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Rejkjavik, Iceland
Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland. Over half the population
live here and it was the first viking settlement. The
way they decided on Iceland was the captain on the boat chucked
over a wooden log and wherever that fell on the land was where
they would to settle. Reykjavik is a modern European style
city, good looking and stylish. You can also take historic
excursions where you will find that Icelanders are very proud
of their past and their viking ancestors.
The city is tiny and easy to explore. It’s a great spot
for weekend holidays and as recently amassed a reputation
as a centre for night clubbing, with the extra trendy advantage
of being located just minutes away from fantastic spots of
natural beauty; geysers, mountains, glaciers and geothermal
bathing.
The “Runter” is the main form of nightlife
in the city, people meet on the streets and try to find a
party. This is more popular than pubs due to the inflated
price of alcohol. Iceland had a ban on alcohol during the
1930’s prohibition but when they lifted the ban they
forgot to lift the beer ban, so people relied on smuggling.
You couldn’t have any beer at all in Iceland until 1989.
Greenland
Ammassalik
Only an hour and a half by plane from Iceland you reach the
east coast of Greenland, the largest island and the most northerly
country in the world. You touch down at Ammassalik - population
1500. The natives call it Kalallit Noonart, ‘the land
of the people’ but three quarters of the land is pure
ice. In Ammassalik there are three types of accommodation
- one – very expensive hotels, two - it is free to camp
anywhere and three - you can get invited into people’s
houses and stay there which is a great way to meet the people.
Ammassalik is the only place to go dog sledding south of the
Arctic Circle. Any excursion involves a lot of walking and
pushing in deep snow so you have to be really fit.
Isotoq
Isotoq is a small piece of land in the fjords of the south
west coast. This is the site of Greenland’s only reindeer
farm and in exchange for some hard labour you can stay with
the owner.
Nuuk
The Capital of Greenland, Nuuk is the northern most and smallest
capital in the world. In just one tower block lives one percent
of the whole country. At the local museum in Nuuk you can
find out more about traditional Inuit culture like 500 year
old freeze dried mummies from Qilaqitsoq found in 1972.
Illulissat
Illulissat, situated in the Disco Bay area, was one of the
first places settled by the Inuit. Now it is the transport
centre for the north of Greenland with direct flights to the
whole of the country. At $40 a night in the summer the steel
igloos aren’t cheap but on a clear day you can see all
the way to Disco Island. You can hire country skis from the
tourist office, but remember that conditions change very quickly
and temperatures are well below freezing, so take the appropriate
kit and always go with an official guide.
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