Reykjavík Grapevine - Jun 2020, Page 18

That’s Some Good
F$©%&' Weather
Cue Sheryl Crow’s 2002 hit “Soak Up The Sun”
Words: The Reykjavík Grapevine Sunshine Squad Photos: Art Bicnick, Ernir Skorri Pétursson & Boebeltjebab
When you’ve lived in Iceland long
enough, you learn that the mo-
ment the sun comes out and the
temperature goes up, you gotta
take advantage of it. So presenting:
the Grapevine Sunshine Squad’s
guide to good weather. From chill
and relaxing activities in the city
to action-packed excursions just a
stone’s throw away, we’ve got you
covered for those rare, blissful sun-
ny Reykjavík days.
Glamping At Camp Boutique
Stokkseyri
In mid-May, I got a last-minute
invitation to spend a night glamp-
ing at Camp Boutique’s tent hotel
in Stokkseyri. To be blunt, I was a
bit hesitant. Hey, we all saw what
happened at Fyre Festival. But, I
honestly could not have been more
impressed. The tents—we stayed in
the largest one, not to flex—feature
King size beds, glass dining tables,
indoor heaters, and, get this, heated
mattresses (!!!), so you basically get
all the lovely aspects of camping,
i.e. fresh air and outdoor sounds,
without the discomfort of sleeping
bag life. They also have a private
black sand beach on the premises
where you can stroll, meditate, or
take some Instagram pictures. A+,
could not recommend enough. I’ll
be back. HJC
Hike & Swim In Reykjadalur
Near Hverager#i
Reykjadalur is one of the easiest
hikes you’ll find around the capital
area but the rewards might be the
best. Located near Hverager$i—
there are signs, you can’t miss it—
take a 45 minute walk on a defined
path until you see steam rising in
the distance. Voilá. You’re now at
one of Iceland’s best geothermal
rivers with an ideal temperature
for a soak. Located right in the sun,
the shallow river invites you to laze
and soak up the heat. Nota bene:
Wear your swimming clothes un-
der your gear if you’re shy. There is
a changing spot, but it’s really just a
wood screen. VG
Safari ATV & Buggy Tours
Near Mosfellsbær
Located six kilometres outside of
Mosfellsbær, Safari Quads offers
outdoor ATV and buggy adventures
where you bump and drive over
ragged rocks, under geothermal
pipelines, around muddy bends and
through shallow rivers. Some even
bring you to a secret hot spring, so
you can take a relaxing dip before
revving your engine again. Warn-
ing: They make you sign a waiver
before they give you the keys saying
that you won’t behave like a total
jackass, and if you do get hurt, you
won’t sue the company, which just
means that this is ultra fun. SPO
Glymur
Hvalfjör#ur
Just an hour away from Reykjavík
stands Glymur, Iceland’s second-
highest waterfall. It’s beautiful in
any weather, but if you hike up it on
a clear day, you’ll be rewarded with
some of the most stunning views
in the country. On high mossy cliffs
that seem straight out of Planet
Earth, watch Arctic Terns nesting
in front of a waterfall that seems to
go on forever. There are two paths
to choose from, one on each side of
the falls, but if you continue your
ascent past the waterfall, you can
cross in calm shallow water, so I’d
recommend taking one route up to
and the one down. It’s about a three
hour round trip and features a haz-
ardous river crossing and some
steep parts, so probably not the best
place to bring your newborn. HJC
Kubb at Klambratún
One of the best things you can do
on a sunny day is gather a few of
your friends, a couple bottles of
wine or a 12-pack of beer, and head
to Klambratún park for a game of
Kubb. This lawn game, involving
tossing wooden dowels at wooden
blocks, requires literally no athletic
ability at all, it’s very social, and
perfect for good weather. Think
of it as Scandinavia’s answer to
horseshoes. You can find Kubb sets
anywhere lawn games are sold. If
you can’t find an actual set, look up
the rules online and substitute the
wooden pieces with cans and plas-
tic bottles. Necessity is the mother
of invention, after all. ASF
Picnic/Reading outside at Hljóm-
skálagar(urinn
Hljómskálagar#ur
Located around the southern por-
tion of Tjörnin, the cozy and com-
pact park Hljómskálagar$ur is
perhaps best known for its sculp-
tures and the abundant, colourful
flowers lining its paths during the
summer. But its open, grassy areas
also make perfect spots for sunlit
picnics or reading outdoors with a
nice thermos of warm coffee or tea
(because even with full sunshine
well into the evening, you’re bound
to get chilly if the wind is blowing).
For learning about culture, his-
tory, and current events in Iceland
thile you lounge, the “little books”
of well-known author Alda Sig-
mundsdóttir are invaluable. NB
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK
Best Buys

RAX‘s ‘JÖKULL’
Bookstores in Reykjavík & Gey-
sir & shop.grapvine.is
To get a true glacial experience
that’ll last a lifetime, pick up
Ragnar Axelsson’s stunning
photo book ‘JÖKULL’ (‘Glacier’).
The 200-page book features
ethereal, eerie, and intimate
portraits of the glacial landscape
taken over a five-year timespan.
Some are aerial views, others
textural close-ups, all providing
a timeless look at the structures
which, to be blunt, will be gone
within the next two centuries.
Hildur Yeoman Dress
Yeoman, Skólavör!ustígur 22
If you genuinely want to fit in
with the stylish, start by donning
Hildur Yeoman. Her works are a
bit pricey—expect to pay some-
thing in the 40,000-60,000 ISK
range for a dress—but they’re
timeless works of art that’ll fit
any occasion. Yeoman is known
for mixing loud, elaborate prints
with classic, elegant cuts, so
you’re guaranteed to find a fit
that’s comfortable for you.
First Lady IPA
Vínbú!in & many good bars
Icelanders love to drink—it’s the
#1 way we reproduce—so it’s no
wonder a host of microbrewer-
ies have sprung up over the last
few years. Our favourite is Lady
Brewery. Their signature IPA is
a delicious blend of fresh citrus
and mellow floral notes all in a
heady, hoppy brew. Inspired by
“beer witches”—medieval fe-
male brewers who eventually
became the archetypal witches
(a very interesting thing to re-
search on a rainy day)—it’s the
perfect thing to binge drink as
you sit in your house alone cry-
ing over a Netflix Christmas
movie.
18The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 04— 2020Best of Reykjavík
Rock on!
Photo by: Boebeltjebab/Wikimedia
Photo by: Ernir Skorri Pétursson
Joy, Sustainability
& Honesty
Kaupvangur 17 - Egilsstadir
tel: +354-471-2450
Happy Hour
all days 15 - 19
Best selection of Icelandic
Beers in the East
Private rooms & dorms
Homemade cakes & soups,
vegan & friendly food