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March 2016 XLVIII:iii

The Icelandic Canadian Club of British Columbia

N E W S L E T T E RN E W S L E T T E RN E W S L E T T E R

Strandarsaga - A Coast Story

Getting Ready for the Convention

Opportunities to Contribute The agenda of the last Icelandic Canadian Club of B.C. (ICCBC) Board Meeting reflected the variety of activities and responsibilities that lie ahead for the Club in 2016. There are three areas of governance to keep in mind. The Club’s membership in the Icelandic National League of North America (INLNA) is a meaningful one which connects our members to Iceland and Icelandic clubs across North America. At the local level, our Club’s share in the ownership of the Scandinavian Community Centre Society is a financial and cultural connection that shows that there is strength in numbers. At the club level, the Icelandic Canadian Club of BC has a strong history and faces the same challenges as many nonprofit cultural organizations. The upcoming INLNA convention may have stirred your interest in learning more about the Icelandic National League of North America. The League is made up of Icelandic clubs in the USA and Canada. Information on the League’s activities can be found on its website: http://www.inlofna.org/. Among other things the League works with the Snorri Foundation to facilitate the Snorri Program and the Snorri Plus Program. On these programs, people from the USA and Canada visit Iceland. Many members of the ICCBC have taken advantage of these experiences. The Snorri West Program enables Icelandic youth to visit Canada and the USA. This program is administered by the INLNA. Last June, along with other clubs on the West Coast, ICCBC hosted four young people from Iceland. Part of their experience was to visit the Midsummer Festival at the Scandinavian Centre. The biggest event for the Icelandic Canadian Club of BC this year is our opportunity to host the INLNA 2016 Convention and AGM. As a club member, you can contribute by taking an active part in the convention. You can register for the convention. You can volunteer to do jobs before and during the convention. For example, we need someone to help with the printed convention program. The person would compile and prepare for printing the program of events and information about each of the presenters. There are many good examples of programs from previous conventions to help get the job done. Another way to contribute is to sponsor someone to attend the convention. Hosting a major convention is expensive. Any donation to the Club to help offset costs is appreciated. The INLNA will be holding its Annual General Meeting during the convention. Putting your name forward as a Director at Large would help maintain West Coast representation on the executive. There are many interesting areas within the INLNA where you could work with other like-minded people of Icelandic descent from across North America. Convention registrations are coming in at a very good rate. If you are interested in attending, it would be best to register as soon as possible. The convention website is http://www.icelandicclubbc.org/convention2016/. If you have any questions, call a Board Member and they will help get you in touch with the Convention Committee which meets Mondays in the Iceland Room. One of the most fundamental ways to contribute is to make sure your club membership is up to date. The ICCBC Board thanks those who have renewed their membership for 2016. Norman Eyford 2016 Convention Chair

2 March 2016

The Iceland Canadian Club of British Columbia

Notice of Annual General Meeting to be held in the

Iceland Room

at the Scandinavian Community Centre

6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby BC, on

Wednesday 6th April 2016 at 7:00 pm.

Consider the Reports of the Directors and

of the member groups.

Consider the Financial Statements for the

year ended 31st December 2015.

Resolutions.

Elect Directors for the coming year.

Transact such other business as may

properly come before the Board.

Coffee and treats served after the meeting.

Agenda for the Annual General Meeting will be

posted at the Scandinavian Centre 30 days

before the Meeting.

Dated the 20th of January 2016, by order of the

Board of Directors of the Icelandic Canadian

Club of British Columbia.

Loren Guðbjartsson, President

Scandinavian Community Centre Society

Notice of Annual General Meeting to be held at the

Scandinavian Centre

6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby BC, on

Thursday 21st April 2016 at 7:00 pm to:

Consider the Reports of the Directors and of

member groups.

Consider the Financial Statements for the

year ended 31st of December 2015.

Resolutions

Elect Directors for the coming year.

Transact such other business as may properly

come before the Meeting.

Agenda for the Annual General Meeting will be

posted at the Scandinavian Centre 30 days

before the Meeting.

Dated the 14th of January 2016, by order of the

Board of Directors of the Scandinavian

Community Centre Society.

Veikko Niemela, President.

From the office of Peter Julian, MP (New Westminster – Burnaby)

who reintroduced the Leif Erikson Day Act, Bill C-244

which designates October 9 as Leif Erikson Day.

“Leif Erikson is a part of our heritage that defines us, and a part of the country we have built. Understanding our heritage is an important part of reflecting on the great privilege and responsibility we all share as Canadians,” said Julian.

Leif Erikson and his crew were the first Europeans to discover North America 1000 years ago, likely with the help of crystal calcite “sunstones” to assist their navigation. The ancient historical Norse settlement of L’Anse aux Meadows in present day Newfoundland and Labrador is a tribute to a Scandinavian presence that began in Canada five centuries before Columbus. Leif Erikson’s journey also marks the beginning of contact between the Inuit and Europeans who celebrate a long shared history in the Arctic.

“The Leif Erikson Day Act is also intended to honour the efforts and very fine contribution of Canadians of Scandinavian descent. Canadian of Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish and Icelandic origins have helped shape Canadian society and culture,” said Julian.

Over one million Canadians reported to have Scandinavian ancestors in the 2006 population census.

In 1964, the US Congress designated October 9 as Leif Erikson Day to mark the historical significance of Leif Erikson’s voyage and celebrate the important contribution of Americans of Scandinavian ancestry.

3 March 2016

It’s time to renew your membership for 2016 (January to December)

to the

The Icelandic Canadian Club of British Columbia 6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby, BC, V5B 4P9

A Membership insert is enclosed for those who have not renewed their membership as yet.

Do you own a company ? work at a business ?

or knit, sew, or do a craft ?? — The Silent

Auction may be for you !!

If you would like to donate an item (new or in

excellent condition) or if you work for a business or

have a company and you would like to donate a

service — e.g., an accountant; a lawyer; gardener;

chef; housekeeping; or a weekend at the cottage —

think about offering a gift certificate.

If you are lucky enough to be attending the

convention this year, you will have several

interesting things to bid on — some beautiful

baskets full of wonderful items; wine from local

wineries; one $220 certificate for a night stay or

dinner for four (4) at the Malahat Chalet & Lodge (a

beautiful setting on Vancouver Island); an Icelandic

hand knitted sweater — and several other items.

Please send me an email at:

andersonmarilyne@gmail.com or feel free to phone

me—604-936-8826 or leave a message.

Hope to hear from you soon.

We are also looking for items to put in the

registrants bags—pens, notepads, discount coupons,

Canadiana or local items— please let me know if you

can help out (we will need 200-250 items !).

Thank you very much for your support !

Marilyne Anderson

Co-chair of the Convention Committee

Two aspiring actors “ages 11 to 16” to participate in a play reading.

No memorization is required.

The presentation will take place at the

Icelandic National League Convention on Saturday morning, April 30.

In addition to that day, the young people would be required to attend 2 rehearsals.

Please contact Heather Ireland at 604-922-0854 by March 15, 2016.

Silent Auction at the Convention—April 2016

4 March 2016

COMING EVENTS Apr 6 Annual General Meeting, Icelandic Canadian Club, 7 pm Scandinavian Centre Apr 21 Annual General Meeting, Scandinavian Community Centre, 7 pm Scandinavian Centre Apr 29-May 1 Icelandic National League Convention River Rock Casino & Hotel, Richmond, BC May 1 Icelandic National League Tour of Höfn & Scandinavian Centre, including lunch June 17 Icelandic National Day celebration, evening Scandianvian Centre June 17-19 Midsummer Celebration Scandinavian Centre

1936: A look at the Past

This year is Vancouver’s 130th anniversary. Did you know that Icelanders and Norwegians worked together in building a Viking ship for the 50th anniversary parade in 1936?

Information by Gerri McDonald.

From: July 16, 1936, Lögberg (a rare article in English in those days)

The Norwegians and Icelanders in Vancouver are staging a big program on the 25th of July under the festivities of the Golden Jubilee in Vancouver. They have been working for several months, and the preparations for the celebration are now finished. One of the leading Icelanders in Vancouver, Mr. George Olafson, 1837 Cotton St., is taking the part of Leif Erikson, and he will be followed by a crew of 24 Vikings in authentic costumes. A Viking ship has been constructed, a true replica of a ship used by Norsemen of that time, and the ship will come sailing in the First Narrows at 2.30 o'clock, Saturday afternoon, 25th of July. The Vikings will be met on the shore by a tribe of Indians. After the landing a special program will be rendered from the big open air stadium at Brockton Point.

Note: George Ólafsson played the role of Leifur Eiríksson

5 March 2016

basically on the small road leading from the

Parliament and the old Cathedral toward the pond.

They have a facebook page: https://

www.facebook.com/BergssonMathus

Slippbarinn (at the Icelandair Hotel Marina): one

of the hippest bars in town with lots of locals

(especially during happy hour after work). Great

food and excellent cocktails. In the old harbour.

Icelandic Fish and Chips: Icelandic healthy take

on English fish and chips. (Call themselves an

organic bistro - http://www.fishandchips.is/) Fish is

all excellent, local and fresh and lightly battered.

Chips are more like roasted potatoes and they are

served with a variety of tasty "skyr"-based tartar

sauces (they call them "skyr-onnaise"). Also near

the old port.

Jomfruin on Lækjargata (http://www.jomfruin.is/)

is a bit of an old fashioned lunch spot - very

popular with locals, especially the lunch crowd.

They specialise in Danish open-faced sandwiches

(smörbraud) with all sorts of great classic

combinations. Really good food and a simple

place.

If you are looking for something more exotic, try

Hradlestin also on Lækjargata (http://

hradlestin.is/?lang=en) or Austur India Felagid

(http://austurindia.is/?lan g=en) on Hverfisgata, for

Indian. Very good, authentic Indian food. Their

downtown Lækjargata location is new and has a

relaxed hip feel to it, while the main restaurant on

Hverfisgata is more formal but outstanding. We

know the owners and the food is amazing there.

They have an authentic tandoor in the kitchen so

their grilled meats from the tandoor are brilliant!

COFFEE SHOPS

Icelanders love their coffee. There are no Starbucks in

Iceland, but they have two excellent local chains that I

think are actually better. They are 'Kaffitár' and 'Te og

Kaffi', and there are many outlets throughout the

Reykjavik area and a number of Kaffitar outlets in gas

station restaurants around the countryside. The best

coffee shops in Reykjavik for atmosphere and great

coffee are:

Kaffitár: on Bankastraeti right downtown on the

main shopping street near the big Icelandic

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RESTAURANTS

There are many good restaurants, and while people who

ask us tend to want to avoid the more touristy ones, that

isn’t always possible, given that all the good restaurants

will also be a bit touristy since there are just so many

tourists in town these days. It is less of an issue in the

winter.

Here is a list of our favorites:

Grill Market (Grillmarkadurinn : http://

www.grillmarkadurinn.is/en) which is right downtown

off the main street. Excellent for steaks and fish but

also has probably the best burger in town.

Fish Company (F isk fe lag id) : h t t p : / /

www.fiskfelagid.is/English/About_FishCompany) Best

upmarket fish restaurant in town. Also right

downtown.

The Laundromat: is a casual, fun, restaurant on the

main street in the old part of town (Austurstraeti) that

has great food and always good vibe. Young crowd

but also fine for family dining. Everything from

sandwiches, burgers and salads, to fish of the day

and lamb shank. Good comfort food and good for a

beer. (Has an actual laundromat in the basement and

a kids’ play area down there so there are a lot of

parents that come to have brunch while there kids

play downstairs.)

Vegamot: Very casual restaurant with a big menu

with lots to choose from Mexican, Indian, pizza,

burgers, sandwiches and salads. Good quality food.

Informal atmosphere, that turns into a popular bar

later in the evening when the DJ comes out. Serves

food until 10 pm. (http://www.vegamot.is/)

Sushisamba: Cool hip place that does a combination

of sushi, Brazilian and Peruvian dishes. (http://

sushisamba.is/?lang=en) Also downtown, but not

right on the main drag.

Bergssons Mathus: very friendly, informal breakfast

(brunch on the weekends) and lunch place. Almost

entirely locals. Located very centrally behind the

Parliament. Menu changes all the time. Has great

fish specials with various salads for lunch. Always

has a vegetarian lasagna on the menu too. Brother of

one of our best friends in Iceland owns this so we

know it well and love it. Very low key but great food.

(Try the French chocolate cake for dessert. To die

for.) Address is officially Templararsund 3, but it is

TIPS FOR VISITORS TO REYKJAVIK – 2014

6 March 2016

linked here is the largest of the 10 or 15 Reykjavik

pools.

Laugar. It has two 50 meter pools, one indoor,

one outdoor, plus a play pool for kids, waterslides,

etc., 5 or so hot tubs outside on the deck, steam

rooms, saunas, etc. Also has a great (huge) gym

attached to it and a great spa. http://

www.swimminginiceland.com/reykjavik-and-capital

-area/17-laugardalslaug

The gym attached to Laugar pool is a "World

Class Gyms" biggest location. They too have 10

locations around the city, so check out this website

for the location closest to where you are staying

(http://www.worldclass.is/). I couldn't find an

"English" section of the website, but using Google

Chrome's button to translate seemed to work

pretty well.

The one we go to is a bit outside of downtown on a

peninsula called Seltjarnarnes and has a really

nice gym overlooking the sea and a great pool that

uses a combination of salt water so less chlorine.

All the pools are pretty low chlorine since they use

geothermal hot water that cycles through pretty

often.

**NB: For winter visitors, it may sound counter-

intuitive, but in winter I think it’s even more important

to check out the pools. They are all outdoor, but nicely

heated. There is something magical about sitting in a

hot tub on the deck of a pool with the snow or light rain

falling on your face ...

To be continued in the April 2016 newsletter:

Museums and Art Galleries

Day Trips out of Reykjavik

Ed. Note: This article is from the Internet, author unknown. Much of the information remains current in 2016. Thanks to Blair Lockhart for keeping us informed.

outerwear stores (66'North, Cintamanni, etc.)

Te og Kaffi: across from the Fish Market

restaurant right off the main square in the oldest

part of downtown (Ingolfstorg).

'Stofan': is a cool relaxed café that also serves

beer later in the day that is not so commercial and

a cool hangout with funky old furniture. It is in a

yellow house on the main old square too.

BARS

There are lots of bars and pubs in Reykjavik, and there

are new ones being added all the time. Here are a few

standards but I would suggest checking out The

Grapevine (monthly English newspaper) online or in

paper once you're here for the latest recommendations

and music listings (there is lots of live music):

Kaldi: small cozy, cool bar specializing in Kaldi

beer which is a great microbrewery from North

Iceland.

Slippbarinn: bar/restaurant at the Hotel Marina.

Great atmosphere, best cocktails in town. Great

Thursday and Friday night happy hours, buzzing

from right after happy hour to late into the night.

Kiki: only gay bar in town. Earlier in the night it's

mostly foreigners. Happy hour with half price beer

on Thursday nights.

Microbar: specializing in many great

microbrewery beers of Iceland.

Cafe Rosenberg: known for good live music.

Loftid (the loft): great lounge/bar. Dress code (no

trainers/running shoes. Slightly older crowd

(minimum age 25), great cocktails and good DJ.

SWIMMING POOLS:

This website lists all the pools in Iceland. The first one

(Continued from page 5)

FRESH WILD COD from ICELAND can be purchased from the Village Fish Market on 1482 Marine

Drive, West Vancouver. It is flown in from Iceland and arrives fresh, not frozen, and the owner said she

will keep carrying it as long as it is fresh. The cost is expensive, approximately $25 a pound, however, if

you are interested, drop in or phone 604-922-4332.

North Shore International Film Series Cineplex Odeon at Park & Tilford Centre, 333 Brooksbank Avenue, North Vancouver

The Icelandic movie RAMS (Iceland, 2015) is playing & recommended, Wednesday, March 9, 7pm

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Skeletons at Hotel Construction Site Archeologists have unearthed a number of human skeletons located at a site in downtown Reykjavík w h e r e a h o t e l w i l l b e constructed, RÚV reports. The bones were discovered under a parking lot by the Landsímahús building in Kirkjustræti, by Austurvöllur square. The site used to be a cemetery called Víkurkirkjugarður and its excavation began on February 1. It’s highly unusual for an archeological excavation to take place at this time of year and wouldn’t have been possible but for the fact that the area is covered with a roof and heated. The cemetery was established at the end of the eleventh century and used until 1838, when it ran out of room. Archeologist Vala Garðarsdóttir, who oversees the excavation, remarked, “In fact, there are between eight and nine hundred years of generations of people from Reykjavík resting here in this area.” “The graves are such that they’ve been cut apart or one put on top of another, and then there are ones where there are many bodies in one grave.” That, she said, was done to make room for more. One coffin was discovered with the skeletons of six or seven children. None of the graves are marked. The bones will be placed in boxes, sorted and analyzed. Excavation will be completed by June 1 - Will hotel guest be able to rest in peace?

Air Iceland’s Bombardier Q-400 Arrives Air Iceland just received its first Bombardier Q-400 aircraft. Its arrival is a milestone in the history of the company, since it marks the beginning of the renewal of its fleet. Altogether, three Q-400 planes have been ordered to replace the company’s Fokker aircraft.

New Fashion Model Hired, Age 81 How does an 81-year-old grandma with no prior experience in modeling get a job as a model for the clothing manufacturer 66°North? Let Ásdís Karlsdóttir, the newly-hired model

from Akureyri explain: “I played a game on the internet called ‘What job would suit you the best?’ and the result I got was ‘a model.’ Below I saw an ad from 66°North for many interesting positions. I didn’t visit their website, just ‘liked’ the ad and added a comment, ‘Don’t you need a model? I’m 80 years old.’ Then I posted about five fun photos. The next morning I woke up to a phone call from a journalist from Vísir who wanted to publish a story about it.” Less than a week later, she was modeling for 66°North. There was some ser iousness to Ásdis’ comment, according to 66°North. She wanted to bring attention to the fact that although most models are young, everyone needs clothes, be they young or old. Ásdis worked as a Phys Ed teacher at Akureyri Comprehensive College for 20 years and remains physically very active. “This is a true adventure,” she states, “truly an adventure for a woman my age. I enjoy it; this is a good change.” She says she’s determined to enjoy life. Reportedly, Ásdís spends very little on clothes and likes to wear the 66°North clothing her late husband left behind, in addition to a winter jacket her grandchild passed on to her. Incidentally, 66°North turns 90 this year, only nine years its newest model’s senior.

US Navy to Return to Iceland? The US military website Stars and Stripes reported that the US navy is returning to its former base in Keflavík for the purpose of hunting Russian submarines. The website states, “The service is asking for funds to upgrade an aircraft hangar at its former base in Keflavík, Iceland, as part of the Defense Department’s fiscal 2017 budget request, according to Navy officials. The hangar will house the P-8 Poseidon, successor to the sub-hunting P-3 Orion once stationed at the base.” The base, which was established in 1951, closed in 2006. About 2,500 navy and air force

personnel were stationed there when the base closing was announced. Stars and Stripes reports that for now, the Navy is only planning to employ maritime patrol aircraft there for short durations, but may eventually create a permanent patrol mission at the base, resembling the maritime patrol force at the US base in Sigonella, Sicily. Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson told RÚV that no negotiations have taken place.

Gréta Salóme to Represent Iceland at Eurovision Icelanders decided who would represent them at the 61st Eurovis ion Song Contest in Stockholm, Sweden, May 10-14, Vísir reports. The competition in Laugardalshöll, Reykjavík, resulted in Gréta Salóme Stefánsdóttir’s song ‘Hear them Calling’ being chosen. She not only sings the song, but also wrote the melody and the lyrics.

Hiking Trail Opens at Holuhraun Lava Field Employees of Vatnajökull National Park have finished marking a hiking trail leading from the road across Dyngjusandur plains and up the northern edge of Holuhraun lava field in the northeastern highlands. The trail opened this past summer. The trail leads across rough lava and hikers must take great care. Rangers stress that it’s not a walking path. “It’s a trail and it will be given the suitable difficulty level. It will be considered to be dangerous for inexperienced hikers—at least demanding,” ranger Hjörleifur Finnsson told RÚV. Hjörleifur described the feeling of walking across the lava, which was red hot and glowing only six months ago, to be incredible. The Holuhraun eruption, which began in late August 2014, came to an end February 2015. People can still feel the heat rising from the lava. The trail is rather short but gives people a good sense of how diverse the lava formations are. There’s also a good view of the

(Continued on page 8)

From Iceland Review Online– February 2016 Compiled by Iceland Review Editorial Staff

March 2016

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The 8-page newsletter is published at the beginning of each month, ten months of the year. A newsletter is not printed in July or August. Material is gratefully received by the 20th of each month.

Editor & Publisher:

Margrét Bjarnason Amirault, Tel: 604-688-9082

ICCBC Mail: 6540 Thomas Street

Burnaby, BC V5B 4P9 E-mail: icc_of_bc@hotmail.com Distribution: Naomi Dyer, Gerri McDonald, Nina Jobin

Labels: Norman Eyford

Courier: Naomi Dyer

Website: Icelandic Canadian Club of B.C.

www.inlofna.org/ICCBC/Welcome.html Convention: http://www.icelandicclubbc.org/convention2016/

Email: icc_of_bc@hotmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Icelandic-

Canadian-Club-of-British-Columbia/190426084338925

Website: Icelandic National League: www.inlofna.org

Icelandic Archives of BC: www.inlofna.org/IABC/Welcome.html

Icelandic Radio (6 stations): www.xnet.is

Morgunblaðið: http://mbl.is

Ströndin Internet Radio: www.inlofna.org/SIR

Honorary Consul General of Iceland for BC & Yukon,

Heather Alda Ireland: iceconsul@shaw.ca

LIBRARY & GENEALOGY Books written by Icelanders in English or translation

are available in the Scandinavian library upstairs.

The sorting of books in the Sólskin Library is

progressing. Information regarding the Genealogy

Centre can be obtained from Gerri McDonald, email:

gerrimcdonald@shaw.ca

Icelandic Language CDs or Tapes

Get acquainted with the language or brush up on your pronunciation with lessons 1 & 2, each one hour long. Typed lessons are included so that you can learn to read Icelandic

as well. Canadian Orders: CDs, 2 lesson sets $30 CAD/ USD;

tapes are also available. Postage & handling included.

US and Foreign Orders: International money order only.

Send your cheque or money order made out to: Icelandic Canadian Club of B.C.

3776 Arbor Street, Burnaby, BC V5J 1T4 Tel: 604-433-6329

www.inlofna.org/ICCBC/Tape_Lessons.htm

March 2016

Oakridge Lutheran Church 585 West 41st Avenue,

Vancouver

9:30 a.m., Sunday Morning Service

English Joint Services Coffee served every Sunday

Everyone is welcome!

SCANDINAVIAN CENTRE Website: www.scandinaviancentre.org (for more details)

E-mail: info@scandinaviancentre.org, Telephone: 604-294-2777

Mar 6, 2 pm—Finnish documentary biography with English subtitles. Admission by donation. Refreshments—Dianne Kilback (604) 294-3715, dkilback@telus.net.

Mar 9, 6 pm—Scandinavian Business Club Dinner, Guest Speaker: Geoff Plant, Q.C., former Attorney General of BC, and current Chancellor of Emily Carr University of Art + Design; Chair of the Board of Providence Health Care on “Recent Developments in Aboriginal Law and Why They Matter”. Email info@sbc-bc.ca. Also visit: www.sbc-bc.

Mar 11, 12 noon—Scandinavian Seniors Lunch, please call Tor 604-294-0749 or the office.

Mar 12, 2:30 pm—Scan Sports Curling, scansports@gmail.com

Mar 17, 6:30 pm—Roberta Swedien, Music Room Recitals. Swedish Music, $10-$15.

Mar 19 (Sat) 1 pm—Genealogy meeting.

Scandinavian Dancers, Wednesdays, 7.30 pm. All ages, couples/singles welcome. Contact 604-298-6552.

Icelandic Online Club; email: ioc@inlofna.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/IcelandicOnlineClub

expanse of the lava field and the crater itself can be seen at a distance. It will not be safe to hike all the way to the crater for some time.

Busloads of Tourists in February It may only be February, but signs of the country’s tourism boom were clearly visible along the Golden Circle. Until very recently, few tourists visited Iceland during the winter. The Iceland Review team counted 21 tour buses at Gullfoss waterfall and 10 at Geysir. Many visitors are clearly choosing to travel independently, by hire car. As recently reported, about 77,500 foreign tourists left the country last month, an increase of 14,800 since January of last year. That’s a 23.6% increase between years. More than four times as many tourists arrived in January this year than during the same month in 2010. Iceland is expected to receive a total of 1.65 million tourists in 2016, an increase of 250,000 on last year.

No Fin Whale Hunted around Iceland this Summer No fin whale will be hunted around Iceland this summer. Hvalur hf., which last year hunted 155 fin whales, has decided to cease all its whale hunting. The reason CEO Kristján Loftsson gives is difficulties getting the whale meat to market in Japan.

(Continued from page 7, Iceland Review Online)