The temporary bridge over Ferjukotssíki in Borgarfjörður has collapsed after an ice jam in the Hvítá River Repairs cannot begin until flooding subsides The temporary bridge over Ferjukotssíki in Borgarfjörður, West Iceland, has been destroyed following an ice jam in the Hvítá River, RÚV reports Rivers and streams in the region have overflowed their banks due to unseasonably warm weather “The bridge has completely collapsed and is lying on its side,” Pálmi Þór Sævarsson a regional manager with the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration (IRCA) “It appears that unusually large ice blocks accumulated under the bridge effectively ripping it off its supports.” repairs cannot begin until the water levels recede and the ice clears Only then will it be possible to assess the damage and determine the next steps fully “It’s clear that the damage is significant,” he added noting that flooding remains widespread in Borgarfjörður “There’s still a lot of water everywhere and it rained heavily last night and this morning,” Pálmi explained “Most of the ice has cleared downstream but a few ice floes remain lodged upstream and at the site of the bridge.” As noted on IRCA’s website the now collapsed temporary bridge was constructed two years ago: “It is a single-lane steel bridge with a timber deck Temporary bridges are designed to handle a specific traffic load but are not built to withstand sudden and heavy lateral forces such as the ice jam likely to have occurred last night.” IRCA notes that there was formerly a shorter bridge over Ferjukotssíki that was damaged by flooding in the Hvítá River in March 2023 The longer bridge on another branch of the stream was also heavily damaged leading to its removal and the construction of the temporary bridge as funding for a permanent replacement was unavailable In an interview with Mbl.is today explained that the design of the bridge had been criticised by local residents during its construction “Everyone here said that this kind of bridge would never work Even those from IRCA who worked on it doubted it would hold She explained that telephone poles were used as supports for the bridge “We warned that the bridge wouldn’t withstand the ice chunks coming from Norðurárdalur Valley the engineers who oversaw the project believed their approach was sound They are expected to visit the site today to assess the situation The IRCA has noted that the Ferjukot bridges have been difficult to maintain due to significant road subsidence in the area A new bridge is urgently needed at the site but funding for its construction has yet to be secured Despite the collapse, there are no reports of residents being stranded, RÚV notes Residents east of Ferjukot can reach Borgarnes via Borgarfjarðarbraut used by many locals on their way to and from work Hvítárvallavegur Road (510) near Ferjukotssíki remains closed In-depth stories and high-quality photography showcasing life in Iceland we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site and show (non-) personalized ads may adversely affect certain features and functions Click below to consent to the above or make granular choices. Your choices will be applied to this site only. You can change your settings at any time or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen Join our Patreon for as little as $5 a month and get access to author interviews, content calls, discounts at our store, and more. Help support our writers and keep our site ad-free. [Read Part One here.] that bus route from Brjanslaekur to Isafjordur with the Neatnik driver another bus ride that would take Scott and me to the outer limits of human endurance We made our long walk into the wild Hornstrandir a day in which news came in from Scott’s wife back home in Oregon that their young daughter was in general defiance of parental authority She was living in the middle of those yeasty years when the body is a riotous cacophony (It’s a matter of personal preference which way to put it.) Either way parental authority is what you’re going to defy But little Scott could do from our position so far off in barren wind-swept lands He bore that troubling news like a champ on our route from Isafjordur to nearby Sudavik (the first ten-kilometers we walked; the second a friendly motorist gave us a ride) to have a look at the Arctic Fox Center where there were no arctic foxes but rather people who like arctic foxes and a café where I enjoyed a coffee and a portion of rhubarb cake before we caught the bus to Akureyri the centerpiece of human life in the north of Iceland and then transfer to another bus to take us north and east on the Ring Road at which point we would still have to find the city campground and then have a little nip of something to take off the edge before we could rest And so you see what I mean about trains (see “Taking the Bus looking out various windows onto the wild lands and having a little nip of something to take off the edge had told us in the café—“People don’t come to Iceland for sun; they come for other reasons.”—on that day She also told us a dead orca had washed up on the beach not far from where we had camped in the Hornstradir but that the foxes had to wait for it to rot before they could eat it as their little teeth were no match for its tough hide and we hopped on in the spirit of innocence and adventure our packs well-provisioned with stove and stove fuel and a few tasty sweet granola bars which Scott called “snacky food.” The route out of the Westfjords followed the shoreline of a series of fjords off Isafjardardjup like tracing the outline of the fingers on your hand the way you must have done in grade school to draw a turkey on Thanksgiving she a quiet beauty with her dark perfect skin and her really nice backpack that sun coming off the palace of the waters that blue sky and those long slips of blue inlet and outlet to the sea the rolling soporific solipsism of the ululation of the road: now that made the day a day to build other days upon Our driver picked up a plump button of a girl along our route that little seat in front of the great eye of the windshield reserved for tour guides who offer history and jokes to passengers a long and uninterrupted string of words entirely unintelligible to me with all that warm sun striking our driver in the chest as it would have been difficult to stay awake But this is the not driver about which this story is Not to mention that it seemed our drivers fashioned a deception so we would over-pay We bought three tickets: from Sudavik to Holmavik 5,500 krona ($41); from Holmavik to Borgarnes 5,500 krona ($41); and from Borgarnes to Akuyeri The bus from Holmavik to Borgarnes stopped in Bifrost we boarded for our final leg of the journey but then stepped off at Hvammstangi on the Vatnsnes Peninsula nearby which is a sea stack that according to nearly everyone is actually a petrified troll was so preoccupied in its mission to destroy a local monastery (trolls are notably not Christianized There is a lot of this going around in Iceland Everywhere you look your eyes fall upon a rock that was once a troll which begs the question: how do so many trolls get caught this way I think it has something to do with the way light works in the northern latitudes Iceland is situated between 64° and 66° north latitude and instead of a daily cycle of night and day you have a seasonal cycle of dark winters and light summers the sun must drop below 18° of the horizon The light at this angle is known as civil twilight but you feast on all the other senses of the body—sound and maybe even taste—as you walk the border country between dark and light I would prefer to do my work (like destroying monasteries and driving hapless travelers to their doom on buses) during the long summer twilight I can imagine a troll engaged with his work getting caught by the sun because the quality of light hardly changes from one moment to the next It’s a wonder any of them make it past those teen angst years without being turned to stone leaving only Scott and me to make the rest of the trip to Akureyri “Is this dude driving with his eyes closed?” Our driver—who we only later came to call The Sleeping Giant—was a giant of a man I took down all his qualities: an older gentleman perhaps 6’ 4”; large liquid belly spilling over his suspendered black polyester trousers one suspender clip dis-engaged at the back so that you could see the comb-teeth in it spacious cheeks and his tired eyes made him look sad When we made the scheduled stops at various petro stations We moved to the front seats for a better look We watched as the lids of our driver’s eyes drooped and shuttered as he drew his big hand down over his face and breathed heavily and loudly in a sigh He had entered that stage when the mind convinces the brain that driving with your eyes closed is a good idea the Ring Road is generally well maintained it’s humped up into a hillock off the land like driving down a few hundred kilometers of continuous molehills the road is a good fifty feet off the surface with big transport trucks coming on at delivery speed the wind of them shuttering the bus in going by So head-on with one of those suckers is a problem flying out into empty space and then dropping like a pheasant plugged by a scatter of buckshot “Maybe we should bail at the next stop,” Scott said or even acknowledge that I had spoken to him “I don’t think he speaks any English,” Scott said “I’m moving up into the shotgun seat,” I said “So do you speak any English?” I asked him “We need to have a pretty loud conversation,” I said to Scott “WHY DON’T YOU LOOK IN THE GUIDEBOOK AT THE NEXT TOWN,” I said THIS DUDE MIGHT KILL US BY DRIVING HIS BUS OFF THE ROAD.” a blog by writers Bill Roorbach and David Gessner It was “Bad Advice Wednesday,” and the subject and title of Gessner’s post was “Try Not to Die.” It begins like this: “It’s hard to type when you’re dead.” And a few paragraphs later Gessner wisely concludes: “staying alive is a pretty key aspect of the writing life.” This made a lot of practical sense to me and as I wasn’t ready to let go of my writing life just yet it also made practical sense to get off the bus “LET’S KEEP THIS GUY AWAKE UNTIL WE CAN BAIL.” and the staff had gathered in the main dining room for a party “We’re not open much longer,” the bartender told us “I can do that.” She was arranging a huge tray of drinks for the staff but we got off here because our driver was falling asleep She popped off the caps and handed them over Part Three: Hofn to Reykjavik: The Mariner I Have a Tote Bag About How Much I Love Books and the only things I liked about my grandfather’s hunting trips to the Italian countryside were the stories about wild foxes he came back with looking through a scope at a black piece of paper that has been placed metres away from me the butt plate of a rifle pressed against my shoulder while my finger gently tickles its trigger I have already tried my luck with a heavy air gun: my hands were so shaky that the gun kept rattling left to right as if my body were shaking with laughter until the acrid smell of the propellant turns into barely noticeable whiffs of smoke My heart pounds vigorously against my ribs pushing adrenaline to the tip of my fingers like small electric jolts “That was a good shot!” Stefán Ingi Ólafsson smiles at me from the doorway Stefán was among the group of Borgarnes firearms aficionados who founded the Skotfélag Vesturlands It took them two years to renovate an old slaughterhouse they received from the municipality into a brightly lit shooting range with alabaster walls and blood-red accents Now it counts 130 members including women and young kids who can start shooting under the supervision of a teacher at about fifteen years old Stefán and a colleague seem excited to show me around Their boisterous laughter echoes under the high ceilings but that doesn’t mean they don’t take this volunteer work seriously they are patient enough to show me repeatedly how to place my feet and hold the gun reminding me never to turn it to either side lest I hurt someone There is something majestic about him as he straightens his back his gun suddenly an integral part of his hand steady movements and I can see he’s in his element Stefán began shooting on hunting trips in the surrounding countryside A shooting range like this seemed like the perfect opportunity to continue practising during the winter We are all countrymen here and for countrymen owning a gun is an advantage,” Stefán tells me “But when you start having a taste for competition it becomes a sport some people play chess; some choose football; I just want to shoot.” Though evidently very proud of their shooting range, Stefán and the rest of the society are excited about acquiring licenses for an outdoor area to better train hunters in long-range shooting, field target and clay pigeon shooting—all with their own registered and silencers With their guns safely stored in 6mm steel safes the Shooting Society takes all possible precautions to make this a safe environment for everyone as Stefán makes abundantly clear when he reels off all the rules I understand now the ideas I had of this place (and of an arms-free Iceland) were a little naive “I think this image people have of firearms as a prerogative of criminals is what we have to confront ourselves the most,” Stefán confirms shaking his head “People tend to associate guns and silencers only with crime or murder but it has nothing to do with feeling protected or being a criminal For us this is more of a social endeavour.” It’s already 8pm when we finally walk towards the target I was aiming at with my rifle When the guys get close enough they burst out laughing “Are you sure this was your first time?” he asks Five out of six shots went straight through the two innermost circles Tourist Held Hostage On May Day Culture Night Killer Sentenced To Prison Tourist Sexually Harassed In Blue Lagoon An Ode to Flateyri Starbucks To Open In Reykjavík Soon Grapevine Events: The Clock, Other-Grounds Film Festival, Icelandic Sorcery Festival & More Police Officers Spied On Citizens For Iceland’s Richest Man From Army Brats To Luxury Flats You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience Borgarnes village The Settlement Centre is located in West Iceland Do you want to know more about this subject? Please send us a line at icelandmag@365.is Have you had an experience related to the contents of this article? Let us know! Join our weekly hand curated newsletter to have all the latest news from Iceland sent to you 2022 Torg ehf. Terms & Privacy I had an unforgettable adventure with expert Everything was perfect and exceeded my expectations!" Popular types of accommodation in IcelandWe offer all types of accommodation and places to stay in Iceland All You Need To Know About Hostels in IcelandHostels in Iceland are the top choice for travelers looking to explore the country’s incredible landscapes without overspending This guide provides everything you need to plan your budget-friendly stay in 2025 including top lists of the best hostels in Reykjavik you’ll find the perfect base to experience Iceland’s natural wonders Hostels in Iceland can be found in most regions of the country This list highlights all the best hostels in each part of Iceland to help you find the perfect base for your trip Reykjavik has the largest selection of hostels in Iceland, offering options for travelers seeking cheap and convenient accommodation in the capital. The hostels in Reykjavik are known for their central locations home to iconic attractions like Seljalandsfoss Hostels in South Iceland provide convenient access to the region’s natural wonders Southeast Iceland is known for its glaciers and attractions like Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Hostels near Hofn provide convenient access to top attractions in the southeast of Iceland East Iceland is known for tranquil fjords Hostels in this region provide comfortable bases for exploring the Eastfjords and nearby attractions North Iceland combines the livelier atmosphere of Akureyri with the tranquil charm of smaller coastal towns Hostels in this region provide excellent access to attractions like Lake Myvatn and the Trollaskagi peninsula The Westfjords offer some of Iceland’s most remote and untouched landscapes perfect for adventurers seeking solitude and dramatic scenery comfortable stays for travelers exploring this rugged corner of Iceland The Snaefellsnes peninsula is known for its diverse landscapes from glaciers and lava fields to charming fishing villages Hostels in this region provide affordable and comfortable stays for travelers exploring the west of Iceland Travelers driving and exploring the Ring Road (Route 1) on a budget will find hostels along the entire route allowing for cheap accommodation. Here’s an example of a 10-day budget-friendly road trip itinerary with hostels along Iceland’s Ring Road: Night 1: KEX Hostel in Reykjavik Night 2: The Barn Hostel in Vik Night 3: Hofn Hostel in Hofn Night 4: Hafaldan Hostel in Seydisfjordur Night 5: Akureyri Backpackers in Akureyri Night 6: Hvammstangi Hostel in Hvammstangi Night 7: Korpudalur Hostel in Flateyri Night 8: Broddanes Hostel in Broddanes Night 9: The Freezer Hostel in Rif Night 10: Loft Hostel in Reykjavik Finding the right hostel can make your trip to Iceland more enjoyable and stress-free Here are some tips to help you choose the right one: Staying in hostels is the best way to travel Iceland on a budget you can easily find and compare top hostels across Iceland We offer a best price guarantee and flexible cancellation policies making planning your trip simple and stress-free no matter where your journey takes you Download Iceland’s biggest travel marketplace to your phone to manage your entire trip in one place Scan this QR code with your phone camera and press the link that appears to add Iceland’s biggest travel marketplace into your pocket Enter your phone number or email address to receive an SMS or email with the download link Book your complete trip with the best companies only Iceland At A Crossroads A body was discovered on a beach not far from the town of Borgarnes, in West Iceland, yesterday, Vísir reports The police will update the media as soon as more information is available a passerby reported the discovery of a body to the police “We are looking into this discovery and awaiting results we will begin by speaking to relatives,” Ásmundur Kristinn Ásmundsson Assistant Chief of Police in West Iceland told Vísir Ásmundur stated that it was necessary to follow all legal procedures and to attain conclusive results regarding the person’s identity The police will update the media as soon as the results of the investigation are available Blown off the road A bus carrying 28 French teens was blown off the road between Borgarnes and Reykjavík A few hundred travellers in ten tour buses spent Sunday afternoon and evening at restaurants and gas stations in the town of Borgarnes waiting for a violent storm which threatened drivers on the Ring Road between Borgarnes and Reykjavík to calm down A bus carrying 28 French high school students was blown off the road shortly after four in the afternoon Read more: Watch a video of a RV get blown off the road just north of Reykjavík The Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV reports that most of the buses which waited out the storm in Borgarnes were carrying local schoolchildren who were returning from participating in a sports even in North Iceland The first travellers took refuge between two and three The storm had calmed sufficiently at at ten in the evening to allow the buses to continue to Reykjavík safely Only one person suffered minor injuries in the accident. All the kids were wearing seatbelts when the accident took place. The bus driver told RÚV that he did a safety presentation with the kids earlier in the day instructing them on what to do in the case of a rollover The fact that they did this when the bus rolled over is what saved the kids from any serious," he told RÚV Two of the Sturlureykir horses Icelandic horses are not just beautiful animals: Animal behaviourists agree that the Icelandic horse is both intelligent and friendly The Icelandic horse is one of the most popular motifs for traveller photographs in Iceland There is something about the Icelandic horse which makes it absolutely adorable endless colour variety and the small size makes these hardy little horses irresistible Read more: Photographer Gígja Einarsdóttir captures the strength and grace of the Icelandic horse Unfortunately it can be a challenge to get to meet with these guys: Stopping in the side of the road to take photographs of horses in the field can cause danger to other motorists thanks to the virtual absence of useful stopping spots along Icelandic roads And some farmers have complained that foreign travellers who stop to pet and feed their horses are "teaching them bad habits" even endangering their health with unhealthy snacks Read more: Local farmer fed up with travellers feeding his horses bread, teaching them bad habits A couple who breed and train horses in West Iceland decided they had to help solve this problem setting up the perfect petting- and selfie-stop for horse lovers at their farm in Borgarfjörður fjord The perfect stop for horse-lovers!The horse farm Sturlureykir, located on the way to one of Iceland's most beautiful waterfalls, Hraunfossar will open it's stable to visitors this summer allowing visitors to meet with their horses get to take horse riding tours along the pictoresque Reykjadalsá river or just get to know their individual stories and pet and take their photo with a friendly Icelandic horse Reykjadalsá river Sturlureykir is located between Deildartunguhver geothermal area and Hraunfossar waterfall The new meet-and-greet stable will open on June 1 The horse riding tours will be offered at 16:00 and 20:00 (each tour lasting 1.5-2 hours) The riding tours cost 12,500 ISK per person Guests can then relax at a small cafe decorated with the countless trophies and awards won by the Sturlureykir horses Sturlureykir has offered horse tours for more than two decades but the new service will satisfy the needs of a broader group of travellers For a small entrance fee visitors who might have a busy schedule can get a personal experience with horses and an Icelandic horse farm Dream location Bræðrasel is located in Mýrar in Borgarfjörður If you are looking for a beautiful summer house with a stunning view and is located by one of Iceland’s best salmon fishing rivers Bræðrasel is located in Mýrar in Borgarfjörður This quaint summer house was built as a fishing lodge in 1968 and has an amazing panoramic view and from its location one can see five glaciers The main building is 95 square metres (1022 sq ft) and is newly refurbished two bathrooms and a spacious living room and kitchen The smaller house is 17 square metres (183 sq ft) and is used as a guest house Now you can enjoy the summers by relaxing in your own wooden summer house while admiring its wondrous surroundings The summer house will set you back 35 million ISK (242.499 Euros/ 277.183 USD) Langá í Mýrum is one of Iceland's best salmon fishing rivers Norðurá in Borgarfjörður Norðurá river burst its banks yesterday The river is a popular spot for salmon fishing in summer Norðurá river in Borgarfjörður, west Iceland, burst its banks yesterday, causing a power outage in the area which lasted a few hours, reports Fréttablaðið It seems as though an ice floe rushing down the river hit a utility pole causing a power outage Fields in the surrounding area were left submerged under water when the river burst its banks During the summer months Norðurá is a popular spot for salmon fishing  was spotted swimming just outside the area yesterday The whale is thought to be injured and police are discussing with the chief veterinary officer whether it needs to be put down or rescued According to the chief of police in Borgarnes the animal is suffering as it is stuck on a sandy reef quite a long way away from the shore which is hard to access He adds that he expects that unforunately the animal will be put down due to the severity of its injuries Tourists tried to reach the animal this morning but police stopped them as the animal was getting frightened and agitated that the elegant modern monument atop a hill in the town’s old centre commemorates some crucial figure or moment from local history the sculpture takes the shape of a ram’s horn with stylised strips of cloth drawn up against its curve and extending on either side like wings—as if the entire sculpture were about to take flight across the broad mouth of Borgarfjörður and nest among the imposing mountains across the bay the monument depicts a medieval tool known as a “brák,” used to soften animal hides and often cited as the source of a nickname borne by Þorgerðr Brák one of the most memorable heroes of the Icelandic sagas who looks after the precocious hero in his youth than it recounts the tragic circumstances of her death here in Brákarsund Þorgerðr’s role seems conspicuously trivial to merit this memorial; and yet perhaps it is this semblance of insignificance that the sculpture invites us to question The relevant episode goes something like this: young Egill and his close friend Þórðr Granason challenge Skallagrímr to a match of a proto-hockey ball-game at Sandvík The two kiddos prove worthy competitors against the old man besting him over the course of the afternoon; but as night sets in endowed with the superhuman strength of a berserkr warrior The berserkr-fit completely overcomes him and about to deliver his own son the same fate when Þórgerðr—watching from the side-lines—confronts him running almost the entire length of the modern-day town towards the tip of the peninsula attempting to swim to the small island that now houses Borgarnes’ harbour hurls a massive boulder that lands between her shoulders neither the boulder nor Þorgerðr ever came back up serves more as an illustration of the souring relationship between Egill and Skallagrímr than as a poignant vignette of a background character The Icelandic sagas are chock-full of minor characters often introduced with a surfeit of genealogical context only to be written out of the narrative a page later There are even generic formulae by which saga-authors signal a character’s eventual irrelevance: ‘And now so-and-so is out of the saga’—a medieval Icelandic prefiguring of RuPaul’s ‘Sashay away,’ if you will But if we’ve learned anything from Vanessa Vanjie Mateo we know that screen-time need not correlate with iconicity or importance (straight people or Miss Vanjie succumbed to a premature elimination so that we could all delight in Mother Ru’s uncharacteristic smothered laughter Þorgerðr sacrifices herself to allow teenage Egill to proceed to the next episode in his saga the monument to Þorgerðr forces us to question assumptions about the perceived importance or insignificance of literary characters Þorgerðr’s indubitably heroic actions impact the course of ‘Egils saga,’ but does that make her a hero of the story or a simple plot device Dealing with semi-historical material such as the sagas the question is perhaps not just an exercise in literary postulation If there is even a kernel of historical precedent for Þorgerðr and her death even—to memorialise her valour and sacrifice: the question of literary significance itself becomes inconsequential The question of whether Þorgerðr will resurface from the depths of Brákarsund to make an appearance alongside Miss Vanjie in Season 11 of RuPaul’s Drag Race West Iceland was blanketed by rainbows – and crowds – last Saturday at the region’s first-ever pride celebrations The event was one of the first projects of the region’s newly-minted LGBT+ association Hinsegin Vesturland The organisers say they are overjoyed with the turnout and hope to change the discourse on LGBT+ issues in the Icelandic countryside The sister Guðrún Steinunn and Bjargey Anna Guðbrandsdóttir are among the finders of the association and organisers of the local pride festival. “This is so, so much bigger than we ever expected,” Bjargey told RÚV “When [Guðrún] started talking about this idea a few years ago we imagined one float and walking with our family on the float I don’t even know how many people are here Alexander Aron Guðjónsson is another one of the event’s organisers Asked about the importance of holding an LGBT+ festival in the countryside he answered: “There is a slightly different rhetoric here in the countryside about LGBT+ people So it’s very positive to do this in as many places as possible so that there is an open discussion about everything and everyone The West Iceland LGBT+ Association (Hinsegin Vesturland) was founded in February of this year North Iceland and East Iceland also have regional LGBT+ associations Samtökin ’78 is Iceland’s National Queer Organisation as was the first association of its kind in Iceland Borgarnes is an idyllic little town in the West of Iceland it could be easily overlooked as a drive-through on the road to more popular tourist attractions or Iceland’s second city don’t be fooled—Borgarnes has some surprises in store The story of the Borgarnes Film Freaks (BFF) festival began two years ago in one of the most Icelandic environments imaginable—a hot tub Eiríkur Þór Theodórsson and Halldór Óli Gunnarsson The trio combined their unique skills and cultural and creative backgrounds “We didn’t have any budget,” recounts Michelle “Most of the films were donated from friends of mine and the space from the Settlement Centre.” They also started using the FilmFreeway platform to connect with filmmakers from all around the globe “We had no idea how effective this platform was,” says Michelle we received 900 applications for films to be screened.” Within two months and whittled their selection down to 29 films from 16 countries Each film had to get a unanimous thumbs up to be accepted for screening “I thought ‘I will never watch a film again in my life,’” chuckles Halldór “My routine was to go to the gym after work and then the whole night would be spent watching films.” From the horror-themed “Friday Night,” to the hilarious short “Blue Division” and a documentary on gold mining in Africa “Nobody Dies Here,” there was something for everybody One film proved to be more popular than the others however — “Dagur í lífi Palla Egils” (English: “A day in the life of Palli Egils.”) It is an Icelandic film that followed Borgarnes local Palli for a whole day “It means a lot to the people here to see an Icelandic film,” says Michelle “There are many things to do here,” says Michelle “There are a lot of cultural activities and people are really involved.” “Two years back I was thinking that there weren’t enough things to do for young people,” Halldór adds I saw this as an opportunity to welcome a younger crowd and show them films I would have loved when I was younger.” The plan worked: this year saw a 100% increase in visitors from all age groups “One thing that we really want keep is the honesty and the living room feeling,” says Halldór While the Settlement Centre was used for screening the first night an old cinema was used for the last two days of the festival it feels like watching films at home in the company of good friends we are fulfilling our own dreams,” says Michelle The second Borgarnes Film Freaks festival was held from January 24th-26th. Follow the preparations for next year’s event on Facebook along with landowners and the Borgarbyggð municipality has introduced plans to make Borgarvogur a narrow inlet by Borgarnes in West Iceland Borgarvogur is one of West Iceland’s most important birdlife areas The inlet and the surrounding wetlands and mudflats are essential for the surrounding area due to its plant and animal life Over 20 bird species are found in the surrounding wetlands Borgarvogur consists of a wide expanse of mudflats and is the largest known such area in Iceland Yellow algae mudflats contain high densities of algae and other small living organisms but mudflats are also helpful in containing greenhouse gasses The area’s research and educational value is high and the area is ideal for birdwatching the Environmental Agency is looking to permanently protect the natural state of Borgarvogur and the biological diversity of the area so that it can develop naturally of its own accord Also to ensure research and monitoring of the areas biosphere and so that the public can use the area to study nature The suggested conservation area limits are shown on the map below The Environmental Agency’s notification is the first step in the conservation process and after the introductory period representatives from the Environmental Agency municipality and Ministry for the Environment and natural resources will draft conservation terms and present to parties of interest the conservation will then be advertised and the public will be able to comment on the proposal On Monday afternoon, three earthquakes occurred in western Iceland, about 24.9 km north of Borgarnes. According to mbl.is the largest quake measured a magnitude of 3 has been dealing with earthquakes in the past According to the Meteorological Office’s measurements the earthquake was at a depth of 13.3 km and struck at 16:35 There have been no more earthquakes in the area in the past week a nature conservation specialist at the Meteorological Office “We had an earthquake there a few weeks ago I might not say that earthquakes in this area are common There were some at the beginning of June and then there have been some in the past.” more seismic measuring stations were installed on the Snæfellsness Peninsula “The stations can help detect earthquakes in this area a farmer on the farm Álftártunga in Borgarnes felt the earthquakes and was about 13 kilometers away from the source of the quake I stood there on the floor and felt three little vibrations My husband was walking when this happened and did not notice anything But I noticed it because I was standing still I looked at the dogs to see if they were scratching themselves because sometimes there is a little vibration with it Note: Due to the effect the Coronavirus is having on tourism in Iceland, it’s become increasingly difficult for the Grapevine to survive. If you enjoy our content and want to help the Grapevine’s journalists do things like eat and pay rent, please consider joining our High Five Club You can also check out our shop that you can buy and have delivered right to your door Also you can get regular news from Iceland—including the latest notifications on eruptions, as soon as they happen—by signing up to our newsletter A fifth grader in west Iceland came up with a clever idea for comforting children who need to take an ambulance Skessuhorn reports that last February students of the Hvanneyrardeild við Grunnskóla Borgarfjarðar primary school were tasked with coming up with an innovative project borne from their own imaginations One student came up with an idea that ended up captivating the entire class came up with the idea to make a teddy bear to donate to an ambulance so that children who need to take an ambulance ride for whatever reason could hug the teddy bear on the way to the hospital Other students were so taken by the idea that they took part in sewing teddy bears of their own for the project an ambulance driver named Ásgeir visited the students and accepted the teddy bears on behalf of the ambulance drivers of Borgarnes He gave the students a thank-you gift for their efforts and the children were positively delighted to make the project a reality and to be able to take a look inside the ambulance teddy bears to comfort children in transport The body found on a beach in Borgarnes yesterday is suspected to be that of Modestas Antanavicius He says the forensic pathology department of Landspítali now has the body in his care "A forensic pathologist along with the National Police Commissioner of Teaching will investigate and work on the case as is standard in these kinds of cases despite our suspicions that this is this missing person." An extensive search was conducted at the beginning of the year for Modestas This weekend marks the second annual West Iceland Pride Festival. RÚV reports that the festival and a ball headlined by gay icon Páll Óskar and is intended to increase LGBTQIA+ visibility outisde of the capital area says that the West Iceland Pride Festival is here to stay Last year’s celebration was held in the town of Borgarnes and “was the biggest town festival that had ever been held [there].” He added that well over a thousand people took part in the Pride parade “We plan to go all over the west—Borgarnes last year [the municipality of] Snæfellsbær this year we’ll announce where we’re going next year.” It’s important that the voices of LGBTQIA+ people are heard all over Iceland “We hear this so often from people…Just now a man came into our shop here to buy a flag to wave and he was saying that this is kind of a male-dominated society that sometimes isn’t super open So it’s great to come here and show people who are in the closet and don’t dare come out because they’re afraid to […]: there are people like them here in the West and they are visible and want to be they want to be loud and speak up about who they are.” will take place in Ólafsvík on Saturday at 2:00pm and turn up Kirkjutún before ending at Sjómannagarðurinn (‘The Sailors’ Park’) “We celebrate diversity and will ALL walk together in support of LGBTQIA+ people’s fight for their rights.” Drag Queen Miss Agatha P Meðal will host festivities in the park after the parade including live music and a Queer as Hell Disco with DJ AlexanderAron from 10pm – 1am See the full schedule on the West Iceland Pride Festival page on Facebook, here, or on Instagram, here and join in on the fun with the hashtags #hinseginvest and #hinseginvest22 Beautiful location Bertha Kvaran and her husband Jay Burton run Borgarnes B&B in the stunning village of Borgarnes as Bertha Kvaran and her husband Jay Burton found out The couple dreamt of opening a small guesthouse in the picturesque village of Stykkishólmur in Snæfellses peninsula and were on their way to view potential property to purchase when fate stepped in “The owners of the property told us they couldn’t meet up with us until late in the day so we decided to overnight in Borgarnes,” Bertha told local newsagent Skessuhorn Borgarnes is a charming village located in West Iceland famous for being the birthplace of notorious poet and Viking Egill Skallagrímsson “Upon arrival I had a little chat with our host and I told her about our plans to buy a guesthouse She asked: Why don’t you just buy this place My husband and I slept on it that night and the next morning we discussed the matter further and eventually decided to buy the place,” Bertha explained The couple now resides in Borgarnes and runs Borgarnes B&B  A coach overtuned near Borgarnes in West Iceland yesterday afternoon carrying 26 teenagers from France They are being catered for in a Red Cross centre which was set up in a high school in Borgarnes All students have been checke out by medical staff One student was sent to hospital due to injuries The students were on their way to Þorlákshöfn to visit a class there A new coach is being found to transport the kids Update: Police in South Iceland say that the coach overturned due to strong gusts of wind The use of seatbelts in the coach by almost all the students prevented injuries Two students were taken to hospital with minor injuries The oldest Filipino restaurant in Iceland does not have a Filipino name The sign outside says “Matstofan,” but locals will tell you the place is called “Dússabar,” after co-owner Dússi Grönfeldt The only hint at a foreign presence is written in slim letters barely visible from across the street: “Filipino taste.” One might conclude that the average Icelander has no appetite for the funky Despite the apparent difficulties of selling Filipino food in Iceland Matstofan has managed to operate for over two decades in a town with less than 1,500 residents I visited Dússi and Cora Grönfeldt to learn how “Filipino taste” and ingenuity have helped this restaurant survive The interior of Matstofan wears few of the visual markers that one might associate with other Asian restaurants in Iceland bags of shrimp crackers share space with potato crisps; the condiment shelf offers both tomato and banana ketchup Only a handful of dishes are obviously Filipino which the menu calls “stir-fried chicken noodles.” The rest of the offerings chart a freewheeling course across Europe and Asia from Russian beef stroganoff to Thai curry The pancit comes with triangles of white bread but it’s as good as any you’ll find at a backyard fiesta Even the stroganoff carries a garlicky warmth that recalls lola’s kitchen more than babushka’s when she emerges from the kitchen to tell me how she ended up slinging noodles in this tiny town “You know the Filipino; we know how to make things taste good.” Cora fled the country amid exodus during the volatile final years of President Ferdinand Marcos’ totalitarian rule She was then a teacher at an elite Catholic school where she taught the children of an Icelandic expat He told her she might be able to find a job at a school in Reykjavík Desperate for any opportunity to leave the country “I thought we were in the middle of a bamboo forest,” she says of the drive from the airport to the city when snow rushed past the windshield like long white stalks Cora married the man who picked her up at the airport a friend of the expat she had known in the Philippines The couple moved to Borgarnes and bought Matstofan in 1997 Locals were slow to accept the new business viewing even the Western dishes with suspicion a writer and amateur chef who works as a psychiatric nurse in Reykjavík recalls receiving similarly canine comments when she moved to Iceland in 2007 “‘Do you eat dogs?’ was a standard question I received from Icelanders,” she says While allowing that some regions of the Philippines cook the occasional canid Marvi prefers to introduce her Icelandic friends to a broader understanding of her motherland’s food and culture she hosts underground supper clubs featuring Filipino delicacies served with a side of history Chinese and pre-colonial roots behind each dish then round out the meal with hot chocolate poured from her grandfather’s heirloom pot food is the first point of entry to learn about Asian culture,” she says Cora’s clientele eventually accepted that educational invitation Though she still sells more alcohol than food to townies—hence the local name “Dússabar”—she notices that Icelanders have become more willing to venture outside their culinary comfort zones the natives didn’t want to eat garlic,” she says Marvi and other creative cooks will have to provide that spice when Matstofan closes later this year Cora owns a house in the Philippines where she plans to live out her days with Dússi — not necessarily in retirement They are entertaining the idea of starting an Icelandic restaurant for curious Filipinos “A restaurant is really the best business,” she says As Iceland continues to crawl towards cosmopolitanism a sign advertising “Filipino taste” in the middle of Borgarnes may someday seem less surreal Matstofan’s prolonged existence has been a minor miracle Matstofan is at Brakarbraut 3 in Borgarnes. Check them out on Tripadvisor Bjössaróló playground Travellers passing through Borgarnes seem to think they can camp wherever they please for example at playgrounds and public parks Growing tourism has raised new and unusual problems for the residents of the town of Borgarnes in West Iceland According to the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV travellers have camped out in public parks in the town on the lawn of public buildings and even on preschool grounds The town mayor has asked townspeople to show patience and treat foreign travellers with courtesy "In recent weeks there have been several incidences where residents of Borgarnes have been inconvenienced by travellers who have camped within the city limits or slept in their parked camper vans in public spaces or in other ways behaved inconsiderably or caused a nuisance Although these are exceptions there is no reason not to take action." The statement then goes on to point out several clauses of the municipal police ordinance including the second and fourth paragraphs which states that "indecent behavior in public" is banned public drunkenness and being naked in public Read more: Farmer in S. Iceland fed up with disrespectful travellers treating his lawn as a public lavatory One of the things which Borgarnes residents are concerned about is that people who camp outside designated campgrounds do not have access to public lavatories or bathrooms and are therefore forced to relieve themselves or change clothes inside bushes or otherwise in public view The town stresses that the ban on sleeping in camper vans outside designated campgrounds only applies within the town itself: Travellers can sleep in camper vans at rest areas along public highways outside rural ares Read more: Travellers pitch tent in public park next to preschool, think bushes are a public lavatory The town will respond to this problem with new signs and education We will be putting up new signs on public lawns by the preschools and by other public buildings to try and control this problem." The mayor stresses that the town welcomes travellers and that tourism has been a great boon to the local economy "But we must ensure that there doesn't build up some bad blood between the local residents and foreign travellers only because some of them seem to behave inappropriately." A powerful earthquake began on the Reykjanes peninsula shortly after midnight The largest earthquake measured 4.8 in magnitude and hit at 00.46 the biggest earthquake since the seismic swarm started on October 25 The Icelandic Met Office reports that about 200 earthquakes have been registered since midnight Earthquake activity is expected to continue There are no indications of a volcanic eruption at this time The series of earthquakes began with a magnitude 4.2 earthquake at 00.02 am and the earthquake was acutely felt in the surrounding towns About ten minutes later another earthquake hit A considerable number of smaller earthquakes followed the largest earthquake in the region hit at 00.46 am and was 5 in magnitude and the first numbers from the Met Office indicate that it was slightly smaller than the largest The Icelandic Met Office has received reports of earthquakes from Reykjanes peninsula up to Borgarnes Update: The earthquake was first estimated to be size 5 but now it has been confirmed it was 4.8 in magnitude Early Monday morning two foreign travelers were injured in Borgarnes town in West Iceland when they were hit by a drunk driver lost control of his vehicle which crashed into a lamp post He was arrested after he attempted to flee the scene of the accident on foot The travelers sustained only minor injuries but his vehicle was destroyed in the crash The three day weekend is the largest travel weekend in Iceland Locals take to campsites and cabins to relax and to visit the numerous festivals and concerts are held around the island These festivities are frequently accompnained by alcohol consumption The Police maintain tough checks on all major highways to stop drunk drivers Monday's accident appears to be the only serious accident involving drunk driving during the weekend A spokesman for the Police in West Iceland told the National Broadcasting Service that Monday's that it was a miracle that accident wasn't worse considering how many pedestrians were on the street when the driver lost control One of the two travelers who were injured suffered some cuts but both could continue their travel after receiving medical attention but allowed to return home to sleep off his intoxication He returned to the station give a statement after having sobered up Late night Icelandic Police conducts random checks of drivers to check for drunk driving Foreign visitors appear to be more likely to take unnecessary and dangerous risks while driving in Iceland While some of these decisions are understandable for example because foreign drivers are unfamiliar with Icelandic roads and do not recognize the risks or they are simply distracted by the scenery other examples of dangerous (and criminal) risk-taking is less understandable The high number of foreign visitors who decide to drive drunk is an example Read more: Foreign travellers lack the experience to drive in Icelandic conditions, fail to use seatbelts a professor of criminology at the University of Iceland told the local newspaper Morgunblaðið that it is not known how many of those foreign nationals are tourists as the Police has not made data on the resident status of the offenders Some of the drunk drivers are probably immigrants or guest workers since 12% of the population of Iceland is foreign born But foreign travelers are very well represented in the group Read more: This is how accidents happen: Video shows rental car repeatedly swerve into wrong lane Foreign travalers make up at most 10-20% of drivers on Icelandic roads In the Metropolitan Area this figure is significantly lower but taken together the figures suggest that foreign travelers are very much overrepresented when it comes to drunk driving Helgi says it could well be that cultural factors play a role is that you do not drive after having had a drink but the threshold is different in many other countries In some countries people do not see drinking and driving as a big deal." He mentions the US and countries in South and Eastern Europe as examples of places where attitudes to drinking are different than in Iceland Shores of Langanes The shores of Langanes peninsula Five foreign travellers were arrested in two separate car crashes in North Iceland yesterday The two incidents are not connected in any way other than by the fact that they took place within one hour of each other Nobody was hurt in the two accidents which both involved foreign travellers losing control of their vehicles The two accidents took place just outside the town of Þórshöfn on Langanes peninsula in North East Iceland Two people were travelling in one of the two cars When police arrived at the scene the people were unwilling to identify who had been driving the vehicle: None of the five people has admitted to have driven either one of the two vehicles The police was unwilling to accept the idea that the cars had either been driving on their own or by elves or some other mysterious forces The people were therefore arrested for refusing to answer questions or provide police with accurate information The people were taken to the police station where they spent the night in a cell None of the people suffered serious injuries in the crashes We at Iceland Magazine would like to remind people to please drive safe: Don't speed buckle up and under no circumstances should you drive under the influence of alcohol or other substances cooperating with the police is always the best option You will be arrested for refusing to cooperate or for refusing to provide your personal information Nobody wants to spending the night in a cell on top of the fines and other trouble which invariably come with a road accident Options are being weighed regarding a new tunnel under Hvalfjörður fjord July marked the 20th anniversary of the opening of Hvalfjörður Tunnel (Hvalfjarðargöng) which connects the Reykjavík metropolitan area to the west and north part of the country The tunnel shortened the driving distance between Reykjavík and Akranes by 60 km and that from Reykjavík to Borgarnes by 42 km traffic through the tunnel has increased considerably It has gone from being almost 3,000 vehicles a day in 1999 to almost 7,000 last year Standards nowadays are stricter than they were two decades ago meaning that time is ripe for planning the construction of a new tunnel According to a European directive regarding tunnel safety once the amount of traffic has reached on average 4,000 vehicles per lane per day in a tunnel under 10 km an escape route from the tunnel is mandatory the tunnel may not be used unless escape routes are in place The new standards mandate that tunnels be wider than before head of the tunnel division of the Icelandic Road Administration has looked into various options regarding a new tunnel A report on the matter was completed in the spring of this year The report recommends the following option: A new tunnel with a maximum of five percent slope and a larger cross-section than in the current tunnel and a shoulder for emergency stops at 250-m intervals The entrance to the new tunnel would be close to the old one on the south side Travelers headed straight north to Akranes would therefore continue to use the old tunnel The new tunnel would be longer than the old one There would be 14 emergency spaces to the side of the lanes An escape route would connect the new tunnel to the old one mid-way The Municipality of Borgarbyggð has decided that from now on every new child born in the area will be welcomed into the world with a so called “baby package”. The project is a collaboration between the municipality and businesses and organisations in Borgarbyggð, Skessuhorn reports “It’s a cause for celebration in every community when a new individual is born into this word Every birth and every individual is a miracle unto himself,” says the municipality’s mayor Gunnlaugur A the first baby package was delivered to parents in a ceremony at the health clinic in Borgarnes had just witnessed his first six week checkup with his parents Ásrún Kolbeinsdóttir and Arnór Orri Einarsson The package is the first of many yet to come for Borgarbyggð’s newest members The baby package itself is a bag filled with supplies meant to help the parents and child in the early stages of infancy the bag is filled with groceries and supplies from the local pharmacy and even the knitting store filled and delivered to the Borgarnes health clinic by members of a workplace for the disabled in Brákarey where they also make artefacts to round out the bag “Hopefully this new initiative will make the good will of those who worked on the package known to the parents of newborns If so our goal has been reached,” Gunnlaugur says we’ll try a little harder to illustrate what we love about the region The West of Iceland is a stunning place to explore offering up some version of the numerous wonders that Iceland at large has become famous for From the frigid expanse of Langjökull to the otherworldly beacon that is Snæfellsjökull from the lush serenity of Hvalfjöður to the stark and shapeshifting lava formations of the Snæfellsnes peninsula from the peaks of mountains to the depths of the lava caves; it is a region rich in well-known sites and hidden gems here is the best hike in West Iceland and the runner-ups For more information visit the Facebook page The Settlement Centre is located on Brákarbraut 13 – 15 and is open all year 10am-9pm More information here The west of Iceland begins just outside Greater Reykjavík’s northern city limits From undulating fjords and stretches of idyllic farmland to the rolling fields of Borgarfjörður to the geothermally active Snæfellsnes peninsula it’s an area that contains all the diversity of Iceland and we’ve distilled some of the must-see places for you here Lýsuhólslaug Snæfellsnes and Akranes were called out at five am this morning as fish drying facilities at Miðhraun farm caught fire Bjarni Þorsteinsson at the Borgarnes fire department said this morning that the fight against the fire was particularly difficult and time consuming The fire departments are still at work at the site and two large buildings have burned to the ground Nobody was living at the farm which serves solely as a fish drying factory Terrible travel conditions Extremely strong blasts of wind have measured on Route 1 near Hafnarfjall mountain Extremely strong blasts of wind have measured on Route 1 near Hafnarfjall mountain midway between Akranes and Borgarnes in West Iceland Gusts of wind have measured more than 50 metres per second (112 mph/180 km/h) in the area Read more: Violent storms, possible flooding and terrible travel conditions expected this weekend Read more: 'Lets have a look outside and see what the weather is like here in Iceland' Hafnarfjall mountain Traffic along a stretch of the Ring Road running alongside the majestic mountain will be affected by road work Travellers are adviced to expect delays on the Ring Road south of Borgarnes town in West Iceland on Tuesday and Wednesday Tuesday The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration will close the nortbound lane on the Ring Road between Melasveitarvegur road and Ölversvegur road as the paving is renewed On Wednesday the soutbound lane on the same stretch of road will be closed Traffic speed along the stretch of road will be severely restricted for the duration of the road work and travellers are cautioned to expect delays According to a statement on the website of the IRCA signs at the site will instruct motorists on how to navigate the work site Motorists are asked to respect road signs and adjust their speed The part of the Ring Road affected by the roadwork: Open galleryDay 9 of 3 week Iceland tripBy Bas BrandVerified travel bloggerContact Bas BrandFollow my wife and me on a 3-week trip of Iceland Day 9 in Iceland From Bjarkalundur to Borgarnes (327km) just drive and do the extra mileage and make a few less stops on our way. Road 60 was not very exciting and so was the first stretch of road 54 this made my aim for Snæfellsnes easier to achieve And round lunchtime we drove gravel road 570 to Snæfellsjökull.  Close to the Glacier we made our lunch stop After lunch we continued the road close to the glacier to the south side of the peninsula The mountain on the picture is used in the Renault advertising in The Netherlands I was pleased we had taken the detour; it was worth the extra km and next visit I will spend more time over there Akureyri and to south Iceland are returning to Reykjavík due to heavy snow and unpassable roads Many roads around the country are unpassable including Brattabrekka Traffic in Reykjavik is heavy due to heavy snow on the roads Many roads in the West Fjords are unpassable due to a blizzard here is the best museum in West Iceland and the runner-ups „Lazy Town“ varð til í Borgarnesi og margar persónurnar í verkinu eru ættaðar þaðan Magnús Scheving á kynningarfundi í Hjálmakletti í Borgarnesi en áform eru um að reisa í bænum upplifunargarð sem byggir á Latabæjarþáttunum og sögu Borgarness fyrr og nú Frummælandi kynningarfundarins var Helga Halldórsdóttir frumkvöðull   Hún sagði að árið 2017 hefði hún ásamt fleirum farið að skoða möguleika á að koma upp einhvers konar safni eða sýningu sem að byggt gæti á hugmyndafræði Latabæjar og sögu hans Hefði hópurinn tekið að sér að geyma í Borgarnesi töluvert af munum sem voru notaðir við upptöku þáttanna Rætt hefði verið um miðstöð heilsu og hollustu í anda Latabæjar og höfundar hans Magnúsar Scheving Þættirnir hefðu verið sýndir um allan heim og Latibær/Lazy Town væri eitt þekktasta vörumerki Íslands og Magnús hefði verið nokkurs konar sendiherra hreyfingar og heilsusamlegs lífstíls um áratuga skeið Hefði Magnús Scheving komið til samstarfs og lagt hópnum lið í hugmyndavinnunni Höfundarréttur Latabæjar/Lazy Town er hjá fyrirtækinu Turner Broadcasting og tók það töluverðan tíma að fá vilyrði frá þeim til að nota vörumerkið í verkefninu Sagði Helga að sveitarfélagið Borgarbyggð hefði ávallt staðið við bakið á hópnum og sýnt verkefninu mikinn áhuga Þá hafi Kaupfélag Borgfirðinga lýst sig tilbúið til samstarfs um uppbyggingu á lóðinni við Digranesgötu 4 og sagðist Helga vonast til þess að fleiri öflug fyrirtæki og aðilar í héraði kæmu að fyrirhugaðri uppbyggingu „Markmiðið er að skapa umgjörð sem efli sveitarfélagið okkar erlenda ferðamenn og einstaklinga sem vilja leggja rækt við líkama og sál“ Í framsögu sinni sagði Magnús Scheving að ekki væri um eiginlegt safn að ræða heldur fjölbreyttan og lifandi upplifunargarð sem tengdist og byggði á Latabæjarþáttunum og tilurð þeirra en byggði einnig á sögu Borgarness fyrr og nú og væri samofin bæjarlífinu og umhverfinu Þannig sæi hann fyrir sér fjölþætt áhrif sem upplifunargarðurinn hefði á alla ferðamennsku sem og allt bæjarlífið í Borgarnesi þegar fram liðu stundir og ef vel tækist til Hann sagðist sjá fyrir sér bæði erlenda sem og innlenda gesti og dagskrá sem væri síbreytileg Með samstilltu átaki bæjaryfirvalda og þeirra fyrirtækja og stofnanna sem sinntu ferðamennskunni væri hægt að breyta ásýnd bæjarins til betri vegar auka tengingar og samvinnu og fá ferðamenn til að dvelja lengur í bænum og upplifa stöðugt nýja og spennandi hluti Þessi starfsemi ætti vissulega heima í Borgarnesi þar sem Latibær hefði orðið til í vissum skilningi og margar persónur þáttanna væru sprottnar þaðan frá sterkum fyrirmyndum sem búið hefðu og starfað með honum í bænum Sagði Magnús að þættirnir um Latabæ eða Lazy Town hefðu verið sýndir út um allan heim á liðnum áratugum mörg hundruð milljónir barna hefðu horft á þættina og sum börnin sem hefðu horft á þættina á sínum tíma væru orðin fullorðin í dag og ættu sjálf börn og vildu ferðast Hugmyndin væri að Borgarnes yrði segull fyrir hluta af þessu fólki til að heimsækja fæðingarstað Latabæjar og skoða hvernig þættirnir urðu til Pálsson verkefnastjóri kynnti grunnhugmyndir varðandi kostnaðaráætlanir og áætlaðan fjölda gesta Gert væri ráð fyrir að fá 35 þúsund gesti á fyrsta ári og þeir yrðu um 50 þúsund eftir fjögur ár Talið væri að erlendir gestir yrðu heldur fleiri en innlendir en að íslendingarnir kæmu oftar Aðspurður um kostnað við uppbygginguna sagði Páll að hann yrði trúlega um nokkur hundruð milljónir króna en ný kostnaðaráætlun væri í vinnslu Ef vel væri að verki staðið gæti uppbyggingin tekið um tvö til þrjú ár Gert væri ráð fyri að í upphafi yrðu ráðnir tíu fastir starfsmenn sem fengju sérstaka þjálfun í móttöku gesta á öllum aldri Hnausahraun lava field An abandoned outhouse in one of the magical lava fields in the region where Axlar-Björn committed his crimes Photo/Wikimedia under a Crative Commons license Snæfellsnes peninsula is known for its stunning beauty and fascinating mysteries The magic of the nature of Snæfellsnes makes it the backdrop to the beginning of Jules Verne's novel Journey to the Center of the Earth: Snæfellsjökull glacier being the opening into a mythical world existing inside the earth But Snæfellsnes is also the site of of one of Iceland's most horrendous murder mysteries: The terror of Iceland's only serial killer Most accounts put the number of deaths at 18 Many were drowned in a pond at the edge of beautiful Búðarhraun lava field In 1596 his reign of terror came to an end and he was executed Some believe his wife was complicit in the murders The farm Öxl stands by the current road along the peninsula: Just west of the junction leading to Búðir Axlar-Björn is said to have drowned and hidden some of his victims in a small pond south of his fields near the edge of picturesque Búðahraun lava field After she drank the blood Sigríður is said to have had nightmares "so horrible they cannot be described" and when she confessed these dreams to one of the female farmhands she said she feared the child she was carrying would be "some kind of monster" Mount Hestur One of the two majestic mountains dominating the hills north and east of Knörr where Axlar-Björn spent much of his youth While he slept he dreamt that a stranger approached him with a plate of meat When he had eaten nineteen pieces he suddenly felt sick The man then told Björn to go to the top of the nearby mountain Axlarhyrna where he would find an object which would make him famous The next day Björn was anxious to find this object and climbed the mountain At the top he found an ax which he became fascinated with Shortly thereafter one of the farmhands at Knörr Axlar-Björn later confessed that he had murdered the boy with his new ax But despite the beauty of the farm and the magnificient view Björn is said to have always been in a dark mood caused by blood-lust and clouds of evil which constantly blocked his eyes According to one story he is said to have approached a group of men who were outside enjoying the sun and beautiful weather saying "these are dark days devoid of sunshine Staðarsveit region The region where Axlar-Björn committed his crimes is beautiful but Locals had known for a long time that something strange was going on at Öxl where Björn lived and suspected that Björn might be responsible for the disappearances of travellers and farmhands who were searching for work in the region The reason Björn got away with his murders is that he enjoyed the protection of his benefactor and childhood friend Another account claims that he was ultimately brought down when a poor woman who was travelling with her three children came to the farm to seek shelter in 1596 Axlar-Björn lured the children away one by one to murder them but the mother managed to hide and ultimately to run away to bear witness to his crimes where Axlar-Björn lived stood at the edge of the lava field The authorities did not accept this version of the events and it still remains unclear exactly how many people Axlar-Björn managed to kill although most believe it was twice the number he confessed to Axlar-Björn was sentenced to death at Laugarbrekkuþing and after than chopped to pieces and each piece put on a stake His wife Þórdís was made to watch and Björns cut off genitalia thrown into her lap carrying their son Sveinn "skotti" who grew up to be a rapist Despite this Þórdís escaped sentencing and raised her son Sveinn turned out to be an evildoer as his father spending his adult life drifting around the country before being hanged Some suspected that the evil of Axlar-Björn had been hereditary the son of Sveinn "skotti" was also hanged for criminal activities Lóndrangar One of the stunning rock formations along the coast of the western tip of Snæfellsnes peninsula One of the best kept secrets of Iceland is also the best winter getaway in Europe, according tot he US travel magazine Travel & Leisure Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland is described by the magazine as "Iceland at its most stunning" and a towering volcano crowned with a glacier that dates back to the Ice Age." You can easily visit Snæfellsnes in a day-trip from Reykjavík but to truly explore the peninsula and its wonders you should try to take at least two days In summer you have the option of staying at one of the great campsites on the peninsula but winter visitors should probably find a hotel or guesthouse in one of the picturesque towns or villages along its coast Gatklettur A rock formation at Arnarstapi village The writer for the magazine recommends several hotels including Hotel Egilsen in the town of Stykkisholmur and Hótel Búðir at the location of an old trading post at the edge of the Búðir lava field on the south coast of the peninsula:  "The 17th-century trading post turned 28-room lodge is a destination in itself with views of the Snæfell glacier or bay from every window sitting areas with deep leather sofas and scores of old National Geographics to flip through and a lobby bar with one of the country’s largest whiskey collections If you’re looking to knock the northern lights off your bucket list you’re in luck: an overnight concierge will wake you up for the show." This isn't the first time Snæfellsnes finds its way to the top of lists of top destinations. Hellnar, a tiny village just west of Búðir, was named as one of "25 secret European villages you should visit in your lifetime" by Business Insider another tiny fishing village is equally stunning The two villages and the surrounding cliffs beaches and lava fields make for a full day of exploring and wonder Snæfellsnes also pops up frequently as one of the main reasons travel magazines and news outlets pick West Iceland as the top destination in Iceland. Luxury Travel Guide picked West Iceland as the "most scenic destination in Europe in 2017": "West Iceland’s strength lies in its natural wonders Highlights include the Snæfellsjökull National Park which has black sand beaches and diverse rock formations..." Snæfellsnes is perhaps best known for its crowning landmark which is one of the most beautiful mountains on the horizon north of Reykjavík has long been believed to be a center of supernatural energy It shows up in Jules Verne's Center to the Center of the Earth when the protagonists of the story find the passage leading to the Earth's center on the glacier Read more: New sign to help guards keep confused travellers from trespassing on prison grounds Kirkjufell mountain, on the northern coast of the peninsula also shows up in the Game of Thrones as the best known landmark in the world North of the Wall. It is easy to see why the mountain has been rated as one of the world's most majestic mountains But if you want to visit Kirkjufell please don't trespass on the grounds of Kvíabryggja prison home to Icelandic bankers and Corporate Vikings who have been jailed for their role in the 2008 financial crash Read more: Bankers Behind Bars: A guided walking tour through the collapse of Iceland's banking system in 2008 is also believed to be home to countless hidden people and elves But it is also the site of some truly macabre historical episodes The only serial killer in Icelandic history operated on Snæfellsnes In the sixteenth century Axlar-Björn terrorized travellers before his murderous spree was stopped by the authorities Read more: Axlar-Björn, The only Icelandic serial killer, terrorized travellers on Snæfellsnes peninsula If you are looking for a destination in Iceland that "has it all" adventure and mystery and is also a little off the beaten path you should definitely head for Snæfellsnes On a beautiful night The Aurora over Straumur farm on the outskirts of Reykjavík SATURDAY Potential openings in the cloud cover over West and South West Iceland could offer us an unobstructed view of the Aurora Heads up aurora hunters! In addition to a Yellow Weather Alert for Saturday November 3 the The Icelandic Meteorological Office is also predicting a great evening for northern lights hunting with mostly clear skies over West and South Iceland These are the ideal conditions for us to enjoy nature's greatest light-show Read more: No travel weather on Saturday: Yellow Weather Alerts for most of Iceland Of course we can never be certain when it comes to the Northern Lights and that it's impossible to predict them with any certainty The key to catching the Northern Lights is always patience and luck We can never count on the weather forecast in Iceland and you should always check back with the IMO to see the updated forecast and it will be dark from 17:58 (5:58 pm) until 08:26 Read more: Group of Aurora hunting travelers trapped on Grótta island in Reykjavík rescued by ICE-SAR You should keep a close eye on the Aurora forecast of the Icelandic Meteorological Office The current forecast for Sunday evening suggests we can expect mostly clear skies over East and North Iceland with high altitude clouds over West Iceland but possibly regular openings in cloud cover The cloud cover can change dramatically based on how the weather systems around Iceland behave so it's possible this forecast can either improve - or turn for the worse In all its glory Gullfoss waterfall is one of Iceland’s most popular tourist spots and perfectly located for a day-trip The most popular day trip from Reykjavík is the Golden Circle Taking you to some of the most picturesque spots in South Iceland the Golden Circle offers a you a panorama of Icelandic landscape and natural beauty Most tour operators in Reykjavík offer Golden Circle tours taking detours or stopping to take photos and enjoy the scenery along the route Þingvellir is also uniquely located between the European and North American tectonic plates - the rift is visible in a vertical canyon called Almannagjá The very adventurous can touch Europe and North America at the same time while scuba-diving in Silfra fissure the plates drift about 2 centimeters (0.8 inches) apart Read more: 9 essential things to know about Þingvellir National Park Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir geothermal area are among Iceland‘s most popular tourist hot spots and are situated only a short hour and a half-long drive from Reykjavík Reykjanes is also home to the beautiful Gunnuhver geothermal area and the iconic Reykjanesviti lighthouse – Iceland’s first lighthouse The original lighthouse was built in 1878 but was severely damaged during a large earthquake that struck in 1887 The current lighthouse was built on safer grounds in 1907 Large clouds of steam from the geothermal fields nearby bring added drama to the surroundings Reykjanesviti The dreamlike desolate landscapes of Reykjanes The main attraction of Reykjanes is its desolate beauty volcanic craters and the dramatic seaside cliffs are just as stunning in rain and the howling wind coming in from the Atlantic The geothermal areas at Gunnuhver or Krýsuvík are smaller than the Geysir area but you are also far less likely to meet a flotilla of tour buses bringing crowds of other travelers Read more: Reykjanes Geopark: A volcanic wonderland less than an hour’s drive from Reykjavík is located in the oldest part of town and was opened for the public a couple of years ago The panoramic view from the top is simply stunning Another place of interest is the Akranes Museum Centre where one can learn more about the history of the town’s fishing industry one can visit Restaurant Galito and try their famous steak-sandwich Hraunfossar A chain of pretty waterfalls which emerge from beneath the lava From Akranes you can continue to Glanni waterfall and Grábrók crater near the small university village of Bifröst Read more: Húsafell in W. Iceland is a Hidden Gem according to Forbes Magazine Make sure you don't skip Hraunfossar, one of the most beautiful waterfall in all of Iceland Those travelling with children are advised to stop by at Bjarteyjarsandur farm to visit the farm animals (they have goats sheep and hens) and dine at the farm’s cosy family-run café The family also offers guided tours around the area you are sure to enjoy the walk along Álftaskarðsá river to the top of Álftaskarðsþúfa From there you can enjoy a breath-taking panoramic view over the fjord Or you can hike up to Glymur waterfall in Botnsdalur valley The Aurora in Reykjavík You can see the Aurora from downtown Reykjavík: The key is to have an unobstructed view of the Northern sky including the Tussock sculpture in the Old Harbor area is a great option Cloud cover tonight at nine Potential openings in the cloud cover over West and South West Iceland could offer us an unobstructed view of the Aurora Heads up aurora hunters! The northern lights forecast for tonight, Tuesday October 30 is looking especially promising. The Icelandic Meteorological Office is predicting a level 4 "active" aurora activity Tonight the sun will set at 17:17 (5:17 pm) and it will be dark from 18:10 (6:10 pm) until 08:14 No travel weather Dangerous and violent wind gusts and localized winds: Do NOT plan on travel in the north Travelers are urged NOT head out on the road in North Iceland tomorrow and to revise travel plans in the West and South The Icelandic Meteorological Office has issued Orange Weather Alerts for the North and Yellow Weather Alerts for South and West Iceland UPDATE: The IMO has downgraded the weather alerts for North Iceland to yellow and has canceled its weather alert for South Iceland - but still advices people there is no travel weather in the North A Yellow Weather Alert is effective from 08:00 (8 am) until midnight for the area around Faxaflói bay in West Iceland A Yellow Weather Alert is in effect from 9 am for the rest of West Iceland The IMO is expecting a Southwesterly gale or severe gale with sustained wind speeds of 15-23 m/s (33-51 mph) with more powerful wind gusts and localized winds The wind be hazardous for vehicles sensitive to wind and people should expect the severe weather to cause disruptions to travel By 11:00 am the storm will have reached South-East and all of North Iceland Orange Weather alerts are effective for North West Iceland from 10 am until midnight and for North East Iceland from 11:00 until 07:00 in the morning of Sunday Severe gale or storm expected with sustained wind speed 18-28 m/s (40-62 mph) Localized winds and violent windgusts can exceed 40 m/s (90 mph) The weather is expected to cause extensive disruption to travel and transport There is significant risk of damage due to flying debris and people are advised to secure their surroundings show caution and monitor weather forecasts The IMO advices people that traveling is NOT advised in North Iceland while the weather warning is in effect Read more: Storm watch: RV blown off the road in West Iceland Now that winter has arrived travelers should always keep up to date with weather alerts and the forecast on vedur.is, any travel warnings at safetravel.is and road conditions on the website of the Icelandic Road and Coastal Authority. The USS Kearney The damaged destroyer coming back to harbor in Iceland 1941 the US suffered its first casualties in the Second World War Eleven sailors were killed when the German U-boat U-568 attacked torpedoed the US Navy destroyer USS Kearny DD-432 Read more: Watch: What did the “bleak outpost” of Reykjavík look like in WWII? The USS Kearney was in Reykjavík as part of a large US military presence which remained throughout the war took over the defense of Iceland from the British on July 7 1941 The British had occupied Iceland in May 1940 to prevent the Third Reich from gaining a foothold in the North Atlantic but by 1941 the British were stretched thin and requested the US take over the occupation the US negotiated a treaty with the Icelandic government The US military presence in Iceland was therefore never an occupation force The crew managed to contain the damage and the Kearny returned to harbor in Reykjavík After repairs in Boston the ship returned to service The depth charges fired by the USS Kearny against the U-boats west of Faxaflói were cited by Hitler as a provocation by the US when he declared war on the US on December 11 1941 The attack on the USS Kearny was only one of many historic naval confrontations and battles during the war Read more: May 24th marks the 75 years anniversary of the sinking of the HMS Hood off the coast of Iceland Coast Guard vessel Þór The Coast Guard had brought the yacht back to harbor seven hours after being notified of it having gone missing Yesterday evening the Police in West Iceland arrested a man who is believed to have stolen a yacht from Ísafjörður harbor late Saturday evening which sails under a French flag and is owned by a French individual who has used it to sail to Greenland was brought to Ísafjörður harbor last week He had intended to keep the boat in Ísafjörður over winter The local news site Vísir reports that the thief was a foreign national According to the Police the thief knew exactly what he was doing and knew hot to operate the boat It is not clear what the thief intended to do with the yacht, and where he was headed. According to the sources of the local newspaper Morgunblaðið the thief must have had at least one accomplice.The theft of the yacht was well organized Morgunblaðið reports that the thief did not pick the easiest or most obvious yacht to steal from the harbor One of the questions the Police is investigating is whether the thief had any connections to the owner of the yacht The disappearance of the 40 feet yacht, called Inook, was discovered around noon on Sunday. The thief had disabled the gps tracking device onboard the yacht. At two in Sunday afternoon the Police in the Westfjords requested the assistance of the Coast Guard in locating the yacht According to the Police in West Iceland the a Coast Guard helicopter managed to locate the yacht and contact the thief instructing him to return immediately to harbor at Rif on Snæfellsnes peninsula The Coast Guard vessel Þór was also sent to the scene The yacht was then boarded by two Police Special Forces officers and two special Coast Guard officers who brought the yacht to harbor at nine yesterday evening The thief had been in command of the boat for less than 24 hours when he was brought into custody Pál Dáneilsdóttir The most famous cat in Iceland, right now. Photo/Instagram The most famous Icelandic cat is no doubt Pál Dánielsdóttir Pál has the awesome responsibility of being the Mousekeeper at Fosshótel at Hellnar village on Snæfellsnes peninsula She is also a social-media superstar who has made appearances on cat-themed social media sites like "Cats on Catnip."  The couple has set up an Instagram account for Pál which already has nearly 1,100 followers Read more: Hellnar on Snæfellsnes one of "25 secret European villages you should visit in your lifetime" A spokesman for Fosshótel told Morgunblaðið that so far Pál is the only Mousekeeper employed at the hotel chain but that the management is looking into adding more Mousekeepers "We try to create a positive and fun atmosphere for our employees and guests but if this goes well we will look into adding more Mousekeepers." You can keep up with the adventures of Pál the Mousekeeper on Instagram. A post shared by Pál Dánielsdóttir (@pal.the.mousekeeper) on Oct 9 A post shared by Pál Dánielsdóttir (@pal.the.mousekeeper) on Oct 8 Kirkjufell A majestic but dangerous mountain to climb Mountain rescue units from ICE-SAR companies on Snæfellsnes peninsula and Reykjavík as well as a rescue helicopter from the Icelandic Coast Guard were called out yesterday evening after a French woman who is traveling in Iceland fell in the steep cliffs of Mt Kirkjufell is a dangerous hiking destination: Less than a month ago a traveler fell to his death while hiking in the mountain fell to her death in the mountain last year Read more: Fatal accident in slopes of Mt. Kirkjufell: Foreign traveler fell to his death in sheer cliffs Kirkjufell is a challenging mountain to climb even for experienced climbers in fair weather Summitting the mountain requires proper mountaineering equipment and training and should not be attempted by inexperienced or casual hikers The commander of the ICE-SAR company Lífsbjörg from Snæfellsnes told Fréttablaðið that the woman had fallen and slid at least 10 m down the steep mountainside He said conditions were very difficult for the rescuers which made it difficult to reach the woman Fortunately the weather cleared up for a moment allowing the Coast Guard helicopter to approach and airlift the woman from the mountain She was taken to Landspítalinn National University Hospital in Reykjavík She did not sustain any serious injuries in the fall A man is in police custody after losing control of a small jeep on a roundabout in Borgarnes yesterday and running over two tourists The tourists were not seriously injured but had to receive medical attention The man was arrested as he walked away from the accident yesterday A light magnitude 2.2 earthquake occurred in the Greenland Sea near the coast of  Iceland in the evening of Tuesday 2025 at 9.32 pm local time (Atlantic/Reykjavik GMT +0) The quake had a very shallow depth of 5.1 km (3.2 mi) and was reported felt by some people near the epicenter A light magnitude 2.2 earthquake hit 73 km (46 mi) away from Reykjavik, Capital Region,  Iceland 2024 at 11.42 am local time (Atlantic/Reykjavik GMT +0) The quake had a very shallow depth of 19.1 km (12 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so) A light magnitude 2.0 earthquake hit 69 km (43 mi) away from Reykjavik, Capital Region,  Iceland 2024 at 11.28 am local time (Atlantic/Reykjavik GMT +0) The quake had a very shallow depth of 0.1 km (0.1 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so) A light magnitude 1.8 earthquake hit 73 km (45 mi) away from Reykjavik, Capital Region,  Iceland 2024 at 6.23 pm local time (Atlantic/Reykjavik GMT +0) The quake had a very shallow depth of 7.4 km (4.6 mi) and was too small to be felt by people A light magnitude 2.0 earthquake hit 74 km (46 mi) away from Reykjavik, Capital Region,  Iceland 2024 at 6.15 pm local time (Atlantic/Reykjavik GMT +0) The quake had a very shallow depth of 11.3 km (7 mi) and was not felt (or at least not reported so).