SigForum’s Sigmund and 229DAK (me) met up in Reykjavik, Iceland on August 5, 2021 after finding out we would be there at the same time. Sigmund and family were doing tours centered out of Reykjavik and we were doing some pre-cruise activities before beginning a circumnavigation cruise of Iceland the next day. After a day full of activities, we finally met at Reykjavik’s iconic Hallgrímskirkja church at 6PM, where we took in a photo opportunity with the church in the background and a statue of Leif Erikson to our left. From there we walked to the ‘famous’ Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur landmark hot dog stand, dating back to 1937, for some dogs with everything on them and sodas. We had some extra entertainment – another man was eating his hot dogs and when he turned to throw some trash away, a sea gull swooped out of nowhere and made off with his last hot dog! However, never fear…the young girl operating the stand came out and replaced his bird-filched hot dog with a new one. Probably not the first time this has happened.

We walked down Laugavegur (the main shopping street) for another hour, chatting while the wives window shopped…until they found a chocolate shop. From there we parted ways and back to our respective hotels. Sigmund has been making a habit of this – back in 2019 he was able to meet with O-O in Argentina on the way back from an Antarctica cruise. The unique experiences of SigForum!


Hallgrímskirkja

Hot Dogs

That is awesome. Thanks for sharing the pics.

Glad you guys and your better halves got to meet up!


Damn Ron, you certainly have become THE world traveler in retirement.

Frankly I envy you. Had quite a few locations I missed before I retired (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, etc.) that were on my bucket list. But my health took a turn and related plans were forever cancelled. Such is life.

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tered: July 20, 201

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2021

Glad for your meet up, had one planned for Alaska last year but Covid screwed that up. Went this year and just couldn't make it work. The Sigforum members I have met just click (we are alike)

Very cool. The world is such a small place.

Cool!

You guys are making me think I need to get out more.

Glad everyone had a good time in Iceland.
I used to get an Icelandic newsletter, the hot dog stand is a big attraction.

Been a couple years ago, but the big focus was tourist "squatters" camping out in cities, peoples yards of private property.

And there was always the tourist who got too close to the slick edge of a waterfall.

Cool beans. I haven't been there in a bunch of years.

Beautiful area, really neat to fly over it also.

Question is...did you coin-check each other with your sigforum coins?

Awesome pictures. Glad you guys got a chance to meet up. Saw one of those nature shows a while back that included wildlife and scenes from Iceland. Beautiful country.

One of my favorite places!

The Cafe Loki right on the opposite side of the square from Hallgrímskirkja is a nice little place to eat. Wide variety of the traditional "favorite" foods, especially available in the sampler type meals so you can try all of them at once. Prices aren't bad by Reykjavik standards, either.

Glad you had a good time and were able to see another Forumite in such a cool place.

Now that's a cool place for a meet-up.

That church is spectacular. Although driving around Iceland is like one postcard shot after another.

Hope you both have fun. Iceland is a spectacular place.

Very neat.

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Originally posted by bald1:
Glad you guys and your better halves got to meet up!
...

Yes, it was great to meet up with Jeff and his wife. The trip made me thankful Mrs. Sigmund and I are still in good health, we plan to do more OCONUS travel next year.

For Oat Action Man: We ate at the CAfe Loki our last day there. I sampled the fermented shark and, well...it's not likely I'll order it again.

A couple of shots from our trip.

Gullfoss, along the Golden Circle Tour:


A puffin on Heimaey Island:

Wife and I did Iceland a few yrs. back. Loved it. We were there in Sept. or Oct. if I remember correctly. Seeing the Northern Lights was always on my bucket list. Spent 3 hrs one evening in 9* temps to witness and photo it. Water falls and a pretty substantial snow store were enjoyed as well! What an awesome trip! Food was delicious, best sushi I've ever had. Reindeer burger tasty as well as the locally brewed beers. the water there was the best Ive ever had, and the shower pressure was unrivaled!!! People were super nice too. Expensive as hell, but you know that going in. Great pics OP, it's a beautiful country.

I've had the pleasure of meeting Sigmund as well...but we live thirty minutes apart.

I'm glad it was a meet up that already happened. And I'm happy for you both.

Just reading the title, I thought you were trying to plan for a meet up in Reykjavik. And I thought, why, in all places, Reykjavik and how many people would be able to make it?

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Originally posted by Rey HRH:

...Just reading the title, I thought you were trying to plan for a meet up in Reykjavik...

It was unplanned, each of us had scheduled a trip to Iceland and only later realized we'd be there at the same time.

Jeff & I are pals off line, not sure how that started, our chats usually center around guns but they often veer into the joys of retired life and (when doable) travel. 2020 was a bust, so when Iceland opened up a few months ago Mrs Sigmund and I decided to go for it. In an amazing coincidence, Jeff & his wife set up a cruise at the same time.