ICELANDIC TIMES - Land og saga

Reindeer in front of Gunnarsson’s home at Skriduklaustur– FljótsdalshreppurThe Home of the Reindeer inGrassy Heaths and Fertile ValleysDespite its few inhabitants, therural district of Fljótsdalshreppurhas many things worth seeing.It is probably the place to go ifyour main mission in Iceland wasto see reindeer, as it is the maindwelling of these gallant animals.There, you will also find placeswith great historic value, as wellas the second highest waterfalland the highest mountain outsideglaciers.The district lies in the inmost part ofthe inland, often referred to as Hérað.Fljótsdalshreppur actually containsvast lands, while the number ofMount Snæfell seen throughNorðurdalur.inhabitants is not more then 83,who are spread on thirty farms asthe district has no densely populatedareas.The reason for the size ofFljótsdalshreppur is that a big partof it lies in the highlands, in fact allthe way to Vatnajökull glacier. Thisis where the reindeer dwell, althoughit is also fairly likely, especially in thewinter, that you will see a group ofreindeer down in the valleys. In thehighlands you will also find hikingtrails and the natural hot pool atLaugafell.Fljótsdalshreppur is also at theinmost part of Lake Lagarfljót, withits’ myths of a living worm, themonsterous Lagafljotsorm. It dividesinto two green valleys, South Valleyand North Valley, combined into thevalley of Fljótsdalur. Sheep breedingused to be the main farming, butnowadays it has diminished andmore people seek work out fromtheir farms.The highest mountain in Icelandwhich is not under glacier, is Snæfell,reaching 1833 m. It is located inFljótsdalshreppur and surmounts thegreen valleys beautifully. The secondhighest waterfall, Hengifoss 128 m.and his neighbour Litlanessfoss withbeautiful surrounding of basalt pillars,is down in the valley and attractssome 30.000 visitors each summerFljótsdalur played a role in themiddle ages and is part of the Sagas,such as Sturlunga saga and Hrafnkelssaga. Valþjófsstaður with its church,is famous for a medieval door nowkept at the National Museum, carvedand decorated in byzantic style.Fljótsdalur has also made historyafther the millenium. Next toValþjófsstaður you will find thegigantic power station of KarahnjukarHydro Power Project. But you mightThe waterfalls, Hengifossand Litlanesfoss.not notice it because it is deep downin the mountain. An info center forthe project is at Végarður, where youcan also find a nice camping and anew guesthouse, and you can ask fortours into the mountain in hunt forturbines and trolls.At Skriðuklaustur you’ll find manyinteresting things. The most famousbuilding at Skriðuklaustur is quitespectacular, built by the Icelandicauthor Gunnar Gunnarsson in 1939in a Bavarian style. Gunnarssondonated the building and the wholeestate to the nation in 1948 and sinceyear 2000 it has been open as a centreof culture & history with variousexhibitions and activities. The localfood restaurant and café Klausturkaffiis situated on the 1st floor.At Skriðuklaustur you’ll also find theremains of an Augustinian monasteryestablished in 1493. The monasteryended by the Reformation in 1550but in 2002 an excavation startedrevealing the old ruins. It is one ofthe biggest archeological project inIceland and has confirmed that themain purpose of the monastery wasto be a hospice for the sick and poorand the monks did run a hospitalthere The remains of the monasteryare accessable to visitors and guidedtours available.This summer, a new informationcenter for Vatnajökull GlacierPark, opened at Skriðuklaustur.Snæfellsstofa is located in a brandnew building, the first one in Icelandto get an ecological certification fromBREEAM, a British measurementrating for green buildings.Vatnajökull National Park is noless magnificent from the East sidethan from the South side. Plus, ithas become more accessible fromthe East in recent years, with a newpaved road up to the highlands fromFljótsdalur. Snæfellsstofa, containsa great bulk of information for thisinteresting area in addition to apermanent exhibition which shows,through multimedia representation,all the wonders of the parkFljótsdalshreppur is a great areato visit for those seeking niceenvironment of historical interestthat could surprise them with a flockof reindeers.Mjoeyri Guest Houseand Travel ServiceTucked away in the folds of thetranquil eastern fjords, lies thevillage of Eskifjörður, one of sixtowns in the Fjarbyggð region ofEast Iceland.Holmatindur Peak, Eskifjörður’spride and joy, towers over the town,standing guard and it is withinthis magnificent setting that you willfind the Mjoeyri Guest House andTravel Service.Explore and discover aless often travelled side ofIcelandThe list of things to do in the area isalmost endless and Mjoeyri TravelService would be delighted to helpyou plan your stay. Recreationalactivities offered in the region includefishing, boating, skiing, golf, iceclimbing, hiking, bird watching,cavetours, nature observation, horseriding, diving, northern lightwatching, kayaking and more! With aplethora of museums and swimmingpools in every town, there is simplysomething for everyone. The MjoeyriGuest House is ideal to use as a basefor exploring the area and offers thepossibility of breakfast and dinner tostart and end your day.Autumn in the EastEast Iceland is also home to a herdof some 5000 reindeer which comedown from the highlands in the fall tobegin the mating season lasting fromIf getting away fromthe cares of life ishigh on your list ofpriorities, then youhave come to theright place.approximately September 20th till theend of October- autumn being oneof the best times of year to catch aglimpse of these noble creatures withthe stags sporting their lofty antlers inall their glory.Mountain TherapyLong walks in the crisp mountainair, skiing on the high peaks of the“eastern alps” or just chilling out in a“hot pot” at the local pool, winter inthe Eastern Fjords is therapeutic andwill leave you refreshed and renewed.A quote from the Mjoeyri TravelService website says it best:“The mountains of Fjarbyggð regiongive this part of Iceland it’s distinctivecharacter, and have a huge influenceon the lives of the people who livehere. Just to live in these fjords,surrounded by beautiful mountains,is a source of great inspiration andsolace for all the inhabitants. To us,it is almost as if the mountains reachout and embrace us as we arrive, bidus welcome, and give us feelings ofbelonging and well-being.”If getting away from the cares of lifeis high on your list of priorities, thenyou have come to the right place. Theserenity, the peace, and the gentle flowof life in the Eastern Fjords will be likenothing you have ever experienced.For directions and further informationsee their website: http://mjoeyri.is/aensku.htmRuins of the 16th century monastery at Skriduklaustur34 35