium Tremens. Hangover acquired......good night, bonsoir

Amongst the seedy neon lights and the scam artists, the Sacre Coeur and indeed most of the area known as Montmarte appear like a beacon of hope on the horizon.

There's something cool about walking the streets of Paris. Something we can't quite pinpoint. Is it the architecture, the historical significance, the gothic influence on some buildings.....maybe it's the Seine River floating by like time itself. Whatever it is, this city has a mystic all to itself.

....60 klms, 2 hour delay in Melbourne, 6.5 hour flight to Singapore, 1 hour delay departure from there also, 12.5 hours flight To London's Heathrow Airport, 3 hour wait at LHR, 1 hour flight to Charles De Gauille....and we have finally arrived.....in Paris. Ahhh, Paris.....it's good to see you. Of course both myself & Airo are feeling a little jetlag, but nothing a good few 'pressions' haven't fixed. More to come.....don't touch that mouse!!!