Jeff and I wandered Oslo one last time this morning then hopped the express train for the airport.  Oslo Airport, though large, is extremely manageable and we were checked in and through security in no time.  We were able to check in with guys already on the ground in Reykjavik and everything was on schedule.

I had a window seat on the flight and enjoyed a glimpse of the Norwegian fjords before the clouds took hold for most of the flight.  It cleared up again off the shores of Iceland and I could see mountains and glaciers as we skirted the coast on the approach to Keflavik. Gorgeous!

Arrived at the apartment around 5:15pm as expected and jetted down to Harpa to pick up our wristbands since we were behind the posse on that errand. Got ’em.  Met up with Tristen and Andy to have pizza at our favorite local spot, Eld Smidjan, just a few blocks from the apartment. After dinner it was off to Lucky for some off-venue, with open bar from Slippbarinn. They were mixing up some tasty little cocktails – variations of a mojito …. yum!

Observations from Oslo:

• Every place indoors is hot … like 75+ degrees hot. We couldn’t get the hotel thermostat below 24C the entire time we were there.
• Clean city; most everyone speaks English.
• Expensive, yes; stupid-don’t-go-there expensive, no.
• I’m sure it’s lovely when the sky is blue

The ubiquitous Icelandair 757.

Jökulsárlón, a glacial lake on the edge of Vatnajökull National Park. For you James Bond fans, it’s in ‘A View To A Kill’ and ‘Die Another Day’.

First Night Pizza…. a favorite.

Off-venue at Lucky Records. We arrived around 8pm – just in time for 2 bands.  Tonight wasreggae-heavy though the second band had a funky, jam vibe going on.  The crowd ebbed over the time we were there but probably got to 100 people or so. Ingvar’s new space is perfect for it and the sound system this year is much improved. Looking forward to discovering more new music at Lucky this week.