Back From Iceland, But Can't Stop Thinking About the Lobster

 We're back from an incredible journey.  Iceland is such a beautiful country with ever changing landscapes and scenery that stimulates the imagination.   The people speak English though I had lots of fun trying to say words like Snaefellsness or Vatnjokull but mainly stuck with English with the exception asking for a kleina (yum) or saying  "takk fryrir" which means thank you.  

We spent a lot of time driving, both on and off the Ring Road.  After a couple of days in Reykjavik, we drove the southern coast to a tiny harbor town called Hofn.  In this little village we enjoyed spending time in local hangouts, visiting secret waterfalls, soaking in the local "hot pot" or geothermal spa, taking private walks on the beach and going to a secret place where seals sometimes hide out.  We even found a miniature viking village that was built as a film set for an upcoming movie and series about the vikings.  

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Hofn is a place well-known for its langoustine and while there, we feasted.  One of our favorite restaurants during the trip was a place called Humarhofnin.

A brother and sister own the restaurant.  The brother works in the kitchen and the sister serves, visits with clients and grows the herbs used in their cooking (pictured in the restaurant window).

The owners were delightful people and because of our love for lobster, we got a private tour of the restaurant and a few details on their cooking techniques.  

The black sauce you see below is unbelievable.  It's served as a dipping sauce to accompany the grilled langoustine.  It really should be bottled and sold.  The pink sauce is good but doesn't begin to compare with flavors of the black sauce.

There's another place in town that in travel guides is well-known for its lobster pizza and let me tell you it is scrumptious.  The chef has just published a cookbook which is a wonderful guide to the cuisine of the region of Vatnakojull (aren't Icelandic words interesting) and Iceland in general. 

Of course I brought home an autographed copy! 

Closer to Reykjavik, in a coastal village called Stokkseyri, we dined in a well-known restaurant called Fjorubordid.  It has been featured in the New York Times and has been visited by a number of folks you might know, like Martha Stewart and Bette Midler.  

Yes, the lobster soup is magical but in my opinion the best place for a langoustine is Humarhofnin in Hofn.  I hope you get to visit.

So Many Photos

This place is amazing.  I told my husband that I feel like we are driving through an issue of National Geographic!  Here are just a couple of pictures from yesterday (I think we've taken more than 400 so far)!  

 

Snaefellsnes Pennisula

This the land of the elves - they're hiding under rocks everywhere.   It's also one of the seven power points of the earth, the place where Jules Vernes began his Journey to the Centre of the Earth, home to a glacier, home to fifty-four species of birds, a place to whale-watch and and home to an active volcano.  It holds a sacred place for allowing three wishes and if you abide by the guidelines, wishes come true.  It's just amazing.  

Helgafell - A Place for Wishing

We started our day at 9am and arrived back at the hotel at 8pm.  And we have so many pictures.  I'm just sharing a few before we get tucked in.  Tomorrow is going to be another beautiful day.  I just know it.

A View From the Top of Helgafell

On the drive to the glacier

Don't blink or you might miss a waterfall - they are everywhere

Kirkjufell stands as proud as a prince

And for my family - we are everywhere here!!!

Time to call it a day

With some beautiful Icelandic music.

Kinda Hard Not to Be Excited

I won the Empress of the Eye, Lars Bolander book giveaway.  Click on the title of this post to read more about the book.  Celebrating now!

Interesting Vacation So Far

We are just starting our vacation but it's been interesting so far.  For lunch we enjoyed smoked puffin (yes, those cute little birds) and an amazing fish gratin with yellow carrots. 

Smoked puffin with a sweet and sour sauce

 While dining we noticed several men passing around a few fishing lures, some were framed, and one was handed to one of the men.  There was lots of excitement but we couldn't tell exactly what was going on.  It was awkward but I was trying be discreet in getting a photo of the fishing lure conversation when one of the men turned to share what was happening.   

During the recent economic downturn, relative to its size, Iceland’s banking collapse was the largest suffered by any country in economic history.  Inflation during 2009 was at an all-time high, and now you're probably wondering what this has to do with a fishing lure.  

Notice the tiny object in the man's hand

Well, the owner of the restaurant, Prir Frakkar, or Three Coats,  decided to grow his beard and vowed not to cut it off until the interest rates dropped below 10% at Citibank.   Apparently the owner's beard grew quite long and he was looking something like a Santa Claus before things improved.   In the first quarter of 2010, the rates finally dropped below 10% and in celebration the owner shaved his beard.  One of the restaurant clients decided to take the beard shavings and use them to make celebratory lures specifically for use when fishing for salmon.  

Proud owner of a new lure

Today's lunch event was the funniest fishing tale I'd ever heard.  I'm not sure that anyone has actually used the "bearded" lures yet but the recipient of this lure was plenty proud and say's he's going on a fishing trip this weekend.  

We are so excited that at least we have internet access.  Apparently coverage can be spotty so we are enjoying it for now.