Tourism - Iceland Reykjavik Holiday On Cheap Budget

Baby, it's cold outside, but soaking in the1,000 kronur, while a gin and tonic can cost more
mineral-rich water of Iceland's Blue Lagoon andthan 1,700 kronur.
piling on silica clay all over your body in a lava-fieldReykjavik resident Shante Shekhanzai, 26, who
setting is an experience to remember.runs a travel agency, says variety is one of the
Half-price Iceland Holiday Dealattractions of the nightlife. "It depends on what
Icelandic musical acts such as Bjork and Sigur Rosyou are looking for - posh clubs, clubs with good
enjoy a strong following here, while themusic, pubs with DJs or dark cosy cafes."
atmospheric band, mum, played at manyBut dress well, she advises, as some venues
worldwide locations last year.have a dress code. "Icelanders tend to overdress
The fact that Iceland is an exorbitantly expensivewhen going out. But jeans are okay if the rest of
place to visit, coupled perhaps with a fear of thethe outfit is cool," she says.
unknown, might have deterred Asians from going.On another night, I witnessed some upcoming
But the dip in its currency's value, with theindie bands rocking the roof off
collapse of its major banks last October, shouldNylenduvoruverzlun Hemma & Valda, a small
make you think again.but packed cafe on the main shopping drag of
Granted that it is still not cheap, despite beingLaugavegur.
around 50 per cent cheaper than before, it is nowAt 12 Tonar music store, you can drop in on
more affordable as a European tourist destination.music sessions and sample CDs on a sofa, with
Outside the peak season from June to August, afree coffee served by store assistants.
three-star hotel in the capital Reykjavik costs lessFor a taste of Icelandic music, ranging from
than 8,500 Icelandic kronur (S$100) per night andestablished artists such as Emiliana Torrini to
a four-star hotel from about 17,500 kronur pernewer acts such as Bob Justman, you should
night. Iceland is not a member of the Europeancheck out home-grown music stores, 12 Tonar
Union and does not use the euro.(Skolavordustigur 15) and Smekkleysa
With a total surface area of 103,000 sq km, it has(Laugavegur 28).
plenty of elbow space for its population of onlyYou can sample CDs on a sofa, with free coffee
320,000.served by store assistants.
Around 60 per cent of its people live in the capitalListening to Icelandic music such as Sigur Ros'
and its immediate surroundings, which feelsethereal soundscape, it is hard not to think about
relatively empty even with the presence ofhow the country's rugged and diverse landscape
tourists.might have contributed to songwriting inspiration.
But come weekends, Reykjavik transforms into aNo doubt, Reykjavik is charming for its intimate
funky town.smallness, as well as its gaily painted houses
The central part of the city may spread over anfanning out from its emblematic church,
area about twice that of Holland Village, but thereHallgrimskirkja, with distant views of Mount Esja.
are reportedly more than 50 bars and clubs toBut for the full experience of Iceland, it is essential
keep the partying mood going well into dawn.to venture out of the capital to view the many
Nasa, on Austurvollur Square, is not only thenatural wonders.
largest dance club downtown, but also a liveA stay at Hotel Ranga, a 11/2-hour drive from
performance space that has, for example, hostedReykjavik, immerses you in the midst of
a recent concert by Icelandic electronic groupremoteness and relaxation flanked by the
GusGus.salmon-rich Ranga River. The four-star luxury
At Cafe Rosenberg, a bar on Klapparstigurresort, inspired by the design of a Canadian fishing
renowned for jazz and world music, I had thelodge, has had its fair share of musical types
chance to catch a solo gig by Palmichecking in, including award-winning Icelandic
Sigurhjartarsson, a pianist with the rock groupmusician Mugison. Rack rates range from €164
Sniglaband.(S$324) for a superior single room in winter (low
Before an appreciative audience, the 90-minuteseason), to €750 for a master room in
revelry was an eclectic mix of ballads, ragtimesummer (high season).
music, blues and even a couple of rousingNot only is this a good base for day trips to
anthems belted out by a 10-man choir.South Iceland's waterfalls, awe-inspiring volcanoes,
Slinky dance rhythms, complemented by sweatylava fields and glaciers, as well as the black-sand
bodies, shake up other hip joints such as B5,beach near the village of Vik, it is also one of the
Jacobsen, Solon and Oliver.best locations to observe the aurora borealis or
Bear in mind, though, that the party does notNorthern Lights.
start till way after midnight on weekends whenThis is a natural phenomenon that you can
clubs stay open till 6am (as opposed to 1am onobserve in the night skies near the North Pole.
weekdays).Hotel Ranga's Swedish manager Bjorn Eriksson
A spokesman for the tourism office, Visitprovides his guests with fairly accurate predictions
Reykjavik, says the financial crisis has not quiteof aurora sightings. His secret formula: a
dampened the partying mood, especially oncombination of research, by studying websites of
weekends.aurora research institutes and weather forecasts,
As bar prices are high, people go to theand gut feeling.
nightspots a little later, after first downing a fewWhether it is staring in quiet contemplation at the
rounds of drinks at home. Most nightspots do notNorthern Lights on a clear night or enjoying
impose cover charges, unless it is a specialReykjavik's vibrant nightlife and music scene, it is
occasion or when a popular band is playing. Ifeasy to fall in love with the intriguing contrasts
there is a charge for entry, it is 500 to 2,000that Iceland has to offer.
kronur. A beer or a glass of wine costs around