My North
Air Iceland Connect Magazine Nº 02 · April-June 2018 · Your free copy
Adventures across the Arctic
Jokulgil, Landmannalaugar, Iceland, 63° N, 13° C, 16/09, 12:35
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From our Managing Director New and better airfares Happenings this spring Bird’s-eye view: Riding high Feast in the East Language corner: Comparing proverbs Discovering Nuuk Fjord Greenlandic capital Interview: Hunter’s paradise Fun facts for young fliers Wet and wild at Braedslan Adventurous guide Instagrammers inspired Bathing in beer Faroe Islands by motorcycle News from Air Iceland Connect On-board experience Route network and destinations Our fabulous fleet Safe travels
PUBLISHED BY AIR ICELAND CONNECT Editor: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir (editor@airicelandconnect.is) Cover image: Ragnar Th. Sigurdsson Copy editor: Sarah Dearne Translation Icelandic ↔ English: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir Contributing writers: Sigridur Asta Arnadottir, Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir, Sarah Dearne, Bjorn Halldorsson, Svava Jonsdottir, Edda Kentish, Gabrielle Motola, Jonathan Pozniak Contributing photographers: Aldis Fjola Borgfjord Asgeirsdottir, Agust Atlason, Roman Gerasymenko, Benjamin Hardman, Sveinn Hjartarson, Lesley Leslie-Spinks, E. Magnusson, Gabrielle Motola, Mads Pihl, Jonathan Pozniak, Arni Saeberg, Ragnar Th. Sigurdsson, Asa Steinars, Kristfrid Tyril, Ruslan Valeev Illustrations: Aron Bergmann Magnusson, Shutterstock Advertising: airicelandconnect.com/ mynorth Design: Bertrand Kirschenhofer, Jonas Unnarsson / Islenska Ad Agency Printing: Prenttaekni Cover image: Ragnar Th. Sigurdsson Landmannalaugar is a geothermal area in the south central Highlands, about a three hours’ drive from Reykjavik. There are many other gems in the rugged interior and passengers flying from the capital to East Iceland are often treated to spectacular views of the colourful Highlands.
The new and improved Saga Lounge at Keflavik International Airport is a place where you can put your feet up, dine in style and enjoy the picturesque views while you wait for your flight. We look forward to welcoming you. The Icelandair Saga Lounge is open to Economy Comfort and Saga Class passengers, Saga Silver and Saga Gold members, and certain credit card holders.
ÍSLENSKA SIA.IS ICE 85062 07/17
A HOME AWAY FROM HOME
GREETING
From our Managing Director
g in r p s f o l l u f s t r a e H Dear traveller, Welcome aboard. Welcome to “Our North”. Exciting times are ahead. The evenings are growing brighter and with every day that passes we’re graced with a little bit more daylight. It’s best to take advantage of the snow for as long as it lasts, go skiing or practice other winter sports – the off-piste skiing season runs through May. Soon, winter will be gone, and it’s wonderful to observe how nature awakens from its seasonal slumber. Spring is a source of energy.
Arni Gunnarsson, Air Iceland Connect Managing Director
Icelanders eagerly await summer because on 16 June, our national men’s football team will participate in the World Cup for the first time and play Argentina in Moscow. Those who can’t make it to Russia will be glued to the screen at home, or gather at a public screening in a square or a pub. Even though football is all we can think about these last months and weeks before the World Cup, there will be plenty of other happenings at our destinations this spring and summer. Check out some of the most exciting in our event calendar on page 8. In this issue of My North, we’d like to introduce Greenland better to our readers. The inhabitants of the world’s largest island are our closest neighbours and they welcome visitors with open arms. Travelling Greenland is an adventure like no other, as Jonathan Pozniak reveals on pages 16-20. He tasted the culture in Nuuk, hiked mountains, went sailing on the Nuuk Fjord, followed in the footsteps of Norse settlers, stayed in a hunting cabin and learned how to catch fish with bare hands. East Iceland is also in focus. Svava Jonsdottir dined at Kaupfelagsbarinn, which serves fresh fish straight from the local supplier in Neskaupstadur (page 12), and had a chat with Halldor Orvar, an Air Iceland Connect employee at Egilsstadir Airport, who told her all about the region’s treasures and his passion for hunting. On page 26, Bjorn Halldorsson shares with us his experience of Braedslan music festival in picturesque Borgarfjordur eystri. Other adventures featured in this issue include bathing in beer (page 32) and travelling the Faroe Islands by motorcycle (page 34). Our destinations are an endless source for inspirational travel and with Air Iceland Connect, adventures are within reach. On the following page we present to you new airfares, which should make it easier for you to take the next step and book your dream trip. With spring in our hearts, we offer you a pleasant journey.
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NEWS
Air Iceland Connect
Save time with online check-in A i r I c e l a n d C o n n e c t n ow offers online check-in. Go to airicelandconnect.com/check-in then enter your last name and booking confirmation number.
PHOTO: Arni Saeberg
New and better airfares To make it easier for travellers to book tickets for their next adventure, Air Iceland Connect has developed new price categories, each designed to meet the needs of different passengers.
You can choose to have your boarding pass sent as an sms or email. You can also download and print it, or add it to your Apple Wallet.
SMS
Light
Classic
Flexible
is the lowest price. Passengers can take one small carry-on bag with them, max 6 kg (13 lb). This airfare suits those who choose to travel light and can be flexible in regards to travel dates.
is the traditional airfare, where a carry-on bag and checked-in luggage is included. It’s perfect for families, couples and friends going on vacation and those who are travelling abroad and don’t expect to come back empty-handed. Each classic leg earns you 200 travel points.
is – as the name indicates – the most flexible airfare. It’s designed for those who travel for business and have to attend courses or meetings at certain times. A carry-on bag and checked-in luggage of up to 20 kg (44 lb) are included, and the flight can be changed at short notice. There are 500 travel points for each flexible leg.
The service on board is the same for all passengers, everyone will be served coffee, tea, water and chocolate. Everyone can enjoy flying through the sky, the view outside the window and look forward to the adventure that awaits them.
WALLET
You can check-in online at any time of day, up to 45 minutes before departure for domestic flights and 90 minutes before departure for international flights. Note that Air Iceland Connect may need to close the online check-in for certain flights if disturbances due to weather conditions are imminent. → airicelandconnect.com
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EVENTS
Out a nd about
In Iceland and beyond
Looking for things to do as winter gives way to spring? Check out our top picks for the coming months.
TEXT: Sarah Dearne
ICELAND
PHOTO: Agust Atlason
Isafjordur 25–29 April Put your skiing stamina to the test in the beautiful peaks of Isafjordur. The main event is the 50 km (31 mi) marathon, but there’s a range of shorter events suitable for everyone from wobbly toddlers to international pros. Be sure to get tickets to the Fossavatn Party as well, where you can celebrate your endeavours with a scrumptious seafood buffet and revelry into the night. →→ fossavatn.com FOSSAVATN SKI MARATHON
Siglufjordur 11–13 May Catch the sunny end of the ski season in beautiful Siglufjordur, North Iceland. This cross-country race is all about experiencing the gorgeous terrain of the SUPER TROLL SKI RACE
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PHOTO: Sveinn Hjartarson
PHOTO: Benjamin Hardman
Troll Peninsula, and you can choose Grimsey between the easy and hard tracks, 1–3 June depending on your skill level. Competitors receive the honorary title of GRIMSEY FESTIVAL Grimsey’s annual “Super Troll” – a worthy addition to town festival is the perfect excuse to any sporting resumé. visit this fascinating island, which is the →→ stsr.is only settlement in Iceland within the Arctic Circle. The festival focuses on the island’s old traditions, with events including boat tours, kids’ activities, Myvatn local music, egg hunting (Arctic tern 26 May eggs, not the chocolate kind), and a bounty of delicious seasonal food. MYVATN MARATHON If you’re up for a challenge, pack your sneakers and →→ akureyri.is/grimsey-en make your way north for the Myvatn Marathon. The track will take you around 42.2 km (26.2 mi) of aston- Reykjavik ishing volcanic landscapes, before 1–17 June finishing at the Myvatn Nature Baths, where you can soak your aching REYKJAVIK ARTS FESTIVAL The biennial bones in steamy luxury. If you’re not Reykjavik Arts Festival is one Iceready to go the full distance, you can land’s biggest arts events, setting also sign up for the half marathon, aside two-and-a-half weeks to cele10K (6.2 mi), or 3K (1.86 mi) fun-run. brate all things creative. This year’s →→ myvatnmarathon.com highlights include EDDA, a theatrical
endless daylight. This year’s diverse lineup includes EDM star Steve Aoki, UK grime and hip hop artist Stormzy, and ’80s diva Bonnie Tyler. The festival is held right by the city campsite, so pack your sleep mask and pitch a tent to stay close to the action. →→ secretsolstice.is PHOTO: Kristfrid Tyril
PHOTO: Lesley Leslie-Spinks
twist on Norse mythology, directed BEYOND ICELAND by the iconic Robert Wilson; and New Worlds, a fusion of literature and music performed by Bill Murray Faroe Islands (yes, that one) and his musical com- 1 June panions. →→ listahatid.is/en TORSHAVN CULTURE NIGHT One of the most popular events on the calendar, Torshavn Culture Night lifts the lid on the town and gives guests a peek into what makes it all tick, with local businesses and museums opening their doors to offer a glimpse behind the scenes. As with any self-respecting town fest, you’ll also be surrounded by live tunes, tasty food, and plenty of fun activities for kids. PHOTO: KSI →→ visitfaroeislands.com/event/ culture-night
event. This year’s lineup includes Faroese national treasure, Eivor, alongside international acts including the UK’s Rag’n’Bone Man and Danish R&Bers Scarlet Pleasure. The Harlem Gospel Choir, performing against a backdrop of fjords and sea, is also sure to be a memory worth making. →→ gfestival.fo
Greenland 21 June
Ullortuneq, summer solstice, is Greenland’s National Day, when locals gather to celebrate with traditional music, dance performances and kaffemik – cakes Football fever around Iceland and coffee shared in good company. The holiday is also a wonderful 16, 22 and 26 June opportunity to see people in their Faroe Islands exquisite national costumes. You’ll ICEL AND’S 2018 FIFA WO R LD CUP 11–14 July find the biggest celebrations in the MATCHES The smallest nation to ever qualify for the FIFA World Cup, Ice- G! FESTIVAL, SYDRUGOTA G! Festival, set capital, Nuuk, but every town celland will take on Argentina, Nigeria in the tiny village of Sydrugota, show- ebrates the day with its own blend and Croatia this June. If you weren’t cases local and international music of festivities. lucky enough to score tickets to Rus- at the archipelago’s biggest annual →→ greenland.com sia, you can still feel the crowd spirit The coastal towns of the North Atlantic are at public screenings at Ingolfstorg in linked by their rich seafaring history, so it’s downtown Reykjavik, as well as bars, fitting that Torshavn and Iceland both celesports clubs and cinemas around the brate maritime festivals this spring and early summer. country. Practice your HUH! clap and prepare for glory. Leading the fleet is the Faroe Islands Sea→→ ksi.is food Festival on 5 May, with events including NATIONAL DAY
Maritime festivals
Reykjavik 21–24 June SECRET SOLSTICE The sunshiney staple
of Iceland’s festival circuit, Secret Solstice features international headliners and local favourites over 72 hours of
a fishing competition, sea creature exhibit, and heapings of delicious fresh seafood. Iceland celebrates its nationwide Sailors’ Day (Sjomannadagurinn) on 3 June, with oceanthemed festivals of various sizes around the country. The biggest are in Reykjavik and Akureyri, though it’s also well worth catching celebrations in smaller fishing towns. →→facebook.com/ faroeislandsseafoodfestival →→hatidhafsins.is; visitakureyri.is
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TRAVEL
Iceland
Near Langjokull glacier, Iceland, 64° N, 10° C, 16/9, 18:46
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R unning f ree TEXT: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir PHOTO: Ragnar Th. Sigurdsson
Galloping along wild glacial rivers and narrow dirt tracks, across sand plains and lush Highland pastures. No roads, cars, or fences; just you, your fellow travellers, the horses, birds in the sky and the odd sheep. You develop a special relationship with your horse as you must have complete faith in its ability to find its footing in often harsh terrain. A unique way to experience nature, riding tours are the highlight of summer for many Icelanders. Horse owners spend months planning before riding off into the wild for one or more weeks for an addictive sense of freedom. It’s also possible to go on organised trips with one of the country’s many horse tour providers, varying in length and difficulty level. Some of the most popular tours take riders along ancient routes through the Highlands, such as Kjolur and Sprengisandur.
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e c n ie r e p x e n a e c o e h T Fresh fish is the hallmark of Kaupfelagsbarinn and Beituskurinn restaurants in Neskaupstadur.
TEXT: Svava Jonsdottir PHOTOS: Hotel Hildibrand
It almost felt like spring the days in January I spent in the East Fjords. The weather in Neskaupstadur was calm and partly sunny with breathtaking nature all around. Out of the window of my elegant apartment at Hotel Hildibrand, I had a fabulous view of the mountains on the other side of the fjord. There are 15 apartments in the main hotel building and nine rooms in the building next door, Egilsbud.
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The hotel’s owners, Gudrodur Hakonars on and his son, Hakon Gudrodar s on, also run the restaurants Kaupfelagsbarinn on the hotel’s ground floor, and Beituskurinn at the harbour. They emphasise personal service.
rocket salad, tomatoes, peppers, pesto and parmesan, which tasted delicious with ice cold tap water.
“We are ambitious about making all the food from scratch”, says Gudrodur. “Neskaupstadur is a fishing town and we place great Kaupfelagsbarinn was my first emphasis on fresh fish, particularstop after arriving from Reykjavik. ly in the summer. What we serve I ordered lobster pizza with fresh is the ocean experience. We get
CULTURE
Food
01 Beituskurinn – literally “The Bait Shed” – is operated as a restaurant, café and bar in the summer. 02 The atmosphere at Kaupfelagsbarinn is cosy. 03 Gudrodur Hakonarson. 04 The surroundings are adventurous. 05 Gudrodur and his son Hakon provide personal service. 02
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all the fish that we sell from Sildarvinnslan [local fisheries company], which supplies a number of species. We try to keep it diverse.” The lamb comes from farmers in the surrounding countryside. “My wife and I live on a farmland outside town where we have a vegetable garden and we try to grow all the greens we serve at the restaurant ourselves.” They design new menus many times a year.
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and on summer days, guests can sit either inside or outside on the pier.
In the evening, after having driven with Gudrodur around town, down to the harbour and visited Safnahusid, a complex of three museums, I took a seat at Kaupfelagsbarinn again. This time I ordered homemade pasta with vegetables and garlic bread. The menu also included chicken Caesar salad, pan-fried Beituskurinn – literally “The Bait cod, lamb steak, steak sandwich and Shed” – served as such until last various types of pizza. With natural year. Now it is operated as a res- wonders and tasty food, you’ll find taurant, café and bar in the summer. the perfect recipe for adventure in The rustic look has been maintained the East Fjords.
Getting there: Egilsstadir Neskaupstadur Reykjavik
Air Iceland Connect offers daily flights to Egilsstadir. Cars can be rented at the airport and from there it’s less than an hour’s drive to Neskaupstadur. There’s also a bus connection. airicelandconnect.com
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LANGUAGE
Proverbs
Let’s talk language
Icelandic, like most languages, has a range of proverbs and sayings that dictate how to model your life. Even though they’re not to be taken too seriously, these sayings permeate culture in subtle ways and provide clues to what was important to the nation in the past (i.e., before the Internet). Let’s explore a few. TEXT: Edda Kentish ILLUSTRATION: Shutterstock
Here, we’ve compiled a few Icelandic proverbs and sayings that have English counterparts, because even though situations vary, solving problems and giving advice is a staple of the human condition.
ICELANDIC:
“Að haga seglum eftir vindi” LITERAL MEANING: To adjust your sails to the wind. Related to seafaring life.
“Fjarlægðin gerir fjöllin blá” (og mennina mikla) LITERAL MEANING: Distance makes the mountains blue (and men great). We see mountains every day of our lives, so this makes perfect sense.
“Cut your coat to suit your cloth” FIGURATIVE MEANING: To adjust to the situation at hand.
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” FIGURATIVE MEANING: Things that are far away seem nicer than they are.
“Árinni kennir illur ræðari”
“A bad workman blames his tools.”
LITERAL MEANING: He who can’t row blames the oar. Obviously, sailors who couldn’t sail weren’t very useful.
FIGURATIVE MEANING: If you lack the skill, you find fault somewhere else.
“Bylur hæst í tómri tunnu” LITERAL MEANING: An empty barrel sounds the loudest. Barrels were often used to store food, for example.
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ENGLISH COUNTERPART:
airicelandconnect
@airicelandconnect
@airiceland
editor@airicelandconnect.is
“An empty vessel makes the most noise.” FIGURATIVE MEANING: Those who know the least often have the most to say.
Do you want to know the meaning of Icelandic phrases you come across during your travels? Or do you have different suggestions for the English counterparts? Drop us a note on social media!
Adventures w a i t i n g to h a p p e n Fly from downtown Reykjavík
Your Day Tour takes off from Reykjavík Airport You’re never more than 50 minutes away from a totally new perspective. Find your Day Tour on airicelandconnect.com The adventure is just a click away.
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TRAVEL
Greenland
Greenla ndic On the “great white”, the mercury can rise.
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heat? Hiking across vast rocky landscapes under 22 hours of blazing sun, “They never believe us”, the woman in covered head to toe to preserve your the cabin said. It’s been said for many blood reserves, means you’re gonyears about Greenlandic summers: na sweat. The irony of this weather “The heat, the sun, the mosquitoes”, forecast aside, disbelievers have tried she droned. You may think we’re talk- many times to greet these shores ing about Sub-Saharan Africa or an without a mosquito net, their confiisland in the Caribbean, but here on dence quickly sucked dry alongside the “great white”, the mercury can rise. their blood. The Greenland Air Force, aka Arctic mosquitoes, are a force to I know what you’re thinking, dear be reckoned with. But for centuries readers. What kind of unequipped travellers have pioneered this island sissy can’t hack 21°C (70°F) degree for the freedom. An expanse so TEXT AND PHOTOS: Jonathan Pozniak
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boundless and remote, a few steps past your cabin and no one can see you and no one can hear you. Your participation in life matters only to the birds and fish. You feel small. Really small. In Greenland, nature is permanent but people are not. Places are named after how things look, because while humans come and go, the earth stays in place. People come here to feel how big nature is, and no matter how small you feel in her presence, Greenland will take you by the hand, lead you down her paths,
summer adise. He takes visitors to his favourite hidden spots, whether they have reindeer hunting in mind, deep sea fishing for redfish and cod, or a touch of gold fever. After sailing through a maze of crystal clear glacial meltwater and towering peaks, we arrive Setting sail at Qooqqut Nuan, a settlement for From Nuuk we sailed for half a day, people who want to enjoy being off deep into the fjord aboard the M/S the grid yet eat like a berserker. A Sterna. Captain Erik Palo Jacobsen collection of off-the-grid cabins and is a former merchant marine who’s a main house with the fiercest kitchsailed the seven seas, only to return en in the north, “Nuuk Yorkers” and home to Nuuk, his own personal par- visitors alike come here as soon as up to her mountain peaks, and across her glaciers. If you listen closely and follow her lead with trust and respect, she’ll tell you her stories and sing you her songs.
the sea ice melts with their own local catch. The chefs are a mix of Danish, Greenlandic, and Thai. Whether you’ve cast your rod in the fjord or hunted reindeer on land, there’s only one rule: what you catch is what you eat. With meat and fish that fresh, cooked in some homemade Thai curry, the best of these two worlds collide into nirvana. But a fancy boat and fishing reel isn’t the only way to catch dinner. In Qooqqut, experts teach you to catch fish
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TRAVEL
Greenland
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01 Sunset at the top of the mountain at Qooqqut Nuan. 02 Icebergs in Nuuk Fjord. 03 Deep sea fishing for Redfish in Timmianguit near Qooqqut Nuan. 04 Feather from a white-tailed eagle, one of Qooqqut’s residents. 05 Small summer houses in Qooqqut. 04
with your bare hands. Pilo Samuelsen grew up in a small settlement just north of the Arctic Circle, learning many special skills like hand fishing the hard way – through practice and focus. “All hunting and catching requires your mind to stay present and focused, in a much different way than any academic skill will demand. It has the ability to shape your life and lifestyle. I guess you can’t grow up in a place like this without it having an effect on you”, he says of his life on the edge.
Back in the day Qooqqut’s first settlers were the Vikings, and their footprints are still seen to this day. They built a stable for their cows and dug a well for drinking water, right in front of what
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is now the kitchen. Vikings throughout history marked their wealth by their cattle and went to great lengths to protect them. These thick stone walls are still standing on the property. Historians debate whether they were driven out of Greenland by the Inuit, or because of a mini ice age courtesy of an Indonesian volcanic eruption (Icelanders can certainly relate). But theories now shift as to why they settled there in the first place. Old school archaeologists as well as the Sagas have told us of their farms and settlements, but a new reason to conquer these rugged lands has emerged: walrus hunting. While the climate became too cold for cattle, and their diet shifted to the delicacies of fresh seal, another ocean creature became irresistibly alluring to these seafaring men. Ivory
from walrus tusks was one of medieval Europe’s most valuable trade items, and as they were hunted to extinction in Iceland, the Vikings found them in abundance on the west coast of Greenland.
Rock (and roll) Long before the first footprints on earth from humans, the geology of the fjord hasn’t changed in aeons. The oldest rock in the world, dated at 3.5 billion years young, sits perched enjoying the same view season after season, it’s deep blackness embracing the sun. The labyrinth of tall peaks and deep water has a diversity for those who’ve listened to its rhythms and stories over the years. The forces of nature in Greenland command great respect. Autumn
06 Captain Eric Palo Jacobsen of Arctic Boat Charter aboard the M/S Sterna. 07 “Mosquito Valley”, a historic neighbourhood in Nuuk, at sunset. Sermitsiaq mountain is in the background. 08 Taking photos of “Mosquito Valley” in the fog. 09 Greenlandic barbecue reindeer meat.
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and winter can bring severe storms and darkness, while summer brings long days of a warm sun enjoying its freedom to stay up way past its bedtime. One small island is home to a shamanic grave, a site where shaman apprentices found their animal spirits. They would sit outside for days all winter, starving and cold, going deeper into a trance until – if they stayed alive – their spirits would find them. Another end of the fjord is home to Qoornoq, a former ghost town and abandoned fishing factory, brought back to life by Nuuk locals refurbishing brightly-hued houses into summer cabins.
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and every trail humans have carved. On that summer night, once the sun set to a silver glow, the kitchen’s waiter and chef would break out their guitars. They sung Iggy Pop while fumbling over the chords, the lyrics of “The Passenger” emerging from a Danish/Thai accent duet. The bartender, a blonde Danish woman who was equal parts affable and sarcastic, would pour drinks for the boaters and tell stories of fjord characters. These aren’t the children seen on postcards in native dress and kamiks. They represent Greenland today, where Inuit, colonialists, and Vikings have all converged, and for these warm summer months coexist peacefully. There No matter what season you visit, was no place for a language barrier or time seems to stand still in Greenland. whose ethnicity mattered. It was just Nature watches closely, infusing her- us, way out there in the fjord. It was self into every animal, every storm, us against the mosquitoes.
Getting there:
Nuuk Reykjavik
Air Iceland Connect offers direct flights to Nuuk from Reykjavik Airport, thrice weekly May to October and twice weekly November to April. Arctic Boat Charter (ABC) and other companies offer tours in and around the Nuuk Fjord – deep sea fishing, gold panning, Norse and Inuit ruins and more – as well as to Qoornoq and Qooqqut Nuan. airicelandconnect.com visitgreenland.com
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CULTURE
Nuuk
Katuaq Cultural Centre.
Small town on the edge A taste of Greenland’s blossoming cultural city.
TEXT AND PHOTOS: Jonathan Pozniak
Nuuk, a capital city that somehow reminds me of a smaller Reykjavik of years past, is coming into its own. Coffee shops have sprouted up and new restaurants are giving birth to a food scene that takes a lot of pride in using local ingredients. Gone are the days of “When in Rome, do as the… Inuit”. Yes, you’ll find fresh seal and dried capelin on offer at the local market, and if you really want to go local, you can try chewing on narwhal skin, aka Greenlandic chewing gum (you just can’t blow bubbles). But if that’s not your style, there are restaurants offering highend tasting menus, spicy Thai cuisine, and a steakhouse to write home about.
stone age migration from Alaska and Canada, through the first Norse settlements, right into the present. Artefacts, carvings, even a room of mummies found in ancient local settlements, are all on display. Also, not to be missed is the beautiful Katuaq Cultural Centre, an architectural marvel inspired by the northern lights, which serves as a venue for art exhibits, concerts, conferences, and a cinema. Enjoy a reindeer hot dog or indulge in freshly-caught seafood in the Cafétuaq, in-house restaurant. The portions are as huge as Sermitsiaq, the famed mountain of Nuuk, so be hungry.
Souvenir shops provide those who wish to spend their hard-earned Danish kroner with The brand-new Nuuk Art Museum is a proud showcase for the old north masters like my Tupilak carving from the an array of tupilaks, animal carvings; sealskin Nuuk Art Museum. mittens, the colourful designs of which are personal favourite Emanuel A. Petersen, as well as modern artists of today who translate the history both functional and fun; and locally-grown Labrador tea. If and culture in stimulating new ways through sculpture warmth is what you’re after, head to Qiviut, a shop devoted and installations. The National Museum of Greenland to (you guessed it) qiviut, the wool from a musk ox’s inner traces the 4,500-year history of this island from the first layer, which is warmer and softer than cashmere.
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www.slippbarinn.is
www.aurorarestaurant.is
www.satt.is
www.vox.is
www.geirismart.is
A feast for all the senses Five unique restaurants to discover, savor and treasure.
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INTERVIEW
Air Iceland Connect
Hunting is rejuvenating
Halldor Orvar Einarsson, manager of Egilsstadir Airport in East Iceland, shot his first ptarmigan at 15, and hunting has been his biggest hobby since. He’s a member of hunting club Rori and he and his buddies go hunting for geese, ducks, ptarmigans and reindeer whenever they can.
TEXT: Svava Jonsdottir PHOTO: Arni Saeberg
When did you first start working for Air Iceland Connect? My dad worked for the airline for decades and used to be the airport manager. When I was a kid I went to work with him sometimes and I predicted the weather and paid close attention to what was happening.
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Airplanes are simply fascinating machines. At 14 I started working at the airport as an assistant in the hangar for airline Flugfelag Austurlands. I worked there every summer until I got a driver’s licence. Then I started working for Air Iceland Connect in the apron department. For many years I was a regular
employee, then I became service manager and now I’ve worked as the airport manager for four years. What does your job entail? I’m responsible for day-to-day operations, manning all positions, monitoring equipment and gear and
sharpen and the adrenaline shoots through your veins and you think: Will it come, or won’t it? Will you hit or miss? First and foremost, it’s a liberating and rejuvenating feeling. How often do you and your buddies in Rori go hunting each year? There’s six of us who go hunting together and we have a car we use for hunting geese and ptarmigans. In the autumn we take up to 30 or 40 trips. Early in the autumn we might head out at 5 pm and return after midnight as geese are hunted in the twilight.
keeping the wheels turning. We also provide service for other air operators in regards to fuel, check-in and loading the planes. There are no divisions here – everyone does everything. People are trained so that any employee can take care of whatever task needs taking care of. You’re a passionate hunter. What does it feel like when you’re all set up? Often you’re freezing cold but then the bird comes and you suddenly feel hot and forget about the cold. I listen to nature – all the sounds and the silence. Then you hear the quacking everyone has been waiting for and everything gets tense; your heartbeat quickens, all senses
Last autumn I caught 48 geese. My wife and I marinate the geese and give them away as Christmas presents. Last winter I only caught one ptarmigan; I only went out hunting on the last weekend of the season. The freezer chest almost went empty for ptarmigans! I always make sure to have ptarmigans for Christmas dinner and now we ate the ones I caught the year before last. I think I only have six left which means I have to catch more next season. We always apply for reindeer hunting passes when we feel like going reindeer hunting. It’s a lot of fun but also expensive. We always take a guide with us. I last hunted reindeer two years ago. What activities would you recommend for tourists visiting East Iceland? There are the ski resorts in Stafdalur and Oddsskard. Hallormsstadaskogur is considered to be the largest forest in Iceland. It has 40 km (24 mi) of walking trails
and an arboretum with around 70 tree species. Snaefellsstofa is a visitor centre in Fljotsdalur valley with tourist information for the eastern part of Vatnajokull National Park. Skriduklaustur is a historical site with the ruins of a mediaeval monastery from the 16th century. It’s also where author Gunnar Gunnarsson built his manor in 1939. Obbygdasetrid – the Icelandic Wilderness Center is in the innermost part of Fljotsdalur. It hosts exhibitions about life in the wilderness, offers horse tours, hikes and all kinds of day tours. The French hospital in Faskruds fjordur was built in 1903. It now houses a museum along with a fancy hotel with a fine-dining restaurant. At Faskrudsfjordur you’ll also find Nordurljosahus, the Auroras Iceland museum, and in Stodvarfjordur visitors should take a look at Petra’s Stone Collection. Randulffssjohus, a restaurant and maritime museum in Eskifjordur, is also interesting, as is the Icelandic World War II Museum in Reydarfjordur. I should also mention the spectacular landscapes in Borgarfjordur eystri and the hiking trails at Lodmundarfjordur and Vikurnar [the area between the two fjords]. The lake monster Lagarfljotsormurinn is probably the best kept and treasured secret in Herad (the Fljotsdalsherad region) – if not in all of East Iceland! I’d also like to mention the mountain guides of Wildboys.is, who take many hikers up Snaefell – which at 1,833 m (6,013 ft) is Iceland’s tallest mountain outside glaciers – during the summer.
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EXPLORATION
For kids
The people living in Greenland are called Inuit. They are really nice people. We hope you get the chance to meet some of them.
Adventure islands of the north
Have you ever been this far north before? If not, you have a lot of new things to discover and exciting places to explore. TEXT: Sigridur Asta Arnadottir ILLUSTRATIONS: Aron Bergmann Magnusson DESIGN: Bertrand Kirschenhofer
G R E E N L A N D
We’ve made a fun map for all the kids on board to help them get to know Iceland and the other islands we fly to. Just ask the flight attendant if you can’t find it. See if you can spot the right places for the stickers on the map. Which island has the geysers? Do polar bears live in Iceland? And who on earth gave Greenland its name, when Iceland is so much greener?
Sometimes a chunk of ice drifts from Greenland to Iceland, bringing a curious polar bear with it. Better stay out of its path. It often hasn’t had a meal for days.
N D E L A IC
Puffins dig holes to lay their eggs in instead of a nest. That’s kind of cosy. Until you take a walk and your foot gets stuck in one of Iceland’s five million puffin holes, that is. There are lots of whales around Iceland. Whales are very curious, so if you go on a whale watching trip while you’re visiting, you have a pretty good chance of seeing one.
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Eric the Red was an Icelandic Viking explorer that gave Greenland its name 1,000 years ago. Creative guy.
FA R O E I S L A N
DS
The Worm of Lagarfljot is said to live in a big glacial river in East Iceland. It claims to be the cousin of the Loch Ness monster.
Seals like spying on people. You can often spot a seal sticking its head out of the sea when you’re on the shore. They are also very fond of taking naps on skerries. Then you can spy on them.
Near Ilulissat, Greenland, 67° N, +7° C, 12/8, 19:52
Me, listening to the silence
Only hours away to the west, the Greenland ice cap guards a country and people on a calm quest for survival. Journey west, and the Faroe Islands’ northern beat, colours, life and culture. Where to next?
airicelandconnect.com
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c i s u m e l tt i l g Bi festival The locals are not going to let you forget Braedslan.
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TEXT: Bjorn Halldorsson PHOTOS: Aldis Fjola Borgfjord Asgeirsdottir
“Not to dishearten you, but we’ve held this thing 12 times in great, sunny weather”, Askell Heidar Asgeirsson, one of the main organisers of Braedslan 2017, tells us. Hounded by wind and pouring rain, my wife and I have just made the awe-inspiring drive from Egilsstadir to Borgarfjordur eystri; an isolated village in the East Fjords of Iceland. Since 2005, the village has been the setting for Braedslan, an annual music festival held at the end of July. It’s famed for its great morale, good weather and magnificent location. However,
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before we can ask Heidar, as he’s called, about any of that we are interrupted by a stagehand who curses and announces that he has to go. He’s a member of the local mountain rescue squad and they’ve just had a callout. “Who goes hiking in weather like this!” he fumes. Everyone has a theory on this year’s abnormally poor weather, most blaming it on it being the 13th time the festival is held. Kaffi Alfasteinn is crammed with people seeking shelter and refreshments. Occasionally, a fresh batch of festivalgoers shows up at the door, flushed and smiling, rejuvenated from the wind, not
about to let “a little rain” spoil the day. “Weather is only a function of clothing!” someone informs us. We make some attempts at pitching our tent in the rain but eventually follow the lead of other campers who have set up inside the big party tent. This being Iceland, we immediately run into one of my aunts. She’s cooking lamb chops on a smoky barbecue in a corner of the tent and invites us to dinner. Afterwards we head to the old fishmeal factory down by the sea that serves as the concert venue. Braedslan is unique in that it tries to choose performers that cater to
CULTURE
Music
01 View of Dyrfjoll mountains during the 2015 festival. 02 Drangar playing at Braedslan in 2014. 03 Ny donsk in 2016. 04 Happy crowd. 05 Todmobile in 2017.
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all ages. New acts are lined up next to old pros reuniting for the umpteenth time. “It’s a lot more personal, gigs like this”, Helgi Saemundur Gudmundsson of hip-hop duo Ulfur Ulfur tells us. “People are so grateful that we’ve come all this way to play for them.” Inside the venue, teens and diehards barge to the front while the families hang back, starry-eyed little kids sitting on the shoulders of their parents. For the locals, this is a family event. People from the nearby communities show up nearly a week in advance to partake in the festivities.
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As the concert draws to a close, people head out in search of a dry place to keep the party going. “We’re all exhausted but we’re staying open all night tonight”, Kristjan Geir Thorsteinsson at Fjardarborg community centre tells us. “We’ll let people sleep in the dance hall if we have to. Nobody’s going back to a flooded tent on our watch.”
DID YOU KNOW ... Kulusuk, which is one of Air Iceland Connect’s destinations in Greenland, is also the name of a beloved Icelandic sweet, Kulusukk: bite-size chocolatecovered liquorice.
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Getting there: Borgarfjordur Egilsstadir
Reykjavik
Air Iceland Connect offers daily flights to Egilsstadir, which only take 60 minutes. Cars can be rented at the airport and from there it’s a little more than an hour’s drive to Borgarfjordur eystri. There’s also a bus connection. airicelandconnect.com
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ACTIVITIES
Adventure guide
Season to taste
If you’re visiting Iceland this spring, you might have planned on catching culture or wandering through the wilderness. To give you some inspiration, we’ve collected adventure ideas to fit any level, because we know that adventure ranges from scaling a precipice or braving a five-day hike to sitting with a cuppa under the midnight sun.
TEXT: Sarah Dearne
So, which appeals to you most? Calm, curious or exhilarating?
Akureyri Botanical Garden
PHOTO: Ruslan Valeev
PHOTO: E. Magnusson Safari Quads
Calm
Curious
Exhilarating
While Iceland is hardly known for its lush plant life, it actually has some lovely botanical gardens, all perfect for a stroll or a picnic. In Reykjavik is Laugardalur valley, a vast recreational area with a small but pretty botanical garden at its centre. The garden is home to Café Flora, a popular greenhouse café that’s open between May and September, and there’s also a duck pond and play equipment nearby.
Beneath Iceland’s volcanic landscape lies a mysterious hidden world. Regions such as Reykjanes and Snaefellsnes are riddled with lava tubes – caves that form when a lava flow’s outer surface cools while its liquid centre drains away.
To combine majestic scenery with the thrill of high-speed romping, try a buggy or ATV quad bike tour. These agile off-roaders are a handy way to cover a lot of terrain without spending the whole day on foot – or seeing the sights from a coach window.
In the North, Akureyri has a larger botanical garden, a charming area with a surprising array of flowers for its near-Arctic latitude. And in the East, not far from Egilsstadir, Hallormsstadaskogur forest has an arboretum with around 70 tree species from all over the globe.
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One of the most spectacular caves is Leidarendi in Reykjanes Geopark, a sprawling 900 m (2,953 ft) cave known for its stalactites, stalagmites, and mineral-painted walls. And if you want to journey into the centre of the earth, you can get pretty close in the beautiful Vatnshellir cave near Snaefellsjokull, the volcano that inspired Jules Verne’s famous novel. Note that it’s not safe to explore these caves on your own, so be sure to book an official tour.
While both buggies and ATVs promise a rollicking adventure on four wheels, buggies are more akin to cars, with a steering wheel and a protective roll cage, whereas ATVs are motorbikes’ sturdy four-wheeled cousins. You’ll need a valid driver’s licence to operate either. Older kids can typically join as passengers, and you can take a more leisurely pace if that’s more your tempo.
Adventure awaits RIDING ADVENTURE AND WATERFALLS the Icelandic horse, waterfalls, wilderness and tranquillity
AKUREYRI Akureyri and surroundings
WE KNOW THE NORTH. AND WE’D LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY. ARE YOU READY?
Book your day tour online and explore our north LAKE MYVATN Waterside wildlife and curious natural formations
DYNJANDI AND THE WESTFJORDS fjords, valleys and golden beaches
Look for even more adventures online. They’re hiding in plain sight. airicelandconnect.com/tours
PHOTOGRAPHY
Competition
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Adventure by Instagram Share your northern adventure with the world, using the hashtag #mynorthadventure. A selection of photos will be published on the Air Iceland Connect website and social media channels and the cream of the crop on the pages of this magazine, too.
01 Seydisholar, Iceland @coeur_de_coquelicot Welcome to Mars part 2 02 Skjaldarvik Guesthouse, Iceland @elisa_in_iceland These Icelandic horses have the prettiest colors. 03 Iceland @thrainnko Let the 2018 exploring begin...
Please note that by using the #mynorthadventure hashtag, you are granting us permission to use your image in our magazine, website, and on our social media channels.
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04 Vatnajokull, Iceland @agatalatos
PHOTOGRAPHY
Competition
Iceland @where_trees_dont_go Back to summer, between the clouds shade :)
And the winner is… ...Paulo Rocha from Portugal (@where_trees_dont_go on Instagram). Here is the story behind his spectacular shot: “This was taken in September, close to Petursey on the Solheimasandur beach, South Iceland. At the end of the track on a farm lies a water flow with orange mineral deposits. I’ve returned three times to this place and could not see this colour again, as Icelandic light and seasons blend with the landscape in amazing ways.”
Do you want to participate in our photo contest? Tag your favourite image from any of our destinations with #mynorthadventure and the winning shot will appear in the next issue of My North. Bird’s-eye view is our favourite angle. The photographer will win a flight to any of Air Iceland Connect’s destinations in Iceland. Click away!
Paulo wins a flight to any of Air Iceland Connect’s destinations in Iceland. Congratulations!
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Pla ce of drea ms Bathing in beer.
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ACTIVITIES
01 The view of Eyjafjordur from the outdoor hot tubs.
Beer spa
02 The beer tub and tap. 03 The spa and hot tubs.
Getting there: Arskogssandur 02
Akureyri
Reykjavik
Air Iceland Connect offers direct daily flights to Akureyri from Reykjavik Airport. The flight only takes 45 minutes and from Akureyri there’s a half-an-hour drive to Arskogssandur. 03
TEXT: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir PHOTOS: Asa Steinars / No. 02 courtesy of the Beer Spa
It’s a chilly day in January with fluctuating weather. Dark clouds on the horizon hint that a blizzard is brewing. But no weather is too bad for the hot tub. The warm water envelopes my body as I marvel at the view of Eyjafjordur fjord and Hrisey island. The hot tubs look like beer barrels and fittingly so, as they’re part of the Beer Spa which opened in Arskogssandur, a village in North Iceland, last year. My friend and I toast in Kaldi, the beer from Bruggsmidjan, the microbrew next door. Soon enough, we will be bathing in Kaldi, so to speak. “It’s young beer – non-alcoholic – with yeast, hops, water, beer bath salts and oil”, informs Agnes Anna Sigurdardottir, the managing director of both
companies. She explains that the yeast is full of Vitamin B, zinc and iron, which is good for the skin and hair. Even though beer spas are known in the Czech Republic and elsewhere, the are new to most Nordics. “Some people ask whether they get straws”, laughs Agnes. They don’t, but there’s a beer tap by the tub. There are seven tubs in seven separate rooms. Each tub fits one to two – ideal for couples or close friends. In addition to the two outdoor hot tubs, the spa includes a dry sauna, infrared sauna and a relaxation room. Elegant design, cosy lighting and calming music underline that this is a spa. “People don’t come here to get drunk, but to unwind.” The foaming olive green bath “water” looks peculiar but smells good – not of beer – and comfortably warm. We feel the stress drain from our bodies, chat, have a sip of beer and enjoy, and before long our 30 minutes are
up. The water stays warm the entire time, according to Agnes because of the kambala wood used in the bath tubs, which is known for its insulating qualities. Next up is a 30-minute relaxation. Covered with blankets and treated to a brief foot massage, we drift off almost immediately. Refreshed, we order a Kaldi burger at the Beer Spa restaurant. The beef is so local that it comes from the farm across the road. We observe a group of tourists arrive in a van and look out at the fjord. “People sometimes see whales from the hot tubs”, reveals Agnes. When she, her husband and two partners, founded Bruggsmidjan as Iceland’s first microbrew in 2006, their creditors tried to convince them to move it to a more densely-inhabited place. But Agnes wouldn’t budge: “The location is our biggest draw.”
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T he La nd of Ma ybe The Faroe Islands by motorcycle.
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TEXT AND PHOTOS: Gabrielle Motola
It was late September. I arrived by ferry to Torshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, for a week’s stopover before continuing to Iceland. I’d come from Stonehenge in England, across Europe and was headed to the Arctic Henge in Northeast Iceland. A self-confessed motorcycle addict, the idea came to me in a flash: Henge to Henge – 3,300 km (2,050 mi) of roads should fix me.
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I rolled out of the ship’s aft at 5 am on a 250cc Kawasaki. My stomach still lurched in time with the surrounding ocean. Fog enveloped everything, instantly creating beads of water on my visor. After a much-needed rest, I strolled down to the port later that evening. Still misty, the streets were slick with water reflecting a neon-sodium glow. The bells of Domkirkjan, the cathedral, chimed out an old hymn in a diminished scale, as the har-
bour’s horn answered, booming out across the port. The archipelago of 18 islands is connected by bridges, ferries and sea tunnels. This provides a delectable variation of bends and turns across breathtaking views. However, the weather in the Faroes is at best, unpredictable. When the British strategically occupied these islands during the Second World War, they nicknamed them “The Land of Maybe”.
TRAVEL
Faroe Islands
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01 First day on the road in the Faroes. A windy wet near zero-visibility ride to Vagar from Torshavn. 02 The road back towards Torshavn from Vagar. This is the view from the truck which towed me and my bike to the ferry port at Gamlaraett. 03 Down by the harbour in Torshavn the word MALD is graffitied on a wall. It is meant as a joke. MALD is the purposly mispelled word MAL, which means goal.
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04 Faroese sailboat in the port of Torshavn. 05 Finally a clear day on my last day in the Faroes, I took a run before the ferry to Iceland. Here is the Kawasaki TR250 parked near the bridge at Nesvik.
Getting there: 04
The next day I embarked on a windy, rainy, mostly zero-visibility drive to the island of Vagar. I punched out of the darkness of Vagatunnilin, the nearly 5-km (3-mi) sea tunnel, and swept past a cascade of rocks, valleys and ocean. After arriving at my hotel, I decided to walk into Sorvagur village along a beautiful winding path with views of the fjords. Sheep stood stoically gazing across the hills, their wool parted to and fro by the wind.
The next day winds were near gale force and I had a hotel booked on the island of Sandoy. I was deposited by semi-truck at the port of Gamlaraett and headed over on a ferry. It was raining hard and a twoday storm was rolling in, leaving me grounded. On my last day the sun came out and what a contrast that made. Every building and blade of grass shone with light. I vowed to return in summer, with better weather. Maybe.
Reykjavik Torshavn
Air Iceland Connect offers direct flights to the Faroe Islands in cooperation with Atlantic Airways three times a week from Reykjavik Airport May–October and two times a week from Keflavik International Airport November– April. airicelandconnect.com
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NEWS
Air Iceland Connect
Connecting the dots There’s always something happening at Air Iceland Connect and the airline’s destinations. Here’s a roundup of some of the most newsworthy events. TEXT: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir
New consul in Greenland
Sales executive recruited in Nuuk
“The world is waiting for you”
Skafti Jonsson took over as the Consul General of Iceland in Nuuk, Greenland on 1 November. Skafti’s last position was as Cultural Representative at the Icelandic Foreign Ministry and he has also worked at the Icelandic embassies in Norway, Malawi and the US. In 2014–2015, Skafti was on leave from the Foreign Ministry, during which he worked for the United Nations in Palestine.
Air Iceland Connect hired in January its first employee in Greenland, Anika Krogh, who works as a sales executive, based in Nuuk. She has 15 years of experience from the aviation industry, sales, marketing and tourism, and is the co-owner of Arctic-Nomad, which runs a luxury camp for tourists in the Nuuk Fjord.
Representatives of Air Iceland Connect set up camp in Nuuk Center shopping mall on 17 February to introduce the airline’s tours and destinations to Greenlanders. Through collaboration with Icelandair and VITA Travel and with a stopover in Iceland, connections are available to numerous international destinations, or “One stop – and the world is waiting for you”, as the slogan goes.
Skafti’s predecessor, Petur Asgeirsson, has now become the Icelandic Ambassador in Canada. Petur was Iceland’s first Consul General in Greenland and he worked as such for four years. In that time, he developed a network of contacts throughout Greenland, which will continue to benefit the consulate.
Fast facts about Air Iceland Connect
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Anika grew up in Alluitsoq in South Greenland, a village with only 21 inhabitants. She has lived in Nuuk for most of her adult life, apart from a few years of studying in Denmark and one year working in Gambia. Anika, who is married with three children, loves being outside in nature and in her spare time, she enjoys guiding tourists as a captain on open boat trips.
183,301
passengers travelled through Akureyri Airport and 93,474 through Egilsstadir in 2016
places for lift-off and landing in Iceland; 6 are paved, 22 have gravel and 4 are on grass
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Nuuk Center was crowded and quite a few shoppers stopped by the Air Iceland Connect stand, received information about the airline’s operations, had their picture taken and participated in a quiz. The winner, Parnuna M. Olsen (pictured), won a trip to Alicante, Spain. Congratulations!
3,000
international flights from Reykjavik, 444 from Akureyri and 159 from Egilsstadir in 2016
234,476,186 km (145,696,747 mi) were flown within Icelandic airspace in 2016
SERVICE
Air Iceland Connect
PHOTO: Roman Gerasymenko
Shared stories
We would love to hear about your travels. In the seat pocket is a journal where passengers who have sat in this seat before you have made some notes about their travel experiences. What did you discover on your trip? Pick up a pen and share your adventures with future travellers the old-fashioned way.
On-board experience Feeling hungry? Fancy a treat? Here are some tips as to how you can enjoy your flight even more.
Sit back, relax and enjoy your journey. The Air Iceland Connect crew will do their utmost to make your flight as pleasant and comfortable as possible. If you need anything, you can call a cabin attendant by using the call button above your seat. On all Air Iceland Connect flights, passengers receive a complimentary beverage: coffee, tea or water. Passengers on international flights can also buy light refreshments: snacks, sandwiches, delicious skyr, as well as alcoholic beverages. If you’re interested in duty-free shopping while in the air, take a look at the brochure in the seat pocket in front of you and browse through the selection of goods available at a bargain price.
Environmental policy We recognise that our activities have an impact on the environment in terms of the use of raw materials, emissions to air and water, and waste generation, and we seek to minimise this as far as is reasonably practisable. Air Iceland Connect is committed to operating in a sustainable and environmentally sound manner, complying with all applicable legislation, environmental standards and other relevant requirements and commitments. This policy shall apply to all activities carried out by or on behalf of Air Iceland Connect and to locations in which we operate.
Air Iceland Connect has achieved the Gold Award from Vakinn’s environmental criteria.
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75
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DESTINATIONS
Air Iceland Connect
N E E R Sailed among G
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the icebergs
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Ilulissat
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Crazy about the colourful houses
Dived into history at the nationa l x Nuuk museum
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Kulusuk
Fell for the flowering pla ins
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Narsarsuaq
Shape your adventure 60 °
N o r t h
You’ve arrived in Iceland. So why not explore the northern region a little further? Our partnerships, route network and innate curiosity mean you’re never more than a decision away from your next adventure.
→ Visit our website airicelandconnect.com and make it happen.
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A t l a n t
Take-offs and touchdowns
75°
75 °
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The beginning and end of a terrific journey, Air Iceland Connect’s main airports are not just for passing through.
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REYKJAVIK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT In the heart of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik Airport serves as the centre for domestic flights in Iceland. It’s located in Vatnsmyri, where aviation in Iceland began on 3 September, 1919, with the take-off of the first airplane in the country. Scheduled flights from Reykjavik Airport were launched in March 1940, when Air Iceland moved its headquarters ifrom Akureyri to Reykjavik. rc l e
Went kayaking in crysta l clea r waters
Nerlerit Inaat
n d n l a G r e e
A rc t i c C i rc l e
Isafjordur
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Watched the sun not set
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Grimsey
Thorshofn
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Vopnafjordur
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Akureyri REYKJAVIK
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AKUREYRI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Located in North Iceland’s largest town, Akureyri International Airport is the gateway to the Arctic. From there, scheduled flights are offered to several locations in Iceland, including Grimsey island in the North, as well as Thorshofn and Vopnafjordur in the Northeast. International flights from Akureyri include scheduled and charter flights to Greenland. Akureyri International Airport is also the centre for ambulance and emergency flights in Iceland.
Got lost in an Icelandic forest
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Torshavn
EGILSSTADIR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 60° Egilsstadir International Airport serves as an alternate for Keflavik International Airport and is open 24 hours a day. Located on the banks of Lagarfljot river in Iceland’s tranquil East, the airport is just a short drive away from Hallormsstadaskogur National Forest, serene seaside towns at the foot of majestic mountains and other attractions.
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Sightseeing from a schooner
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ISAFJORDUR AIRPORT Isafjordur is the base for exploring Iceland’s Westfjords and some of the country’s most rural and isolated areas. The flight approach is an adventurous experience on its own – enjoy the thrill as you descend at the end of the majestic Isafjardardjup fjord, the view of the many smaller fjords that fork out of it and the tall mountains all around.
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FLEET
Air Iceland Connect
Towards the
In the Age of Settlement they embarked on a journey into the unknown with their loved ones. The five Bombardier aircraft in our fleet are named after women settlers and Icelandic saga heroines. Still flying high, we uphold their legacies with pride.
Aud the Deep-Minded TF-FXA Q400
Hallgerd Long-Pants TF-FXB Q400
Thorun the Horned TF-FXI Q400
Aud the Deep-Minded was the only woman to lead a settlement expedition to Iceland. She was considered peerless among women, provident and wise, as witnessed by her epithet. She took leave of her husband and sailed to Iceland along with her crew. It is said that her settlement extended across all the valleys of Breidafjordur in West Iceland. Aud was a Christian and was considered to be particularly noble and generous. She gave large estates in her settlement to her crew and made her home at the current church estate of Hvammur in Dalir.
The most infamous heroine of the Icelandic sagas was dashing, long-haired and beautiful. Extremely proud, Hallgerd never took orders from anyone. She started a feud with her neighbour Bergthora; and Hallgerd’s husband, Gunnar, had to pay for a slap he gave her with his life. When besieged by his enemies, Gunnar begged Hallgerd for a lock of her hair to repair his bowstring. She refused and he was killed. But what was the source of her epithet? One explanation is that Hallgerd had particularly long legs. Another that she was originally called “Langbrok”, which means “long-haired”.
Does her epithet refer to a shawl she wore over her head or shoulders? Along with her husband, Helgi the Lean, Thorun the Horned settled in Eyjafjordur, Northeast Iceland, and was the first woman to do so. Thorun was the sister of Aud the Deep-Minded, the most famous of all women settlers. While Thorun and Helgi sailed into the fjord, looking for a place to build their farm, Thorun gave birth to a daughter on a small holm in Eyjafjardara river. Their daughter, Thorbjorg Holme-sun, was the first native-born resident of Eyjafjordur.
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unknown
Wind beneath our wings Q400
Q200
The Air Iceland Connect fleet comprises of three Bombardier Q400s and two Bombardier Q200s. The Bombardier Q400s are larger and 30% faster than conventional turboprop aircraft and therefore offer new opportunities. In addition to being used for domestic flights, the Bombardier Q400s fly a steadily increasing number of passengers to Greenland. The Bombardier Q200 aircraft have certain qualities: they require a short runway (e.g., they can take off when fully-loaded from an 800 m / 2,625 ft runway), can withstand a stronger side wind than comparable aircraft and can carry more freight. The Bombardier Q200 can be specifically configured for cargo transport.
→ Read more about our fleet at airicelandconnect.com
Arndis the Wealthy TF-FXG Q200
Thurid the Sound-Filler TF-FXK Q200
Her father was a settler in Dalir, but she wished to choose her own land. Arndis the Wealthy settled in Hrutafjordur, Northwest Iceland. Her epithet suggests that she acquired wealth while presiding over her estate. Little is known about Arndis, as written documentation is scarce. However, if one reads between the lines it is clear that she was a powerful woman who defied the patriarchy. Arndis married Bjalki Blaengsson but their son Thordur became known by his matronymic surname: Arndisarson. Thordur later appeared as a character in Kormaks Saga, a poetic love story.
She was known as a volva and was said to be well-versed in magic when she settled in Bolungarvik, the Westfjords. She was called “sound-filler” due to her ability to cast spells that filled every sound with herring. As thanks for her spell, each farmer in the area awarded her with a hornless ewe. Her son was the poet Volu-Stein Thuridarson. His father was unknown. DID YOU KNOW... Through Ski Iceland, it’s possible to buy a 5x5 pass for North Iceland and cover five resorts in five days. The season lasts through May.
Our extended family Air Iceland Connect is part of Icelandair Group, an Icelandic travel industry corporation. The largest corporation in Iceland, Icelandair Group is the owner and holding company of the airline Icelandair and several other travel industry companies in Iceland. Its headquarters are at Reykjavik Airport.
ICELANDAIR GROUP SUBSIDIARIES: Air Iceland Connect FERIA (VITA Travel) Fjarvakur Icelandair Icelandair Cargo Icelandair Hotels Iceland Travel IGS, Icelandair Ground Services Loftleidir Icelandic
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INFORMATION
Air Iceland Connect
Gigjokull. PHOTO: Ragnar Th. Sigurdsson
Safety first
Your safety is our priority. Here are some guidelines to help ensure you have a good on and off-board travel experience.
Inside the plane Please follow our safety demonstration closely and read the instructions on the safety card in your seat pocket. Kindly follow the guidance and suggestions of the cabin crew throughout the flight. The use of mobile phones and electronic devices on flight mode is allowed gate to gate. Cabin baggage should be stored in the overhead compartments or under the seat in front of you. We recommend that you keep your seatbelt fastened for the duration of the flight. Smoking is prohibited on all Air Iceland Connect flights. That also includes vaping.
Out in the wild When travelling in the Nordic region, be prepared for extreme weather conditions, even in the summer. Also bear in mind that the environment is fragile and that careless actions, such as off-road driving, can have irreversible consequences. In Iceland, thousands of volunteers of the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue (ICE-SAR) are looking out for your safety. If you are planning a trek, please leave a copy of your itinerary at safetravel.is. Also visit the website for equipment lists, travel plans and the latest travel conditions. For all excursions, please observe these tips:
→ When driving, keep your full attention on the road, especially on areas where tarmac turns to gravel. Blind hills should be approached with caution. It is illegal to operate a vehicle after consuming alcohol. → On single-lane bridges, the car closer to the bridge has the right of way, but it is always wise to stop and assess the situation. → Only take Highland roads if you have a 4x4 jeep, and make sure you have the experience necessary to operate these vehicles in tough conditions. → Roads can be quite slippery during winter, especially after frost in the early morning. All Highland roads are closed during winter. → Off-road driving is illegal. → When hiking, be prepared for sudden weather changes, stick to your travel plan, and dress appropriately, with water and wind-resistant clothes, gloves and hats. → Do not get too close to cliff edges or hot springs. When waves are big, stay far away from the sea; be especially vigilant along the south coast, which is open to the Atlantic Ocean.
Emergency numbers
→ If you get lost, call 112, the emergency service line. Stay where you are and wait for rescue services to find you.
Iceland and Europe: 112 North America: 911
→ The Search and Rescue Association also offers a free emergency app, downloadable from their website safetravel.is. Your coordinates will be sent to the emergency response crews should you use the app.
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