Reykjavík Grapevine - 13.07.2018, Síða 57

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R E S T A U R A N T & B A R
Ingólfsstræti 1, 101 Rvk
Tel: +354 595 8545
www.skyrestaurant.is

Island Life
Hot news from the cold Icelandic countryside
Words: Paul Fontaine
Best Of Iceland
A selection of winners from our Best Of Iceland travel magazine
We’ve done a lot of whining about the cold, rainy
weather here in Reykjavík, which had its worst
June in 100 years. Meanwhile, the hottest place
in the country last June
was Hallormsstaður,
in northeast Iceland.
Temperatures there
often exceeded 20°,
with an average
temperature
of 11° and
the highest
recorded
tempera-
ture there
that month
at a scorch-
ing 24.2°. Must
be nice!
What just may be the largest
landslide in Icelandic history
happened in Hítardalur, west
Iceland, where about one mil-
lion cubic metres of rocks and
earth came rumbling
down from the
Fagraskógarfjall
mountain. The
landslide was
so great, in
fact, that it
is com-
pletely dam-
ming the Hítará
river. No one
was injured
or killed in
the incident.
It’s important to have in mind that sheep are still wandering about the countryside — espe-
cially if you’re driving. Police in south Iceland report that there have been four incidents of
drivers hitting sheep on Route 1 within a single week. Sheep are great, but they’re not very
bright, and tend to actually dash into the road when cars approach. Keep your eyes peeled
and watch your speed!
57The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 12 — 2018
Westfjords, Must-See
Spot: Dynjandi
Although the Westfjords are liter-
ally dripping with waterfalls, Dyn-
jandi is the undisputed champion.
As it cascades down over multiple
levels, it fans out to create a giant
pyramid (or wedding cake) of wa-
ter. It can be seen from far off, but
its immensity can only be under-
stood when you stand right at the
foot of it and look up. You can even
camp and let its soothing rush sing
you straight to sleep.
North, Best
Accommodation:
Siglo Hotel
Luxury Pick: There was no dis-
pute over which hotel should win.
Mind the price: this is a luxury ho-
tel, and a favourite of higher class
Icelanders on a weekend ski or golf
getaway. Get comfortable in their
cosy, rustic looking rooms or, if
you’re feeling social, walk down
to the private outdoor pool with a
view over the fjord. A weekend stay
really doesn’t get better than this.
East, Best Meal:
Havarí
The proprietors, Svavar and Ber-
glind, run a hostel, organic farm,
veggie snack factory, and a café
and concert venue in the summer
months (open April-September).
They serve their very own veggie
"Bulsur" sausages plus other tasty
meals in the café, which is within
a renovated sheep house. Concerts
happen roughly every second week-
end, with some great Icelandic acts
coming through.