My North - 2018 no. 03 | July - Sept

My North

Air Iceland Connect Magazine Nº 03 · July–September 2018 · Your free copy

Adventures across the Arctic

Seljalandsfoss, Iceland, 63° N, +10° C, 16/9, 18:46

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Contents 06 07 08 10 12 14 16 20 22 24 26 28 30

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32 34 36 37 38 40 42

From our Managing Director Spreading our wings Happenings this summer Bird’s-eye view: Frozen dream Fantastic fish buffet Culture corner: Feasting on tradition North Iceland: Of horses and trolls Art in the East Fjords Interview: Serene Greenland Fun facts for young flyers Dirty business of swamp soccer Scaling adventures Instagrammers inspired Wowed by the Westfjords East Iceland: The Tiniest Town News from Air Iceland Connect On-board experience Route network and destinations Our fabulous fleet Safe travels

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PUBLISHED BY AIR ICELAND CONNECT Editor: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir (editor@airicelandconnect.is) Cover image: Ragnar Th. Sigurdsson, Copy editor: Sarah Dearne Translations Icelandic ↔ English: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir Contributing writers: Sigridur Asta Arnadottir, Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir, Carolyn Bain, Sarah Dearne, Benjamin Hardman, Edda Kentish, Jonathan Pozniak, Lisa Gail Shannen Contributing photographers: Almar Alfredsson, Erlendur Bogason, Olavur Frederiksen, Max Furstenberg, Roman Gerasymenko, Gunnar Freyr Gunnarsson, Benjamin Hardman, Eythor Jovinsson, Elli Thor Magnusson, Ole Moeller, Mads Pihl, Jonathan Pozniak, Arni Saeberg, Ragnar Th. Sigurdsson, Ingibjorg Torfa Contributing illustrator: Aron Bergmann Magnusson Advertising: airicelandconnect.com/mynorth Design: Saevar Steinn Gudmundsson, Bertrand Kirschenhofer / Islenska Ad Agency Printing: Prenttaekni

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

Summer breez e Dear traveller, Welcome aboard. Welcome to “Our North”.

Fun fact: In Iceland, we celebrate Sumardagurinn fyrsti, the official first day of summer, in late April. People wish each other gledilegt sumar (“happy summer”) and children receive presents – often something practical for playing outside. So, now that summer is officially here, we should all go play outside. This is the best season for experiencing the wild nature of Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Highland roads are opening up; walking paths are appearing from underneath melting snowdrifts; it’s time to strap on your hiking boots, head out and explore. Let the scented summer breeze lead the way.

Arni Gunnarsson, Air Iceland Connect Managing Director

In this issue of My North we give readers a glimpse into the magical world of Trollaskagi, the rugged “Troll Peninsula” in North Iceland, on page 16. A short distance from Akureyri is a wealth of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered: mountain lakes, secret valleys and communities accessible only by tunnel. In Skagafjordur county – famous for its horses – herds that have grazed in the wilderness all summer are rounded up in the autumn; a spectacle which attracts tourists from near and far.

We also learn more about the East: on page 20, we present the creative seaside town of Seydisfjordur, and on page 34, we cover Mjoifjordur, where the tiniest village in Iceland nestles at the foot of tall mountains. Meanwhile in the Westfjords, visitors crowd Bolungarvik for the annual swamp soccer competition in August (see page 26). The Westfjords also attract tours of majestic mountains, deep fjords and tall waterfalls; read about one on page 32. We also sample the region’s cuisine at Tjoruhusid restaurant in Isafjordur, which serves fresh fish all summer (see page 12). Indeed, Icelandic ingredients and culinary traditions inspire new and exciting dishes all over the country, as evident in a recent food competition (see page 14).

In other stories, photographer Benjamin Hardman recently returned from Greenland with breathtaking shots of frozen fairy-tale landscapes (see page 10). And on page 22, Anika Krogh, Air Iceland Connect’s sales executive in Nuuk, reveals her favourite spots in and around Greenland’s capital.

May My North inspire your next adventure in the North. The options are endless. Check out flights and package deals on icelandairconnect.com.

We wish you a happy summer and an adventurous 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.

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.

Flying high with Holmasol Air Iceland Connect recently received its third Bombardier Q200 airplane. The new plane will be used for flights to Isafjordur in the Westfjords and to several destinations in Greenland, including Nuuk and Ilulissat. The busiest months of the year lie ahead for the Greenlandic travel industry and Ilulissat is one of Air Iceland Connect’s most popular summer destinations.

Bombardier Q200s have various qualities, such as requiring only a short runway, being able to withstand a stronger side wind than comparable aircraft and carrying more cargo.

The new airplane was given the name Thorbjorg holmasol after the first daughter of Eyjafjordur in North Iceland. The baby girl was born on an islet in the river which mouths into the fjord when her parents, settlers Helgi magri and Thorunn hyrna, were sailing to their new home in Kristnes. Therefore, she was given the beautiful epithet holmasol – “Islet-Sun”.

Air Iceland Connect’s fleet now comprises three Bombardier Q200s and three Q400s. The aircraft are all named after female settlers and saga heroines.

Read more about them on pages 40-41.

SMS

EMAIL

PRINT

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

In Iceland and beyond

Out a nd about Exploring the north this summer? Check out our top picks for the coming months.

TEXT: Sarah Dearne

Iceland

Photo: Almar Alfredsson

Akureyri 24 June to 24 August / 24–25 August ART SUMMER AND AKUREYRARVAKA

If you suspect North Iceland is all nature and no culture, Art Summer will prove you happily wrong. This ambitious enterprise has events lined up almost every day of its three-month run, including art exhibitions, concerts, dance and theatre performances, and kids’ creative workshops. The festival then culminates in the Akureyrarvaka Culture Night, a boisterous two-day town birthday celebration crammed with exciting free events. →→ listasumar.is, akureyri.is CULTURE NIGHT

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Photo: Ingibjorg Torfadottir

Photo: Ragnar Th. Sigurdsson

Borgarfjordur eystri 28 July

Reykjavik 18 August

Braedslan was first held in 2005, in celebration of the centennial anniversary of painter Johannes S. Kjarval’s birth. Since then, the tiny village of Borgarfjordur eystri has hosted some of Iceland’s biggest acts. This year’s lineup includes Emmsje Gauti, Agent Fresco, Dadi Freyr and talented newcomers Between Mountains, alongside a busy schedule of off-venue events. Tickets are limited to around 1,000 (almost 10 times the town’s population, mind you), so book quickly to claim your spot. →→ braedslan.com

REYKJAVIK MARATHON AND CULTURE

BRAEDSL AN MUSIC FESTIVAL

Once a year in Reykjavik, you can run a marathon, get invited into strangers’ backyards, see the circus, go to a pop concert, attend exhibitions, and cap the night off with fireworks – all in the space of one jampacked day. Culture Night’s motto is “Come on in!”, and that is exactly what Iceland does, with almost half the country’s population joining the festivities. People are encouraged to leave their car at home and walk, cycle or take the bus into town – the bus is free for the occasion. →→ marathon.is, culturenight.is NIGHT

Egilsstadir 23–25 August

for equality, with a full 10% of the country’s population showing up in support. The main parade weaves its way through the capital, culminating ORMSTEITI (WYRM FESTIVAL) Ormsteiti is Egilsstadir’s multi-day town festi- in a free concert down by the harbour. val, brimming with wholesome fun for →→ lgbt.fo adults and children alike. The celebrations include free concerts, sporting events, jumping castles, face painting, Torshavn exhibitions, and of course plenty of 28–29 July delicious food. The festival borrows its name from the Lagarfljotsormur OLAVSOKA (ST. OLAF’S WAKE) Olavsoka (Lagarfljot Wyrm), a cryptid cousin of is the Faroese national holiday, when the Loch Ness Monster that lives in thousands descend upon the capital the nearby Lagarfljot river.

Torshavn to celebrate with lively cultural and sporting events. The festiv→→ ormsteiti.is ities reach their peak on the night of the 29th, when locals crowd the town square to sing folk song and do the Flateyri traditional Faroese chain dance to the 13–16 September ballad Ormurin langi (“The Long Serpent”); 85 verses about Norse king ICELANDIC COMEDY FILM FESTIVAL The best way to understand a nation’s Olaf Tryggvason. Almost the entire mentality is through its humour, and Faroese population of 50,000 people the Icelandic Comedy Film Festival gathers in central Torshavn for the invites you to do just that. Taking event and everyone proudly wears the place in the picturesque village of national costume. If you want to see Flateyri in the Westfjords, the festi- Faroese culture in its fullest glory, this val focuses on offbeat Icelandic short is the time to be there. films, most with English subtitles. →→ visitfaroeislands.com The main venue is Tankurinn, a former fish oil storage tank now enjoying a second life as a recording studio.

Klaksvik →→ gamanmyndahatid.is 9–11 August

town, and the dramatic landscape of the Northern Isles is well worth exploring while you’re there. →→ summarfestivalur.com

Greenland

Around Greenland June to September HIKING Summer to early autumn is prime hiking season in Greenland.

Every region offers something different: lush hills and Viking ruins in the South, Ice Sheet trails in the Arctic Circle Region, views of the Icefjord in the North, and dramatic mountain peaks in the East. There are marked trails of all levels of intensity, from easy hour-long walks to guided multi-day expeditions. Check out “The Ultimate Greenland Hiking Guide” at visitgreenland.com for excellent advice on where to go and how to stay safe. →→ visitgreenland.com

Around Greenland June to September

Kayaking has been an integral part of Greenlandic culture for over 4,000 years, and indeed the word kayak actually derives from the Greenlandic Inuit language. Today, GreenlandSUMMARFESTIVALUR (SUMMER FESTIVAL) Faroe Islands This pop-centric music festival is the ers still use kayaks for hunting in the Faroes’ largest annual music event. far north, as well as for commuting Torshavn This year’s lineup includes break- between coastal areas. For visitors, 27 July out Swedish star Zara Larsson, the they’re a fun way to experience both delightfully kitsch Aqua of “Barbie Girl” the local culture and landscape, allowfame, as well as local favourites such ing you to see icebergs, whales and FAROE PRIDE Faroe Pride celebrates the nation’s blossoming LGBTQIA+ as Aria and Heidrik. The festival is held other Arctic wildlife up close. scene while keeping up the fight in Klaksvik, the Faroes’ second-largest →→ visitgreenland.com

Photo: Eythor Jovinsson

Photo: Olavur Frederiksen / visitfaroeislands.com

KAYAKING

Photo: Mads Pihl / Visit Greenland

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TRAVEL

Greenland

Near Ilulissat, Greenland, 69° N, −21° C, 15/3, 17:08

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Beyond the village

TEXT AND PHOTO: Benjamin Hardman

Filled with dramatic ice-covered scenery, the backcountry of Ilulissat is an excellent place to explore. In such a vast and wild landscape, you feel like the first human to traverse the land.

Team up with one of the incredibly welcoming local guides and you could find yourself aboard a dog sled, sailing boat or on the back of a snowmobile for what will become a unique adventure in the Arctic.

Completely switched off from technology, we venture far out of town on snowmobiles to stay beside the back section of the icefjord in a mountain hut.

Walking amongst the ice, we traverse over a safe section of the frozen sea ice that is mostly used for ice fishing in the winter.

Being at the base of an iceberg in this area is a truly astounding experience.

Whilst endlessly impressive from a distance, being so close to the ice brings the immense scale right to your body. You really do feel incredibly small out there in comparison to these ice giants.

Getting there: Air Iceland Connect offers direct flights to Ilulissat 2-3 times a week in April, March and September, and up to seven times a week from early June to the end of August. → airicelandconnect.com

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Fishy business Destination dining: a delicious fish feast in a cosy Westfjords locale.

TEXT: Carolyn Bain PHOTOS: Arni Saeberg

I can’t be the only person who travels around pristine fjord regions and begins to daydream about escaping to a cute fishing village, to live out my days reading, writing and walking in the hills. It’s not just me, right?

pher and I followed our noses to the end of the docks, where heady aromas tempted us inside for dinner. The postcard-pretty red wooden building dates from 1782, and inside it’s a haven of timber-lined hygge (mind your head on the low beams, and listen out for vintage vinyl on the turntable).

In my daydream, my village of choice has a restaurant a lot like Isafjordur’s Tjoruhusid (“The Tar House”). On a There’s no menu here, but trust that recent visit to town, the photogra- fish-lovers are in for a treat. You can

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safely put yourself in the hands of host Haukur S. Magnusson – his parents are weaving their magic behind the scenes (Haukur’s father Magnus mans the stoves). The restaurant started somewhat by accident around 2003 – the family opened a café here, offering waffles and coffee to visitors of the neighbouring museum. Magnus had access to super-fresh local seafood (as well as

CULTURE

Food

01 O wner Magnus and kitchen staff prepare the feast.

02 Tjoruhusid – flying the flag for local flavour.

03 Salt-cured cod with garlic, olives and sundried tomatoes.

04 Potatoes to feed the masses.

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the restaurant, he has a fish transport business) plus time-honoured recipes, so why not offer fish, too? From little things, big things grow. Fifteen years on, the restaurant subscribes to the notion of perfecting your craft, without the need to add bells and whistles.

Beginning the buffet is a tureen of seafood soup, made from a base of halibut and langoustine infused with white wine, tomato and coconut cream. Go easy on the soup and fresh bread (trust me, it’s hard to resist).

The cast-iron skillets arrayed on the bench deserve plenty of attention: these hold a cornucopia of fishy treats, including cod, pollock, wolffish, plaice and more. The fillets might be simply grilled in butter and sprinkled with

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cayenne, or come in a sauce com- post-dinner walk to digest, admire the bination that defies logic but works gorgeous scenery and start plotting (case in point: the signature wolf- your return. fish dish with cream cheese, capers, mushrooms and grapes). There are GETTING THERE: accompaniments for sauce-soaking, like potatoes, rice and salad, and the beauty of the buffet is that you can try Isafjordur a little of everything, including some flavours you might otherwise avoid (for me, the cod tongues, pan-fried in butter and garlic, were a revelation).

Reykjavik

My best advice: wear a generous waistband and come hungry. The buffet’s final note is help-yourself tea and coffee, with a bowl of chocolate and dates to nibble on (if you’ve managed to find your dessert pocket). If you’re anything like us, you’re going to need a

Air Iceland Connects offers daily flights to Isafjordur in only 40 minutes. Tjoruhusid is open from April through October. → airicelandconnect.com

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CULTURE

Food

C osmopolitan cuisine Iceland may be more famous for the better-known, unpalatable, yet oddly satisfying shark dice, but the country’s dedication to quality cuisine is a quickly growing export.

TEXT: Edda Kentish PHOTOS: Mataraudur Islands

Now, let’s take a look at some food-related vocab that can count as an exercise for your mouth rather than an experience.

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Iceland’s culinary heritage is fascinating in its own right. And to shine the spotlight on our traditions, the government-funded project Mataraudur Islands (Iceland’s Culinary Treasures) recently kicked off a search for Iceland’s most beloved national dish – with a modern twist.

In May, 15 dishes out of 107 submissions were prepared for a panel of esteemed judges who faced the challenging task of selecting only five winners.

Want to know more about Iceland’s culinary heritage, or have you seen strange words, food or customs on your travels? Then log on to mataraudur.is to find out more about our food.

And why not tag your foodie pictures on your travels in the North with #mynorthadventure?

Your picture might be featured online or in our next edition of My North!

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HEIMILISMATUR – this compound noun piles the words “home” and “food” together to denote a typical course served at dinner in kitchens around the country. Good, honest home-cooked food. Qualifying dishes include: – poached haddock with potatoes and melted butter – fish- or meatballs – rye bread with various toppings – rice pudding (eaten as a main) – a leg of lamb with traditional sides like peas, red cabbage, gravy and more

SVIKINN HERI – this moniker for a meat loaf literally means “betrayed hare”. It’s all a mystery.

ABRYSTIR – a pudding made by curdling the first milk produced by a cow or sheep after giving birth.

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01 H ardfisksupa (“dried-fish soup”)

by Baldur Gardarsson 02 R ofnudlukjotsupa (“turnip, noodle and meat soup”)

by Haflidi Saevarsson 03 B raudsupa (“bread soup”)

by Anna Lara Palsdottir 04 R ofugrautur (“turnip porridge”)

by Helga Jona Thorkelsdottir 05 N esti smaladrengsins (“the herdboy’s lunch box”)

by Hafsteinn Hjartarson

JORTURLEDUR – a term coined to replace the more common tyggigummi (“chewing gum”), or tyggjo for short. It literally means “ruminating leather”. It never quite took off.

HARDFISKUR – literally “hardened fish”.

This Icelandic delicacy is known as dried fish in English and is best enjoyed with a healthy helping of real butter.

GUDSGAFFLAR – literally meaning the “forks of God”, using your gudsgafflar means to eat with your hands, sans cutlery of any kind.

Domestic flight One way from €70 d l a n G r e e n A rct i c

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GREENL AND Nerlerit Inaat

C i rc l e

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Grímsey

Isafjördur

Thorshöfn

Akureyri

4 0 m ín.

GREENL AND Ilulissat Kulusuk Nuuk Narsarsuaq

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Vopnafjördur

. ín 50

m ín

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Egilsstadir

I C E L A N D Keflavik

REYKJAVIK

From city centre to countryside in u nd e r a n h o u r N o r t h

A t l a n t i c

FAROE ISL ANDS Torshavn

O c e a n

60°

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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TRAVEL

North Iceland

Travelling Trolla skagi Horse roundup and other adventures in the kingdom of trolls.

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TEXT: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir PHOTOS: Gunnar Freyr Gunnarsson

I grew up in the shadow of Trollaskagi (“Troll Peninsula”). At 1,213 m (3,980 ft), Sulur – one of the peninsula’s many mountains – rises over Akureyri. The twin peaks can be conquered in about three hours by a trail which leads across hillocks and up a rocky slope where there’s usually snow – even in mid-summer.

The view of the town, gleaming Eyjafjordur and mountains all around, is sure to leave you awestruck.

Trollaskagi is situated in the centre of North Iceland between the fjords Eyjafjordur and Skagafjordur.

Carved by deep valleys, its rugged interior is dotted with mini glaciers.

The Ring Road (Route 1), leads across mountain pass Oxnadalsheidi on Trollaskagi. A round trip of the peninsula was made possible by a tunnel, which opened in 2010.

Wild horses There’s absolute silence. Anticipation lies in the air. Photographers prepare their cameras. Everyone is looking towards the mountain, hidden behind a veil of fog. Suddenly, there’s a distant sound of hoofbeats and then the first horses appear.

They run down the hill with the whole herd following at full speed.

Dirty, sweaty with flying manes – bleached after a summer in the mountains – the 550 or so mares, youngsters and foals appear to be untamed. As autumn falls, their time in the wild is up and they’re brought back to their farms.

A region famous for its horses, Skagafjordur becomes a soughtafter destination on the last Saturday of September, when a horse roundup takes place at Laufskalarett pen in Hjaltadalur valley, near historical site Holar. A witness to the spectacle last September, I was amazed at

the number of spectators. There’s a special kind of atmosphere around the pen. For locals, this is a festival weekend, complete with horse shows, dances and an open house at horse breeding farms. A men’s quartet performs patriotic songs, farmers chat with family and friends and teens buzz about the upcoming dance. Foreign tourists try to wrap their heads around the roundup. “I was addressed by a Danish couple and tourists from Japan, who seemed to realise that I was in charge. They didn’t understand the purpose of the structure, what we were doing and why all these people were watching and having beer!” laughs Atli Mar Traustason, manager of the roundup. “They also thought the singing

“They didn’t understand the purpose of the structure, what we were doing and why all these people were watching and having beer!”

ers ride home with their horses.

Atli and his family go first, because their farm is the furthest away. “It’s some 18–20 km [11–12 mi]. It takes us about three hours,” he informs.

“For many of the people who ride with us, it’s the highlight of the year.

Often, it’s the last ride of the season.” Afterwards, the celebration continues with a feast at the farms; Atli had invited 60 people for dinner.

Through the mountain In nearby town Hofsos, I dive into the pool. Perched on a hill, it offers a splendid view of Skagafjordur fjord where the rocky isle Drangey emerges from the waves. For centuries, locals rowed there to pick eggs from the nests of seabirds. This is also where outlaw Grettir from the Icelandic saga sought refuge and met his bitter end. Down by the harbour, café Solvik serves traditional pancakes: squares filled with jam and whipped cream, or rolls with sugar.

Facing the restaurant is one of the oldest wooden buildings in Iceland, which now houses the Icelandic Emigration Centre. From here, hordes of Icelanders set sail in search of a better life in the New World.

The road out of town continues skyward along the western coast of Trollaskagi, a scenic drive – until the fog swallows the view. Suddenly a narrow tunnel appears. Like an opening into a secret world, the fog lifts on the other side, revealing the colourful houses of Siglufjordur. The fjord is surrounded by majestic mountains and the only way in and out by car After having rested for a while, the is through tunnels. The new and elehorses are driven into the centre of gant Siglo Hotel was built on a landfill the pen in manageable groups and by the harbour in harmony with surthen sorted according to the 16 rounding buildings. Across the road, farms to which they belong. When the Herring Era Museum takes visithere’s doubt about the ownership tors back to the time when Siglufjorof a horse, Atli scans the microchip dur was the centre of herring fishing in its ear. The affair usually runs in Iceland and young people from all smoothly and takes about one and corners of the country moved there a half hours. Afterwards, the farm- to take part in the action.

was bizarre.” Having horses roam mountain pastures has various benefits, Atli explains. “Freedom is very important to the horses, that they can run almost anywhere they like … they become stronger characters.”

Also, the rough terrain makes them more flexible and sure-footed.

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TRAVEL

North Iceland

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Hidden from plain view

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ily’s horses were kept. The highlight captured the valley’s beauty in many of summer was when we went of his later paintings. Innermost in All around Trollaskagi there is stun- horseback riding into abandoned the valley lies Klaengsholl, the base ning scenery, within reach, yet hid- valley Thorvaldsdalur, where the for Arctic Heli Skiing. den from plain view. In a rush to get herd was grazing. Sun in my face, to Akureyri, travellers rarely stop at the horse’s rhythmic movements, Unearthing secrets Oxnadalur, where “Hillocks steep the sound of mountain springs and and stately; stride across the valley”, buzzing flies is my idea of heaven. Trollaskagi has four ski resorts as national poet Jonas Hallgrimsson Open at both ends, a wilderness (including Hlidarfjall by Akureyri) and wrote about his birthplace (in the run takes place in Thorvaldsdalur many opportunities for backcountry translation of Dick Ringler). Eerie every July. and heli-skiing. In summer, locals peak Hraundrangi looms over the go hiking instead; there are trails to valley – and it’s even more impres- Further to the north lies Skida- suit any level. It’s also possible to go sive close up. From the farm Hals, a dalur, a valley which leads out of diving, whale watching, sea angling, path leads up to the jagged mountain the larger Svarfadadalur. Painter horseback riding, museum hopping, range and to Hraunsvatn, a placid Asgrimur Jonsson’s favourite hide- island hopping and swimming – not out, he described it as an artwork to mention bathing in beer. At a spelake, in less than an hour. where “the most wonderful colours, cial café in Dalvik, the local legend In my youth, my second home was red, blue and green, divide the land- of the unfortunate Bakkabraedur rural Arskogsstrond where my fam- scape in the loveliest fashion”. He (Backwards Brothers) is upheld

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01 A n aerial view of Hjaltadalsa river.

02 Inside the circular pen, farmers try to identify their horses.

03 After having spent the summer in the wild, the herd of 550 horses is driven towards Laufskalarett pen to be reunited with their owners.

04 Local farmers sometimes permit tourists to participate in the roundup.

L aufskalarett from above.

05 06 Sorting horses can sometimes be a struggle.

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with illustrations on walls and old artefacts on display.

Hedinsfjordur, a wondrous mountain valley popular for treks.

The road to the next town, Olafsfjordur, leads through yet another tunnel. At the entrance is a viewing platform where one can marvel at the surroundings: Hrisey island, “The Pearl of Eyjafjordur”, to the south, and to the north (weather permitting), the shape of Grimsey island.

The tunnel is the gateway to Fjallabyggd, a municipality uniting Olafsfjordur and Siglufjordur. Before the new tunnel opened in 2010, commuters between the neighbouring towns had to drive across hazardous mountain pass Lagheidi – or if closed, all the way around Trollaskagi! The twopart tunnel now also gives access to

This time, I opt for Lagheidi, which takes me to rural region Fljot in Skagafjordur, past peaceful farms and sparkling lakes. I head back to Hjaltadalur, the site of the horse roundup. Today, the Laufskalarett pen is empty and I continue past the silent structure to Holar. A site of an ancient bishopric and school, Holar University now teaches equestrian science, among other subjects. Outside the cathedral, an archaeological excavation is ongoing.

The sun sets and the mountains of Trollaskagi cast long shadows. At daybreak, secrets wait to be unearthed.

GETTING THERE:

Siglufjordur Holar

Akureyri

Reykjavik

Air Iceland Connect flies directly to Akureyri several times a day in only 35 minutes. From there it takes one hour to drive to Siglufjordur along the western coast of Eyjafjordur. There’s also a bus connection. From Siglufjordur it takes approximately half an hour to drive to Hofsos and from there, one and a half hours onwards to Akureyri across Oxnadalsheidi. → airicelandconnect.com → visittrollaskagi.is

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CULTURE

Seydisfjordur

The rainbow brick road leads to Seydisfjordur’s famous Blue Church. Gullabuid is on the left.

At the end of the rainbow Between Eastfjordian mountains is a haven for creative minds.

TEXT AND PHOTOS: Jonathan Pozniak

Many years ago, Seydisfjordur was described as a pearl enclosed in its shell. Since then, this gem has become a haven for creative minds all over Iceland. Nestled between two mountain peaks at the end of a long deep fjord, this small town of 700 locals becomes transformed for one week each July for the LungA festival (this year 12–22 July), showcasing artists from all over Iceland and abroad. Exhibitions, concerts and eclectic celebrations of all kinds bring people together in creative spirit, no matter what the weather brings. Over the next couple of years, The Net Factory, a converted warehouse of artist studios run by the LungA School, will help position East Iceland as a place where experimental arts have the freedom to grow.

Skaftfell is a contemporary artist’s dream. Since 1998, housed in a 111-year-old historic building, it’s been

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home to an international artist residency working closely with the Iceland Academy of the Arts in Reykjavik, with an exhibition space on the first floor. The ground floor bistro fires up the best pizza in the East. Illustrating why the town is called the “fjord of small fish”, the Nordic Restaurant at Hotel Aldan and Nord Austur sushi bar upstairs serve the freshest catch of the day. Meanwhile, Gullabuid boutique across the street is a work of art in itself. Sitting along the Instagram-famed rainbow brick road, the black-and-white facades are street art at its best, while inside, unique gifts and home decor are curated for those with only the best taste.

Iceland] to continental Europe, and that connection historically brought a lot of new ideas and sophistication.

The nature of course speaks for itself, both beautiful and harsh at the same time. It really gets a grip on you”.

Alla Borgthors, who originally started LungA, says it best: “It’s the landscape, the culture and the people that attract artists to Seydisfjordur.

The town is geographically closest [in

Air Iceland Connect offers daily flights to Egilsstadir, which only take 50 minutes. From there, it takes 30 minutes to drive to Seydisfjordur.

There’s also a bus connection.

GETTING THERE:

Seydisfjordur

Egilsstadir

Reykjavik

→ airicelandconnect.com

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

C radling Mother Earth Anika Krogh, Air Iceland Connect’s sales executive in Nuuk, is also the co-owner of Arctic-Nomad, which runs a luxury camp for tourists in the Nuuk Fjord.

Anika, who is married with three children, loves being outside in nature.

TEXT: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir PHOTO: Ole Moeller

What is your role as a sales executive?

I help with positioning Air Iceland Connect in Greenland as an important player for developing tourism.

There are two areas we focus on: firstly, get Greenlanders to travel abroad to the rest of the world.

Normally, people travel from Nuuk to Kangerlussuaq, then to Copen-

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hagen and from there to, let’s say Paris. With Air Iceland Connect they can travel from Nuuk to Iceland and from there to Paris. It simplifies the journey. Secondly, we want to encourage foreign tourists to go to Greenland, either as a sole destination, or combine Iceland and Greenland. Ilulissat is the most popular tourist destination in Greenland and it’s a challenge because there is lim-

ited hotel capacity. One of the tasks is to inform people of possibilities in other places.

Reindeer hunting is a passion for you. When did you first go hunting?

I’ve hunted with my parents since I was eight. It was quality time in the tent for five, six days and hunting

the first signs of life in the form of bacteria, and so Nuuk is the cradle of Mother Earth. There are mountains in other places, like Norway, but here it’s different because we don’t have trees. The air is very dry, which makes it possible to see really far away.

Eating at Qooqqut Nuan restaurant [50 km (31 mi) from Nuuk in “the middle of nowhere”] is an experience as well. You sail into the fjord, go fishing and then they cook the fish you caught at the restaurant.

Another thing I’d definitely recommend is to go to the ice fjord in Nuuk [Narsap Sermia] and listen to the ice. Not just look. When air bubbles from the ice are released you hear the sound of ice cracking. In the Nuuk area there is blue ice. It’s usually the oldest ice from the bottom of the Greenlandic ice sheet, really compressed snow, which has this unique blue colour.

during the day. My parents told me that when I was able to kill a reindeer with a knife if I ran out of bullets, cut it open, carry it all the way down to the coast – eight hours with a reindeer on the back – and cook it myself, I was ready to shoot. At 11 I shot my first reindeer. It wasn’t a very big one, 40 kg [88 lb], but it was almost the same weight as me!

I carried it all the way to the coast but in the end I was crying – I was just so tired. My daddy said, “It’s okay, you don’t have to carry it”. But I said, “No way! I’ve carried it this far already!” So, I went on, walking and crying, too stubborn to give up.

The best meat you get is fresh reindeer after having been out hunting

for several days. At night you make a little pile of rocks and put a flat rock on top as a frying pan. Then you start a fire underneath and take some of the fat of the reindeer as butter and fry the meat directly on the stone. The crowberry heather [used for the fire] gives it a nice smoky taste and you drink fresh water directly from small rivers.

Whenever I get the chance in the summer, I go hunting.

What would you recommend for tourists who visit Nuuk?

Definitely go into the fjord. The fjord system is unique. In the Nuuk Fjord we have the oldest mountains on earth – the oldest rock – and

Then I would say, visit the Greenland National Museum in Nuuk. It has the very famous Qilakitsoq mummies, which are very well persevered – you can even see their face tattoos.

You guide tourists as a captain on boat tours. Tell us about that.

We [my husband, I, and other partners] have a luxury camp 80 km [50 mi] away from Nuuk. We spend the whole summer there with the kids, fishing, hunting, collecting berries, herbs, mushrooms, mussels… and I go sailing around with tourists on an open boat. I could easily only be working in an office, but I want to be out there. The ocean completely calm, whales, icebergs, happy tourists and splashes of water… Being able to earn your money doing that is incredible.

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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.

30% DISCOUNT

FULL PRICE EUR 982

PRICE NOW EUR 645

A day i n K u l u su k Special offer Always wanted to explore Greenland but never had the chance? Then jump at this one. Get your adventurous fill at the world’s largest island for less. You’ll fly directly from downtown Reykjavik and it only takes two hours to reach this icy paradise.

Kulusuk is the name of a stunning village in east Greenland and (quite randomly) the name of a popular Icelandic treat. Explore the region with a trained guide and see how the lives of the Inuit unfold, cradled by the glacier and at the mercy of the elements.

BOOK NOW on airicelandconnect.com or nudge your favourite travel agent.

They’ll know what you’re talking about.

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y t r i d g n i y a Pl s d r o j f t s e W e h in t It’s fun, filthy, and exceedingly more entertaining than your average game of football.

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TEXT: Lisa Gail Shannen PHOTOS: Roman Gerasymenko

An excess of mud, a truckload of cold beer, and a large quantity of quality duct tape: these are just a few of the essential ingredients required for the annual summer Myrarbolti (European swamp soccer championships) in Bolungarvik. In case you were wondering, the duct tape is for securing the footwear of around 150 participants, who’ve signed up for the inexplicably entertaining yet gruelling pleasure of kicking a ball around a field of thick mud – some-

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times knee deep. Fancy dress is optional but definitely encouraged, as is sporting the accoutrements of national pride and emphatically chanting comical variations of old patriotic slogans, such as “You may take our freedom, but you’ll never take our booze!”

Old fishing port in a remote mountain fort It’s my first time in Bolungarvik and the views beneath the scattered August sunshine are stunning in every direction. As the northernmost village in the Westfjords,

it certainly qualifies as remote.

It’s around 455 km (283 mi) from Reykjavik and surrounded by natural fort of sheer mountains and deep fjords, but surprisingly accessible if you fly.

The small fishing community of 945 people receives an increasing number of visitors during the summer, especially for the vertigoinducing drive – or hike – up Bolafjall mountain. But it’s the swamp soccer tournament that provides the biggest pull, attracting a colourful crowd of participants and spectators from far and wide.

ACTIVITIES

Swamp soccer

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01 F ighting for the ball in a field of thick mud.

02 A player secures footwear with duct tape.

03 The mud-covered marsh soccer ball.

Playing with a black bag on the 04 head is punishment for fouling.

05 Pippi Longstocking demonstrates puddle jumps.

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Kissing the boo-boo better Even if you’re not familiar with the rules of football, on which swamp soccer is loosely based, it’s easy enough to follow. However, I didn’t quite understand why some of the players were wearing black bags on their heads and why others were occasionally getting their behinds kissed. A fellow spectator thankfully explained: “If you foul, you’re given the black card and you have to wear a black bag on your head.

If you hurt someone you get a pink card and must kiss the player’s booboo better”.

Between 20 and 30, six-aside teams register for the event every year with names like “Cool as Crud” and “The Unsullied”. Not to worry if you’re alone; individual players can just turn up and register for the “oddballs” team, which last year won the tournament. Awards are also given for the most entertaining and dirtiest players. As momentous events go, watching a swamp soccer tournament in a remote, yet lush corner of Iceland, is as unforgettable as it gets. But now I’m imagining how thrilling it would be to dress up as Rambo and get my first mud…

GETTING THERE:

Bolungarvik Isafjordur

Reykjavik

Air Iceland Connect offers daily flights to Isafjordur in only 40 minutes. From there, the drive to Bolungarvik, along the coast and through a tunnel, takes about 10 minutes. There’s also a bus connection between the two towns. → airicelandconnect.com

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ACTIVITIES

Adventure guide

Season to taste TEXT: Sarah Dearne

There’s more to Iceland than sightseeing. Activity tours allow you to interact with the country’s landscape and people on another level, exploring perspectives you’d miss from the car window.

To give you some inspiration, we pick a theme and sort activities by adventure level, from keen beginner to expert explorer. This issue, we dive into Iceland’s cool, clear waters to see what we can find.

Photo: Erlendur Bogason / Photo: Arctic Adventures / scuba.is

Photo: © Elli Thor Magnusson / DIVE.IS / dive.is

Strytan Dive Center / strytan.is

Calm

Curious

Exhilarating

Plunge into the ethereal sapphire waters of Silfra fissure, which runs between two tectonic plates in Thingvellir National Park. Glacial meltwater filters through subterranean lava in a process that takes up to a century, leaving the water so clear that you can see for over 100 m (328 ft) into this geological wonder. Snorkelling tours are suitable for confident swimmers, and there’s also the option to scuba dive if you’re PADI certified.

Iceland is home to lush jungles teeming with wildlife – beneath the water’s surface, that is! At Gardur just off the Reykjanes coast, you can scuba dive through a beautiful kelp forest and see macrolife including surly wolffish, flamboyant sea slugs, and even the occasional whale. Alternatively, try snorkelling or diving in nearby Kleifarvatn, a geothermal lake where you can swim in effervescent springs just a short drive from the capital.

If you’re an experienced diver, journey north to Eyjafjordur for some of Iceland’s most incredible diving sites. The fjord conceals a network of 10,000-year-old hydrothermal chimneys, the tallest of which, Strytan, reaches around 50 m (164 ft) in height. And if puffins tickle your fancy, you can also hop on a 30-minute flight to nearby Grimsey island, where you can go underwater birdwatching in the Arctic Circle – no binoculars needed.

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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 Iceland @przemyslaw.mioduszewski Insomnia. North.

02 Tindholmur, Faroe Islands @double_o_photo ... You can’t describe the beauty with a picture. You have to see it with your own eyes.

03 Faroe Islands @saviourmifsud One of the cutest gangs you can find on the #faroeislands.

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 Aldeyjarfoss, Iceland @h0rdur A beautiful glacial waterfall located in North Iceland.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Competition

Grjotagja, Iceland @yuri_vantowski

And the winner is…

Yuri Vantowski (@yuri_vantowski). Here is the story behind his spectacular shot: “Driving around Reykjahlid, we saw so many thermal springs and steam coming from the ground, but couldn’t find this cave. So we drove a bit longer and saw a tiny sign that said Grjotagja Cave.

Walking into this open cave was really cool. The water was hot but not unbearable, and the cave continued further but could only be accessed if you swam. After I took this photo, I noticed the rocks looked like George Washington’s head looking down at the water. Now I can’t unsee it!”

Yuri 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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Westfjords’ epic nature towers over sightseers at Dynjandi.

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C ha sing waterfa lls

TRAVEL

Westfjords

TEXT: Carolyn Bain PHOTO: Arni Saeberg

I’m not exactly a morning person, so I load up on coffee at Reykjavik airport before my 8 am flight. Sure, the caffeine does its job, but it’s the breathtaking landing into Isafjordur’s small, mountain-ringed airport that jolts me awake. Supercharged Westfjords scenery from my window seat, plus a small adrenaline thrill – now that’s a winning start to the day.

Iceland is exceptionally well endowed with untouched natural splendour, and the Westfjords may just top the charts on the country’s pristine scale. Only 7,000 people live here, on the misshapen hand that reaches out towards the Arctic Circle in the country’s northwest. Added to this: only 10% of visitors to Iceland reach this corner. Rest assured, this is a region offering grand nature and solitude.

Today I’m joining Wild Westfjords’ summer tour known as “Dynjandi and the Westfjords”, for a scenic sampler of all the best the region has to offer. Our guide is Gudbrandur Baldursson, who has strong roots in the region. He regales us with factoids and anecdotes in typically dry Icelandic style, topics ranging from local avalanches to sea monsters.

The tour begins by driving through Iceland’s longest tunnel (over 9 km; 5.6 mi), then it’s a cinematic eyeful of deep fjords, flat-topped mountains, and vast views as we follow the undulating road all the way to Dynjandi.

Dynjandi means “thundering noise”, and this is the poster-child for Westfjords’ waterfalls, standing 99 m high and up to 60 m wide (325 x 197 ft). The river below Dynjandi flows through seven waterfalls below the main cascade – as we set off from the car park, the walking path reveals these photogenic chutes as we climb rough-cut steps to Dynjandi’s base (a walk of around 15 minutes). From here, it’s a 360-degree panorama over watery torrents, heath-covered hillsides and the dark waters of Arnarfjordur (popular for whale-spotting in summer).

When we’ve had our fill, we re-board the bus to retrace our route back to Isafjordur, but at a more leisurely pace. More stories are told, and photo stops made. The most memorable is the view from Hrafnseyrarheidi, a mountain pass where winter leaves its mark. Work on a new road tunnel has begun far below this

mountain pass, and so there are only a few more years of this spectacular road opening and closing with weather whims.

Weather, timing and demand dictate the stops the tour makes on its final stretch – this could be at the golden sands of Holt on Dyrafjordur’s edge, or the plucky botanic gardens at Skrudur. There was time for a spin around Isafjordur (and a pastry from its awesome bakery) before boarding the flight back to Reykjavik, and a final bird’s-eye vantage point to savour those magical fjords.

GETTING THERE:

Isafjordur Dynjandi

Reykjavik

Air Iceland Connects offers daily flights to Isafjordur. The Dynjandi and the Westfjords tour, which includes the roundtrip by plane from Reykjavik, is available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from mid-April to mid-October. → airicelandconnect.com/tours

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Sta irway for trolls Dramatic scenes of autumn in the East.

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TEXT: Lisa Gail Shannen PHOTOS: Roman Gerasymenko

Around September, when the weather cools, the colours get warmer – at least for a while. I guess it’s nature’s way of compensating for the cold, sharp bite of autumn. Our small party has just landed in Egilsstadir, the main hub of East Iceland. The region is known for its wild reindeer, deep fjords and lush, green vegetation, but the cooler summer hues have now been replaced by blazing oranges and fiery reds.

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As we make ourselves comfortable in our guide’s Nissan Patrol, we get a quick brief about the journey ahead to Mjoifjordur (“narrow fjord”): a day tour that will take us on a steep and winding descent along the 17 km (10.5 mi) fjord to the Dalatangi lighthouse.

From Egilsstadir the road winds southeast, but we can’t see much due to the curtains of autumn leaves

on the trees lining either side of the road. It’s as if nature is deliberately keeping us in suspense with some grand golden drapes before introducing the main act.

Standing at around 400 m (1,312 ft) above sea level, the views down into Mjoifjordur are unbelievable; almost too fantastic to be real. I quickly wonder if film scouts know about this place because it looks

like it belongs in an epic fantasy film. As we drive down the steep and winding road to Brekkuthorp – which with only around 40 residents is the smallest village in the country – we pass through a progression of truly magnificent sights. The whole fjord is striped with giant basalt sills bleached white in places with bright lichen; locals call it a stairway for trolls.

with around a dozen Border collie pups (bred in the area), we observe the impressive Prestagil (“ravine of priests”). According to legend, a gruesome ogress lived there and lured men of the cloth into the falls in the ravine and then dined on their heavenly flesh. Afterwards we stop for a picnic in the village and help out with the annual sheep roundup, which is in full swing.

We make a stop at Klifbrekkufossar – a gorgeous 90-m (295-ft) waterfall that cascades over a series of ledges. Here we discover a vast carpet of fat, juicy blueberries that we stop to devour until our tongues turn blue. Before we reach the Dalatangi lighthouse at the other end of the fjord, where we make friends

As we stop at the top of the fjord to take in the view one last time before we leave, the heavens open and a thick sheet of hail descends, completely obscuring the view. Nature’s calling the curtain on our little adventure, and, funnily enough, the hail sounds a lot like a loud and enthusiastic round of applause.

TRAVEL

East Iceland

01 V iew looking down into Mjoifjordur.

02 A small fishing boat at the tiny Brekkuthorp harbour.

03 K lifbrekkufossar waterfall.

04 W ild, juicy blueberries growing near Klifbrekkufossar.

05 A n old sheep barn in Brekkuthorp.

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GETTING THERE:

Mjoifjordur

Egilsstadir

Reykjavik

Air Iceland Connect offers daily flights to Egilsstadir, which only take 50 minutes. Numerous natural wonders lie at a short driving distance from the region’s capital. The tour to Mjoifjordur (“Tiniest Town in Iceland”), runs from mid-May through September and can be booked at: 05

→ airicelandconnect.com/tours

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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 are the most newsworthy events of the past few months.

TEXT: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir

Hrafn Jokulsson in interview.

From the campaign video.

Helgi Bjorns in full swing.

Photo: Max Furstenberg

Faroe Island flights popular

Cowboy party at Reykjavik Airport

Chess club celebrates 15th anniversary

Air Iceland Connect and Faroese airline Atlantic Airways offered in May and June special package deals for the Faroe Islands, including airfare and accommodation. Icelanders were quick to take advantage of the offer and make their dream of visiting their “cousins” in the Faroe Islands come true. The Faroese are known for their hospitality.

Air Iceland Connect invited members of the tourist industry in Iceland’s capital region to a celebration in the hangar at Reykjavik Airport in early May. This has become an annual event and to many it marks the beginning of the summer tourist season.

At the occasion, Air Iceland Connect presents the season’s most exciting travel opportunities to its customers.

But it’s mostly about having fun!

For 15 years, Icelandic chess club Hrokurinn has travelled to Greenland to teach children chess and spread joy – from the start in cooperation with Air Iceland Connect. At a special ceremony at Reykjavik Airport on June 8, a renewed cooperation agreement was signed by Air Iceland Connect Managing Director, Arni Gunnarsson; Chairman of Hrokurinn, Hrafn Jokulsson; and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson. The agreement guarantees the airline’s continued sponsorship for the chess club’s many trips to towns across Greenland.

The advertising campaign highlighted the growth in the local food culture, art and music scenes, and how the islands’ beautiful environment and Faroese traditions inspire new creations.

The capital Torshavn was also covered – it’s more cosmopolitan than one might think. In the summer, there are direct flights to the Faroe Islands from Reykjavik Airport in only 60 minutes.

Fast facts about Air Iceland Connect

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This year, the Wild West was the theme of the party, and guests showed up with cowboy hats and scarves – some were more ambitious about their costumes than others. In line with the theme, country band Helgi Bjorns og Reidmenn vindanna performed, and dance instructor Johann Orn demonstrated line dancing.

9,577,921

passengers passed through airports in Iceland in 2017.

direct international flights took off from Akureyri in 2017 – a 57.7% increase from 2016.

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Afterwards, Hrafn and his entourage took off to Nuuk to celebrate the anniversary with its annual chess tournament at Nuuk Center shopping mall.

15.9

tonnes of mail were delivered through Reykjavik Airport in 2017.

2,000 m

(6,562 ft) is the length of the single runway at Egilsstadir Airport. It lies at 23 m (75 ft) above sea level.

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 oldfashioned 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 bargain prices.

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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DESTINATIONS

Air Iceland Connect

Hiking in the hills

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Ilulissat

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Got friendly with the wha les

Thrilling ride on an AT V

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Nuuk

Kulusuk

Went fishing on the bea ch

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Narsarsuaq

e r u t n e v d a r u o y e p a h S 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

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The beginning and end of a terrific journey, Air Iceland Connect’s main airports are not just for passing through.

Gateway to the world’s largest nationa l park Nerlerit Inaat x n d n l a G r e e

A rc t i c C i rc l e

Isafjordur

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Grimsey

Thorshofn

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Vopnafjordur

x A N D Egilsstadir

REYKJAVIK Keflavik

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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.

Went diving with puff ins!

Akureyri

Spotted a lake monster!

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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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Took part in a cha in dance

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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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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

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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.

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 female 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 Islet-Sun, 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 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

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 the Wealthy TF-FXG Q200

Thorbjorg Islet-Sun TF-FXH 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.

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 Thorun the Horned and Helgi 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-Stein Thuridarson. His father was unknown.

DID YOU KNOW...

Approximately 50,000 people live in the Faroe Islands, of whom 20,000 live on Streymoy, the island where the capital Torshavn is located.

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INFORMATION

Air Iceland Connect

Safety first

Your safety is our priority. Here are some guidelines to help ensure you have a good on and off-board travel experience.

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 for volunteers for 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.

Emergency numbers Iceland and Europe: 112 North America: 911

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

FXI-OPS 030-e rev 0

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