"Iceland Page" Iceland by daarth

Iceland Travel Guide: 5,388 reviews and 15,672 photos

ICELAND - Land of my fathers

I am an Icelandic citizen, but I was not born here and I don't speak the language! I inherited the citizenship from my father and have decided to keep it. Why not? It supports a good cause! (Iceland is a small country :-))
I lived in Iceland for a year as a kid, but don't feel competent to make a guide. Please check out some of the other fine sites here on V.T.
Let me instead dedicate this page to my grandfather, Magnus

My grandfather was a bookseller. Back in the 50’s and 60’s, there wasn’t a farm on Iceland he hadn’t visited. On the picture you can see the books he sold on one day! All this travelling he did on foot or hitched a ride if one was available. Distances are big on Iceland, and very often he was invited to stay the night.

What I remember him best for though, is his unique way of boiling potatoes! Across the road from his house (in Hveragerði), was a field of hot water and steam (we saw a geyser go up every day at 10 AM). From the hot water he had an arrangement of pipes to the house that went directly to the radiators for heating. A single pipe though, went to a box dug down in the garden. Here he placed the pot of potatoes and turned on the valve. Out came steam and in no time the potatoes were cooked!

There you go!

I have to mention that the potatoes were grown in the garden in healthy lava soil.

Intro Updated Apr 23, 2010
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Reviews (2)

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Comments (71)

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sourbugger May 14, 2008 at 4:02 PM

really would love to see this place one day !
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marielexoteria Dec 20, 2007 at 6:16 AM

What a great Iceland intro page. Greetings :)
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agapotravel Nov 25, 2007 at 10:35 AM

Hi! I love reading about your grandfather. My husband and I visited Iceland in July, and it was an amazing trip. If you get a chance, let me know what you think of my pages. :-)
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XenoHumph Jun 10, 2003 at 8:36 AM

How interesting!
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utttz Mar 21, 2003 at 4:16 PM

wow david! amarone is really a great wine!
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agalta Mar 21, 2003 at 3:34 PM

hey Daarth when are you going back to iceland with your boat? :-) you know, I tihnk if I were to write a book I would write the stories of your grandfather... he's inspiring! I'd love to hear more!
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heplion Jan 15, 2003 at 5:28 AM

I loved the intro about your Grandfather!
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Irine_29 Jan 8, 2003 at 7:15 AM

your g.father looks like Prince Charles of Whales :D
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shrimp56 Jan 4, 2003 at 3:49 AM

Fun page:) Have you read Niel's Saga?
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demonia Jan 4, 2003 at 3:36 AM

How many citizenships do you have?! :D I want a geyser for my radiators too! It's cold here!