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They Love LifeAkranes is for people who enjoy nature, culture, life and funEarly Celtic pioneers made a good choicewhen they set up home Akranes. It’s ahaven for nature lovers, bird lovers, beachlovers and history buffs. Those settlers wouldbe surprised today at the small fishing townthat has built up around their early dwellings.You can see Akranes gleaming in thesunshine across the bay from the harbour inReykjavik. It’s only a bus ride away, with theregular bus service taking you past picturesquefarms, setting the stage for the variety of natureand bird life as you approach the town. Oncethere, the local bus service is free.Akranes is a very popular place for campingand caravans. The sites are well set up with allthe facilities easily available. Shops and thetwo swimming pools are close by. There isalso the golden sand beach, which is unusualfor Iceland. There are changing facilities anda sun veranda right next to it. Hot showersand a jaccuzzi make it a relaxing place toenjoy the long summer evenings.Akranes is surrounded on three sides bythe sea—which gives plenty of scope for somegood fishing. Since the camp site is right nextto one of these fishing spots, catching yourdinner is all the easier, if you’re a fisherman.The geography of the area is really inspiringfor hikers, who have all levels of hiking opento them—including the mountain that formsthe backdrop to the town and, to a largeextent, protection from the northerly winds.The summer is usually warm and pleasantbut the same cannot be said for the winter! Ifyou take a look at the two lighthouses, you’llsee the smaller one is a little closer to the sea.It has been abandoned now since the winter’srough seas spray right over it. Both are open tovisitors and provide a beautiful panoramic viewof the Akranes area and all the way to Keflavík.This is the land of the Celts and, forthe history buff, there is much to see. Thespiritually-minded Celts travelled in smallboats covered in skins that seemed to surviveon a wing and a prayer, relying on miraclesrather than engineering prowess like theVikings. In fact, it is said that Saint Brendantested his faith in these little craft againstthe wild Atlantic—faith and prayers thatclearly kept them, as they had a thrivingcommunity around Akranes.That community spirit not only survivesbut thrives today, as the townsfolk love allforms of culture. The Music School is rightin the centre of town; art and crafts are foundeverywhere, as is writing, singing and poetry.One of the highlights of the year is the Irishfestival from 6 th —8 th July with a variety ofevents that will keep the die-hard party addicthappy. It’s a big family event that includeseveryone in the fun—local and visitor alike.Akranes is a family town and there areplenty of activities from golf to football (theirtop team boasts several stars who have goneto famous international clubs). There is agreat barbeque area in the park, surroundedby trees, with games and crazy golf. Walkingand cycling are popular pastimes with pathsof different lengths to enjoy.The museum area is really worth visiting.Besides examples of fishing vessels down theyears displayed outside, including the onlyexample of a 3-masted cutter, the indoorsection has samples of practically everyaspect of the fisherman’s life. Next to it isanother unusual museum: The IcelandicSport Museum. Check out the footsteps onthe floor. A Geological museum is housed inthe same building with a large collection ofstones which show just how colourful Icelandis. There is always a temporary exhibit ondisplay. Currently, there is a photo gallery ofpast residents that gives a fascinating insightinto the character of the people. Work isstarting shortly on the construction of TheCeltic Cultural Centre, which will bringscientifically documented evidence togetherof the Celtic influence and history. But then,just look at the number of fair-skinned redheadsand you’ll see how strong it is.–asfAkraneskaupstaðurStillholti 16-18 • 300 Akranesi+354 433 1000tomas.gudmundsson@akranes.iswww.akranes.is60 www.icelandictimes.com www.icelandictimes.com 61