Reykjavík Grapevine - 02.08.2019, Síða 51

Island Life
News From The Icelandic Countryside SPECIAL: All Animal News Edition
Words: Andie Fontaine
Residents of Egilsstaðir are
in for a treat, as five
F-16 fighter jets will
be conducting NATO
exercises in the area
in the coming weeks.
This involves some
110 US airmen,
as well as a
number of
workers from
the NATO base
in Uedem,
Germany.
No word on
whether they
will be taking us
right into the danger
zone.
If you plan on camping, be advised
that there is a gas canister bandit
on the loose who has
reportedly stolen
dozens of kilos of
gas from camping
sites across
Snæfellsnes,
especially
in Ólafsvík
and
Hellisandur.
Maybe play it safe
and use
charcoal,
which is
better for the
environment anyway.
Someone in Iceland is now a millionaire, as a lottery ticket bought in Selfoss
paid off for someone who picked four of the five winning numbers. The pay
out, with a bonus side-bet, was reportedly just shy of one million ISK. You
can’t win if you don’t play!
51The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 13— 2019
South: Best Shop
Sveitabúðin UNA
A spacious emporium packed with
locally-made products, UNA is
probably Iceland’s best souvenir
shop. You can pick up that authen-
tic hand-knitted lopapeysa you’ve
been dreaming of, and browse
shelves and display cases teeming
with interesting objects. Jewellery
made from lava beads? Check. Rhu-
barb-infused salt from the Westf-
jords? Check. And you can definitely
squeeze that sheepskin in your case.
East: Must-See Spot
Mjóifjörður
One of the most remote fjords in the
East, the drive to Mjóifjörður is an
adventure in itself. Following the
steep slopes down to a tiny village of
about 20 inhabitants also provides
you with astonishing views of the
surrounding mountains and the
beautiful Klifbrekkufossar water-
falls. Also highly recommended is
a trip to the Dalatangi lighthouse.
Don’t rush it: life out East is slow, so
sink into the rhythm.
North: Best Hike
Kverkfjöll
An advanced pick for serious hik-
ers, start your hike at the northeast
corner of Vatnajökull. You’ll pass
between two glacial tongues, famed
for the constant volcanic activity be-
low them. Along the way, visit wild
mud pools and hot springs. Kverk-
fjöll also features the genesis of
Jökulsá á Fjöllum, the glacial river
from which Dettifoss tumbles. It's in
the Highlands, so the paths are only
accessible from July to September.
Best Of Iceland
A selection of winners from our Best Of Iceland travel magazine handknitted.is
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