My North - 2018 no. 01 | Jan-Mar

My North

Air Iceland Connect Magazine Nº 01 · January-March 2018 · Your free copy

Adventures across the Arctic

Isafjordur, Iceland, 66° N, 0° C, 10/11, 15:21

2

3

————————

—————————

G R Æ N L A N D

BA F F I N S F L Ó I

————————————

FÆREYJAR OG GRÆNLAND UM LEIÐ H A F G R Æ N L A N D S

ORÐURHEIMSKAUTSBAUGUR ——————————————N—— —————————————————————————

A N D Í S L

07

R FÆ R E YJ A

Contents

N O R Ð U R-A T L A N T S H A F

06 07 08 10 12 14 16 20 22 24 26 28 30 32

12

34 36 37 38 40 42

From our Managing Director Stickers for young explorers Happenings this winter Bird’s eye view: Greenland Icelandic mid-winter feast Language corner: Words for snow Horror, history and hikers’ paradise Designer’s treasured home Interview: Of mountains and skis Fun facts for young fliers Westfjordian Easter break Adventurous guide Instagrammers inspired Iceland’s northernmost isle Discover Aberdeen News from Air Iceland Connect On-board experience Route network and destinations Our fabulous fleet Safe travels

16

26 4

PUBLISHED BY AIR ICELAND CONNECT Editor: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir (editor@airicelandconnect.is) Cover image: Ragnar Th. Sigurdsson Copy editor: Sarah Dearne Translation Icelandic ↔ English: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir Contributing writers: Sigridur Asta Arnadottir, Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir, Sarah Dearne, Svava Jonsdottir, Edda Kentish, Lisa Gail Shannen, Eirny Sigurdardottir, Angel Trinidad Contributing photographers: Atli Thor Alfredsson, Omar Bogason, Roman Gerasymenko, Benjamin Hardman, Elias Arnar Hjalmarsson, Lilja Jonsdottir, Mikael Lundblad, Mads Pihl, Rihardzz, Arni Saeberg, Arnar Sigurbjornsson, Ragnar Th. Sigurdsson, Aslaug Snorradottir, Asgeir Helgi Thrastarson Contributing illustrator: Aron Bergmann Magnusson Advertising: airicelandconnect.com/ mynorth Design: Bertrand Kirschenhofer and Jonas Unnarsson / 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

Happy winter!

From our Managing Director

Dear traveller,

Welcome aboard. Welcome to “Our North”.

A new year has begun, full of opportunities, travel and new experiences. It’s an unwritten page, much like virgin snow in which no one has yet made a footprint. Winter actually began many months ago here in the Nordic region, but it is now, in the first months of the year, that we enjoy the cold season the best. The days are growing longer, and with each day that passes, we reclaim more light for playing with the kids in the snow, hitting the slopes, going horseback riding and all kinds of outdoor activities.

Arni Gunnarsson, Air Iceland Connect Managing Director

In this magazine you’ll find various tips as to how to make the most of winter in our destinations. Check out the adventure scale on page 28 and a listing of different winter sports you can practise in Greenland on page 10, including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and backcountry skiing. Adrenaline seekers favour heli-skiing – gliding through pristine snow from the summit to the shore is an experience like no other. Off-piste skiing is a passion for many Icelanders. Olympic skier and Air Iceland Connect employee Theodora Mathiesen shares with us her favourite skiing locations on page 22.

As soon as it starts snowing, the ski resorts become crowded – and Iceland has quite a few: in the capital region, the Westfjords, North Iceland and the Eastfjords. During Easter, Ski Week is celebrated in Isafjordur in the Westfjords, and the Aldrei for eg sudur music festival runs simultaneously. Read more on page 26. Our event calendar on page 8 lists other notable winter festivals in Iceland and beyond.

The Icelandic language is perhaps the most obvious indicator for how important snow is to us; we have a wealth of words describing the phenomenon. Learn more on page 14.

We also have special food traditions for this time of year, celebrated with feasts throughout the ancient mid-winter month of Thorri. Restaurant Matur og drykkur in Reykjavik honours Icelandic food traditions and offers an unusual Thorri menu (see page 12).

This issue is packed with stunning photographs and exciting travel stories. On page 16 you can read about the abandoned village Hesteyri in the remote Westfjords. On page 20 we feature Flateyri, another Westfjordian village, and a designer’s unique home. Instagrammer extraordinaire Benjamin Hardman flies across the Arctic Circle and visits Grimsey island (see page 32), while on page 34 fabulous foodies Eirny Sigurdardottir and Aslaug Snorradottir head to Aberdeen and present to us the cultural gems of Scotland.

Life is to be enjoyed. Adventures await at your next destination.

We wish you happy travels – and a happy winter!

6

NEWS

Air Iceland Connect

Save time with online check-in Air Iceland Connect now 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.

SMS

Calling all curious kids Even though children love to fly, they often get restless after a while. That’s where we can help. Bertrand Kirschenhofer and Aron Bergmann Magnusson at the Icelandic Ad Agency have made a fabulous map and stickers for our youngest passengers. The stickers are of people, animals, mythological creatures, natural phenomena and objects, which are all connected with the nature, culture or history of Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

Can you place the stickers on the map where they belong? A fun fact comes with each of the stickers – only in Icelandic for now, but an English version is coming soon. If you haven’t received a map and stickers already, just ask a flight attendant. Read more about the places and images on page 24.

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.

(C u r re ntl y, f l i g hts th ro u g h Kef l av i k International Airpor t are not available for online check-in.)

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

7

EVENTS

Out a nd about

In Iceland and beyond

Looking for things to do as the weather starts to chill?

Check out our top picks for the coming months.

TEXT: Sarah Dearne

ICELAND

PHOTO: Arnar Sigurbjornsson

Reykjavik 25–27 January DARK MUSIC DAYS Embrace the darkness with this festival of contemporary music, where composers are invited to share innovative new pieces. Dark Music Days takes place in Harpa Concert Hall and other intimate venues around the city. →→ darkmusicdays.is

Reykjavik 28 February to 4 March FOOD AND FUN Food and Fun pairs top chefs from around the globe with Reykjavik’s finest restaurants.

Competitors create menus using only Icelandic ingredients, and it’s a treat to see (and taste) how international chefs rise to the challenge. →→ foodandfun.is

8

PHOTO: Lilja Jonsdottir

Reykjavik 15–18 March

PHOTO: Asgeir Helgi Thrastarson

most popular acts donate their time for the love of music. Accommodation fills up quickly, so be sure to book DESIGNMARCH DesignMarch is Ice- ahead. (Read more on page 26.) land’s foremost design event, pre- →→ aldrei.is senting a spectrum of exciting designers and architects from Iceland and abroad. The festival cele- Akureyri brates its 10th anniversary this year, 5–8 April with DesignTalks and exhibitions taking place all over downtown AK EXTREME AK Extreme transforms Reykjavik. downtown Akureyri, North Iceland, →→ designmarch.is into a giant snowboarding playground. The main (and most terrifying) event is the Big Jump, where snowboarders stare down a massive Isafjordur ramp constructed from 15 cargo con27 March to 1 April tainers. In between events, check out the slopes in Hlidarfjall or enjoy other SKI WEEK AND ALDREI FOR EG SUDUR Ski Week hosts family-friendly sport- winter activities around town. Then ing and cultural events over Easter in the evenings, it’s time to work off week. It ties in with Aldrei for eg leftover adrenalin with concerts and sudur (30 March to 1 April), a brilliant partying into the night. free music festival where Iceland’s →→ akx.is

BEYOND ICELAND

Aberdeen, Scotland 25 January BURNS NIGHT Burns Night celebrates the life and works of beloved Scots poet Robert Burns. A typical Burns supper includes bagpipe music and a hearty meal of haggis – the “Great chieftain o’ the puddin-race!” You can join Burns suppers in restaurants around Aberdeen, and indeed all over Scotland. →→ visitabdn.com

Aberdeen, Scotland 14–18 March

PHOTO: Rihardzz / Shutterstock.com

Belfast, Northern Ireland 17 March

ST. PATRICK’S DAY Belfast celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a huge array of events across the city. The main ABERDEEN JAZZ FESTIVAL Aberdeen Jazz Festival presents a swinging parade has a wonderful carnival programme of jazz and blues stars atmosphere, snaking its way through from the UK and abroad, with con- the city until it reaches the free concerts taking place in venues all over cert at Custom House Square. If you the city. If you see nothing else, be have kids in tow, Family Fun Day at sure to catch Jazz on the Green, Colin Glen Forest Park is another grand way to spend the day.

Scotland’s largest free music event. →→ visitbelfast.com →→ aberdeenjazzfestival.com

Festivals of light In the north, February is a peaceful time of year. Holiday festivities are replaced with a quiet serenity, a time to cherish the darkness while welcoming the lengthening days.

It is therefore no coincidence that Aberdeen, Reykjavik, Seydisfjordur, and Torshavn all host free festivals of light this month, illuminating the gloom with splashes of colour and culture.

Reykjavik Winter Lights and SPECTRA Aberdeen are both four-day events, running 1–4 and 8–11 February, respectively. Winter Lights includes events such as Museum Night, when 45 museums host special nighttime happenings; and Pool Night, when geothermal pools light up with surreal projections. Meanwhile, SPECTRA 2018 is themed “Play the Night”,

PHOTO: Mads Pihl / Visit Greenland

Sisimiut, Greenland 23–25 March The Arctic Circle Race is billed as “the world’s toughest cross-country ski race”, and with good reason. For three days, competitors voyage across 160 km (100 mi) of Greenland’s beautiful yet challenging west coast, camping in the snow for two nights. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but the stark landscape and warm camaraderie make it the experience of a lifetime. →→ acr.gl ARCTIC CIRCLE RACE

The List i ljosi festival lights up Seydisfjordur, East Iceland.

PHOTO: Omar Bogason

celebrating youthful creativity and playfulness in the Scottish Year of Young People.

Vetrarljos in Torshavn, Faroe Islands, and List i ljosi in Seydisfjordur, East Iceland, are somewhat smaller in scale – and all the more magical for it. Vetrarljos (“winter lights”, 3 February) has a focus on concerts, in addition to light installations and other cultural events, while List i ljosi (“Art in the light”, 16–17 February)

is more art-centric, with eye-popping projections that light up the town’s architecture. A programme of family-friendly concerts, exhibitions and workshops also runs throughout the week.

→→winterlightsfestival.is →→spectraaberdeen.com →→facebook.com/vetrarljos →→listiljosi.com

9

TRAVEL

Greenland

Ilulissat, Greenland, 69° N, -18° C, 20/3, 11:09

Winter drea m

TEXT: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir PHOTO: Benjamin Hardman

If ice and snow are your thing, Greenland is the place to go. Considering the country’s northerly location and the massive ice cap that covers it, Greenland is a paradise for winter activities and snow sports of all kind.

For Greenlanders, dog sledding remains an important means of transport, but they are also happy to have visitors along for a thrilling ride. In addition to dog sledding, tour operators offer longer and shorter ski tours: Downhill, cross-country, backcountry, heli-skiing … something to suit everyone’s appetite. If

10

you prefer to take it slow, try snowshoeing, and for motorised fun, snowmobiling. This is also the season for ice climbing. If you still have energy left after clawing your way up a vertical wall of ice, combine it with alpinism and mountain skiing. The Ilulissat Icefjord with its floating icebergs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is perhaps the crown jewel of this frozen kingdom. → visitgreenland.com → airicelandconnect.com

11

CULTURE

Food

01

s l i ta d n a s d a e H At mid-winter, Icelanders celebrate their ancestors’ culinary creativity.

TEXT: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir PHOTOS: Atli Thor Alfredsson

Mid-winter used to be harsh. It was cold and dark, and people were running low on food. To survive, they had to eat whatever was left in the pantry: soured offal. Such food is associated with the old Icelandic month of Thorri, which runs mid-January to mid-February, and it is served at Thorrablot feasts, widely celebrated at this time of year.

12

Icelandic food traditions are upheld at restaurant Matur og drykkur, which opened in an old salt fish processing plant at the hip Grandi harbour district in Reykjavik in 2015. “I wanted to open a restaurant with Icelandic food for Icelanders and continue to develop the traditions – what are traditions for if you cannot play with them?”, says owner Elma Backman.

She wanted to change the attitude many Icelanders have, that traditional Icelandic food is not worth dining out for. Like many restaurants, Matur og drykkur has a special Thorri menu, but with a modern twist. “We have, for example, served lightly-singed sheep heads and wrapped the meat into pancakes, which is like our version of the Peking duck”, says Elma.

02

04

They have also made their own version of rullupylsa and lundabaggi, rolls of secondary meats. Thorri food is often soured, pickled in whey. Executive chef Ivar Thordarson explains that today, people often have problems downing large portions of such food, and therefore they keep the souring to a minimum. “We have had soured ram’s testicles, but served them in paper-thin slices with pickled onions.” Instead of pickling meat in whey, they prepare a whey sauce.

Food waste used to be unthinkable and Ivar and Elma try not to waste

03

05

anything. Whenever possible, the food is locally sourced. “Broccoli is not just the florets but also the stalk.

And it is very tasty”, says Ivar. The stock for their famous halibut soup is made from fish bones. Another fixed feature is the cod head, a product which is commonly wasted. The restaurant has received a recognition from the National Association of Sheep Farmers for their innovative use of mutton and lamb. They have, for example, turned a meagre leg of mutton into a delicacy. “It was marinated in honey and herbs and then double-smoked”, says Ivar.

On the restaurant’s walls hang landscapes by amateur painters, which they collected from second-hand stores, cut up and pieced together again. “They are symbolic for what we do: We take old traditions and give them a new life”, declares Ivar.

01 The restaurant’s design has references to Icelandic traditions.

02 Whole roasted lamb’s head and Icelandic pancakes.

03 Torching the cod’s head.

04 Busy in the kitchen.

05 Halibut soup with apples, mussels, raisins and dill oil.

13

INFORMATION

Language

Icelandic in a f lurry Language is shaped by its surroundings. So, it should come as no surprise that Icelandic has a smorgasbord of words relating to winter and its cool companion, snow weather.

TEXT: Edda Kentish PHOTO: Ragnar Th. Sigurdsson

Let’s start with the basics – a mere sample of the most common snow words in Iceland:

Mjöll is the term for snow that’s only just fallen. This makes skiers happy.

Hjarn is a frozen bed of snow. This makes skiers less happy. Él is a short snowfall. Fits with the famous Icelandic characteristic of only having samples of weather. Krap is half-melted snow. Annoys everyone. Slabb is sludge.

Really annoys everyone.

Moving on to more descriptive types of snow weather:

Kafald is deep snow. Ideal for playing outside with the kids. Bleytuslag is deep, very wet snow. Possibly usable to make snowmen. Éljagangur is intermittent snowfall. Very common. Means we all carry hats with us during winter at all times as a matter of principle, and good scout upbringing. Slydda is wet snowfall. Exceptionally cosy when sitting in a hot tub. Hundslappadrífa literally means the snow drift of flakes as large as dog’s paws, and only when there’s no wind. The type of snow that makes postcard-perfect photographs.

And these are the conditions that simultaneously excite and enthral us all:

Hríð is a blizzard (hey! There’s an English word!). Can be refreshing, but is mostly a guarantee for gainful employment for people who take snow away.

Bylur is also a blizzard, but heavier than hrið. No one should be outside in one.

Skafrenningur is when a gale blows the snow along the ground. Important to pay attention to if driving.

Certain parts of the country also have their own vocabulary, because some parts see more winter wonders than others. For example, in West Iceland you might hear locals call skafrenningur the very easy and simple term sviðringsbylur (raise your hand if you’re Icelandic and have heard the term sviðringur before).

14

airicelandconnect

@airicelandconnect

@airiceland

editor@airicelandconnect.is

→ Have you encountered any of these during your travels?

Share your photo with us with the #mynorthadventure tag and your pic might end up on our Instagram spread.

See retailer list at www.Greatgreenland.com 15

A da y in Hesteyri Visiting the village at the edge of the world.

– is only accessible by boat. Since there’s no harbour, we’re carefully lowered one at a time from the larger “I was conceived in this boat”, our passenger boat into the smaller vesyoung guide Villi cheerfully informs sel which ferries us a short distance us in a strong, endearing Icelandic to the floating dock by the shore. accent as he nods towards the Scorpion dinghy we’re about to board. It takes just over an hour to sail from Hesteyri, an abandoned village on the Isafjordur to our destination – a remote Hornstrandir peninsula – the trip that had already provided quite northernmost part of the Westfjords an adventure. Our motor-powered TEXT: Lisa Gail Shannen

PHOTOS: Roman Gerasymenko

16

passenger boat, with enough room to accommodate around 30 people, had zoomed across the waves roosting spray, while ambitious puffins took turns racing alongside us. Whale watching wasn’t on the itinerary but when a pod of large humpbacks was spotted breaching in the distance, we made a little detour to get a better look. We also caught sight of a few dolphins which seemed to be enjoying

TRAVEL

Westfjords

a thrilling ride on the bow waves gen- designated a nature reserve in 1975 and so it remains a true wilderness: erated by our boat. free of grazing animals but home All the way, sheer, misty mountains to countless species of birds, and, in every direction provided spellbind- thanks to a hunting ban, the thriving ing views while our hosts, Kiddy and domain of the elusive Arctic fox.

Villi from Sjoferdir tours, took turns in both English and Icelandic to regale The village that time forgot us with funny anecdotes, local folktales and lots of fascinating facts. The There were always a few farmers and extensive Hornstrandir region was fishermen living out in Hesteyri, ever

since the time of settlement, but it wasn’t until the Norwegians built the whaling station together with some dwellings for workers that the area became a true community. After the whaling ban in 1915, the station was closed, but it reopened later as a herring factory. For as long as the herring lasted, the village prospered, and at one point there were 80 people living in Hesteyri. When the herring stocks

17

01

02

03

real-life, three-dimensional versions of the historic locations she so vividly described on the page. Villi seems to sense our spirit of enquiry, and before anyone even asks he has pointed out Literary landmarks all the literary landmarks, including the Doctor’s House (which now operates It’s a midsummer’s day when we alight as a hostel and café during the sumon the beach in Hesteyri. While the vil- mer), the graveyard, and the ruins of lage remains deserted throughout the winter, come summertime it springs to DID YOU KNOW... life, positively bursting with colour. The Air Iceland Connect flies to 17 destinations, remaining 10 or so houses dotting the which equals the number of inhabited islands of the Faroe Islands archipelago? grassy banks directly above the shoreThey are 18 in total. line are in varying stages of both dilapidation and renovation, with painters the old whaling station, which the Icebusy at work on a few of them. landic Coast Guard once used as tarThose of us (at least half our party) get practice. If you hike the 3 km (1.9 who’ve read I Remember You, Yrsa mi) northeast of the village you can Sigurdardottir’s terrifying tale set in see the perfect hole made by a clean this very village, are already looking shot right through the middle of the around to see if we can locate the chimney. dwindled in the 1940s, so did the residents, and by 1952, with no reason left to endure the harsh winters and isolation, everyone moved away.

18

The “stolen” church With just three hours to explore, we follow a leafy trail through a fragrant forest of wild angelica and up the slope of foothills behind the village.

After a quick stop to take in the fabulous view, we head south towards the churchyard, which seems to be missing its church. It had been gifted to the people of Hesteyri by the Brodrene Bull whaling company, but when the settlement was abandoned the church was relocated by the Bishop of Iceland to the village of Sudavik, where it still stands today.

Since the building didn’t belong to the National Church and the former residents were never asked, they were all rather aggrieved and some still look upon the whole affair as robbery. The only remnant we can

TRAVEL

Westfjords

Seasonal adventures:

04

01 One of the old houses in Hesteyri.

02 Fishermen’s memorial in Isafjordur.

03 Arctic fox at the Arctic Fox Centre in Sudavik.

04 A lunch of smoked salmon, pancakes and a slice of marriage cake at the Doctor’s House in Hesteyri.

Isafjordur provides a great base for exploring the Westfjords.

05 Bell from the “stolen” church in Hesteyri.

In summer, apart from the Hesteyri day tour, highlights include Paradise Island (Vigur), the famous Hornbjarg cliff, Bolafjall mountain in Bolungarvik, and Sudavik, where you’ll find both the Arctic Fox Centre and the “stolen” church from Hesteyri. Kayaking on the calm waters around Isafjordur is possible year-round. In winter, the northern lights return and visitors can go skiing at the local resorts or on thrilling off-piste ski expeditions to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve.

06 Inside the Doctor’s House in Hesteyri.

05

06

see of the church now is the bell; a humble slice of traditional Icelandic proudly enshrined in a stone monu- hjonabandssaela (“wedded bliss”).

The small dining area is crowded with ment. people all enthusiastically engaged The Doctor’s House in conversations either about hiking trips to the famous Hornbjarg – a After a pleasant walk around the sea cliff on the northern tip of Hornbeach, where some of us just strandir, Yrsa’s scary book, or the fascouldn’t resist the urge to collect a cinating history of Hesteyri. few seashells (fans of Yrsa’s book will know why), we make a beeline for the In this setting, surrounded by activDoctor’s House. We are greeted by ity and holiday excitement, it’s hard cheery staff hanging out the wash- to imagine Hesteyri as the setting for ing and filling up a wheelbarrow with a horror story. As terrifying as the cans of beer to chill in the nearby book was, not even my solitary hike stream. There’s to be a party later to the ruins of the whaling station on and the overnight guests, mainly fazed me. It’s hard to be afraid when trekkers who are using the house as you’re rambling on a lovely trail, with a base to explore the wonders of the a face full of fresh air, navigating Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, are all weather-beaten driftwood logs over in good spirits. We’re treated to cof- shallow babbling brooks and surfee and a light lunch of smoked sal- rounded by dazzling beauty. It’s just mon on rye bread with pancakes and too much of an adventure.

Check out day tours at airicelandconnect.com/tours

Getting there: Hesteyri Isafjordur

Reykjavik Keflavik

Air Iceland Connect offers daily flights from Reykjavik to Isafjordur. Guided tours to Hesteyri are available from early June to late August.

Private tours can also be arranged. airicelandconnect.com westfjords.is

19

CULTURE

Design

Hidden treasure Between Westfjordian mountains is a designer home with a soul.

TEXT: Angel Trinidad PHOTOS: Mikael Lundblad

In Flateyri, a remote fishing town in the Westfjords of about 180 people, nestled in between gigantic snowcapped fjords and a tranquil, sparkling sea, lies a secret treasure – the stunning home of Icelandic designer Halfdan Pedersen. Beyond its black exteriors lies a warm and wondrous home built of 100 percent reclaimed materials, each corner telling a story.

Everything in the house – the walls, floors, insulation, radiators, even the toilets and sinks – was personally sourced and reclaimed from all over Iceland by Dani – as the designer likes to be called – himself. It took him 10 years to complete the house with the generous help of many friends. “It became a total obsession. I’ve never been as dedicated and passionate about anything in my life before.”

20

Dani, who designed the interiors of Kex Hostel and Dill Restaurant in Reykjavik, among many others, came across the house in 2004. “That was the first time I ever came to Flateyri and it got to me right away. It was a still and sunny, winter afternoon. Not a cloud in the sky. Every camera frame was breathtaking, with gigantic mountains quietly looming in every background”, Dani recounts. “This total tranquillity was a huge contrast to my life in LA for the past 10 years, and it had a big impact on me. Big enough that I decided to move back to Iceland and revive this strange house.”

mations and served different purposes throughout time. “I’ve heard it was once a makeshift hospital and once an office of the town’s governor. People have been born here and people have died here. I have records that show that, at one point in time, it was the legal residence of 38 people”, Dani shares.

Film posters from the designer’s old life in Hollywood – where he worked as a set designer – line the walls, alongside family photos and curious objects: tiny music boxes hidden behind wooden beams, old newspaper clippings, vintage maps… The The then-abandoned house is one of house feels like a miniature world in the oldest in Flateyri. Originally built itself; every day there is something by a shark vessel captain in 1896, the new to be found, a new treasure to building went into several transfor- discover.

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.

21

INTERVIEW

Air Iceland Connect

Theodora Mathiesen, manager of the schedule and revenue department at Air Iceland Connect.

The mounta ins y give you energ Theodora Mathiesen, manager of the schedule and revenue department at Air Iceland Connect, has been skiing since she was five.

She competed for Iceland at the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, in 1998, and became Icelandic champion in slalom the following year.

Skiing is Theodora and her family’s biggest hobby, and they go backcountry skiing in the Westfjords as often as they can.

TEXT: Svava Jonsdottir PHOTO: Arni Saeberg

22

we offer lower airfares for those who are organised and book a long time ahead. We also offer special packages for frequent flyers.

We have new destinations now − flights between Keflavik and Akureyri and to Belfast and Aberdeen – so that the extent and diversity of my work has increased. We have more sales channels than before and are distributing through GDS systems now; we used to only sell flights on our website and over the phone until a few years ago.

You’re a passionate skier.

Tell us about your career.

I’ve skied as long as I can remember.

Everyone in my family are skiers and I started training in the sport at five, competing at the Donald Duck Games at Akureyri when I was six.

It’s just so much fun. I trained with KR ski club for many years, and at 17 I went to a ski high school in Norway. While studying in Norway, I was competing a lot in Scandinavia and elsewhere in Europe.

When did you start working for Air Iceland Connect?

I started working for Air Iceland Connect in 2000 as a flight attendant while I was studying economics at the University of Iceland.

I then spent five years making crew schedules and was appointed to my current position in 2012.

Upon graduation, I made it to the Icelandic national ski team and received a grant to study at a university in the US where I competed with the school team for one winter. At that time, I was at the peak of my career and reached the minimum requirements for competing at the Olympics.

I moved back to Norway and then to Austria for half a winter, practising and competing to prepare myself for the games the best I could.

What is your current position?

I’m the manager of the schedule and revenue department. We’re responsible for uploading the flight schedules to our networks and making sure that all airfares and tariffs are correct. We have different airfares and terms to suit the needs of different passengers. For example,

I competed at the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, in 1998. It didn’t go very well, because failed to finish in giant slalom and straddled a gate in slalom. It was a huge disappointment because competing at the Olympics had been my goal for a long time. The following year, I became Icelandic champion in

women’s slalom and qualified for the World Championship in the US – where the same things happened as in Japan. I quit professional skiing at the end of 1999.

How do you go skiing these days?

My whole family is involved. I met my partner, Arnor Gunnarsson, through skiing – he stopped competing some time before I did. He’s a carpenter but also a ski coach for kids and is currently [autumn 2017] with our two sons, who are 9 and 11, training on a glacier in Austria.

We go skiing at Blafjoll or Skalafell [the Reykjavik ski resorts] most weekdays and on weekends when it’s open. Nothing beats coming home after a day like that. You feel so comfortably tired after spending time outside and it feels good coming home and relaxing.

Do you also ski off-piste?

Arnor is from Isafjordur [in the Westfjords] and we have a small old house in the town. We try to go there as often as we can. There’s no better place for re-energising, changing the pace and being embraced by the mountains. They give you energy. We spend most summer holidays there, and during most Easter and New Year’s breaks we go skiing in Isafjordur. We do hiking and backcountry skiing in the Westfjords and just enjoy being outside in nature.

We also go on skiing trips abroad, mostly Austria, but also Norway, Italy and the US. The slopes are longer and wider than in Iceland.

Skiing has always been a part of my life and will hopefully continue to be for years to come because it’s a fantastic family sport where everyone can have fun on his or her own terms.

23

EXPLORATION

For kids

The people living in Greenland are called Inuits. 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.

24

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.

Me, listening to the silence

Only hours away to the west, the Greenland ice cap guards a country and people on a calm quest for survival. Journey west, and the Faroe Islands’ northern beat, colours, life and culture. Venture further south to Northern Ireland and Scotland, as curious to know you as you are to know them. Where to next?

airicelandconnect.com

25

CULTURE

Music

Easter adventure in Isafjordur Surprise Easter eggs, great music and ski slopes covered in candy.

01

TEXT: Lisa Gail Shannen PHOTOS: Roman Gerasymenko

The extensive aerial views of snowtopped mountains, fjords, and glittering shores from the window seat of our Bombardier Q200 are thrilling enough, but it’s hard not to feel like an excited kid when you’re handed a surprise Easter egg by the flight attendant: just one of the unexpected perks during our holiday weekend away. And when we’re about to land in Isafjordur, the remote yet modern hub of the Westfjords, my husband and I are on a chocolate-induced happy high, ready to take on both the annual Aldrei for

26

eg sudur (“I never went south”) music festival and Ski Week.

Between them, these two major events make Isafjordur during the Easter holidays an irresistible destination. Come Good Friday – or so we’re told by the folks at the local information centre – the town’s modest population of almost 3,000 people increases by roughly 2,000, although they can’t be sure since the music festival is entirely free.

Ski Week Long before Isafjordur became home to the much-loved music fes-

tival, the town, with its annual Ski Week, was already renowned for its superb skiing facilities and was well established as a popular Easter destination. The Ski Week event, which draws skiers from all over the country to participate in funpacked cross-country and downhill races, is the oldest town festival in Iceland, dating all the way back to the year 1935.

Gleaming with snow and dotted with brightly dressed skiers, the rising heights of the Tungudalur ski resort present an idyllic scene of winter in Iceland. By the time we arrive there, a five-minute drive

01 View of Isafjordur town.

02 Cross-country skier at the Seljalandsdalur ski resort.

03 Maritime museum in Isafjordur.

04 Girl with the AFES festival tattoo.

05 KK band performs at the Aldrei for eg sudur festival.

02

04

from the town centre, a lightweight aircraft flies overhead, airdropping a hoard of candy which rains down on the ski slopes. Us grown-ups don’t stand a chance against the mob of excited children, all in fancy dress, as they swarm the area to gather as much candy as they can stuff in their mouths and pockets.

I never went south!

The curious name of this music festival was dreamed up back in 2003 by two local musicians: Papamug and Mugison (father and son). The idea was not only to create opportunities for locals but to provide a

03

05

new and exciting place for performers outside of the capital. Over the years, some of the biggest names in Icelandic music have performed, and this year is no exception.

When we arrive at the main venue – a local shrimp processing plant transformed for the occasion – the legendary KK is on stage belting out old-time classics as an impressively mixed audience of kids, teens, adults and older folks, all sing along loudly. The festival includes a line-up of contemporary acts too, with award-winning newcomers Between Mountains in attendance and the “topless, gen-

der-bending, cat-loving Messiah of Icelandic hip-hop, Kott Gra Pje. The latter ends the night with a sensational three-minute motivational speech, ordering us all to “rida meira, sprengja minna” – a slightly more explicit version of the “make love, not war” slogan. → The next Aldrei for eg sudur festival will be on from 30 March to 1 April, 2018.

DID YOU KNOW...

Six is the number of blades for each engine on the Bombardier Q400, which makes them 12 in total for each aircraft.

27

ACTIVITIES

Adventure guide

Season to taste

If you’re visiting Iceland this winter, you might have planned on catching culture or wandering through the wilderness. To give you some inspiration, we’ve collected adventure ideas to fit any level, because we know that adventure ranges from scaling a precipice or braving a five-day hike, to sitting with a cuppa in search of the northern lights.

TEXT: Sarah Dearne

So, which appeals to you most?

Calm, curious or exhilarating?

PHOTO: Pixabay

PHOTO: Visit Akureyri

PHOTO: Viking Heliskiing

Calm

Curious

Exhilarating

After a refreshing stroll on a crisp snowy day, slip into the nearest bakery café and warm up with some delicious baked goods. Traditional treats include kleinur, a kind of diamond-shaped fried pastry, and hjonabandssaela (“wedded bliss”), a perfect marriage of oats, butter and rhubarb jam.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just looking to learn the basics, you’ll find excellent opportunities for skiing and snowboarding all over Iceland. If you’re in the capital, make the 20-minute drive to the country’s biggest ski resort, Blafjoll, whose easily-accessible slopes are ideal for beginner and intermediate skiers. However, the most popular ski area in the country is Hlidarfjall in Akureyri, known for its quality snow and breathtaking views of the fjord.

Other top spots include Tungudalur in Isafjordur in the Westfjords, and Oddsskard close to Eskifjordur in the East.

For thrill-seeking skiers, few experiences can compare to heli-skiing and snowboarding – flying to pristine peaks in a helicopter. The Troll Peninsula (Trollaskagi) in North Iceland is the place to go, with over 4,000 km2 (1,544 sq mi) of spectacular terrain and vertical descents of up to 1,500 m (4,921 ft).

Nearly every town in Iceland has at least one bakery café, with some of the most popular including Bernhoftsbakari and Sandholt in downtown Reykjavik, Gamla bakariid in Isafjordur, and Bakariid vid bruna in Akureyri. Although technically not a bakery, Pallett café in Hafnarfjordur also gets an honourable mention for its baked-from-scratch goodies and supremely cosy ambience.

28

No worries if you didn’t bring equipment; you can rent skis, snowboards and other gear at most major resorts.

A particular highlight are the summit-to-sea runs, where you can ski all the way down to the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. And, because this is Iceland, there are no pesky trees to get in the way.

Heli-skiing season on Troll Peninsula runs from the end of February to around late June, and peak season is April to May.

Adventure awaits EGILSSTADIR Wild reindeer and warm nature bath

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

DETTIFOSS Dettifoss grand tour

Look for even more adventures online.

They’re hiding in plain sight. airicelandconnect.com/tours

PHOTOGRAPHY

Competition

01

02

03

04

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 Greenland @tmsvdw Greenland's icebergs. These giant floating icebergs are some of the most beautiful sculptures I've ever laid my eyes on.

02 Kulusuk, Greenland @martawitkowskaphoto Miss you Greenland.

03 Kerid, Iceland @danieldantastic Death by Instagram. @leefair and @erincamille in the middle of Kerid frozen crater lake.

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.

30

04 Westfjords, Iceland @andyyzhu Seal of approval! In the Westfjords region of Iceland, many of the pebble beaches were home to large groups of seals. Although most were frightened by my presence, a few were brave enough to pose for the camera.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Competition

Faroe Islands @eliasarnars Cliffs of the Faroes.

Going back there soon enough! Chasing waterfalls, cliffs and whatnot. Just the most photogenic country!

And the winner is… ...Elias Arnar Hjalmarsson. Here is the story behind his amazing shot: “After driving for about an hour looking for the lake Sorvagsvatn we finally found it, putting on our rain-coats and heading into the fog. We didn't meet a single traveller on the way most likely because of the weather. It was rainy, foggy and muddy but did we let that stop us? Of course not, and arriving at the cliffs around the lake was one of the most rewarding experience of my life. Did the fog spoil the view? Absolutely not. Quite the opposite. It was moody and intense.”

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!

Elias wins a flight to any of Air Iceland Connect’s destinations in Iceland. Congratulations!

31

T he isla nd on the Arctic C irc le On Grimsey, people live in harmony with nature.

32

TRAVEL

Grimsey

TEXT: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir PHOTOS: Benjamin Hardman

I board the Norlandair Twin Otter plane at Akureyri Airport and prepare for the flight to Grimsey, Iceland’s northernmost inhabited island. The view of Eyjafjordur fjord keeps me glued to the window and suddenly I notice the shape of the green island on the Arctic Circle. In an area of little more than 5 km2 (1.93 sq mi), 40 km (25 mi) north of the Icelandic mainland, approximately 80 people reside year-round. Fishing is their livelihood.

Summer solstice is fast approaching, the longest day of the year. At the end of June, the sun seen from Grimsey doesn’t set, but touches the ocean and rises again. In the early hours of the morning I stroll from the guesthouse to the harbour. A father and son from the island have invited me to go fishing with them. It’s calm

and bright, and only the shrieks of the Arctic tern break the silence.

Through centuries islanders have picked eggs from nests for food, and still today, they lower themselves off cliffs in ropes to reach the nests of seabirds.

We head out to sea. Grimsey looks grand, rising from the waves. Seagulls swarm around the boat in hope of cut-offs, and puffins with their multicoloured beaks flap their wings frantically before they land beside us. The fishermen get down to business, hauling golden cod up from the depths of the ocean. In the distance we see humpbacks blow.

What we don’t see is the mainland. I wonder whether life in such isolation isn’t difficult but the islanders I speak with wouldn’t live anywhere else. To them, the silence and closeness to nature is life itself.

Getting there: Grimsey

Akureyri

Reykjavik Keflavik

Air Iceland Connect offers flights to Grimsey from Akureyri Airport in partnership with Norlandair; daily in June, five times a week in July and August and thrice weekly at other times. airicelandconnect.com DID YOU KNOW...

The diameter of the engine of the Bombardier Q400 is 4.1 m (13.5 ft), a little more than 10 times the diameter of a 16” pizza.

33

Autumn geta way Aberdeen and the Royal Deeside.

01

34

TRAVEL

Scotland

01 Autumn colours in Braemar, a small town we passed through on our drive through the Royal Deeside.

02 At Finzean Estate, the Farquharsons have farmed for the last 400 years. Here you’ll find a well-stocked farm shop and a tea room.

02

03 Ardoe House has been an hotel since 1947 but was built in 1878 by Alexander “Soapy” Ogston.

03

04 Foot Dee, or Fittie as the locals call it, is an old fishing village at the east end of Aberdeen’s harbour which received conservation status in 1968.

05 With pink floral teacups, baby blue gold-rimmed saucers and sprinkles, Cup is a cosy café famed for its amazing cakes and all-day breakfasts.

04

TEXT: Eirny Sigurdardottir PHOTOS: Aslaug Snorradottir

Aberdeen – known as the Granite or Silver City because of its grey granite houses – shimmered in the autumn sun as my friend and I drove into town in mid-October. The beautiful historical and architecturally distinct buildings were surrounded by lush green trees, adorned with autumnal colours of orange and russet.

With five shopping centres, the Granite Mile shopping street, quirky boutiques, restaurants and cosy cafés, we were spoilt for choice. On our first evening we had an inspirational meal in Musa, housed in a former Catholic apostolic chapel in the old Merchant Quarter. This “slow food” restaurant serves locally sourced produce, using both traditional and new food preparation techniques. Peat-smoked mussel skink, homemade Bannocks, and wood pigeon galette with bramble and blueberry sauce are just some of

05

the delicious offerings. Musa is also a Scottish Malt Whisky Association partner bar with a range of over 100 malt whiskies to sample.

The weather was mild and beautiful as we headed out of Aberdeen the following day. Ardoe House has been a hotel since 1947 but was built in 1878

by Alexander “Soapy” Ogston, who made his fortune by manufacturing and exporting soap across the British empire. He built the house incorporating many design features inspired by the Queen’s country retreat, Balmoral Castle. On our arrival we realised that a wedding party was in full swing. The atmosphere was charged with joy and laughter, bringing the grand building to life. We were swept up by the occasion and welcomed into the celebrations, making our time here forever memorable.

On our last day we visited the Royal Deeside where Balmoral Castle is located. It’s a picturesque part of the

country with probably more castles per square mile than anywhere else in Scotland. The Victorian village of Ballater has gained a reputation for quality because many of its shops supply the Royal Family. We had a fabulous lunch at the Clachan Grill that included a delicious game terrine and Loch Duart salmon.

I have heard it said that people come to Aberdeen and tend to never leave, and as we drove into town after our day trip in the countryside I could appreciate why. Stunning landscape, castles and beaches – only a stone’s throw away from the city – is everything you need for the perfect weekend getaway.

DID YOU KNOW...

It would take 2,522 flights between Reykjavik and Akureyri for Air Iceland Connect to carry all the inhabitants of the capital region to the Iceland’s northern “capital”.

35

NEWS

Air Iceland Connect

Connecting the dots There’s always something happening at Air Iceland Connect.

Here’s a roundup of some of the most newsworthy events.

TEXT: Eyglo Svala Arnarsdottir

PHOTO: Hrokurinn

First environmentally certified airline

Chess club spreads joy in Greenland

Yule Lads hitch a ride with airplanes

Last year Air Iceland Connect became the first airline in Iceland to fulfil the requirements for the international environmental certification ISO 14000. The airline started recycling in 2008 and has since then gradually taken further steps towards becoming a greener operation, for example by reducing water usage, energy consumption and emissions.

Icelandic chess club Hrokurinn and circus performers from Sirkus Islands celebrated with the people of Uummannaq in northwest Greenland in October, inviting them to shows, playing chess with the children and teaching them circus tricks. In this region, 600 km (373 mi) north of the Arctic Circle, homes were destroyed by flood in June and four people were killed. In October, 170 people had still not been able to return to their villages but stayed in Uummannaq, which has 1,300 inhabitants. Last summer, Hrokurinn, in cooperation with Icelandic Church Aid and KALAK, the Iceland-Greenland friendship association, raised ISK 40 million (EUR 33,000), which was used for buying furniture, among other things. Air Iceland Connect supported the project.

Iceland doesn’t have a Santa Claus but rather 13 ogre brothers called the Yule Lads, who come down from the mountains 13 days before Christmas, place a present in every well-behaving child’s shoe, then make their way back to their cave by 6 January.

“Air Iceland Connect has always taken environmental issues seriously and seen them as part of the company’s regular activities. It isn’t only responsible to minimise the company’s environmental impact but, if successfully implemented, it also contributes to improved operations and higher revenue”, says Arni Gunnarsson, Air Iceland Connect Managing Director.

Fast facts about Air Iceland Connect

45

183,301

passengers travelled through Akureyri Airport and 93,474 through Egilsstadir in 2016

places for lift-off and landing in Iceland; 6 are paved, 22 have gravel and 4 are on grass

36

Weary as they were, Air Iceland Connect offered the old chaps a ride on its planes. During Advent last December, they showed up at the airport in their finest attire, played around and brought treats for kids.

Unaccustomed to modern modes of transport, they were confused when asked to board the plane but eventually made it to their seats.

This fun tradition has been upheld by Air Iceland Connect for years.

3,000

international flights from Reykjavik, 444 from Akureyri and 159 from Egilsstadir in 2016

234,476,186 km (145,696,747 mi) were flown within Icelandic airspace in 2016

SERVICE

Air Iceland Connect

PHOTO: Roman Gerasymenko

Shared stories We would love to hear about your travels. In the seat pocket is a journal where passengers who have sat in this seat before you have made some notes about their travel experiences. What did you discover on your trip?

Pick up a pen and share your adventures with future travellers the 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 a bargain price. Passengers on flights to Belfast and Aberdeen can borrow iPads for on-board entertainment.

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.

37

DESTINATIONS

Air Iceland Connect

Haunting sound of icebergs x x Touched the Greenla nd ice cap Visited the Viking tra il x

Hiked up Bolafjall (wow!) x x

Smelled the sulfur at Seltun

Shape your adventure 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.

38

Take-offs and touchdowns 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 September 3, 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 from Akureyri to Reykjavik.

Jumped from a cliff x King of x the ca st le x Cheers for St. Patrick!

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.

EGILSSTADIR 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.

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.

39

FLEET

Air Iceland Connect

Towards the

In the Age of Settlement they embarked on a journey into the unknown with their loved ones. The five Bombardier aircraft in our fleet are named after women settlers and Icelandic saga heroines. Still flying high, we uphold their legacies with pride.

Aud the Deep-Minded TF-FXA Q400

Hallgerd Long-Pants TF-FXB Q400

Thorun the Horned TF-FXI Q400

Aud the Deep-Minded was the only woman to lead a settlement expedition to Iceland. She was considered peerless among women, provident and wise, as witnessed by her epithet. She took leave of her husband and sailed to Iceland along with her crew. It is said that her settlement extended across all the valleys of Breidafjordur in West Iceland. Aud was a Christian and was considered to be particularly noble and generous. She gave large estates in her settlement to her crew and made her home at the current church estate of Hvammur in Dalir.

The most infamous heroine of the Icelandic sagas was dashing, long-haired and beautiful. Extremely proud, Hallgerd never took orders from anyone.

She started a feud with her neighbour Bergthora; and Hallgerd’s husband, Gunnar, had to pay for a slap he gave her with his life. When besieged by his enemies, Gunnar begged Hallgerd for a lock of her hair to repair his bowstring. She refused and he was killed.

But what was the source of her epithet? One explanation is that Hallgerd had particularly long legs. Another that she was originally called “Langbrok”, which means “long-haired”.

Does her epithet refer to a shawl she wore over her head or shoulders? Along with her husband, Helgi the Lean, Thorun the Horned settled in Eyjafjordur, Northeast Iceland, and was the first woman to do so.

Thorun was the sister of Aud the Deep-Minded, the most famous of all women settlers. While Thorun and Helgi sailed into the fjord, looking for a place to build their farm, Thorun gave birth to a daughter on a small holm in Eyjafjardara river. Their daughter, Thorbjorg Holme-sun, was the first native-born resident of Eyjafjordur.

40

unknown

Wind beneath our wings Q400

Q200 The Air Iceland Connect fleet comprises of three Bombardier Q400s and two Bombardier Q200s. The Bombardier Q400s are larger and 30% faster than conventional turboprop aircraft and therefore offer new opportunities.

In addition to being used for domestic flights, the Bombardier Q400s fly a steadily increasing number of passengers to Greenland, as well as to destinations in Britain. The Bombardier Q200 aircraft have certain qualities: they require a short runway (e.g., they can take off when fully-loaded from an 800 m / 2,625 ft runway), can withstand a stronger side wind than comparable aircraft and can carry more freight. The Bombardier Q200 can be specifically configured for cargo transport.

→ Read more about our fleet at airicelandconnect.com

Arndis the Wealthy TF-FXG Q200

Thurid the Sound-Filler TF-FXK Q200

Her father was a settler in Dalir, but she wished to choose her own land.

Arndis the Wealthy settled in Hrutafjordur, Northwest Iceland. Her epithet suggests that she acquired wealth while presiding over her estate. Little is known about Arndis, as written documentation is scarce.

However, if one reads between the lines it is clear that she was a powerful woman who defied the patriarchy.

Arndis married Bjalki Blaengsson but their son Thordur became known by his matronymic surname: Arndisarson.

Thordur later appeared as a character in Kormaks Saga, a poetic love story.

She was known as a volva and was said to be well-versed in magic when she settled in Bolungarvik, the Westfjords. She was called “sound-filler” due to her ability to cast spells that filled every sound with herring. As thanks for her spell, each farmer in the area awarded her with a hornless ewe. Her son was the poet Volu-Stein Thuridarson. His father was unknown.

DID YOU KNOW...

The Bombardier Q400’s length is comparable to the height of Gullfoss waterfall, which is 32 m (105 ft).

Our extended family Air Iceland Connect is part of Icelandair Group, an Icelandic travel industry corporation. The corporation is the largest in Iceland, posting USD 89 million in profit in 2016. 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

41

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.

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.

Gigjokull. PHOTO: Ragnar Th. Sigurdsson

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 of the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue (ICE-SAR) are looking out for your safety. If you are planning a trek, please leave a copy of your itinerary at safetravel.is. Also visit the website for equipment lists, travel plans and the latest travel conditions.

For all excursions, please observe these tips:

→ When driving, keep your full attention on the road, especially on areas where tarmac turns to gravel. Blind hills should be approached with caution. It is illegal to operate a vehicle after consuming alcohol. → On single-lane bridges, the car closer to the bridge has the right of way, but it is always wise to stop and assess the situation. → Only take Highland roads if you have a 4x4 jeep, and make sure you have the experience necessary to operate these vehicles in tough conditions. → Roads can be quite slippery during winter, especially after frost in the early morning. All Highland roads are closed during winter. → Off-road driving is illegal. → When hiking, be prepared for sudden weather changes, stick to your travel plan, and dress appropriately, with water and wind-resistant clothes, gloves and hats.

Emergency numbers Iceland and Europe: 112 North America: 911 United Kingdom: 999 / 112 FXI-OPS 030-e rev 0

42

→ 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.