That is my three hundredth travel-blog on Information to Iceland and I needed to dedicate it to one thing particular. I’ve been writing for greater than 10 years now and was pondering on what to jot down about.
Within the meantime, I made a decision to affix my husband on a piece journey up north to Akureyri, the capital metropolis of North Iceland. It was March and I do not often journey within the wintertime, I take advantage of the winter months for studying and writing.
However I do not remorse accompanying him as throughout our 5 days up north I felt like I had entered a fairytale world – Winter Wonderland. And now I used to be in little question of what I needed to jot down about 🙂
High photograph: Minjakirkjan church
The Akureyri theatre
When my husband was working I roamed the streets of Akureyri for hours on finish and took in the fantastic thing about the second, and lots of pictures.
I used to be mesmerized by the gorgeous surroundings. I had by no means visited Akureyri within the wintertime earlier than and was so completely happy that it greeted me with such lovely climate.
A beautiful keep at guesthouse FE – gisting
We stayed on this home – the highest 3 home windows have been ours
We stayed at a guesthouse referred to as “FE gisting”. I selected this location from Reserving because it was one of many most cost-effective choices (other than the hostels) and I noticed that it was in an excellent location of Akureyri, subsequent to the Akureyri swimming pool.
The guesthouse is situated at Þingvallastræti 2, on the nook of Þingvallastræti and Oddeyrargata streets, however within the latter one, you can find the Fairytale backyard of the folks artist Hreinn.
The Fairytale backyard of Hreinn within the snow
On the night that we arrived, I walked down Oddeyrargata avenue with my cameras to see if there have been any fairytale figures within the wintertime in Hreinn’s backyard. I had by no means seen them within the snow earlier than.
There have been a few figures nonetheless outdoors, however most of them are put into storage within the wintertime. Within the wintertime, Hreinn mends them and provides a few of them new costumes. Do not miss visiting this lovely backyard once you go to Akureyri.
I’ve written one other travel-blog concerning the Fairytale backyard: Wonderfully colourful Fairytale Figures in Akureyri with loads of pictures of the colorful figures.
The reception on the guesthouse
Þingvallastræti 2, the place we stayed, is a sublime home and I felt instantly at dwelling once we entered it. This home has an excellent spirit as we are saying in Icelandic.
It’s superbly adorned, outdated type which I very very similar to, and you’ll discover a portray by our famous painter, Gunnlaugur Blöndal (1893-1962), hanging on the wall by the flight of stairs.
His nude portraits have been amongst his best-known artworks, and a novelty in Iceland again then. Some thought they have been scandalous, however they all the time bought out.
Our room on the guesthouse
The proprietor of the home, Gísli Gunnlaugsson, gracefully greeted us on the reception. He has lived on this home since 1990+.
I used to be questioning what this identify FE – gisting meant and noticed that it had been painted over an extended identify, Framtíðareign – Future property (dwelling).
I later discovered by googling that it was the identify of the actual property company that Gísli ran from Þingvallastræti 2.
Gisli took us up a flight of stairs and confirmed us our room, which was brilliant and delightful with French home windows and a beautiful view.
Our brilliant and delightful room on the guesthouse
The view from the home windows was to the east and south. The so-called Gilið – the Gorge, the place the home is situated takes you up a steep hill, so we have been excessive up and had a reasonably good view.
To the east we had a view of Akureyri city and the ocean and proper in entrance of our window was the Freemasons Home of Akureyri, a phenomenal constructing that was lit up at evening.
And, the view to the south was of the pond by the swimming pool (which was 2 minutes away), the elementary faculty, and the landmark of Akureyri – the gorgeous Akureyri church.
This view greeted me most mornings after I regarded out of the window
I used to be mesmerized by this view and through our 5-day keep if I used to be not serving to out on the seminar or strolling for hours on finish taking pictures of snowy Akureyri, I sat in awe by the window 🙂
My husband needed to shut the curtains, however I protested as who desires to close out this lovely view? We made a compromise that I may have one of many east home windows open.
I felt so good on this pretty room and the spirit of the home that I needed to search out out extra about who had constructed it.
This view greeted me at evening – Frímúrarahúsið – the gorgeous Freemason’s Home
This lovely home was inbuilt 1929 by Jakob Frímannsson, the managing director of KEA – the cooperative of Eyjafjörður, Akureyri, and an Honorary Citizen of Akureyri. Jakob lived right here together with his spouse Borghildur Jónsdóttir for half a century.
Jakob, on behalf of the Freemasons, wrote to the Constructing committee of Akureyri to get the plot subsequent to his home for the Freemason’s Home.
And, this lovely home was inbuilt 1946 with additions made in 1981.
I used to be not spying on them, simply admiring this lovely home from my window
I like this constructing type and the symmetry. I may stare at it for the longest time, fascinated with the Knights Templar and the Temple of Solomon.
My father’s cousin, who lives in Akureyri, informed me that in 1942 Jakob had been the most effective man on the marriage ceremony of my great-aunt, Ragnheiður, who lived in Akureyri after shifting there from Húsavík village.
The Freemason’s home from the opposite aspect
The marriage happened in Húsavíokay on the sixty fifth birthday of my great-grandfather Bjarni Benediktsson at Bjarnahús and it was a double marriage ceremony as Ragnheiður’s sister, Bryndís, additionally acquired married on this similar day.
I like this connection, that the primary proprietor of Þingvallastræti 2 had attended this double marriage ceremony of my household, and was glad that I had chosen this lodging 🙂
Once we have been little we’d all the time stick with my great-aunt Ragnheiður and her husband Arthur once we have been visiting Akureyri.
A lone cat on its spherical within the snow
After she handed away I’ve stayed in varied lodging in Akureyri as I like visiting this city.
I’ve camped subsequent to a grocery store, stayed in a hostel, in a guesthouse, and at totally different inns right here in Akureyri by way of the years.
My cousin and extra family have as soon as lived on this lovely home referred to as Sigtryggshús
Then our pal moved to Akureyri and all the time had a spare room for us, so we did not have to consider discovering a spot to remain anymore. Now he handed away, so I’ve to search for lodging once more.
I’m glad that I discovered FE-gisting and I’ll for certain keep right here once more when travelling up north. And I’ll ask for a similar room.
It’s costlier to remain right here within the summertime although.
The Akureyri Faculty regarded magical within the snow
Throughout these 5 days, I walked round Akureyri and could not consider how lovely it was and the way fortunate I used to be to have visited it in such lovely winter climate.
I’ve all the time liked Akureyri and its outdated homes, however throughout this go to, I noticed it in a totally totally different gentle.
Icicles on Akureyri’s oldest home
Icicles kind on the homes in such climate. Watch out when you’re strolling round Akureyri on a snowy day and do not stroll subsequent to the homes.
The icicles are lovely however could be deadly in the event that they fall in your head.
Lystigarður Akureyrar – the Akureyri Botanical backyard
I visited Lystigarður Akureyrar – the Akureyri Botanical backyard and I used to be alone on this lovely park, which is among the must-visits whereas in Akureyri.
It was magical strolling amongst the numerous snow-covered timber on this backyard that’s stuffed with individuals within the summertime.
You may learn up on Lystigarður Akureyrar and see what it appears like within the summertime in my travel-blog: Akureyri – the beautiful Capital City of North Iceland.
Nonnahús museum within the snow
I walked so far as Nonnahús museum as I all the time nice the statue of Nonni, one other Honorary Citizen of Akureyri.
Jón Stefán Sveinsson (1857-1944) additionally referred to as Nonni acquired the chance as a toddler to check overseas and have become a Jesuit priest. He wrote 12 books about his life which were translated into approx. 40 languages.
Nonnahús is his childhood dwelling and is now a museum.
Jón Sveinsson – Nonni
This was the primary time that I had seen Nonni within the snow. I all the time have my photograph taken with him, however this time round I used to be alone, so we took a selfie 😉
Sadly, the museums have been closed after I visited, however the entire of Akureyri regarded like a museum, so I used to be pleased with simply being outdoors and taking pictures.
Minjasafnskirkjan – the Museum church is part of the Akureyri museums
You should buy a go for five of the Akureyri Museums together with Laufás turfhouse museum on the opposite aspect of Eyjafjörður fjord. I’ve visited all however 1 of them.
I’ve written one other travel-blog about our beloved Nonni: Nonnahús and Nonni – the Honorary Citizen of Akureyri the Capital City.
The Christmas Home within the snow
On today we additionally drove for 10 km to one of many compulsory stops in Eyjafjörður – Jólahúsið – the Christmas Home, which is open all 12 months spherical.
You may see in my travel-blog what I needed to purchase on the Christmas Home: the Christmas House – Jólahúsið is open All Year Round 🙂
The Akureyri Marina – Smábátahöfnin á Akureyri
The Akureyri Marina
Two minutes away from the place the place my husband was educating his class is Smábátahöfnin á Akureyri – the Akureyri Marina in Sandgerðisbót within the a part of Akureyri referred to as Þorpið – the Village.
I had by no means visited the marina earlier than as it’s in part of Akureyri the place I by no means go. The climate was nonetheless, and it was frost and sunny, simply the right climate circumstances.
There have been lovely reflections within the sea and a few eider geese have been peacefully floating on the calm sea.
The Akureyri Marina – ice floating on the ocean
The marina was so serene and delightful on this nonetheless and sunny winter day, that I spent a very long time taking pictures and simply taking in the fantastic thing about this place. And I assumed to myself: “That is life“
I took a video of the marina and posted it on YouTube.
The journey again to Reykjavíokay
Snowy Akureyri mountains
After 5 great days, we left Akureyri and hoped that the heaths could be satisfactory.
We drove for 25 km by way of Hörgárdalur and Öxnadalur valleys.
Though it feels like a protracted drive then the surroundings within the Hörgárdalur and Öxnadalur valleys is so lovely that you’ll not really feel just like the drive is that this lengthy.
Mt. Hraundrangi
I greeted my favorite mountain in Iceland, Mt. Hraundrangi, and took the one snowy pictures that I’ve of this majestic mountain.
I all the time cease and greet it after I journey up north. It’s a majestic mountain and I’ve seen individuals stopping in the midst of the street to admire it and take pictures.
Lovely Hraundrangi
There are some útskot the place you possibly can cease, so let’s by no means cease in the midst of the street.
There was fog on the very best peaks however, luckily, it lifted simply in time and the blue sky and a ray of sunshine appeared 🙂
I’ve written one other travel-blog about Hraundrangi: Hraundrangi in Öxnadalur and Hörgárdalur Valleys in North Iceland – my favourite Mountain.
Gil gorge regarded lovely within the snow
After driving for approx. 25 km we ascended on the Öxnadalsheiði heath
The Highway Administration closes the Öxnadalsheiði heath in unhealthy climate, as the very best level is approx. 540 meters.
It was comparatively clear once we handed it, solely a bit foggy on the highest level, however I might not wish to be caught on this heath in a blizzard as there’s a good distance down into the steep canyon.
Descending Öxnadalsheiði heath
The outdated street was a lot greater up and you’ll nonetheless see elements of it. My mom informed me that when she was younger and driving along with her dad and mom, then her father informed her and her brother to be lifeless nonetheless on this a part of the outdated street.
The gravel roads within the olden instances have been rather more harmful than at the moment, and it took a very long time to drive to Akureyri from Reykjavíokay. Now it solely takes some 5 hours if you happen to do not cease on the best way.
Bólugil gorge within the snow – shot from a shifting automobile
I used to be completely happy once we began descending Öxnadalsheiði heath and from there on (till Holtavörðuheiti heath) the climate was lovely.
Skagafjörður was pretty within the snow and I took a number of snowy pictures from the automobile. The photograph above is of Bólugil gorge, however I not too long ago wrote a travel-blog concerning the well-known Icelandic folklore about Bóla and Skeljungur, who have been 2 farm employees on the farm Silfrastaðir, and their terrible destiny: The Ghost Skeljungur and Bóla in Bólugil – Folklore from North Iceland.
Víðimýrarkirkja turf church in Skagafjörður
We rushed by way of Skagafjörður, about which I’ve written a number of travel-blogs, and solely stopped by Víðimýrarkirkja turf church, as I needed to see what it regarded like within the snow and sunshine.
Víðimýrarkirkja turf church is among the most lovely architectural treasures of Iceland. I’ve written one other travel-blog about this lovely church: Víðimýrarkirkja Turf Church in North Iceland – is it the most beautiful of them all?
Descending Vatnsskarð mountain go
We now continued on our journey south and ascended the Vatnsskarð mountain go, which was okay, snow on the street and icy on elements of the street although.
We drove the lengthy Langidalur street and handed Blönduós as we have been in a rush. The roads have been away from snow and ice, however drive slowly as there’s all the time a hazard of black ice.
The remainder of the journey was uneventful till we reached Staðarskáli.
The roads have been away from snow and ice – Blönduós village across the nook
We stopped at Staðarskáli for half an hour or in order my husband needed to do some work on his laptop computer. Surprisingly sufficient, I fell asleep whereas I used to be sitting subsequent to him ready for him. So he stayed for a bit longer.
Once we acquired out and needed to enterprise on the Holtavörðuheiði heath we met a automobile from the Highway Administration of Iceland, and discovered that the heath had simply been closed on account of unhealthy climate!
If I hadn’t fallen asleep contained in the restaurant we may have been caught on Holtavörðuheiði heath!
We are able to all the time count on this within the wintertime and this is among the the explanation why I’m not desperate to journey round Iceland within the wintertime.
Driving into the unknown on Laxárdalsheiði heath
We have been directed by way of Laxárdalsheiði heath and Brattabrekka, the place the climate was more likely to be much less unhealthy. We have been in luck that this route was not impassable as effectively, as typically occurs and travellers get caught in Staðarskáli.
Once we ascended the Laxárdalsheiði heath we noticed the black storm within the distance and hoped that we’d not should drive by way of it.
We had simply entered the Laxárdalsheiði heath when the visibility acquired worse and we noticed that some individuals have been nonetheless in hassle. One automobile had not seen a curve within the street and pushed straight off the street and was caught within the snow.
Driving on a transparent street in Dalasýsla after passing Laxadalsheiði heath
An Icelandic couple on a jeep was attempting to drag him up on the street once more, however in useless. Then one other jeep stopped so we went on our manner.
Solely part of the heath was unhealthy, however we have been quickly out of hazard and hoped that Brattabrekka would nonetheless be satisfactory.
Once we drove by way of Dalasýsla we puzzled why it was not paved and discovered on the information the next day that there had been so many potholes within the street that the tarmac had been eliminated because it was higher to drive on a mud street than driving into the potholes.
There was poor visibility on the highest level of Brattabrekka
We now ascended Brattabrekka – “Steep Slope” and hoped for the most effective. It was stored open by the Highway Administration of Iceland and a snow plow was going backwards and forwards clearing the street.
Solely on the highest level at approx. 402 meters, there was rapidly no visibility, however we have been in a position to comply with the marker posts.
Brattabrekka slope is talked about in the Saga of Grettir the Strong chapter 67 when Grettir robbed passers-by in Brattabrekka.
Descending Brattabrekka slope
Unexpectedly we discovered that we have been descending and because the snow lifted the gorgeous Borgarfjörður opened up. We have been relieved as from this level driving to Reykjavíokay would probably be a breeze.
There have been nonetheless warnings of gusts of wind beneath Mt. Hafnarfjall, the place it usually will get very windy. However it’s so usually windy on this spot that it did not really feel out of the odd.
It could have although if we had been driving an RV.
Mt. Hafnarfjall – photograph taken by way of the windscreen
This winter journey of ours was for certain memorable and I’m glad that I made a decision to accompany my husband on his second winter journey this 12 months up north to show hypnosis.
Simply understand that in wintertime, we get blizzards so comply with the climate report and by no means go a street signal saying that the street is impassable, it’s put there for a purpose.
We’ve seen individuals doing this solely to have needed to be rescued by our rescue crew. And that’s pricey. And make it possible for the automobile has good winter tires. And keep in mind that the shortest winter days solely final for approx. 4 hours. You may verify what number of hours of daylight there are in every month here.
Ref.:
Vikublaðið – Þingvallastræti 2
