Atlantica - 01.06.2004, Blaðsíða 34

32 A T L A N T I C A
spots on Snæfellsnes. In fact, a trip to
Snæfellsnes is not complete without a
stop at Djúpalónssandur.
This wind-blown beach is covered
with flat, black stones that, aside from
their medicinal powers, create a setting
that must be seen to be believed. With
the glacier overlooking your every
move, criss-cross the bizarre lava forma-
tions leading up to the pebbled beach,
then comb the shoreline and you’ll find
rusted pieces of iron wreckage belong-
ing to the British trawler Epine GY-7,
which ran ashore in March 1948.
After exploring the beach, drive
onwards to the picturesque fishing vil-
lages of Hellnar and Arnarstapi.
Warmed by coffee, walk the caves,
watch the myriad birds swarming over-
head, or tour the harbour and spark up a
conversation with one of the local fish-
erman. Teeming with life during the
summer, these towns offer the perfect
respite, a chance to sit in a cafe, stare
out at the small boats, and decide for
yourself if you can feel the special
energy field said to flow through
Snæfellsnes.
Edward Weinman is a staff writer.
There are daily ferry trips to Flatey island from Stykkishólmur and Brjánslækur on Bardaströnd, the West Fjords. There, even time is on holiday.
8 )
The Snæfellsnes peninsula can be overwhelming in that there’s
so much to see and do on this rugged outstretch of land. Here’s
Atlantica magazine’s Top 10.
1 ) Whale watching in Ólafsvík: sail the sea in search of the largest mammal
on earth, the blue whale.
2 ) Sit by the “dock of the bay” in the quaint fishing village of Arnarstapi.
3 ) Eat lunch and drink coffee in Hellnar.
4 ) Comb the beach at Djúpalónssandur, picking up the “magical” black stones.
5 ) Relax in luxury at Hotel Búdir, the hotel surrounded by lava.
6 ) Go skiing and snowmobiling on Snæfellsjökull glacier.
7 ) Take a cruise while dining on shellfish and sipping white wine.
8 ) Explore the island of Flatey, a bird sanctuary.
9 ) If you’ve money to burn, or unlimited credit, fish for salmon in
the Haffjardará river.
10 ) Search for Jules Verne’s door to the centre of the earth.
WHAT TO DO OUT WEST
5 )
7 )
Top10
Power peninsula
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