EVE Fanfest: Wandering Around Reykjavik (Kind of)

The last 24 hours weren't too bad. I started last night off with a trip up to the Sky Lounge, the Center Hotel Arnarhvoll's bar. Located on the top floor, the place is a nice, quiet bar with a nice view of the harbor. I did discover that years of non-drinking have taken their toll and one beer had me buzzing. Considering I had a Gul Light I think I am now officially in the lightweight category.

Afterwards I decided to take one more walk. I went over to the 10-11 shop on Austurstræti. The 7/11 equivalent is at the bottom of the hill close to the Center Plaza. Perhaps more importantly Austurstræti houses a bunch of restaurants and pubs like The Laundromat Cafe, The English Pub and The American Bar. 

The view of The English Pub and American Bar facing Parliament

Across the street from 10-11 is a nice bistro I've visited over the years. A couple of CCP devs were over in front of the place talking to people. I went in, bought a couple bottles of Fanta and some snacks, and went over and talked to CCP Convict. I had a nice chat and left him because I was starting to get cold. I left him talking to people with someone urging him inside. Hopefully he didn't stay outside much longer. If he caught a cold, it wasn't my fault.

I woke up Tuesday morning jet-lagged, sore from walking up and down Reykjavik's hills, and maybe just a little hungover. I managed to get to the Sky Lounge for breakfast at 8 am. The meal was the usual buffet type arrangement but the scrambled eggs, sausage, and bacon were all cooked well. Personally, I'll give a place an extra star if the eggs come out right.

When I got back to my room I surfed the net looking for a little news. Failing that I watched the latest antics in the WNBA drinking water the entire time, laid down for an hour, and finally felt human around noon. Which, I should add is 7 am in Chicago, meaning my body clock still hasn't adjusted.

Lunchtime meant taking a stroll to see what was built around Harpa. Back in 2018 construction equipment was everywhere. Now in 2025 I see a new hotel and some high-end stores and other businesses. At least, they looked high end from the outside. Apparently a national investment fund from Abu Dhabi bought the hotel from the original owners.

The Edition (left) and Harpa (right)

I didn't remember the Icelandic Coast Guard docking ships so close to Harpa. The ship in the middle of the picture above is the ICGV Freyja. Acquired in 2021, the Freyja was not in service the last time I visited Reykjavik. I knew the harbor area featured new things, but a new ship was not on my list.

I eventually made my way to my destination: 101 Bistro. I always try to stop in for some fish & chips (fried cod and french fries for Americans) whenever I attend Fanfest. I also had a glass of Viking so the meal cost around $38. Maybe a little expensive but I can say I didn't just eat what I normally eat at home.

Oh, and on the way back to the hotel I picked up some more soda and a Kit-Kat bar. Unlike the United States, Kit-Kats are made by Nestle, not Hershey. I never really thought the two chocolates were that different until I ate my first Kit-Kat in Bulgaria. Ever since, I try to pick up a Kit-Kat whenever I travel abroad.

Now it's time to wrap up my first full day in Reykjavik. I need to do a little research before Thursday and staying in and not drinking might be smart. Hopefully early registration will occur Wednesday.