Reykjavík Grapevine - 05.01.2018, Síða 49

4.8
4.9

Hað Bláa
The Blue Sea
restaurant with a view
483-1000 • hafidblaa.is
5 minutes from Eyrarbakki
at the Ölfusá bridge
483-3330 • raudahusid.is
10 minutes from Selfoss
and Highway 1 in Eyrarbakki
open daily 11:30-22:00
Traveling the south coast or Golden Circle?
Reykjavík
Eyrarbakki
Keavík
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Airport
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Island Life
Hot news from the Icelandic countryside
Words: Paul Fontaine
Picks: Best Of Iceland
A selection of winners from our Best Of Iceland travel magazine
South: Best Hike
Reykjadalur

Located just a 40-minute drive from
Reykjavík near Hveragerði, this
is one of the most popular hiking
trails in Iceland. An easy hour-long
hike brings you over a mountain to
the Reykjadalur valley, which has a
warm geothermal stream running
through it. Steam billows up into the
air, making it a truly mystical spot,
and the hike has the added reward of
a warm soak at the end.
East: Best Pool
Neskaupstaður Pool
This town pool has a stunning
view across the fjord to some huge
mountains that seem within touch-
ing distance. “It’s a personal fa-
vourite,” said one panellist. “It has
all you need: a large enough pool
to do laps, a choice of hot tubs, and
a sauna. But the great thing about
this pool is the atmosphere. There
is just a really good spirit amongst
the regulars, and interesting con-
versations to be had in the hot tubs.“
North: Best Tour
Askja & Holuhraun
“It’s like a reset button for your
soul,” said one panelist of the remote
Highlands caldera, Askja. “There’s
nothing except the mountains en-
circling you and the geothermal wa-
ter before you. Then there’s Drekagil
(“Dragon Canyon”) and the new lava
field at Holuhraun—it’s still warm,
and huge. You feel how devastating
nature can be.” Askja is only acces-
sible with a serious jeep and driving
experience, but buses and superjeep
tours go there all year.
West: Best Restaurant
Tjöruhúsið

Wolffish, cod, halibut, bacalao, red-
fish—these are just some of the
scrumptious seafood options you’ll
find at Tjöruhúsið. Located in a large
century-old red cabin in Ísafjörður,
this family-owned mess hall serves
skillets of freshly caught fish buffet-
style along with a selection of sides,
salads, and soups. It is, as one panel
member raved, “the best seafood
in west Iceland, and quite possibly
the whole country.” Be sure to book
ahead.
We are sad to report that a seri-
ous tour bus accident just west of
Kirkjubæjarklaustur resulted in several
grave injuries and one death. The accident was
reportedly caused by icy conditions on the road.
We want to stress that taking a tour bus is normally
very safe in Iceland, but this news reminds us all that
you should never underestimate road conditions here,
least of all during the winter.
A man in East Iceland was subjected to a traffic stop recently, as he appeared to be
driving under the influence. After being arrested and taken into custody, he refused
to take a blood test, citing a fear of needles, in what must be one of the most novel
ways to avoid a blood-alcohol test. He demanded that his mother be present to draw
a sample instead. While his wish to not have his blood drawn was respected, this
resulted in his licence
being taken away. So
maybe it wasn’t the
best plan after all.
Up in the
West-
fjörds, a
mystery that
has remained
unsolved for
some 20 years
has finally
been put to
rest. Energy researchers
conducting an infrared
scan of Tálknafjörður
discovered what at
first appeared to be
a geothermal vent
on the ocean floor. On
closer inspection, they realised they were
looking at a ghost ship. That is to say, the
wreckage of the ship Þrymur BA-7, which
disappeared without a trace in 1997. At the time, in-
tensive investigations were conducted, as insurance
fraud was suspected, but no evidence of the ship
was ever recovered. UNTIL NOW.
49 The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 01 — 2018