PDF - Land og saga

Most of the guestsstaying at Hótel Djupavík are in search of anature experience. Many walk from one fjordto another but others use cars, kayaks or boatsto get from place to place. Eva and Asbjörnprovide guidance and advice on what to seeand how to get there along with comfort andrest after a long day’s exploration.Trolling the WestfjordsLiving Legends in DrangsnesAccording to an old Icelandic folk tale,the Westfjords were nearly separatedfrom Iceland by a relentless trio of trolls,furiously digging away at the narrow stripof soil fanning off to form the Westfjords.One troll woman competing against herconspirators realised that her monumentaltask would not be accomplished andslammed the spade of her shovel down ina rage, breaking off a chunk of land withher ox on it, thus forming Grimsey, thesmall island near Drangsnes and home tothe world’s most concentrated puffin colony.Though the trolls were unsuccessful inbreaking off the Westfjords, the choppycoastline of a tiny fishing village calledDrangsnes at the far end of Steingrimsfjorðurbears marks of the troll woman’s handiwork.Her grim profile, transformed into stone by thefirst rays of sunlight, watches over Grimsey.Happy accidents have helped Drangsnesboth in legend and reality. A source ofgeothermal water was discovered whensomeone forgot to shut off the watersupply feeding into the fish factory. Whenthe town furiously sought water by boringholes, they struck geothermal gold: a hotwater source that now heats the entirevillage and provides free hot tubs on thebeach from where visitors watch birdlife,seals and, occasionally, whales. Largestones sheltering them from strong coastalwinds have teardrops carved in them,created by artist Mireyja Samper.An annual festival, held in the middleof July, celebrates Drangsnes’ livelihoodby tickling the palette with tastes of minkewhale, puffin, seal, and a wide variety offish from the fjord. Kids and adults cantry their hand at sea-angling, while bravervisitors attempt to swim through strongcurrents to Grimsey. The festival has steadilyexpanded over sixteen years of celebrationand has grown to host thousands of people.The festival is run entirely by volunteerswho pour into Drangsnes to help the 65townspeople prepare to receive guests.Drangsnes has a long relationship withvolunteers who have travelled to help notonly with the festival, but with variousprojects such as building the communitycentre. “Cooperation is an importantpart of life here,” says Jenny Jensdóttir,“without it we couldn’t survive.”Too bad the legendary trolls were too busyto realize this. Perhaps if they had adoptedthe spirit of Drangsnes’ residents, they wouldbe floating on an island called Westfjordsrather than sitting in stony silence.–kbKaldrananeshreppurHoltagata • 520 Drangsnes+354 451 3277drangsnes@drangsnes.iswww.drangsnes.isA Nature ParadiseHótel Djúpavík, comfort and care at the edge of the worldUntouched nature and interestinghistory are among the attractions ofDjúpavík at Strandir. In this remote part ofIceland, a special breed of people found away to live off the land and, when all thefjords were filled with herring, this quietcove became important in the hunt for the‘silver of the sea’. Now it is a paradise forwalkers and nature lovers who fill up HótelDjúpavík from early spring till autumn.Old factory and dormitoryHótel Djúpavík was established in 1985when Eva Sigurbjörnsdóttir and herhusband Ásbjörn Þorgilsson, decidedto cultivate guests rather than fish. “Wehad planned to start a fish farm but wereunable to get a loan from the bank,”says Eva. “We had bought the women’sdormitory along with the old herringfactory and the hotel started there.”Iceland’s Oldest Country HotelHotel Bjarkalundur is at the entrance to the West FjordsUnder the majestic Vaðalfjöllmountain, with its two distinctivetops of volcanic basalt plugs, nestlesBjarkalundur, the oldest country hotel inIceland. Surrounded by an ancient birchwood, the hotel’s immediate environmentis friendly and welcoming. This historic andpopular resting spot has served Icelandersand foreign guests for sixty-five years.A World ApartBjarkalundur is conveniently located to stopfor a breather before entering Iceland’s mostremote region, the West Fjords. The hotel has,throughout its history, welcomed guests andmade them comfortable. In the past, danceswere held during the summer months andstill the Midsummer Night bonfire is anevent frequented by locals and travellers alike.A Historical ExhibitionThe Herring Factory is now the site ofDjúpavík’s Historical Exhibition whereold photographs and texts lead viewersthrough the life and times of people inthis quiet cove at the edge of the world.–jbHótel DjúpavíkThe Western Fjords are a world apart, asreflected in the folk tale of the trolls who triedto dig this mountainous peninsula away fromthe mainland to establish a troll colony, free ofmen and their meddling. The landscape is amixture of deep narrow fjords, high mountainsand luscious green plants. Tall cliffs, teemingwith birdlife rise sharply from the deep blue sea.Enjoy a respite at Bjarkalundur beforeand after experiencing the amazing charmof the West Fjords and their people. Youwill find it just off Road 60.–SsHótel BjarkalundurDjúpavík • 524 Árneshreppur+354 451 4037Bjarkalundi • 380 Reykhólahreppi+354 434 7762bjarkalundur@bjarkalundur.iswww.bjarkalundur.is70 www.icelandictimes.com www.icelandictimes.com 71djupavik@snerpa.iswww.djupavik.com