My North
Air Iceland Connect Magazine Nº 03 · September–December 2019 · Your free copy
Adventures across the Arctic
Perlan, Reykjavík, Iceland, 64°N, +8°C, 24/9, 18:05
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Keeping Iceland warm since 1926.
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Contents 06 07 08 10 12 14 16 22 24 26 28 30 32
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From our Managing Director New website for My North magazine Happenings this fall and winter Bird’s-eye view: Wild river on the South Coast Nielsen: New and noteworthy restaurant in the East Recipe: Reindeer tartare à la Nielsen Creativity and recreation in East Iceland Family fun: Wildlife, petting zoos and parks Interview: Cabin crew, safety instructor and iron woman Winter wonders of the Arctic Coast Way Scaling adventures: Northern lights Instagrammers inspired The art of Tolli: Muse and mindfulness Icelandic Yuletide: 13 troll brothers and leaf-bread News from Air Iceland Connect Service and safety on board Route network and destinations Our fabulous fleet Map: Flying across Iceland
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PUBLISHED BY AIR ICELAND CONNECT Editor: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir (editor@airicelandconnect.is) Cover image: OZZO Copy editor: Sarah Dearne Translations Icelandic ↔ English: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir Contributing Writers: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir, Carolyn Bain, Sarah Dearne, Lisa Gail Shannen, Michelle Spinei Contributing Photographers: Sebastian Boring, Nikolaus Brinkmann, Sarah Dearne, Jorge Fernandez, Roman Gerasymenko, Rebecca Gustafsson, Lilja Jonsdottir, Eythor Jovinsson, Marcin Kozaczek, Pascal Mauerhofer, Ben Simon Rehn, Arni Saeberg, Florian Trykowski, Advertising: airicelandconnect.com/mynorth Design: Bjorn H. Jonsson, Bertrand Kirschenhofer, Jonas Unnarsson / Islenska Ad Agency Printing: Prenttaekni
A HOME AWAY FROM HOME
The warm and cozy 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 Saga Premium passengers, Saga Silver and Saga Gold members, and certain credit card holders. Guests must carry a boarding pass for a departing Icelandair flight.
GREETING
From our Managing Director
n o s a e s e h t r u vo Sa Dear traveller, Welcome aboard. Welcome to “Our North”. The harvesting season is about to finish, hunting season is ongoing, the last of the ripe berries are being picked from heather, and so are wild herbs and mushrooms. Sheep will soon be rounded up.
Arni Gunnarsson, Air Iceland Connect Managing Director
Among those who make the most of these seasonal delights is Kari Thorsteinsson, former master chef at DILL Restaurant in Reykjavik, who, along with his wife Solveig Edda Bjarnadottir, opened Nielsen restaurant in Egilsstadir’s oldest house last spring. My North travel writer Carolyn Bain flew East to taste the results (see page 12). Kari shares his recipe of reindeer tartare on page 14. While travelling East Iceland, Carolyn looked into what else is new in the region, such as Vok Baths: new baths by lake Urridavatn, the reopening of legendary Reykjavik watering hole Sirkus in Seydisfjordur, stargazing at the Wilderness Center, and fabulous biking and hiking routes (see page 16). Cabin crew and safety instructor Katrin Lilly Magnusdottir discusses her job at Air Iceland Connect, competing in triathlon and the Landvaettir challenge on page 24. Read more about exercise, outdoor recreation and challenges in our adventure scale on page 28. On page 32, artist Tolli discusses a different kind of challenge – how one can encounter one’s biggest fear with meditation – and how nature inspires his adventurous landscapes. Michelle Spinei takes a winter road trip along the recently opened Arctic Coast Way (see page 26), while on pages 34–35, we cover unique Icelandic Yuletide traditions: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir visits the Yule Lads in Dimmuborgir lava fields and Lisa Gail Shannen participates in leaf-bread making on Videy island. What kind of adventure are you up for in the North this autumn and winter? My North provides the inspiration and Air Iceland Connect will take you there. Book your dream trip at airicelandconnect.com and share your adventure with us with the #mynorthadventure hashtag. Enjoy your journey and life’s pleasures.
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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. 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.
My North magazine enters cyberspace If you were unable to finish this magazine while in the air or would like to check out more travel adventures from back issues, fret not, for these will henceforth be available online at a brand-new website dedicated to My North, the Air Iceland Connect magazine. Since it was first published in 2017, we at Air Iceland Connect have received much praise for our in-flight magazine, both for design and content. We would therefore like to make it accessible to a larger readership and for the many inspirational travel stories to live on after they have disappeared from the planes. My North in-flight magazine takes you on an adventure across the Arctic. With stunning photographs and insightful features, we hope to awaken your curiosity about our destinations and whet your appetite for future travels. Read and share our articles at: →→mynorth.airicelandconnect.com
SMS
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
Exploring the north this autumn or winter? Check out our top picks for the coming months. TEXT: Sarah Dearne
Iceland
Photo: Sarah Dearne
Around Iceland Throughout September
Flateyri. Photo: Eythor Jovinsson
Hollywood of Iceland), whose population of 150 people split their time between fishing and movie making. RETTIR SHEEP ROUNDUP Every Sep- →→ icelandcomedyfilmfestival.com tember, wool-clad Icelanders head for the highlands for rettir, the annual sheep and horse roundup. It’s a Seydisfjordur remarkable experience, and every- 5 October one’s welcome to join. Book a tour if you wish to help out on horseback, or AUTUMN FESTIVAL The picturesque simply show up to watch the sorting town of Seydisfjordur celebrates the process (the Baendabladid website season with the annual Autumn Feshas all the dates and locations). tival. Small-town festivities include →→ bbl.is a food and crafts market, a pop-up dining event, a hotly contested jam competition, and various activities to keep the kids in good spirits. A Flateyri perfectly wholesome day out in the 19–22 September beautiful East Fjords. ICELAND COMEDY FILM FESTIVAL What →→ visitseydisfjordur.com makes Icelanders laugh? You can find out at the Iceland Comedy Film Festival, which includes film screen- Isafjordur ings, standup comedy, live music, 24–28 October and plenty of excuses to eat. The festival takes place in the tiny village V E T U R N A E T U R (W I N T E R N I G H T S) of Flateyri (cheekily nicknamed the Isafjordur gets an extra helping
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Seydisfjordur. Photo: Visit East Iceland
of winter darkness, with the sun disappearing behind the mountains from late November to the end of January. Locals welcome (or psych up for) the dark months ahead with Veturnaetur, the Winter Nights festival. Festivities include live music, exhibitions, and hearty winter buffets – a perfectly cosy combo to warm the winter nights. →→ westfjords.is
East Iceland 30 October to 3 November East Iceland also snuggles in for wintertime with Dagar Myrkurs, the Days of Darkness festival. Cultural events take place in towns all over the region, with a focus on harvest and ghostlythemed celebrations such as masked balls, poetry readings, Halloween festivities, and buffets of delicious local produce. →→ facebook.com/dagarmyrkurs DAYS OF DARKNESS
Faroe Islands
Photo: Florian Trykowski / Iceland Airwaves
Greenland
Sorvagsvatn/Leitisvatn.
Colourful Food Festival.
Photo: Sebastian Boring
Photo: Rebecca Gustafsson / Visit Greenland
Reykjavik 6–9 November
GOTA 19 October
Ilulissat and Nuuk 4 and 10 October
ICELAND AIRWAVES Iceland’s biggest music festival kicks into gear once again. This year’s lineup features homegrown stars Of Monsters and Men, VOK and Kaelan Mikla, as well as beloved import John Grant and a multitude of other artists from Iceland and abroad. If you can swing it, upgrade to the Airwaves Plus ticket for priority access and various other perks. →→ icelandairwaves.is
HOYMA Taking place in the tiny village of Gota (home of the G! Festival in summer), HOYMA consists of 20 intimate concerts hosted by locals in their living rooms. The festival is inspired by the Faroese tradition of husaganga, “house walking”, where villagers wander from home to home to sing songs around the fireplace. →→ gfestival.fo →→ facebook.com/hoymafestival
DISKO ARTS FESTIVAL Now in its third year, the Disko Arts Festival celebrates pioneering contemporary music and the performance and visual arts in all their most fluid forms, with a focus on collaboration between local and international artists. This year the festival hosts events both at Ilulissat Art Museum (on the 4th) and Nuuk Art Museum (on the 10th). →→ facebook.com/diskoartsfestival
Around Iceland 31 December
Vagar 10 December
Nuuk 7–13 October
NEW YEAR’S EVE While other countries put on carefully choreographed pyrotechnic displays, New Year’s Eve in Iceland is a rambunctious DIY affair – and it’s all the more exciting for it. Bonfires are also an essential component, with most being lit at 20:30 (see local websites for locations). Naturally, you’ll find the biggest celebrations in Reykjavik, but even the tiniest villages put on a show.
The villagers of Vagar island get into the holiday spirit with live music and singalongs, a range of baked goodies, and a visit by Santa Claus himself. The event takes place by Sorvagsvatn/Leitisvatn, the rather mind-bending lake above the sea that you may recognise from many an Instagram photo. →→ visitvagar.fo CHRISTMAS BY THE LAKE
NUUK NORDIC CULTURE FESTIVAL +
Held biennially in Nuuk, this important Greenlandic cultural event is celebrated with concerts, exhibitions, dance, theatre, literature and more with happenings in over 50 venues. This year the festival also encompasses the Colourful Food Festival, where you can taste and learn all about Greenland’s unique gastronomy. →→ nuuknordisk.gl COLOURFUL FOOD FESTIVAL
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LANDSCAPE
South Iceland
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By the mouth t o j l f r a k r a M f o TEXT: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir PHOTO: Ben Simon Rehn
Markarfljot is one of the mighty glacial rivers on the south coast of Iceland. From its source in Myrdalsjokull glacier it runs 100 km (62 miles) to the sea. Some of its tributaries come from the neighbouring Eyjafjallajokull glacier. The volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajokull in 2010 caused a massive jokulhlaup, a glacial outburst flood, in Markarfljot, threatening to destroy the bridge across it, so that two vents had to be dug into Ring Road 1.
Today, the river doesn’t seem so wild. Photographer Ben Simon Rehn captured this image on an unusually quiet winter’s day on the sand plains of Markarfljóts aurar near where the river mouths into the ocean. Usually, the wind would have blown the snow away, but on this day, the snow has created beautiful patterns, resulting in a striking contrast between the black sand, white snow and blue river.
GETTING THERE: It takes approximately two hours to drive from Reykjavik to the mouth of Markarfljot. → airicelandconnect.com
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A new feast in the East Egilsstadir welcomes a new restaurant with a polished pedigree. TEXT: Carolyn Bain PHOTOS: Arni Saeberg and Nielsen restaurant
It’s been quite a year for Kari Thorsteinsson and Solveig Edda Bjarna dottir. Together they have welcomed their first child, relocated from Reykjavik to Solveig’s East Iceland hometown, and taken over the oldest house in Egilsstadir, a pretty cottage built in 1944 and known locally as Nielsenshus, after the first owner, Oswald Nielsen.
aware of the gem they now have on their doorstep. Kari’s kitchen pedigree is impressive: he has worked at Copenhagen’s acclaimed Noma, and in Reykjavik was head chef at DILL, the first Icelandic restaurant awarded a Michelin star.
Kari, in turn, is elated at his new neighbourhood and the fine produce grown, caught and farmed in the In May, after some renovations, the restaurant’s radius. “You can’t get pair opened the doors to their new- more face-to-face with farmers than est family addition, the restaurant here”, he says, while telling stories of they have christened Nielsen. Resi- locals dropping by with homegrown dents of the East are fast becoming mushrooms, strawberries and wild
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salmon for him to check out. Nielsen’s accomplished offerings stretch across weekday lunch (big portions for local workers) and weekend brunch, but it’s the dinner menu that’s the highlight, where the farm-to-table (or fjord-to-table) ethos shines loud and proud. On tap is a delicious spritz concoction of rhubarb, gin, elderflower and lemon – perfect for menu-reading and decision-making. The meal begins with a dish destined to be a Nielsen staple: reindeer tartare. It’s
CULTURE
Food
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01 Pickles and preserves on display. Photo: Arni Saeberg. 02 Fresh produce meets fine plating. Photo: Nielsen restaurant. 03 Nielsen’s timber-lined dining room. Photo: Arni Saeberg. 04 Chef Kari Thorsteinsson at work. Photo: Arni Saeberg. 05 Pretty Nielsenshus, Egilsstadir’s oldest house. Photo: Arni Saeberg. 04
from an animal hunted by Solveig’s father (reindeer reside only in Iceland’s East, and hunting them is highly regulated). It’s a new flavour experience for me, heightened by the creamy egg yolk and earthy tones from mushrooms.
caramelised whey sauce (the whey comes from an Egilsstadir farm shop specialising in traditionally made skyr and cheese). Total food miles: minimal.
The waitstaff sing with one voice when asked for their dessert recFish and lamb are Nielsen’s most ommendation. I follow the tip: it’s a popular mains, but there are fudgy slab of chocolate and salted always creative veggie options caramel served with milk ice cream crafted from the output of near- and tiny larch leaves. I’m told of a by farm Vallanes. The cod comes local woman who tried it one night from Borgarfjordur eystri (as does and returned the following day for all Nielsen’s fish) and is paired with another serve. I feel that way about Vallanes barley, angelica foraged in the entire meal. I think I’ve found neighbouring town Fellabaer, and a myself a new favourite restaurant.
GETTING THERE:
Egilsstadir
Reykjavik
Air Iceland Connect flies daily from Reykjavik to Egilsstadir in only 50 minutes. → airicelandconnect.com → facebook.com/nielsenrestaurant
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FOOD
Recipe
Reindeer tartare à la Nielsen restaurant ’Tis the season for game! Reindeer roam wild in East Iceland and regulated hunting is permitted from August until mid-September. Local hunters keep Nielsen supplied with reindeer meat; this is a variation on a classic dish from chef Kari Thorsteinsson. PHOTO: Arni Saeberg INGREDIENTS:
Reindeer meat Egg yolks Mushrooms Mustard greens Reindeer moss Croutons METHOD:
Cut the reindeer meat into small pieces or mince it (do not use your finest mincer, better to have it a little chunky). 50g of meat per person is a good estimate for a starter. Season the meat with a pinch of salt.
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Cook egg yolks sous vide for 20 minutes at 72°C (162°F). Fry mushrooms in butter and then boil in water until they are tender. Put into a blender and make into a paste. Cut mustard greens into small pieces and distribute evenly over the plate. You can prepare croutons at home or buy them (it’s preferable to not have them heavily seasoned or with garlic). Arrange everything nicely on a plate and serve with a nice glass of red wine.
Bon appétit!
Did you know...
ȫȫ Reindeer
were imported to Iceland from Northern Norway in four groups from 1771 to 1787. The first three were sent to South Iceland and Vestmannaeyjar in 1771, Reykjanes in the southwest in 1777 and North Iceland in 1784, but all perished. ȫȫ The fourth group was sent to Vopna fjordur in East Iceland in 1787. The environment seemed to suit the reindeer well and they survived. The reindeer that exist in Iceland today are all descendants of these animals. ȫȫ Introducing reindeer to other regions of Iceland has been discussed. However, authorities have refused, reasoning that the animals may carry diseases which could prove dangerous to sheep. (Source: The Icelandic Web of Science)
MYVATN NATURE BATHS
Please book online at naturebaths.is
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New a dventures in the Ea st
East Iceland may be a long way from the capital, but that’s a large part of its charm. Check out what’s new and noteworthy in the region.
TEXT: Carolyn Bain PHOTOS: Arni Saeberg, Shutterstock and courtesy of the proprietors
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TRAVEL
East Iceland
I’m a big cheerleader for East Iceland, my favourite part of the country. It sometimes gets overlooked, especially by Ring Road tourists speeding through the region on their way between the southeast’s glacial wonders and Myvatn’s geothermal action. As a result, the East has to work harder to pique interest; there’s often a high degree of creativity on show here. With the chance to do a little pepping for the region, I set off to review the newest items to add to the ever-expanding catalogue of why people should visit. Topping the list for anyone looking for a taste of the
stellar local produce is Nielsen (page 12), a new restaurant helmed by a bigname chef.
Vok Baths, Urridavatn The headline summer opening was Vok Baths, located 5 km (3 miles) outside Egilsstadir on the shores of lake Urridavatn. Here, East Iceland scored its own designer geothermal spot to rival new hot-water bathing destinations such as GeoSea in North Iceland and Krauma in West Iceland, which have both made a splash in recent years.
Compared with the rest of the country, East Iceland is not well endowed with hot water; the natural hot springs bubbling away deep under Urridavatn are a prize, and channelling them for bathing seems a recipe for success. Vok’s opening has been highly anticipated, and the design (from Basalt Architects, the award-winning firm behind many of Iceland’s finest pools and geothermal baths) serves the lake location to great effect. Prime attention rightfully focuses on the two floating pools set in the lake waters, reached by a short walkway from the main
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TRAVEL
East Iceland
complex. On the shore are two more hot pools, an outdoor pool bar, steam baths and a cold tunnel equipped with mist showers, for those seeking a refreshing cold-water jolt. The complex’s raison d’etre is celebrated inside the smart facilities, too: an infusion bar allows visitors to make their own herbal tea, selecting herbs grown at nearby Vallanes farm and brewed using the certified drinkable hot-spring water of the lake. The onsite café serves beer specially crafted by Egilsstadir microbrewer Austri Brugghus; these brews also make use of the spring water and locally grown herbs and barley.
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The Wilderness Center, Nordurdalur In a remote valley southwest of lake Lagarfljot, the Wilderness Center continues to add to its collection of unique and cleverly crafted attractions. First, a bathhouse complex built with recycled timber and decorated with yesteryear mementoes, in keeping with the farm’s rustic style. Inside the building are bathrooms and showers, a sauna and a relaxation area with small fireplace and hammocks; outside is a stone-lined pool fed by hot spring water and enjoying glorious valley views. Showing similar levels of theatrical ingenuity and cosiness is the Wilderness Center’s new “stargazing station”, housed in an unassuming reconstructed barn where the show-stopping feature is a retractable roof. When skies are clear and dark, visitors can sit on sheepskins by the fire, sip hot cocoa and have constellations – or dancing northern lights – revealed to them as the
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roof opens. Miles from any sources of light pollution, the dark skies can reveal their treasures with the help of a modern telescope and enthusiastic stargazing and storytelling guides.
Studlagil canyon, Jokuldalur If you’ve been anywhere near Instagram this summer, you’ve probably seen images of a spectacular canyon lined with crazy basalt column formations, with an intensely bluegreen river running through it. This is Studlagil, a canyon traversed by the Jokulsa a Dal river. It was once a gushing glacial river, but its flow (and colour) has been dramatically altered by the construction of the Kara hnjukar dam in the eastern highlands.
Now it’s one of East Iceland’s most photogenic spots, getting its turn in the spotlight and a steady flow of visitors despite its remote location. A short but steep marked trail (around 260 m / 853 ft) has been developed to guide visitors to two scenic viewpoints on the west side of the canyon edge, and the path is accessed from the farm named Grund, where there’s a small car park and signage to let you know you’re in the right spot. From Egilsstadir, follow Route 1 northwest for 53 km (32 miles), then turn south on gravel road number 923 and drive another 19 km (11 miles) to reach Grund. The path is steep – there is rope in
TRAVEL
East Iceland
01 Everyone’s new favourite canyon, basaltlined Studlagil. Photo: Shutterstock. 02 The biggest opening in the East for 2019, Vok Baths. Photo: Vok Baths. 03 Soak in the Wilderness Center’s new hot pools. Photo: The Wilderness Center. 04 A retractable roof is the headliner at the Wilderness Center’s stargazing station. Photo: The Wilderness Center. 05 The much-loved Sirkus bar finds a new home in Seydisfjordur. Photo: Arni Saeberg. 06 Beer and pizza: a perfect combination at Askur Taproom and Pizzeria. Photo: Arni Saeberg.
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Sirkus, Seydisfjordur
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a few places to aid your scrambling – and the canyon edge is sheer, so extra caution is recommended, especially in slippery weather. But it’s unquestionably worth it.
Fjord Bikes, Borgarfjordur eystri Borgarfjordur eystri has been establishing a well-earned reputation for first-class hiking trails in its surrounding mountains, so it was probably just a matter of time before someone spied the potential for mountain biking in those same peaks. Enter Arni Magnusson, founder of a newly created company called Fjord Bikes, primed to get you onto two wheels and out among nature.
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Arni hails from a family with strong ties to the fjord, and he and his new American wife are building a house in the village. For his tourism degree, he got to grips with the ups and downs of global mountain-bike trails, and he is now applying his knowledge to Borgarfjordur. Visitors can simply hire bikes and helmets from him and tap into local advice (bikes are located at the community-run village store), or they can organise a guided village ride or more in-depth mountain-trail exploration. Arni is super-flexible and passionate; the cruisy evening ride I took with him was a sensory idyll of golden sunlight, birdsong, mountain panoramas, and fields studded with lupine.
Sirkus was a legendary Reykjavik bar, a hotbed of mayhem, creativity and community until its closure in 2007. Sigga, the bar’s owner, had the foresight to save elements of the bar’s facade and decor before demolition, and after a decade in storage these Sirkus souvenirs can again see the light of day. The Sirkus puffin signage lives on out front, and palm-tree artwork from the bar’s original facade now adorns some of the interior walls. The DJ station is original, as are many of the chairs, and the bar’s vibe is eclectic and welcoming. The location of the bar’s new incarnation seems a logical one: Seydisfjordur has built a reputation for creativity thanks to great festivals like LungA and a strong community of artists. Behind the bar on my recent visit was Philippe, who also worked in the original Reykjavik location. I asked about future plans for the freshly opened venue – whether it plans to open all year, for example, and to serve food eventually – and the answers are a little vague. This seems perfectly apt: “Sirkus has always been a shapeshifter”, Philippe says. “This version will be the same.”
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TRAVEL
07 Borgarfjordur eystri beckons mountain bikers. Photo: Fjord Bikes.
East Iceland
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Askur Taproom, Egilsstadir Microbreweries are all the rage in Iceland, it seems. They’re springing up in small towns around the country, and East Iceland is no exception (see a great example at Beljandi Brugghus in tiny Breiddalsvik). Egilsstadir’s brewery is Austri Brugghus, and its home base is the excellent Askur Taproom, taking the local nightlife by storm (especially because options were super-slim prior to the taproom’s opening). There are six taps allowing you to sample widely from the Austri range,
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from Muli (oatmeal stout) to Skessa (a double IPA infused with locally grown wasabi). Curious beer-lovers can arrange brewery tours via the website. A calendar of events keeps the locals returning – quiz nights, live music, DJs and more are advertised on Askur’s Facebook page. Next door is the Askur Pizzeria, a simple, stylish space pumping out a menu of 12-inch pizzas that range from standard (ham and pineapple) to unexpected (wild goose and red-onion jam).
GETTING THERE:
Borgarfjordur Seydisfjordur Jokuldalur Egilsstadir Nordurdalur Reykjavik
Air Iceland Connect flies daily to Egilsstadir in only 50 minutes. From there, the drive to Seydisfjordur takes 30 minutes and to Borgarfjordur eystri roughly one hour. → airicelandconnect.com → east.is
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.
ACTIVITIES
Family
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01 Photo: Jorge Fernandez 02 Photo: Visit North Iceland 03 Photo: Daladyrd 04 Photo: Pascal Mauerhofer
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Animal adventures 04
The colder months are a wonderful time of year to meet and learn about some of Iceland’s unique wildlife. Here are our top tips for animal lovers of all ages. TEXT: Sarah Dearne
Tiny tots and younger children
Older children and teens
The gentle joy of a petting zoo will delight even the smallest travellers.
School-age kids and teenagers will enjoy more adventurous animal-centric tours, and luckily there are plenty on offer.
If you’re in or around Akureyri, make the short drive to Daladyrd (open till mid-October), where kids can cuddle up to goats, horses, dogs, cats, rabbits and chickens, and then burn off steam in the play area. In Reykjavik, you can take a quick bus ride to the Family Park and Zoo (aka Husdyragardurinn, open year-round), which has both domestic animals and Icelandic wildlife such as seals, reindeer and Arctic foxes. The park also includes an adventure playground and a few rides that operate on weekends, weather allowing. Note: Animals speak Icelandic too. To ensure communication (and your own amusement), teach kids to greet dogs with voff voff, ducks with bra bra, and cows with a hearty muuu!
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Horse-riding tours are available all around the country, and the small and sturdy Icelandic horse is perfect for young and inexperienced riders. Whale-watching tours are another safe bet, with sightings all but guaranteed. Humpbacks and whitebeaked dolphins are the most common sightings during the colder months, and large seabirds such as gannets and fulmars also make cameo appearances. Try a tour from Husavik in North Iceland, which has remarkably plentiful waters and an excellent whale museum in town. Tweens and teens with a bit more stamina will also enjoy reindeer safaris in the East, the Icelandic Seal Center combined with seal-watching tours in Hvammstangi, or if you’re here in September, Arctic fox tours in the Westfjords.
Domestic flight from €67 d l a n G r e e n A rct i c
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GREENL AND Nerlerit Inaat
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e A rct i c C i rc l
Grimsey
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Isafjordur
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Akureyri
in .
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GREENL AND Ilulissat Kulusuk Nuuk Narsarsuaq
Thorshofn
m
in
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m in
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I C E L A N D Keflavik
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From city centre to countryside in under an hour A t l a n t i c
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Your adventure is just a click away. Our airport is conveniently located in downtown Reykjavik, and a trip across the country that’s as quick as your average commute means that you can get started in no time. airicelandconnect.com
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R acing and rejoicing
Katrin Lilly Magnusdottir works in cabin crew and as a safety instructor for Air Iceland Connect. She practises various sports and outdoor recreational activities such as sea swimming, and last year she competed in a triathlon for the first time. This year, she plans to take it one step further. TEXT: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir PHOTO: Arni Saeberg
You’ve previously trained in ballet and yoga. Why did you move on to triathlon? I was sort of dared into triathlon and competed for the first time last year. My friend’s husband was turning 50 and was totally going to get into shape and set goals for himself. He formed a training group and challenged us to compete in the Laugarvatn triathlon, a half-Olympic triathlon. I took one week to think it through: “Can I do it?”. I had to think about all the pros and cons, but then I started
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training and I certainly don’t regret it. I attended cycling classes and took private swimming lessons – I hadn’t swum since high school! Then I was the only one who went to Laugarvatn and completed the challenge! I took a photo, sent it to the others and wrote: “Where were you!?”
training, I stopped to think: “Katrin, you’re 45 and you have never participated in any competition sport. What are you thinking?” But I want to be a great role model for my children. My daughter drew a picture of me competing in the first triathlon, writing: “Go, mummy!”. This is what makes it all worthwhile.
How did you feel after crossing the triathlon finish line?
And now you’re about to become a Landvaettur. What is that?
It was the most amazing feeling. Just wonderful. And it made me want to continue. Sometimes while
It involves four challenges in each of the four regions of the country, which you have 12 months
INTERVIEW
Air Iceland Connect You also go sea swimming regularly. What are the benefits? I decided to try sea swimming to improve my resilience against the cold – I’m such a wimp when it comes to cold – and I believe that it’s working. I took my first ocean dip last year but started bathing regularly in January when the temperature was only about 1–2°C [34–36°F]! I usually go to Nautholsvik in Reykjavik and start with the hot tub. Then I bathe in the sea. At high tide I sometimes swim around the rocks and into the cove and finish by going back into the hot tub. I prefer sea swimming to the cold tubs at the swimming pools because I like being outside in nature. Nature gives me energy. What do you like to do with your family when you have time off?
to complete. You choose which challenge you take on first, and you have the opportunity to repeat it. The challenges are Fossavatnsgangan, a 50-km cross-country ski race in Isafjordur in the West; a 60-km bicycle race from Hafnarfjordur to the Blue Lagoon in the South; a 2.5-km swim in Urridavatn lake by Egilsstadir in the East; and a nature run, either the 32.7-km Jokulsa run, or the 25-km Thorvaldsdalur run. It gives me a training plan. I joined the cross-country club Ullur in Blafjoll and trained there while there was snow in the mountains. I focus on one challenge at a time and also do a different kind of exercise. For example, I try to go to yoga once a week. But, understandably as a single mum, I don’t always have a lot of time for training.
My daughter is 11 and my son is 16. I like taking the kids skiing; they both love it. There are many fine ski resorts in Iceland but I’m crazy about Hlidarfjall. To me, going to Akureyri is like travelling abroad. I took the kids there for a city break for a long weekend last spring. We went to the Myvatn Nature Baths, a concert at Graeni hatturinn, to the swimming pool and had the best brunch ever at Hof Culture Centre. Tell us about your work as a cabin crew member at Air Iceland Connect. From the outside, it looks like a service profession, but it’s first and foremost a safety-related profession. We are constantly following fixed safety procedures: Place the bags under the seats, make sure the seat belts are tight and many other things. The other parts of it are extra. It matters of course to
have a good presence and be hospitable. It’s a very interpersonal profession. You meet people who are at a crossroads in their lives. They may just have had their first baby and are taking it home for the first time. People may be coming from a funeral or be on their way to a family reunion. A certain group of people have a fear of flying and they sometimes become so vulnerable and you become a listener. It’s important to be able to read into circumstances. It’s a very diverse and fun profession. And you also work as a safety instructor. Yes. I’m responsible for the formal retraining of all crew members and for teaching new employees the safety procedures, among other things. It suits me well to mix these two jobs together and the training job gives me a lot. I’ve also been educating myself in order to deepen my knowledge of teaching adults. I love working for Air Iceland Connect. I feel like we, the crew members, are one big family. We are there for each other. That’s invaluable. What’s your next challenge? I might do the Landvaettir again to improve my time or go on specified mountain treks. I have sometimes imagined that it would be fun to trek to Everest Base Camp or to the top of Kilimanjaro. The sky is the limit! The main thing is to take care of your health – we only get one body – and mental and physical health are two sides of the same coin. I dream about going on yoga trips or doing a different kind of exercise outside in nature. I get a kick out of cycling fast, but even though racing is fun, one must remember to rejoice as well.
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e v i r d n a e c O Road trip along the Arctic Coast Way.
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TEXT: Michelle Spinei PHOTOS: Courtesy of Visit North Iceland and the proprietors
As I drove, I looked at the snowcapped mountains on one side of the road and the ocean on the other. Up ahead, houses painted in bright primary colours signified that I was coming up to the next fishing village.
Winter weekend getaway I was on a winter road trip along the Arctic Coast Way (Nordurstrandarleid), a brandnew tourist route that stretches
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along the entire northern coastline of Iceland, from Hvammstangi to Bakkaf jordu r. Winding through fjords and along several peninsulas, the route features natural wonders like lava fields and geothermal pools, as well as wildlife watching and adventure activities. While summer months are typically associated with road trips around Iceland, the colder months bring a dramatic turn to the Icelandic landscape, dotting the mountains with red and gold in the autumn and a coat of white in the winter. The northern lights are at their peak visibility from late September to March.
I started my trip in Akureyri, the unofficial capital of North Iceland, before driving up to Siglufjordur for a long weekend. The section of the Arctic Coast Way I chose is known for its charming fishing villages and maritime heritage. Non-stop, the drive takes about one hour, but there are plenty of reasons to stop along the way. Akureyri is home to an active cultural scene and a bustling main street of shops and restaurants, so I gave myself an evening to relax and explore. I headed to the Akureyri swimming pool, which was filled with people coming back from a day at the nearby ski slopes. I sat in the hot pots and
TRAVEL
North Iceland
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01 The iconic Akureyrarkirkja church overlooks Akureyri’s main shopping street. Photo: Visit North Iceland. 02 Route 82 offers views of the ocean and mountains. Photo: Visit North Iceland. 03 Northern lights over Siglo Hotel. Photo: Siglo Hotel. 04 Historic fishing boats on display at the Herring Era Museum. Photo: Herring Era Museum. GETTING THERE:
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Siglufjordur Olafsfjordur
Akureyri
Reykjavik
Air Iceland Connect flies daily between Reykjavik and Akureyri in only 40 minutes. You can rent a car at the airport. Check road conditions at road.is before you leave. There’s also a bus connection to Olafsfjordur and Siglufjordur. → airicelandconnect.com → arcticcoastway.is 03
chatted with both locals and fellow tourists and received the tip to see popular Icelandic indie band Valdimar that evening at Graeni hatturinn. The venue was packed and the band gave an energetic performance as their fans danced and sang along to the songs.
Troll territory The next morning, after stopping at a bakery for astarpungar, Icelandic donuts known as “love balls”, I drove north on Route 82, heading towards Trollaskagi (“Troll Peninsula”) to Olafsfjordur. The black-sand beaches around there are known to attract surfers year-round, so I walked along
hoping to see some Arctic surfing. While I didn’t find surfers, I did find plenty of trolls. Olafsfjordur is home to an artist residency that carried out a project painting troll murals throughout the town. It was fun to wander around and try to find them, peeking out on the sides of buildings.
of the mountains. In the evening, I braved the chilly air and walked along the harbour. I saw what I thought at first were pale clouds in the distance. After a few minutes they started moving ever so slightly and I realised that my drive was timed perfectly enough to view the northern lights.
Herring Era I drove onwards to Siglufjordur and went to the Herring Era Museum, which describes the gold-rush-style history of herring and its importance to Iceland’s economy. I stayed the night at Siglo Hotel, nestled in the town’s marina, in a room with a view
DID YOU KNOW... The oldest rock above sea level in Iceland, 15–16 million years old, can probably be found in the mountain Goltur by Sugandafjordur in the Westfjords. While the rock in Iceland is among the world’s youngest, Greenland has the oldest; some of it is at least 3.8 billion years old.
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ACTIVITIES
Adventure guide
Season to taste
So, which appeals to you most? Calm, curious or exhilarating?
TEXT: Sarah Dearne
Photo: Buubble Tours / buubble.com
If you’re visiting the North this autumn or winter, you might have planned on catching culture or enjoying the outdoors. To give you some inspiration, we pick a theme and sort activities by adventure level, from keen beginner to expert explorer. This issue, we tilt our gaze to the skies in search of northern lights.
Photo: Shutterstock
Photo: Nikolaus Brinkmann / Visit Greenland
Calm
Curious
Exhilarating
Iceland takes glamping to its logical conclusion with Buubble accommodation – inflated transparent “igloos” set amidst Icelandic nature. The orbs are transparent, revealing views of the surrounding pine forest, the starry night sky, and – if you’re fortunate – the northern lights swirling overhead. The bubbles are located near the Golden Circle route in South Iceland and are available exclusively as part of a tour of the coast or the Golden Circle route.
While the Faroe Islands aren’t quite as well situated for aurora spotting as their northerly neighbours, getting away from light pollution will up your chances. The village of Gjogv (pop. 50) is ideal, located at the northernmost tip of Eysturoy island and far from the lights of larger towns (yet only an hour’s drive from Torshavn). Arm yourself with some cocoa, take a hike on a clear evening, and you may be in luck.
If you’re travelling in September, a multi-day hike from Ilulissat or Nuuk will boost both the adventure factor and your odds of seeing the aurora, while an evening snowshoe tour of the Ilulissat Icefjord is splendid if you’re shorter on time. Later in the season, remote yet accessible Kulusuk is ideal, with direct Air Iceland Connect flights running yearround. A hike up Mt. Isikajia makes for a dazzling vantage point.
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Ready. Offset. Go! All Orkan operations are carbon offset Orkan and the Wetland Fund have signed a threeyear agreement on the carbon offsetting of all of Orkan’s operations. In this way, we shoulder our social responsibility and systematically reduce our carbon footprint. Last year, Orkan opened two hydrogen service stations, at Vesturlandsvegur and in Reykjanesbær. This year, a new multi-fuel-station was added on
Miklubraut that has methane gas, electricity and hydrogen available. Through carbon offsetting and an increased supply of renewable energy sources, we are contributing to an improved environmental culture in line with our updated priority: to be an energy company of the future.
Customers can now also carbon offset their fuel purchases:
Key and card holders register at the pump or on orkan.is
7 ISK discount per litre goes towards carbon offsets
More information about the project can be found at orkan.is.
The Wetland Fund equals your carbon offsetting contribution
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.
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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01 Kangerlussuaq, Greenland @ulannaqingemann_photography 02 Trollaskagi, Iceland @jan_dancak That one day in summer, when you realize, how epic the last winter actually was. 03 Snaefellsjokull National Park, Iceland @hemmi.landscapes A Midsummer Night’s Dream 04 Greenland @tomklockerphoto One of the most amazing days in Greenland last September.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Competition
Iceland @hemmi.landscapes
And the winner is… Hermann Thor Snorrason (@hemmi.landscapes on Instagram). “Solheimajokull glacier retreats significantly every year and its bottom part is therefore widely covered in sand. In 2007 a glacial lagoon formed in front of the glacial tongue, which expands quickly. It now measures several hundred square meters and is 60 m (197 ft) deep. If this development continues, it is estimated that the lagoon can reach as much as a depth of 150 m (492 ft) and length of 4.5 km (2.8 miles). Most of the icebergs in the unusual lagoon are striped because of the sand in the glacial tongue, which makes the area even more adventurous. The photo was taken on a beautiful afternoon last summer following a 15-km (9-mile) hike along the edge of the glacier. The walking path is clearly
marked and suitable for almost the entire family: tweens, teens and adults. Travel companies also offer kayak tours of the lagoon along with short guided walks up the glacier, including the suitable equipment.” Hermann wins a flight to any of Air Iceland Connect’s destinations in Iceland. Congratulations! 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!
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CULTURE
Visual art
Mind t ravel
Tolli discusses his art and the power of mindfulness and meditation. TEXT: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir PHOTO: Arni Saeberg
“You enter a dragon’s cave and meet your biggest fear. It’s crucial to always approach it with love.” Visual artist Tolli (Thorlakur Kristinsson Morthens) is passionate about mindfulness. He has meditated every morning and evening for about a decade. “Meditation is a rendezvous with oneself.” He likes meditating outside in nature and also practices sweat, purification ceremonies inside a closed tent with hot rocks in the centre. Nature also inspires Tolli’s art. He recently exhibited landscape paintings in four airports around Iceland. “These are landscape themes from here and there, depending on what the paintbrush wants to see. But in
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fact, the motive is secondary. The process of painting a picture is the main issue. That the painting follows its own principles, not that it’s an image of a mountain or a place”, explains Tolli. His works are characterised by bold brushstrokes, a strong character and vibrant colours. “There’s always an interplay between light and shadow. The light plays the main part and leads the narrative.” Tolli explains that airports are excellent locations for art shows because of the spacious capacities and high ceilings. “Thousands of people constantly flow through the building and stop for 10–15 minutes, maybe longer, and enjoy for a while before boarding the plane or picking up their
bags, and then a conversation takes place.” The project is a collaboration between Tolli and Isavia, the airports’ operator. They now plan to use the terminals as makeshift cultural institutions for introducing the works of young artists. Tolli regularly gives courses in mindfulness and meditation at various workplaces and in prisons. “I try to bring the light from the paintings into the prisons”, he says. “Among those who begin to practice and connect to my teachings the results are indisputable. Changes happen regardless of who you are. It doesn’t matter if you’re a prisoner or a bank director; if you pick this up it will change you for the better.”
Advennttuurrre awwaaiitts Anchorage Anchorage
Vancouver Vancouver Seattle Seattle Portland Portland San Francisco San Francisco Edmonton Edmonton
Denver Ilulissat Ilulissat
Minneapolis / St. Paul Minneapolis / St. Paul Kansas City Kansas City Chicago Chicago Cleveland Toronto Toronto Montreal Montreal
Nuuk Nuuk
Narsarsuaq Narsarsuaq
NerleritInaat Inaat Nerlerit Helsinki Helsinki
Kulusuk Kulusuk
Akureyri Akureyri KEFLAVIK REYKJAVIK REYKJAVIK
Baltimore Washington D.C. New York Washington D.C. New York Philadelphia Philadelphia Boston Tampa Boston Halifax Orlando Orlando
Torshavn Torshavn
Oslo Oslo Bergen Bergen
Stockholm Stockholm
Copenhagen Copenhagen Billund Billund Hamburg Hamburg Berlin Glasgow AmsterdamBerlin Glasgow Amsterdam Dusseldorf Dusseldorf Frankfurt Manchester Dublin Manchester Frankfurt Dublin Brussels Munich Munich LondonBrussels London Zurich Zurich Paris Paris Milan Geneva Milan Geneva
Madrid Madrid
The road travels from Greenland to all around the world.
airicelandconnect.com
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TRADITIONS
Christmas
e l u Y c i d n a l e c I g C elebratin The Yule Lads in Dimmuborgir in North Iceland welcome guests during Advent.
TEXT: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir PHOTO: Marcin Kozaczek
Christmas is only a few weeks away. Snow covers the Dimmuborgir lava fields. By the gate to the volcanic wonderworld stands an ancient fellow with a long, grey beard and wearing traditional Icelandic woollen clothing. Door Slammer leans into his walking stick and smiles through his beard as he welcomes visitors. Kids, warmly dressed for the occa-
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sion, laugh cheerily as their parents pull them on toboggans down the hill leading into Dimmuborgir. This is where the 13 Icelandic Yule Lads live. Every day from 1 December to Christmas Eve, people are invited to visit them here, learn more about their (bad) habits and traditions, and celebrate Yuletide the Icelandic way. I scramble up a rocky slope and into a cave where another Yule Lad carves thin slices from a leg of lamb and
offers us a taste of the smoked meat. This must be Meat Hook. His brother Gully Gawk is there too. He has obviously gotten his hands on a bucket of milk, for he smiles from below his milk moustache. I walk carefully back down to greet other Yule Lads: Pot Scraper is knitting, Door Sniffer is handing out crisp leaf-bread, and Sausage Swiper barbecues sausages over an open fire. Children are quick to gather around him for a bite. Ladle Licker believes it’s a fine idea
to dance around the Christmas tree – except, there is no Christmas tree, so he balances his ladle on top of the next guy’s head and orders him to act like a tree, then leads a singing group of children around him. Today is the second Saturday in December and that’s when the Yule Lads take their annual bath at the Myvatn Nature Baths. Visitors are welcome to join them and many are keen to bathe with the Yule Lads. Anticipation is rife when they arrive. They’re not wearing regular swimsuits but woollen underwear! They bring rough brushes to scrub themselves – and others – as well as rubber ducks and other toys. Skyr Gobbler refuses to bathe but sits by the poolside and feeds skyr to those who care for a taste with a large wooden spoon. When all the other lads are clean as a whistle, they sing carols on the bank before returning home. Inside the baths is a Christmas market with various handicrafts and local treats for sale. In the evening, many Myvatn residents join guests at Sel – Hotel Myvatn for a Christmas buffet. As we’re about to finish desserts, unexpected visitors drop by, making a lot of noise: Door Slammer and Meat Hook sing and dance around the Christmas tree (an actual tree, this time) and afterwards hand out treats to the children. Everyone is left with a jolly feeling. May the Yuletide begin!
GETTING THERE: Myvatn Akureyri
Reykjavik
Air Iceland Connect flies daily to Akureyri in only 40 minutes. From there it takes under an hour and a half to drive to Dimmuborgir by Myvatn. → airicelandconnect.com → visitmyvatn.is
Deep-fried snowflakes As Christmas draws near, a whole host of cultural activities are set in motion in Icelandic households.
INGREDIENTS:
1 kg (2.2 lb) flour 50 g (1.75 oz) butter 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt 1 tbsp. sugar 7 dl (3 cups) milk Coconut oil or Icelandic tolg for frying the bread
TEXT: Lisa Gail Shannen
METHOD:
PHOTO: Roman Gerasymenko
Melt the butter in a pan, add milk and heat until almost boiled. Pour over the flour, baking powder and salt, then add the sugar and stir. Knead the dough until smooth and divide into 30 balls. Roll each ball into wafer-thin, approximately 18-cm (7") disks on a floured surface (a plate can be used to measure). Use a paring knife to create a pattern of nested Vs. Fold back every other V and press down the dough. Separate each bread with greaseproof paper and cover with a damp cloth. Fry separately in hot oil (200°C / 390°F) for around 10–15 seconds on each side. Press the warm bread with a lid or similar tool on a paper towel.
Originating in North Iceland, laufabraud (“leaf-bread”) – a wafer-thin, crisp flatbread carved with intricate patterns – is now made all around the country. The activity usually involves the whole family, but there are also events such as the annual workshop at Videy island off Reykjavik. The following laufabraud recipe (for 30 pieces) was provided by Principal of the Icelandic School of Home Economics, Margret D. Sigfusdottir.
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NEWS
Air Iceland Connect
Connecting the dots There’s always something happening at Air Iceland Connect and our destinations. Here’s a roundup of some of the most newsworthy events. TEXT: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir
Photo: Lilja Jonsdottir
Shared stories spread joy
Radherrann filmed at Reykjavik Airport
Let’s plant a fairytale forest
Our “Shared stories” have garnered much media attention and have been hailed as an innovative yet simple form of in-flight entertainment. Passengers are encouraged to share their travel adventures in any language in the journals in the seat pocket in front of them, and then leave them there for the next passenger to enjoy and share his or her own story. In an effort to share these exciting experiences with more people, we took some of the journals to various locations in Reykjavik and left them on benches to be discovered by passersby. Almost immediately, people of all walks of life picked them up and started reading, felt inspired and decided to add something about their own travels.
Some of the scenes for Icelandic television series Radherrann (The Minister), a political drama, were filmed at Reykjavik Airport last spring. Benedikt, the newly elected Prime Minister of Iceland (Olafur Darri Olafsson), has been in control of his bipolar disorder for years until the stress affects his mental health and he loses his hold on reality. The series was shot on location in Reykjavik and in Svarf adard alur valley in North Iceland. Produced by Sagafilm, The Minister will premiere in Iceland in autumn 2020 and in the other Nordic countries shortly afterwards. Lumiere will distribute the series in the Benelux countries and Cineflix Rights in all other countries.
Air Iceland Connect offers a new green choice to its customers. In cooperation with Klappir – Smart Environment Management, the airline has calculated the average cost of carbon offsetting flights to its destinations taking distances and number of passengers into account. When you book your next trip, the only thing you have to do is click the button to carbon offset the flight, which is just as easy as adding a suitcase. The payment will be used for planting trees that with time will offset more and more carbon and turn into a true fairytale forest. With growing environmental consciousness, Iceland goes greener, quite literally.
Fast facts about Air Iceland Connect and aviation in Iceland
49,444
international passengers took off from Reykjavik in 2018, 11,631 from Akureyri – up by 70.3% from 2017! – and 3,655 from Egilsstadir – up by 9.7%.
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737,319
domestic travellers passed through airports in Iceland in 2018: 48.9% through Reykjavik, 25.9% through Akureyri, 12.3% through Egilsstadir and 4.4% through Isafjordur.
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different types of aircraft flew through Icelandic airspace in 2018: the most common was Boeing 777, followed by Boeing 757 and Boeing 787.
5.3
tonnes of goods were delivered by air to Grimsey island in 2018; 410 aircraft movements were registered at the local airport.
SERVICE
Air Iceland Connect
Shared stories
Duty free – Your first stop
When you land in Reykjavik or Akureyri after an exciting trip to GreenWe would love to hear about your travels. In the seat pocket is a journal land the first stop is the duty-free where passengers who have sat in this seat before you have made some store, where you can buy sweets, notes about their travel experiences. What did you discover on your trip? alcoholic beverages and various Pick up a pen and share your adventures with future travellers the old- other items at bargain prices. fashioned way.
Environmental policy
Service on board 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.
Safety on board
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 was the first airline in Iceland to receive the ISO 14000 international environment management standard certification. The airline began recycling in 2008 and has since taken further steps towards greener operations, for example by reducing water and energy usage, as well as emissions.
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. Now you can carbon offset your flight when you book your ticket, just as simply as adding a suitcase, and help planting a true fairytale forest.
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DESTINATIONS
Air Iceland Connect
Iceberg capital
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Ilulissat
60
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Studied Inuit history
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Nuuk
Kulusuk
Visited Erik the Red
Hiked Mt. Isikajia
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Narsarsuaq
Shape your adventure
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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60 °
A t l a n
75°
75 °
Takeoffs and touchdowns
D
The beginning and end of a terrific journey, Air Iceland Connect’s main airports are not just for passing through. 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 takeoff of the first airplane in the country. Scheduled flights from cle C i r launched in March Reykjavik Airport were tic A rc 1940, when Air Iceland moved its headquarters from Akureyri to Reykjavik.
Nerlerit Inaat
x Authentic hunting community
d l a n n e e G r
Crossed the Arctic Circ le
Fabulous fish buff etGrimseyx
A rc t i c C i rc l e
Isafjordur
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x Thorshofn
Akureyri
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I C E L A N D
REYKJAVIK
Had a bla st at Airwaves!
Vopnafjordur
xEgilsstadir
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.
Curious rock formations
Hot and cold bathing at Urridavatn Torshavn
NDS ISL A
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E FARO
EGILSSTADIR 6 0 ° INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 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.
Fell for Faroese fashion
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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M
FLEET
Air Iceland Connect
n w o n k n u e h t s d r wa o T In the Age of Settlement they embarked on a journey into the unknown with their loved ones. The six Bombardier aircraft in our fleet are named after female settlers and Icelandic saga heroines. Still flying high, we uphold their legacies with pride.
Audur djupudga TF-FXA Q400
Hallgerdur langbrok TF-FXB Q400
Thorunn hyrna TF-FXI Q400
Audur djupudga (“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. After losing her husband and only son, she sailed to Iceland along with her crew. It is said that her settlement extended across all the valleys of Breidafjordur in West Iceland. Audur 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, Hall gerdur never took orders from anyone. She started a feud with her neighbour Bergthora; and Hallgerdur’s husband, Gunnar, had to pay for a slap he gave her with his life. When besieged by his enemies, Gunnar begged his wife 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 Hallgerdur had particularly long legs (langbrok means “long pants”). Another that the original meaning of the word is “long-haired”.
Does her epithet refer to a shawl she wore over her head or shoulders? Along with her husband, Helgi magri (“the lean”), Thorunn hyrna settled in Eyjafjordur, Northeast Iceland, and was the first woman to do so. Thorunn was the sister of Audur djupudga, the most famous of all female settlers. While Thorunn and Helgi sailed into the fjord, looking for a place to build their farm, Thorunn gave birth to a daughter on a small holm in Eyjafjardara river. Their daughter, Thorbjorg holmasol, was the first native-born resident of Eyjafjordur.
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Wind beneath our wings Q400
Q200
The Air Iceland Connect fleet comprises of three Bombardier Q400s and three 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
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
Arndis audga TF-FXG Q200
Thorbjorg holmasol TF-FXH Q200
Thuridur sundafyllir TF-FXK Q200
Her father was a settler in Dalir, but she wished to choose her own land. Arndis audga (“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.
The first person born in Eyjafjordur was a girl who was given the name Thorbjorg holmasol (“Islet-Sun”). It is said that she was delivered on a delta in Eyjafjardara river when her parents, settlers Thorunn hyrna and Helgi magri (“the lean”), were sailing their ship to Kristnes. There, they built a handsome farmhouse and raised the girl, who was bestowed with the most cheerful epithet in the history of Icelandic settlement. In Akureyri, the region’s first settlers are remembered in various ways; there’s a kindergarten called Holmasol after Thorbjorg.
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-Steinn Thuridarson. His father was unknown. DID YOU KNOW... The world’s largest national park is in northeastern Greenland, stretching over an area measuring 972,000 km2 (375,291 sq mi), almost the combined size of France and Spain. Yet, only about 40 people inhabit the area – as do a number of wild animals.
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GRÆNLAND GREENLAND Nerlerit Inaat A rc t i c C i rc l e
Grímsey
Ísafjörður
Akureyri
Breiðafjörður
Blöndulón
Ljósufjöll
Snæfellsjökull
Hofsjökul Langjökul
GRÆNLAND GREENLAND Ilulissat Kulusuk Nuuk Narsarsuaq
Faxaflói
Geysir Gullfoss Þórisvatn
Þingvellir
REYKJAVÍK Keflavík
Bláfjöll Bláa lónið
Hekla
(Blue Lagoon)
N N o o r ð u r - A r t h t l A t l a n a n t s h a f t i c O c e a n
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Eyjafjallajökull
Vestmannaeyjar
Mýrdalsjökull Katla
Heimskautsbaugur
Hvað sést út um gluggann?
Þórshöfn
Dettifoss
Vopnafjörður Dimmuborgir Mývatn
What can you see out the window?
Egilsstaðir Ef þú villist hringdu í Neyðarlínuna 112. Vertu kyrr á sama stað og bíddu eftir því að björgunarsveitir finni þig. Askja
Landsbjörg býður upp á niðurhal á ókeypis smáforriti fyrir snjallsíma (emergency app) af vefsíðunni safetravel.is. Hnitin þar sem þú ert staddur verða send björgunarsveitum ef þú virkjar forritið.
Holuhraun
Vatnajökull
If you get lost, call 112, the emergency service line. Stay where you are and wait for rescue services to find you. The Search and Rescue Associ ation 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.
Öræfajökull
FÆREYJAR FAROE ISLANDS Þórshöfn / Tórshavn
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