FAQ's: frequently asked questions and more...

NORTHERN LIGHT INN ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

What does a room cost?
Do you accept credit cards?

When is the best time to visit Iceland?
When is the best time to see the Aurora, or Northern Lights?
Is it dark for 6 months of the year?

What time is it in Iceland?
What is Icelandic weather like?
But really how cold is it in Iceland?
What should I wear?

ACTIVITIES

What is there to do at the Northern Light Inn?
What are Icelandic horses like to ride?
Swimming & Soaking?

Are you the only hotel in Iceland near the Blue Lagoon?
And more Blue Lagoon information...


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EATING


TRAVELING INFORMATION

How do I get to Iceland?
How do I get to the Northern Light Inn from the Airport?
How do I get to the Northern Light Inn From Reykjavik?

Driving in Iceland?
Where can I rent a car?
Should I rent a 4x4?

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Telephone
Electricity
internet & e-mail

OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

SPECIAL INFORMATION

REALLY GENERAL QUESTIONS

SHOPPING

HISTORY & VIKINGS

NATURAL HISTORY

EVEN MORE INFO!

site credits



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Northern Light Inn Essential Information

The Northern Light Inn is your gateway to discovering Iceland and experiencing Nordic hospitality of a different kind.

A majestic, moss covered lava landscape surrounds us.

The Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, dance over us fall, winter, and spring; we are directly under the most visible concentration of this awesome geo-magnetic cosmic light.

The Northern Light Inn is 15 minutes from Keflavik International Airport – (KEF), 45 from Reykjavik, and moments from the Blue Lagoon.

All 32 quiet and spacious rooms have cozy Icelandic down comforters on restful beds, steamy geothermal showers, satellite tv, and direct dial telephones.

Buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in our new panoramic restaurant serving delicious Nordic soul food: from creative contemporary cuisine to the best of Icelandic classics.

The Northern Light Inn is smoke free.

We are the only licensed hotel/motel/accommodation near the geothermal Blue Lagoon Spa – the heart of the Reykjanes Peninsula – in Grindavik, southwest Iceland.

We hope to see you soon!

welcome@northernlightinn.is

tel.+354 426 8650
fax+354 426 8651


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What do the rooms cost?

Our reasonable rates – include all taxes, service charges, International Airport transfers, Blue Lagoon shuttles, and a delicious buffet breakfast.

Prices are Per Night Per Room.

Maximum number of adults per Standard Room: 3.
Family room: 2 adults and 2 teenagers, or 2 adults
and 3 children, 12 years old and younger.

For additional bed rates & conditions please click: reasonable rates.

Do you accept Credit Cards?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, and cash anytime.

What time may I check in / check out?

Check in: 14:00 Check out: 12:00

IF rooms are available, the times may be modified to your travel schedule.


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When is the best time to visit Iceland?

Anytime!

We suggest between September and April, when the the Northern Lights,
also knows as Polar Lights and Aurora Borealis are dancing overhead –
and although it is cooler, the air is crisper, with even greater visibility than in
the summer. On a clear day you can easily see for 100 kilometers or more
across Iceland.

When is the best time to see the Aurora, or Northern Lights?

A few requirements: there must be night (Iceland has 5 months without dark nights), a clear sky, preferably cold and dry, and solar winds hitting the earth. Usually the Aurora appears after dinner, often beginning around 21:30, and continues to pulse into the night.

Iceland is directly below the strongest concentration of the Aurora Borealis annulus – The Green Belt – an oval of cosmic light that circles the earth offaxis, favorably in our direction.

We hope atmospheric conditions will permit you to see our Northern Lights
during your stay.

Click for detailed information about the Aurora* and Arctic**.

Is it dark for 6 months of the year?

No. Although the winter months have short days, the hours of daylight are really beautiful, even during the winter solstice (December 21). Every week there is about 3/4 of an hour difference in the amount of daylight; it takes 6 months to change from 20~24 hours of daylight to 20~24 hours of night (depending how far north you are in Iceland).

What time is it in Iceland?

Iceland is UTC +0, Coordinated Universal Time, formerly known as GMT, Greenwich Mean Time Zone, without daylight savings time. (What savings? What a waste of time!)

What is the exact time now in Reykjavik?

Icelanders have a different sense of time –which you will find out– hopefully, in time.


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What is Icelandic weather like?

Great! Very unpredictable, always exciting, energizing, and dramatic;
if you don't like the weather, wait a minute, or jump in the Blue Lagoon.

You will love it!

A day without wind is most unusual and in the winter, the wind chill factor
can sometimes make it feel, a tad chilly.

Please do not bring, or try to use an umbrella in Iceland.


For photographers, the Sam Abell axiom applies "bad weather makes great pictures".

But really how cold is it in Iceland?

We are fortunate to have a cool maritime climate, which is not very cold considering
how far north we are, thanks to the Gulf Stream that protects us constantly.
The mean annual temperature is about 4º C (39º F), without many highs or lows.

Is Iceland covered in ice?

No, that's Greenland. Iceland is very green, Greenland is very very icy. Don't ask, it's a Viking criminal hero's semiotic hustle. Of course we do have our share of glacial ice, including the Vatnajokull icecap, Europe’s largest.

What should I wear?

Warm layers, casual and comfortable, weather-proof clothes. Wool and fleece garments are highly recommended. Cotton is not: it is dangerously cold when wet.

If you find yourself without what you need, warm clothes can be easily purchased in any town, and essentials in most gas stations.

Please wear sensible shoes, such as weather proof hiking boots with gripping soles. The Icelandic terrain is very rugged; primarily lava and other volcanic substances which are all rough, tough, and loose. Moss and lichen grow on lava and are very slippery, especially when wet – which is most of the time.

Cultural note: Icelanders, like Japanese, always take off their shoes when entering a home. If you think about it, it makes so much sense. Neh?


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ACTIVITES

What is there to do at the Northern Light Inn?

Almost anything you can imagine: Iceland is and Adventure.

Day trips from the Northern Light Inn will take you through landscapes unlike anyplace on earth. It is like the earth at the beginning of time:

You can see geysers, volcanoes, glaciers, blue whales and pods of most smaller varieties, flocks of migratory birds of every type; or go tolting over the heather on a horse trek, snowmobiling on icecaps, mountain biking on lava flows, rafting and kayaking on world class white water rivers, night skiing on glaciers, golfing under the midnight sun, and plenty more.

We highly recommend just relaxing, reading Icelandic literature, hiking through the moss covered lava, swimming outdoors in geo-thermally heated pools when it is below freezing, and taking a deep breath then do nothing but enjoy the tranquility and beauty of Iceland.

The surrounding region of the Reykjanes Peninsula will hopefully become a National Park as it offers a vast and fascinating rugged landscape that is seen by few. We are the only hotel in the area, so your chance of being the sole visitor to interesting spots is likely.

For a charming regional tour, join Salty Tours, a guided bus trip with local fisherman Thorsteinn Gunnar. It starts at the Blue Lagoon, goes through the lava landscape to Grindavik, tours the harbor, and visits the fascinating Saltfish Museum.

Urban discoveries in Reykjavík and the coastal fishing towns offer cozy cafes, excellent restaurants, cosmopolitan shopping, and enlightening art museums.

If you prefer to travel in Iceland with an organized tour, experienced operators such as Reykjavik Excursions will pick you up and drop you off directly from the Northern Light Inn, after experiencing any one of their many adventures.

What are Icelandic horses like to ride?

Cute, cuddly, friendly, easy going, fun, wonderfully smooth to ride even for beginners, great for kids and adults alike, sturdy, hardy, and an animal you can trust your life with. Shall I continue?

For your first ride, we would suggest starting from with nearby Arctic Horses who will lead you across the lava fields to the Atlantic coast and teach you how to tolt! Finish with a relaxing swim at the Blue lagoon...

During the summer, an evening ride in Thingvellir National Park is one of the greatest experiences in Iceland. For the very serious equestrian, a highlands trek traversing the island, taking 10-14 days, would be an unforgettable ride.


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Swimming & Soaking

Swimming is very important in Icelandic communities: every town has at least one geothermal pool – Reykjavík has 7 – and they usually have hot pots, saunas and steam baths as well. The pools are very clean, well run, affordable, and almost all are outdoors. It's great having a hot swim on a wickedly cold winter day, or during a summer downpour.

The nearest geothermal outdoor town pool to the Northern Light Inn is in the fishing village Grindavík, 5 minutes away.

Wherever you go in Iceland there are hot springs to soak in, so be sure take a swimsuit along, and bathe according to all the pool's rules: read get naked and shower with soap before swimming.

And then there is the Blue Lagoon...

How far is the Blue Lagoon from the Northern Light Inn?

Just down the road: it's a 2 minute drive in our complimentary shuttle bus, or a great 15 minute walk through the lava fields.


Are you the only hotel in Iceland near the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. The Northern Light Inn is the new name for Hotel Blue Lagoon.

What are the Blue Lagoon's opening hours?

June 1- August 31: 9-9
September 1 - May 31: 10 - 8

You are allowed to stay in the lagoon 45 minutes after closing hour.

What should I bring to the Blue Lagoon?

A swim suit, and you may take a towel from the Northern Light Inn as long as you bring it back. You can rent bathing suits and towels at the Blue Lagoon Spa. Use of an electronically locked locker is included in the entrance fee. Leave valuables in the hotel safe if you prefer.

If you want to take pictures in the lagoon, we suggest using a water proof disposable camera; the Blue Lagoon's hot salty air corrodes cameras.

There is free shampoo and conditioner in the showers. The brine of the lagoon will give you a bad hair day.

How much is the entrance fee to the Blue Lagoon?

Changing like the weather. As of January 2010 it is 23 Euros.

For children 13 and younger: free, 14-15 years old and seniors 67+, 7 Euros.

Please check the Blue Lagoon hours and pricing page.

Is the Blue Lagoon hot?

It is always very warm to hot, at an average 37-39°C / 98-102°F, and hotter in the winter than in the summer.

What is the Blue Lagoon?

Condensed geothermal brine flowing from the Svartsengi Power Plant. The brine is tapped from 2~3,000 meters below the surface of the lava fields, and comes up under extremely high pressure at 240ºC.

The energy is harnessed with the latest technology and transferred to de-oxygenated spring water for heating and bathing. The "cooled" brine then flows into the lava field and directly to the Blue Lagoon.

And why is it blue?

An unusual cocktail of minerals, silica and a microscopic blue green algae.

Do I find hot springs, like the Blue Lagoon, all over Iceland?

There are natural hot springs everywhere, but nothing like the Blue Lagoon.


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EATING

What can I eat at the Northern Light Inn?

Hearty Nordic Soul Food.

In our new panoramic restaurant we serve creative contemporary cuisine and the best of Icelandic classics, as well as anything else that inspires the chef. We hope you will enjoy our clean water fish, free range lamb, Viking milk products, and home baked goods. Iceland's finest available smoked salmon is included in the breakfast buffet, complimentary for all guests.

Click here to see our menu.

If you have special dietary needs, let us know in advance and we will try our best to accommodate your requirements.


RESTAURANT HOURS:

Buffet Breakfast is available from 7:00~10:00.
(If you have an early flight, please let us know the day before and we will arrainge it).

Lunch 12:00 ~ 14:00

Coffee & cakes 15:00 ~ 17:00

Dinner 15:30 ~ 21:00 ( last order)

The restaurant closes at 23:00

Midnight Snacks for Late Arrivals: email us and we will have a sandwich or salad ready.


What about eating out in Iceland?

Restaurants in Iceland can appear to be expensive for visitors: please understand that the cost of importing goods is very high, we are a very small nation with an equitable economy and eating out has not been part of our culture. But things are changing, and in the past where gas station hot dogs for dinner was "dining out", now you can find a gourmet meal.

Hot dogs (pylsur) in Iceland can be delicious; we think Baejarins Bestu in Reykjavik is the reference standard. Coke is the national non-alchoholic drink, but traditional bottled malt is really the ideal beverage for a pylsur with the works, followed by chocolate-covered licorice.


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Are there restaurants nearby?

The neighboring fishing village of Grindavík has 4 restaurants,
(a short drive or long walk), and there is Lava at the Blue Lagoon:

Brim (fisherman's place by the harbor)
Hafnargata 9, tel. 426 8570
Summer hours 8:30 - 19:30
Closed on Sundays during January.

Lukku Laki
(Lucky Luke: Bar, Restaurant, Pizzeria, Pub)
Hafnargata 6, tel. 426-9999.
Summer hours: Monday-Thursday 11:30-24
Friday and Saturday & Sunday 14 until the last customer leaves.
Kitchen closes at 21:30

Winter hours: Monday-Thursday 18- 01
Friday from 18 until the last customer leaves.
Saturday & Sunday from 15 until the last customer leaves.
Kitchen closes at 21

Mamma Mía Pizzahouse
Víkurbraut 31, tel. 426-7860
Monday-Friday 17-22, Saturday & Sunday 12-22.

Salthusið
Stamphólsvegur 2, tel: 426 9700
Monday closed, Tuesday-Thusday 17-21, Friday 17-21:30,
Thursday & Friday the bar is open until 23
Saturday 11:30-21:30, Sunday 11:30-21
Saturday & Sunday the bar is open until 3 in the morning.

Blue Lagoon Lava Restaurant
At the Blue Lagoon, tel: 420 8806
Open: 11:00-20:30 and in the summer until 21:00.

"Proper attire" is necessary, but there is a snack area attached to the lagoon where you can eat without changing out of your bathing suits.

The interesting culinary experiences in Reykjavik and other parts of Iceland are too many to list here, but ask at the front desk before making your reservations, and we will head your taste buds in the right direction.

What Icelandic foods should I try?

Skyr, cream, butter and all the local dairy products because of a richness in the milk that is unlike milk anywhere else. Pancakes with fresh whipped cream and rhubarb jam, homemade cakes, our many types of fish, dried fish-with butter of course, shark and rye bread, freshly smoked lamb and wild birds, Icelandic meat soup, fish balls, and "love balls" (ástarpungars).


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TRAVELING INFORMATION


How do I get to Iceland?

By plane: try mobissimo.com, Kayak.com, amex,
or go directly to Iceland Express, and Iceland Air.

Become an online member of these airlines for the best prices.

By boat with Smyril Lines ferry, or Eimskip cargo ships.

How do I get to the Northern Light Inn from the International Airport?

We will pick you up anytime, free of charge, if you have contacted us before.

We are 15 minutes from the airport, Keflavik Leif Eiriksson International Airport (KEF).

Our complimentary International Airport transfers will save you lots of money,
and are almost always available to and from the hotel 24/7.

Please call, fax, or email us for a confirmed pickup: welcome@nli.is

Telephone: +354 426 8650 Fax +354 426 8651

If you choose to take a taxi, it will cost about 5000 IKR (Icelandic Krona)
= about 30 Euros or 40 US Dollars.

Most international flights to and from Iceland use Keflavik International Airport,
also known as KEF or Leif Eiriksson International Airport.

Flights to and from Greenland and the Faeroe Islands (both technically Denmark)
use the Reykjavik City Airport.

How do I get to the Northern Light Inn From Reykjavik?

We are 45 minutes from the city center.

Taxis to and from Reykjavik cost IKR 10,000~12,000 = 55~70 Euros,
or 80~100 US Dollars, depending on the time of day and number of passengers.


The bus to/from Reykjavik via the BSI Bus Station, costs IKR 3,200
and there are special offers for less, so check you options.

Ask for the bus to the Blue Lagoon. Tell the driver you are going to the Northern Light Inn, and if they can, they will drop you off, if not at the hotel, at a pick up point and we will come and get you. Call us before you leave.

Departure times

If you want to take the bus to Reykjavík, just ask us and we'll schedule a pickup.


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Driving in Iceland?

The roads are like the people: rough, unpredictably icy, sometimes very narrow, but they will lead you to great places. We drive on the right, and most other European rules of the road apply.

Icelandic roads can be unpredictable, slippery and dangerous.
Icelandic roads can be unpredictable, slippery and dangerous..
Icelandic roads can be unpredictable, slippery and dangerous...

Please repeat this mantra every time you get in a car in Iceland,
and you will have a safe, great trip.

Your lights, or headlamps, MUST be on at all times, by law. It really is safer.

Drinking and driving is stupid and dangerous; please don't.

Using a cell phone is just as bad, but there are a lot of streaky blond jeep jerks and soccer moms in SUV's on the road who still don't get it. Beware!

Where can I rent (hire) a car?

Iceland Car Rental, or S.S. Car Rental will be bring your car to the front door, and you can drop it off at the airport when you leave at no extra charge. Their rates are frequently the lowest.

Or ask at the front desk.

Should I rent a 4x4?

If you plan to go to difficult to get to locations, and know what you are doing, then certainly, but for most of the roads in Iceland it is not the way to go. It is illegal to drive off road. However, Iceland remains one of the only countries in Europe with hundreds of kilometers of real roads that can only be driven on with toughest of 4x4s. And then only some. Iceland is the original rough road country.

Gas/petrol is very expensive, and 4x4's guzzle it. On paved roads and highway speeds 4x4's do not handle well, and are much more dangerous to you and to others.

Rent a 4x4 only if you are sure you need it, and have the budget.

There are many wonderful super jeep excursions on the glaciers and into the highlands by skilled drivers and experienced guides. The super jeeps of Iceland are in a category of their own; google "super jeep iceland" and check them out.

We provide custom 4x4 photo excursions from the hotel with a variety of 4x4's, including our special MB Gelandewagon. Ask at the front desk or email us in advance and we can schedule a trip that fits your interests, time, and budget.


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PRACTICAL INFORMATION


IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS!

ALL EMERGENCIES: 112

POLICE, FIRE, AMBULANCE, RESCUE TEAMS, etc.: 112



What is the telephone country code of Iceland?

+354.

How do I call someone in Iceland?

From Europe, dial 00 354 then the local 7 digit number.

From North America dial 011 354 then the local 7 digit number.

From your non Icelandic mobile phone, hold the zero down until + appears,
then dial 354 and the 7 digit local number.

From your non Icelandic phone to a non Icelandic mobile phone roaming in Iceland,
including in the hotel and surrounding lava fields: assuming that it is a gsm mobile
phone, dial as if you were at home.

How do I make telephone calls from Iceland?

Calling from your room at the Northern Light Inn:

Dial 9, then the number.

For local calls within Iceland, dial 9, then just the 7 numbers.

For international calls dial 9, 00, the country code, then the number.

What do telephone calls cost from my room?

International calls depend on the country you are calling and the time, at hotel rates.
Please inquire at the front desk for specific IKR costs.

Can I use discount calling cards?

Yes, and we sell the most economical one available in Iceland at the front desk.
It can be used from your room, any public phone, or gsm.


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Can I use my GSM?

Yes, from anywhere in the hotel, and almost everywhere in Iceland.

WARNING: You will pay international roaming charges if you are using a gsm telephone sim chip that is not Icelandic. And roaming via Iceland might incur costs that you might regret.

Can I buy a prepaid GSM chip or phone in Iceland?

Yes. Prepaid refillable GSM sim chips are available from Og-Vodaphone or Siminn shops, but the cheapest are perhaps at the duty free shop inside the International airport, and sometimes on the airplane. Yes, on the plane: you can buy a duty free prepaid chip, put it in your phone, and call us before you have gotten off the plane - telephone 426 8650!

Hold your zero down, and the + sign will appear, which automatically inserts the correct long distance international prefix anywhere in the world, so +354 426 8650 is our number from anywhere in the world.

If you need to use a phone regularly, a local pre-paid sim chip for your gsm phone is the way to go. No billing surprises, menus in the language of your choice, and world class service.

Note:
The duty free store at Keflavik International airport is unique, available to all arriving passengers as well as departing passengers, even very early in the morning, 24 hours a day. You can buy a gsm phone and prepaid chip before clearing customs in the time it takes for your bags to be unloaded from the plane.

To see what is available go to: http://www.dutyfree.is/english/

And sonetimes you can buy an inexpensive unlocked phone on the plane, with an active sim card and prepaid credit! The best deal, even if you have a phone.

What is GSM?

It is the world standard technology for mobile phones (cell phones or handy's as some folks call them), used in 220 countries and areas, by over 1.57 billion people and counting. It is an acronym for Global System for Mobile Communications. The rogue countries that do not use the standard are an amusing group.

GSM coverage in iceland is extensive, extending over most of the highlands and way out to sea.

Can I use my Blackberry?

Certainly, if tri band gsm from the US, such as T-Mobile's or Cingular's, or dual band from Europe. Check with your provider.

Does DoCoMo work in Iceland?

Multi-sytem DoCoMo will.


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Electricity

What is the voltage in Iceland?

220 volts at 50 Hz, like the rest of Europe and most of the world, except for Great Britain which is 240 (whether they are really part of Europe depends which side of the channel you are on...) The US is 110. Japan uses 100 volts with 50 and 60 Hz frequencies depending on the region.

What about my laptop, boom box, hair dryer and shaver?

Check the power supply of your appliance. It is usually written in fine,
almost unreadable, letters on the bottom if it is multi voltage.

For example: 110~240V. That means anything from 110 to 240 is OK.

IF NOT, then you need a transformer. They come in different sizes, depending on where you are coming from and how much power you device uses. The wall plugs in the hotel are standard European.


INTERNET & E-MAIL

Where can I go online?

We have a free wireless zone for public use covering every room for road warriors.
Bring you laptop with a wireless card installed, if you need to be wifi.

Insider's tip: there is a free internet cafe in Reykjavík City Hall, overlooking the lake.
Buy a cup of decent coffee, go online, and still relax....

Can I use my Blackberry email and text service?

Certainly, if tri band gsm from the US, such as T-Mobile's or Cingular's, or dual band from anywhere in Europe. Check with your mobile provider.


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OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are there elves, trolls, hidden folk, and fairies around the Inn?

But of course.

Who is Max?

Max is our golden retriever who will happily greet you with a hounds hello and gladly accepts all the attention you can offer; he is even famous on web sites in Japan. You can contact him on Facebook, or his photo gallery here.

Do you like kids?

Of course, and all ages!

Why Northern Light Inn and not "Northern Lights Inn"?

The light of the north is very different, and Icelandic light is even more unusual. The lack of suspended particulates and biomass, combined with extremely clean air give the light a sharpness and clarity that can only be seen here. The angle that sunlight enters the atmosphere in the north is acute and dynamically changes the balance of visible spectral colors.

How many places are left on earth where you can see half way across the country?
Or the Milky Way pulsing so strongly you think you can feel it?
Or crisp moonlit shadows? Or sunrise at midnight?

Even in a northern storm the light is stunning.

The most exotic light is of course the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights,
and also know as the Polar Lights.

We hope you will come to Iceland and enjoy all of our spectacular light, day and night.

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SPECIAL INFORMATION

I am taking my partner on a surprise weekend treat to Iceland; what should we do?
Contact us and we will make a plan.


REALLY GENERAL QUESTIONS

Where is Iceland?

East of Greenland, west of Norway, north of Ireland and Scotland, just below the Arctic Circle, in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, riding a very active volcanic oceanic ridge formed by the separating North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. And right under the strongest global concentration of Northern Lights, The Green Belt, or Aurora Borealis annulus.

Where is Reykjavik?

The northernmost capital of the world is located in southwest Iceland at the beginning of Reykjanes peninsula, on Faxafloi Bay facing Mount Esja, 45 scenic moonscape minutes from the Northern Light Inn.

Icelandic money?

The Icelandic Krona is our national currency ( what is left of it) , but Visa and Mastercards can be used everywhere, including taxis and even at the movies for popcorn and candy. As we say in Icelandic, "flott!".

There is an atm machine just after customs at the International Airport arrival area (as well as bank), and atm's everywhere in Iceland.

What language(s) do Icelanders speak?

Icelandic, which is also known as Old Norse, the language of the Vikings. during your visit, you will not have to worry about being able to conjugate everything 16 times, including your mother, your horse, or even your name and address, because almost everyone here speaks English well if not fluently, and frequently a third, or fourth language.

For polyglots, try to learn Icelandic Online by the university of Iceland.

Icelandic is a very entertaining language, and one of the root languages of English.
Didn't you always want to know where the word berserk came from?


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SHOPPING

Where should I go shopping?

Reykjavik city center, especially on the main street Laugavegur, Skolavordustigur which is the street coming coming down from the cathedral, the funky flea market of Kolaportid in the harbor's old fish warehouse, and the shops around the main squares.

Kringlan and Smaralind malls – like all malls, you must drive to them.

Laugavegur, and its surroundings have many charming shops: we suggest checking out for something Icelandic, contemporary, and not touristy:

Verksmidjan on Skolavordustigur 10, open 10 to 18 weekdays, and Saturdays 10 to 17. Winter hours vary.

Kirsuberjatred off the main square on Vesturgata 4, open: 10 to 18 weekdays, and 11 to 13 Saturdays.
(Try and say Kirsu-berya-tree; it will be easier if you know what it means: cherry tree.)

What are shops usual opening hours?

Generally 10:00 to 18:00. Shops traditionally close Saturday afternoons by 14:00,
although the malls stay open.

Hours vary seasonally.

Bookstores?

Two excellent book stores in 101 Reykjavik with everything, from the recently translated complete editions of The Sagas, to topographical maps, international newspapers and foreign language sections stay open every day until 22:00.

Eymundsson is on Austurstraeti 18 and Mál og Menning, at Laugavegur 18, has a intimate cafe upstairs called Súfistinn.

If our fine Icelandic weather is acting up, it is great place to start a Halldor Laxness novel, whose extraordinary work will hopefully be read by every visitor to Iceland. If you are new to our Nobel laureate, don't be surprised as printed translations were rare until recently; now these incredible works await you.

Icelandic music is like an enormous iceberg with Björk at the top; one of the city's best places to discover exotic tracks is at 12 Tonar on Skolavor-dustigur 15. You can listen before you buy without pressure, enjoy a complimentary espresso, and all purchases can be duty free.

Check out Smekkleysa, Múm, Mugison's Lonely Mountain, Sigur Ros, and Gling Glo, Bjork's jazz album only available in Iceland. Listen to great Icelandic music at tonlist.

There is a decent Icelandic music selection at the duty free store in Keflavík International airport. It is open to all arriving passengers as well as departing passengers, 24 hours a day.


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HISTORY

Vikings?

The most definitive study is Viking Age Iceland by Jesse Byock.

Begin there; the rest is a saga and a search engine away.

Note: Viking Age Iceland makes Icelanders so nervous that there has been at times a mysterious embargo on the book, so just in case, pick up your copy of this incredible work before you come.


NATURAL HISTORY

How old is the lava?

The oldest lava in Iceland is estimated to be 14 million years old. The most recent visible flow of lava was in 2000 on Mt Hekla.

The Holocene Svartahraun lava field surrounding the Northern Light Inn dates from 1226.

Where does the lava come from?

"Molten rock below the surface of the Earth that rises in volcanic vents is known as magma, but after it erupts from a volcano it is called lava."

Are there any wild animals in Iceland?

Yes: arctic fox, reindeer, and many fascinating types of migratory birds.

Where can I see puffins?

Puffins can be seen on the coast all around Iceland. Seasonally you can see them at the Reykjanesviti lighthouse and along the Krysuvik bird cliffs, great side trips from the Northern Light Inn.

Where can I learn more?

Check out Iceland Review and Grapevine.


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EVEN MORE INFO!

*Is the Aurora Borealis and the Arctic Circle related?

The Aurora is not parallel or directly related to the Arctic Circle.

*Does solar activity increase the chance of seeing the Aurora?

Solar flares, bursts, and explosions greatly increase your chances of seeing the Aurora. Solar winds carrying charged plasma particles-free electrons and protons traveling between 500-100 km/sec (300-600 mi/sec.) and taking about one day to reach the earth, then collide with gas atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere concentrated in the geomagnetic fields. The energy is released by quantum leaps which generate light: oxygen produces mostly green light, and nitrogen red light. Other solar wind streams are milder and slower, taking 7-10 days to reach the earth. The Aurora Borealis generates up to an estimated one million megawatts of magnetic energy. (How did they calculate that???) Be sure to bookmark spaceweather.com.

*How can I be alerted about Aurora activity?

Aurora alert and forecasts e-mailing list:
http://www.gi.alaska.edu/mailman/listinfo/gse-aa



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What does Arctic mean?

The word arctic means "bear" in ancient Greek. It refers to the constel- lations of the Great Bear and Little Bear, which you can find in the night sky near the North Star. The North Star, currently Polaris, in the Alpha Ursae Minoris, or Little Bear Constellation, is also known as the Lode Star or Pole Star, and is part of the Little Dipper, 431 light years away.

**What is the Arctic Circle?

**The Arctic Circle is an imaginary line at latitude at 66° 32~33' North (depending on the earth's wobble) defined by the northernmost point where you can still see the sun on winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, December 21.

Some definitions say it is the southernmost point where the sun is not visible for 24 continuous hours on that day, and where the sun does not set, remaining above the horizon at midnight on the longest day of the year, summer solstice – June 21, when the sun is the farthest north in the Northern Hemisphere.

The Northern Light Inn is in the southern region of Iceland still part of the North Temperate Zone, which extends south to the Tropic Of Cancer. The Tropic of Cancer at 23.5º N is the farthest north that the sun can appear directly overhead, and it is also a great book.

In Iceland, we say the Arctic Circle runs through the middle of priest's bed on Grimsey Island, north of Akureyri.

Arctic Region map courtesy of the CIA


What are the Google Earth gps coordinates of the Northern Light Inn?

63°52'53.26"N, 22°25'46.50"W.

Click here for a Google Earth placemark.
Drag the doc.kml to Google Earth and it will take you directly to us!


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SITE CREDITS

Please respect copyrights and creative content ownership.

Map of globe kindly provided by Matt Giger © www.lunarsoft.com.

Content and design coyright © Brooks Walker / Northern Light Inn 2010.

All Rights Reserved unless noted otherwise.

Any errors and/or omissions will be corrected asap, please contact:

bw@brookswalkerphoto.com


We hope you have enjoyed our site; please come to Iceland soon!