Recently I made the quick decision to book a trip to Iceland to attend the Echolalia Festival featuring Björk — DJing during Iceland’s rare total solar eclipse.

During my short stay in Reykjavik, I did a good job making solid use of my time. Three things that surprised me during my stay, as I went on a whim with little research: 1) everything is tap & pay — no need to pull out Iceland’s Króna currency from the ATM, 2) everyone speaks English — because the country’s prime money maker is tourism, and 3) Iceland’s landscape is breathtaking!

Maybe another, 4) the city is completely walkable.

Here are some photos of my recent trip in August:

I stayed on Iceland’s iconic rainbow road. It was conveniently surrounded by all things shopping and food. In the background is the famous Hallgrimskirkja church.

Here is an upclose view if that church.

And the inside view. There happened to be a young woman singing at the time. I can day the acoustics in this church are very nice.

Björk’s exhibit at the National Gallery of Iceland. It was an artistic media exhibit that echoed her voice throughout.

Random landscape picture during my tour trip to Glacier Lagoon. Iceland’s landscape has so many variations due to it being a volcanic island

Huge glaciers beyond. In person it is absolutely breathtaking. Sorry for the bus window pics.

This is an experience at Glacier Lagoon. The tour guide mentioned that everyday can be different in terms of available glaciers. This day was a good day. The seals were out to play, too.

More glaciers from afar.

There are random waterfalls everywhere. Some houses had amazing waterfalls in their backyard and herds of sheep or horses in their front yard. All I could think of is how peaceful a morning cup of coffee would be at there at home.

Dinner on the road. Where I had rice, onion rings and cauliflower soup. Which is poor representation of the food available in Iceland. They do have really great fish & chips. While no hot dogs are pictured, it is also a big thing here and they are delicious; leveled up when you add all the Icelandic condiments to it.

Iceland’s punk museum set in an old bathroom stall. It was an amazing piece of history ran by the iconic punk know. As “Black Elf”. I highly recommend checking it out.

In addition, your entrance fee keeps the punk community hopping.

There is a lot of punk history crammed into this tiny old bathroom stop. All those bands I grew up listening to.

Cool jackets for sale.

Björk dressed like a giant set of balloons.

I don’t have a picture of the sky getting dark. But will say – that even though it was too cloudy to watch the eclipse – it was amazing to experience totality in darkness with all the people at the festival!

This was the ending to my trip.

All in all, I:

• Arrived
• Locked my luggage
• Went to the Björk exhibit and ventured around the city on foot with no real plan. Waiting for my time to check in.
• Stopped to get my festival bracelet and check out the famous record shop.
• Checked in, slept, ate dinner.
• Next day I did my full day tour to 2 waterfalls, glacier lagoon, diamond beach – take the boat ride if offered.
• Dinner
• Another day, I went to the Punk Museum, checked out the church, shopped for souvenirs, rested, ate.
• Then I was out of there. An extremely short trip.

But I will for sure be back again! To drive the whole island where you will hear me constantly say, “WOW!”