Yes, we are traveling back to Iceland, what can I say, we like it. This time we will be there a week, based at a VRBO apartment in Reykjavik and will have a rental car. This should give us some flexibility and savings by doing some of our own meal preparation. (Food is expensive in Iceland) The car will also give us the availability to travel outside of the city when the weather might be nice and the Aurora might be dancing away.
So join along as we explore the Land of Elves, Vikings, Geysers, Volcanoes, and more as we create our own Saga!
Did I forget to mention Hotdogs?
A
journey to Iceland is not complete without having a hot dog, there is
no debate on this issue. Some may say the rotten shark or roasted goats
head are the traditional foods of Iceland. A few Icelanders have told me
they, and myself included, are not fond of the rotten shark. Skip those
and get a hotdog.
I have sampled street food around the
world and have been totally taken in by the hot dogs in Iceland. What
makes them so good, you ask?
These hot dogs contain mostly
Icelandic Lamb, along with Icelandic pork and beef. The sheep in Iceland
are free range, organic, grazing critters. The pork and beef animals
are raised on small farms and not massive feed lots. so the ingredients
are as pure and as natural as the landscapes of Iceland. The casings are
a natural casing which provides the perfect hot dog snap.
I grew up in the Chicago area where
the hot dog is well known and ketchup on your dog is an abomination.
With that in mind I tried an Icelandic Hot Dog fixed the local way with
everything. It will be served on a warm, steamed bun with raw white
onions and crispy fried onions, ketchup, sweet brown mustard called
pylsusinnep, and remoulade, a sauce made with mayo, capers, mustard, and
herbs. Trust me this is the way to go, just ask for “ein með öllu”
(roughly pronounced: ane meth alt) will indeed get you one with
everything. Worry not, one can simply ask for one in english. After your
first bite you will be hooked and a return to Iceland will be a must.
These wonderful delights can be found
at several locations, the most famous is located just down the street
from the Harpa concert hall, named Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur hot dog stand
(which translates to “best hot dogs in town”). Yep this is the place
where the elite go to eat, such as Bill Clinton. Worry not as these
wonderful hot dogs can be procured at several stands through out
Reykjavik, you can buy them at every gas station or convenience store
throughout the country. I like to pick one up after a swim and soak at
one of the wonderful city pools.
Some Fun Facts about Iceland,
On June 17, 1944, Iceland officially broke ties with Denmark to become a free and independent republic.
In 1940, during WWII, Germany invaded Denmark. At this time, Iceland was a neutral Danish territory. The British feared the Nazis would next invade and occupy Iceland for use as a North Atlantic Supply post. A pre-emptive British strike was made under the code name of “Operation Fork”. On May 10, 1940 British troops landed without resistance and arrested German citizens. The British and Canadians maintained the occupation till July 7, 1941 when US troops took over the occupation. Yes, this was five months before the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the US entry into WWII. During the occupation Iceland cooperated with the Allies, yet remained neutral.
Iceland enacted a prohibition on alcoholic beverages in the early 1900’s. Then via a national referendum most alcohol was legalized, with the exception of beer containing more than 2.25 percent alcohol. It was thought that the beer would lead to drunkenness among the common folks. It was not until March 1, 1989, a date now celebrated in Iceland as Beer Day, was the consumption of beer made legal.
The Laki eruption of 1783 and 1784 was so significant the ash and sulfuric acid caused many freak weather events in Europe. Iceland crops were decimated and one half of the country’s livestock died. This became known as the “Haze Famine”. The Danish Government considered evacuating Iceland. It took two decades for the population to recover.
Iceland is home to the world’s oldest parliament. Started in 930, a national assemble named Althingi gathered to govern the island. For two weeks every summer the chieftains would gather at Thingvellir, east of Reykjavik where the tectonic plates converge. All free and law-abiding citizens could attend as the assembly passed laws.
Iceland publishes the most books per capita of any country in the world. This dates back to the sagas and the telling the stories of the Norse settlers. It has been reported that 1 out of every 10 Icelanders will publish a book. There is also the Christmas tradition of gifting books known as the “Christmas Book Flood”.
From 1966 to 1986, Iceland had one television station and it was government run. The station would go black and not broadcast on Thursdays to encourage human interaction. Also they did not broadcast during the vacation month of July from 1966 to 1983.
None of mainland Iceland is in the Arctic Circle. Iceland is situated south of the Arctic Circle with the exception of the island of Grimsey off its northern coast, a place so remote that birds outnumber people by 1,000 to 1. The marker at Grimsey is not exact so ask a local to show you the red arctic circle line, or is it blue. It is a good place to see and photo Puffins. Iceland is warmed by the Gulf Stream resulting in a winter climate similar to that of New York.
So now you know some interesting Iceland facts which make it such a wonderful place to visit.
On June 17, 1944, Iceland officially broke ties with Denmark to become a free and independent republic.
In 1940, during WWII, Germany invaded Denmark. At this time, Iceland was a neutral Danish territory. The British feared the Nazis would next invade and occupy Iceland for use as a North Atlantic Supply post. A pre-emptive British strike was made under the code name of “Operation Fork”. On May 10, 1940 British troops landed without resistance and arrested German citizens. The British and Canadians maintained the occupation till July 7, 1941 when US troops took over the occupation. Yes, this was five months before the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the US entry into WWII. During the occupation Iceland cooperated with the Allies, yet remained neutral.
Iceland enacted a prohibition on alcoholic beverages in the early 1900’s. Then via a national referendum most alcohol was legalized, with the exception of beer containing more than 2.25 percent alcohol. It was thought that the beer would lead to drunkenness among the common folks. It was not until March 1, 1989, a date now celebrated in Iceland as Beer Day, was the consumption of beer made legal.
The Laki eruption of 1783 and 1784 was so significant the ash and sulfuric acid caused many freak weather events in Europe. Iceland crops were decimated and one half of the country’s livestock died. This became known as the “Haze Famine”. The Danish Government considered evacuating Iceland. It took two decades for the population to recover.
Iceland is home to the world’s oldest parliament. Started in 930, a national assemble named Althingi gathered to govern the island. For two weeks every summer the chieftains would gather at Thingvellir, east of Reykjavik where the tectonic plates converge. All free and law-abiding citizens could attend as the assembly passed laws.
Iceland publishes the most books per capita of any country in the world. This dates back to the sagas and the telling the stories of the Norse settlers. It has been reported that 1 out of every 10 Icelanders will publish a book. There is also the Christmas tradition of gifting books known as the “Christmas Book Flood”.
From 1966 to 1986, Iceland had one television station and it was government run. The station would go black and not broadcast on Thursdays to encourage human interaction. Also they did not broadcast during the vacation month of July from 1966 to 1983.
None of mainland Iceland is in the Arctic Circle. Iceland is situated south of the Arctic Circle with the exception of the island of Grimsey off its northern coast, a place so remote that birds outnumber people by 1,000 to 1. The marker at Grimsey is not exact so ask a local to show you the red arctic circle line, or is it blue. It is a good place to see and photo Puffins. Iceland is warmed by the Gulf Stream resulting in a winter climate similar to that of New York.
So now you know some interesting Iceland facts which make it such a wonderful place to visit.
