In researching the types of experiences one might have in Iceland, I noticed that eating an Icelandic hot dog was on the “must do” list. Here’s what I found:

Icelandic hot dogs are mainly made of hormone-free, grass-fed Icelandic lamb, mixed with beef and pork. There are more sheep on the island nation than humans, and lamb has long been an Icelandic food source. Lamb hot dogs are a match made in heaven for Icelandic taste buds.

We had a lot of free time, so we asked Greta, our tour director, where to go and she directed us to the Vikinga Pylsur hot dog stand. In addition to the hot dog, it had crispy onions on the bottom, which was topped with pulled pork and doused with ketchup and mustard. It was so filling that we didn’t need any dinner.

Just outside the hot dog stand there were some Viking cutouts so we took pictures.

The next item on my list was to find the Rainbow Street, described on one website as:

The Rainbow Street in Iceland, also known as Skólavörðustígur, is a vibrant and colorful street located in the heart of Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland. The street runs from the famous Hallgrímskirkja church down to the main shopping street, Laugavegur.

The Rainbow Street is known for its charming and picturesque buildings, which are painted in a wide range of bright colors. The buildings house a variety of shops, cafes, restaurants, and galleries, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The street is particularly popular for its unique and colorful photo opportunities.

One of the most striking features of the Rainbow Street is the presence of several art installations, such as the “Floating Piers” by Yoko Ono, a series of reflective metal circles embedded in the pavement. Another popular installation is the “Dreamers” by Jón Gunnar Árnason, a series of glass prisms that reflect the sunlight and create a rainbow effect.

In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the Rainbow Street is also a cultural hub of the city. It is home to several annual festivals and events, such as the Reykjavik Pride Parade, which celebrates LGBTQ+ rights and diversity. The street is also a popular destination during the holiday season, when it is decorated with festive lights and ornaments.

Overall, the Rainbow Street in Iceland is a colorful and vibrant street that showcases the artistic and cultural spirit of Reykjavik. Its unique charm and beauty make it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Iceland.

The name of one of the shops along Rainbow Street caught my eye: Maika‘i which is a Hawaiian for “good,” and is used for the frequent shopper discount at Foodland Super Market in the islands. Our local newspaper in Honolulu, the Star-Advertiser, has a feature called “Signs of Hawaiian Life in the Universe” where travelers post photos of Hawaiian names throughout the world. Maybe I’ll send this one in! (P.S. They had the ‘okina backwards!)

Earlier in the day we had visited the Settlement House, on our way back to Reykjavik, where we saw an exhibition of Iceland’s early history and one of its most famous figures—the Viking poet, warrior, and sorcerer Egil Skallagrímsson.

Alas, all things have to come to an end, and our return flight through Washington D.C. is this afternoon. I must say that this Iceland tour has been one of the best in all the GoAhead Tours I’ve taken and I would highly recommend it! We did it all — glaciers, volcanos, ice caves, waterfalls, Northern Lights, lava tunnels, even churches and organs … the list goes on and on.

We had a G-R-E-A-T time!