STYKKISHOLMUR
NATURAL STATE.
This was our last stop in Iceland before back to Reykavik and boy was it majestic, ethereal, unforgettable. It had been nine days since our arrival, and the initial intention of our trip was to see the aurora borealis, a promise we had made as friends some five years prior. After nine days of not seeing them, we had given up hope, but a hope that was relieved by the all divine experiences and sites which had already taken place. We arrived and stayed in one of the main hotels on the top of the hill, this was essential as there is the least light pollution in this location, coincidentally, we did not know that at the time as we had no expectation to see the aurora as this point. Another port town, which has ferries connecting to the western fjords, Stykkisholmur, is another quaint and adorable town, but with some hefty extras. A magnificent piece of architecture stands on a precipice, which enchanted me from the moment we arrived, Stykkishólmskirkja the local church. It looks like something out of Star Wars or alien space ship, its totally awesome in every way. The trend of this kind of architecture for churches was seen all over the country, another was discovered driving from our previous stop in Siglufjordur to here. After checking out the churches we left our belongings in the hotel and headed to the best restaurant in town, which actually had some competition! All of the sudden, my phone lit up and my Aurora Borealis app sent an alert about that evenings visibility, it was at 65%, which meant chances were basically 100%. Our eyes grew as big as our stomachs, the moment we accepted our fate of not seeing the northern lights our luck changed, a quiet lesson on letting go, and with that, we joyfully ate our fish soup and local delight of the night and galloped back to the hotel to grab our camera’s and await our fate.
DO. SAY A PRAYER AND
Stykkishólmskirkja Borgarbraut, Stykkishólmur, Iceland designed by architect Jón Haraldsson, built with acousitcs in mind it is often the location for music performances
Golfklúbbur Stykkishólms, local golf course if you are in the mood
Ferry Baldur, ferry terminal for access to western fjords
Norwegian House, 5, Hafnargata, Stykkishólmur, Iceland local museum
Volcano Museum, Aðalgata 6, 340 Stykkishólmur, Iceland a ton of knowledge on volcanos and the geology of the country
the SKY WILL COME ALIVE
Seatours, Smidjustigur 3, 340 Stykkishólmur, Iceland sailed around the coast of town and take the sushi tour for a tasting of freshly caught tartare on board while bird watching
Lighthouse Sugandisey, sweet lighthouse near the ferry, can hike up to view the northern lights
Library of Water, Bókhlöðustígur 19, Stykkishólmur, Iceland modern art museum in town with fabulous view
Kontiki Kayak Tours, Austurgata 2, 340 Stykkishólmur, Iceland see jellyfish, birds and a shipwreck in the summertime for a cool experience
EAT. SHOW ME SOME MUSCLE
Sjávarpakkhúsið, Hafnargata 2, 340 Stykkishólmur, Iceland exemplary fish soup, local dishes and muscles, also bread and butter was amazing
Narfeyrarstofa, Aðalgata 3, Stykkishólmur, Iceland
Skurinn, great for burger and fries
AND NOW IT’S TIME FOR THE MOMENT YOU HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR
THE AURORA BOREALIS
WHILE STAYING AT Hotel Stykkisholmur
The aurora borealis (northern lights) form when charged particles emitted from the sun during a solar flare penetrate the earth's magnetic shield and collide with atoms and molecules in our atmosphere. These collisions result in countless little bursts of light, called photons, which make up the aurora. -The Aurora Hunter
SHOP. AT A GAS STATION, AGAIN
ÓB Laugarbakki Gas Station, Miðfjarðarvegur 4, 531 Laugarbakki, Iceland this fabulous little hidden secret features knits, quirky salt and pepper shakers, books and a fresh coffee served by the owner, a nice lady named Eugenia, located about an hour outside of Stykkisholmur, en route to Reykavik
Bókaverzlun Breiðafjarðar, Borgarbraut 1, Aðalgata, 340 Stykkishólmur, Iceland cute shop in Stykkisholmor
