Reykjavík Grapevine - 18.05.2018, Page 51

We look forward to seeing
you at one of our events!
See full line up at
centerhotels.com/centertainment_events
Centerhotels are offering a line
up of fun events this summer,
a little something we like to call
CENTERTAINMENT
MAY
3
Jazz In The GardenCENTERHOTEL
MIÐGARÐUR
18:00-20:00
Free admission, extended Happy Hour and
other drink/food offers
MAY
10
Some Public Holiday
ICELAND
00:00-23:59
It happens every year, some days after
Easter... WOHOO! DAY OFF!
MAY
17
Jazz In The GardenCENTERHOTEL
MIÐGARÐUR
18:00-20:00
Free admission, extended Happy Hour and
other drink/food offers
MAY
17
Art Exhibit Opening Night
Artist: Úlfar Örn Valdimarsson
CENTERHOTEL
ÞINGHOLT
17:00-19:00 Enjoy beautiful paintings with a blend
of realism and abstraction
MAY
24
Jörgensen Wine Tasting - 3.900 ISK CENTERHOTEL
MIÐGARÐUR
18:00-19:00
Limited seating capacity is available so book
your seat in time at: bit.ly/vinsmokkun
MAY
31
Fokus Group - Vocal GroupCENTERHOTEL
MIÐGARÐUR
19:30-21:00
Free admission, extended Happy Hour and
other drink/food offers
May EVENTS

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
The tiny East Iceland village of Vopnafjörður
made headlines when their bookkeeping
brought to light that they have a surplus of
about 100 million ISK. There isn’t any great se-
cret to their success;
they simply paid
down their debts
and cut costs. No
word yet how
they’re going
to spend
all that
loot, but if
they give
everyone in
the village
an equal
share... well,
they’d prob-
ably be really
well off.
Westfjords news service Bæja-
rins Besta has happily reported
that the Arctic tern has returned
to Arnarfjörður. Why this is cause
for celebration is any-
one’s guess. These
little shits are
some mean bas-
tards who will
shriek and
divebomb
at you if
you get any-
where near their
invariably gigantic
nesting
grounds.
In fairness,
though, you’d be
pretty cranky too if you
travelled all the way
from Antarctica using
only your arms.
Rejoice! Reykjadalur is open again! Conditionally, though: there will be rangers on hand to ensure people stay on the
walking paths, so that the region can more fully recover from all the foot traffic it has had to endure, which prompted its
closing at the end of last March. Be kind to our sites of natural wonder, folks!
51The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 08 — 2018
South: Best Bathing
Spot - Seljavallalaug
This barely serviced pool is in a
wild valley with natural hot wa-
ter, built right into the mountain-
side. It’s a wildly unique Icelandic
moment. Be warned, there are no
facilities, and it gets crowded in
the summer these days, but go late
on a glorious bright summer night
and it can't be beat. “Just look at
the location – mountain babes ev-
erywhere!” said the panel.
West: Best Hotel
Hótel Búðir
Hótel Búðir’s picturesque sur-
roundings will take your breath
away. You’ll find sand dune walks,
coastal hikes, a local runic store
and a historic church in the im-
mediate vicinity. The luxurious
interior boasts a vintage feel, and
a standout restaurant in the re-
gion. It's a fantastic retreat, espe-
cially after a day of hiking and ad-
venturing around Snæfellsjökull.
Westfjords: Best Meal
Tjöruhúsið
Housed in an 18th-century fishing
house, Tjöruhúsið has communal
tables, wooden ceilings, and the
best fish in the country. Every few
minutes, a new pan of fish appears
at the buffet. The fish is fresh, and
they have classic or internationally-
inspired dishes like creamy haddock
with grapes and peanut satay. It’s
pricey, but think of it as three meals.
You’ll eat that much anyway.