In the land of ice, Iceland

So I am now living in the land of ice. I arrived on Sunday the 21st late in the day, got through security and customs without even so much as having my passport looked at or bags searched or anything. I'm not sure what all the fuss was about with my visa to be honest - I just walked on in to the country without being asked a single question! Thinking I had somehow eluded the authorities, like a fugitive I took the first bus to Reykjavik (NZ$25) where I holed up in a Salvation Army Hostel for the night (NZ$45). Risking capture I ventured out and had Mexican food, or Nachos at least, for dinner (NZ$18.50) and a beer (NZ$13).

Holar, situated in Northwest Iceland, in its entirety

The next day I jumped on a bus to Holar (NZ$86), had a roast beef roll along the way (NZ$9), but only made it to Varmahlid before meeting up with an American student named Dan. We drove to our offices and lab in Saudakrokur and then headed home to Holar for dinner. Dan's wife Catherine made a tomato pie, followed by a dessert pie made from local berries. Considering that I didn't get a chance to hit up one of the supermarkets in Saudakrokur pies for dinner was very dece! Later that night we played a game in the local gym which is a bit like hockey. The two hour session was pretty intense I have to say, but the weekly battle will definitely be good for the fitness.

On Tuesday I finally got a chance unpack my bags and scope out my home for the next god knows how long, which as it turns out is actually pretty well equipped. My 50 square metre apartment is heated using geothermal energy - via my 6 heaters. Showers are as hot as you like, but unfortunately you smell a little bit like Rotorua afterwards.

Looking past my apartment towards Mt. Holabyrda

Postal address:

5c Geitagerdi
IS-551 Saudarkrokur
ICELAND

Keeping with the minimalist look in the boudoir

Lounge, dining room and kitchen looking from the veranda to the front door

Dining room and lounge looking out towards the veranda

The wash closet - the toilet is opposite the shower

The maids quarters and storage/drying room

I think I should be able to hibernate here quite happily over the winter months. I did however have to deal to the outside light - which was giving me 24 hour sunlight much before it was due. The funny thing is I'll be putting it back in because I'm craving light in a month or two.

Mark 1, stupid light 0

I headed to the office in Saudakrokur on Wednesday in the communal car with Dan, Pamela (an American PhD student) and Stefan (my co-supervisor). I set set up a bank account account and got my visa finalised - almost. I am legally able to live and work in Iceland until February 1, 2009 before which time I have to apply for an extension. I have to keep extending my visa every 6 months or so which promises to be a pain in the arse. I did some shopping too (because there are no shops at all in Holar) and for around NZ$50 I got a dozen eggs, 1/2 a loaf of bread, 100g of salami, 250g of muesli, 500g of butter, 6 mushrooms, 1kg of rice, 8 rolls of toilet paper and 300g of frozen veggies - not much for ya cash I'd say. Dinner for the first week was, not surprisingly, very simple and exactly the same every night.

Ingredients: water, fork, bowl, rice, mushrooms, beans and carrots