The Reykjavik Grapevine issue 12, 2011

Page 53

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LEGEND

NEW IN TOWN

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EATING

DRINKING

SHOPPING

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For a map of outside downtown Reykjavík visit www.grapevine.is or the Icelandic phonebook website www.ja.is

KEX Hostel, Skúlagata 28

Alex MacNeill

There's a hip new ‘hostel’ in town that gives a whole new meaning to the word. Located literally steps away from Reykjavík harbour, with a gorgeous view of Esja, KEX Hostel is more like a guesthouse than any of the images that spring to mind when you hear “hostel.” Already it has become a popular hangout amongst Icelanders who go there to enjoy the restaurant and bar. In the unique building, which was once a biscuit factory (KEX means biscuit), there’s also a gym, laundry service, a guest kitchen and free wireless. Close enough to the main drag downtown, but far enough away from weekend festivities, we heartily recommend KEX Hostel as a nice hangout spot and a comfortable place to sleep.

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Kringlan Shopping Mall

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Usually I'm not out on the town though. I'm usually at home with my family trying to get the baby to sleep. That is the cycle of my day: rinse and repeat.

NAH LÍ Ð

HAM R AHL

HÖRGSHLÍÐ

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GR Æ

ÝR

Public toilets in the centre can be found inside the green poster covered towers located, for example, at Hlemmur, Ingólfstortorg, by Hallgrímskirkja, by Art MIReykjavík KL A BR A Museum, Lækjargata and by Eymundsson UT on Skólavörðustígur. Toilets also be STIcan GA LÍÐ and the found inside the Reykjavík CityHHall Reykjavík Library.

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Public Toilets

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ÍÐ

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There are several swimming pools in Reykjavík. The one in 101 Reykjavík, Sundhöll DR Á P UH LÍÐ Reykjavíkur, is an indoor one, located at Barónsstígur. That pool features a nice BLÖ sunbathing area and some NDUoutdoor hot HL tubs. Opening hours: MondayÍÐto Thursday from 06:30–22:00, Friday from 06:30–20:00, Saturday from 08:00–16:00, and Sunday from 10:00–18:00.

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Öskjuhlíð

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The National and University Library, Arngrímsgata 3 Tourist Information Centre, Aðalstræti 2 BAR MA Icelandic Travel Market, Bankastræti HLÍ2 Ð Reykjavík Backpackers, Laugavegur 28 MÁ VAH Swimming Pools L

Perlan

STA

SA

HL

R GU

Most cafés offer free wireless internet access. Computers with internet connections are available to use at: Ráðhúskaffi City Hall, Tjarnargata 11 GU R RVE Frakkastígur 8, near Ground Zero, LA VAL LUG F Laugavegur 45 The Reykjavík City Library, Tryggvagata 15

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L AB R AU

MIK

ÍÐ HL KI ES

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STA BÚ

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There aren’t many public payphones in the city centre. The tourist information centre at Aðalstræti 2, City Hall, Kolaportið, entrance at Landsbankinn and in Lækjargata. Prepaid international phone cards are recommended for int’l callers. Internet Access

The Hand-knitting Association of Iceland’s official store, Handprjónasambandið, sells wool products of uncompromising quality. Ú TH Lfeatures ÍÐ The store pullover sweaters, cardigans and other woollen accessories.

ÚLI

AL

Public phones

Skólavörðustígur 19

Kjarvalsstaðir

Geothermal seawater spa The Blue Lagoon National is a world famous healing spot as the water Museum is rich with silica and sulphur that are extremely good for the skin. The natural skin care products produced from the healing Klambratún minerals are sold at the downtown Blue Park Lagoon shop.

ÁRM

massive flea market is a wonderful place to get lost for a few hours, rummaging through stall upon stall of potential treasures. There are heaps of used clothing, knitwear and other yard-sale type goods from decades of yore, and a large food section with fish, meats and baked HRINGBRAUTgoods. Check out the vintage post cards and prints at the table near the army surplus.

Handprjónasambandið

STA

ÐAR Á

Laugavegur 15

AUT Reykjavík’s

12

RE Y

GBR

R AU

Tryggvagata 19

HRI N

AGA Blue Lagoon Store TA

RST

11

If I go out, I go where my friends are, which either means the home of my good friend Dawn Goat or else Bakkus, where they have Kaldi (a really good Icelandic brewery) on tap. Actually, I was on my way to Bakkus with Curver the other day and we ended up stopping at the Vikingakráin, which is right next door. We dressed up as Vikings and drank Jökull beer on tap, which is a really cool Icelandic brewery that just came on the market a few years back. We ate a sheep's head together and laughed like berserkers. It was awesome. But I think you need to be in a very specific state of mind to be able to effect that foreign-nationaltourist-in-your-own-country-but-notreally-your-own-country thing. Or maybe you just need to go with Curver.

HÁ AHLÍÐ

Kolaportið

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L ÁG

GU

10

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MÚ LI

RA UT AR SB

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INTO THE NIGHT >

FLÓ K

La

ENGJATEIGUR

My family eats a nice dinner made SK either by me or my girlfriend. Our oldest IPH OL tries T to trick us into giving her ice cream. I'm certain she's going to be a lawyer.

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AFTERNOON >

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ÍK

HÁT

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I water my tomato plants. I have a lot MI ÐT of tomato plants, so this takes quite a ÚN long time. Then I might go shopping for groceries at Melabúðin for their HÁ TÚN excellent meat and fish counter, but never at Bónus, because those guys really suck. Actually, I'm more likely to swim after work. I think I'll do that today.

HO IP SK

Sundhöllin Swimming Pool

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S ÓN AR

ÍG ST

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BRAUTARHOLT

R AUÐ AR ÁR

he Einar ónsson Museum

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LTÚ N

HÁ TÚ

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IG KIRK JUTE

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Taxi

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MID-DAY >

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Hallgríms kirkja Church

Hlemmur Bus Terminal

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SKÚ TÍG

TÍG AS KK

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FR A

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HÖFÐA TÚN

The Tower

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I work on Hverfisgata at the gogoyoko office, so I alternate between The Deli, Bullan@B5, Prikið, Hressó and Te & Kaffi. Although, I often work through lunch (I'm kind of stupid like that).

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RTÚ BORGA

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REYK JAVE GUR

TÍG

LUNCH >

VA TN

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KJ US A

LA UG A

3

KRINGLUMÝRARBR AUT

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NÓ ATÚ N

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My kids wake up between 5:30 and 7:30 so I spend a few hours trying every trick I can think of to get them to sleep longer and as the days get shorter I hope that will get easier. I drink a cup of very strong coffee and take my oldest to her kindergarten. If I swam in the morning it would be at Vesturbaejarlaug because I would be more likely to run into celebrities there. Not really though. I drink a soy latté from Kaffitár almost every day. It's like crack cocaine to me.

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A RS

EARLY MORNING >

LIN

AG AT A

What’s up, Alex? I am the CEO of gogoyoko, a music service with an artist-friendly business model. I am the singer / guitarist in kimono, a band with a guitarist-friendly drumming model. I am also a father and gardening enthusiast.

A UG LA

SK ÚL

Sigurjón Art Museum

A DAY IN THE LIFE

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LAUGAVEGUR 56 101 REYKJAVÍK T WWW.NIKITACLOTHING.COM

L AB R AU

FELL

SMÚ LI


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