On an island not that far away, in the middle of Þjórsá river, solitary soul Hákon Kjalar Hjördísarson lives his days sorrounded by wide skies and fields of grass. Dividing his time between his beloved island, where he resides from April to September, and the warmer shores of the Carabbean, Hákón’s life consists of simple pleasures: fresh food, wild nature and the placid sound of the river. With no children or neighbours to worry about, Hákon takes care of occasional visitors and tourists with great care and passion. There’s only one thing he dreams of, he jokingly says: of living his life with his black dog on an independent Traustholtshólmi, in a magical silence and perfect happiness. Read more on page 54.
![DJI_0003_by_bicnick Traustholtshólmi](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/DJI_0003_by_bicnick.jpg?w=481&h=271&quality=99&ssl=1)
Traustholtshólmi, population: 1
![DJI_00056_by_bicnick Forget your 4x4: sailing through the green waters of the Þjórsá river is the only way to reach the island](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/DJI_00056_by_bicnick.jpg?w=481&h=271&quality=99&ssl=1)
Forget your 4×4: sailing through the green waters of the Þjórsá river is the only way to reach the island
![GOPR00751_by_bicnick Traustholtshólmi’s only inhabitants, Hákon Hjörðísarson and his dog.](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/GOPR00751_by_bicnick-1.jpg?w=356&h=200&quality=99&ssl=1)
Traustholtshólmi’s only inhabitants, Hákon Hjörðísarson and his dog.
![GOPR0096_by_bicnick Every great adventure needs a walk on the grass; that's how this one begins.](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/GOPR0096_by_bicnick.jpg?w=356&h=200&quality=99&ssl=1)
Every great adventure needs a walk on the grass; that’s how this one begins.
![_BIC6640_by_bicnick Hákon's house is cloaked in a deep silence, punctuated only by the soft hum of the wind blowing through long leaves of grass.](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/BIC6640_by_bicnick-1.jpg?w=606&h=404&quality=99&ssl=1)
Hákon’s house is cloaked in a deep silence, punctuated only by the soft hum of the wind blowing through long leaves of grass.
![_BIC6877_by_bicnick _BIC6877_by_bicnick](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/BIC6877_by_bicnick-1.jpg?w=643&h=429&quality=99&ssl=1)
![_BIC6602_by_bicnick A Mongolian yurt in South iceland...](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/BIC6602_by_bicnick-1.jpg?w=319&h=213&quality=99&ssl=1)
A Mongolian yurt in South iceland…
![_BIC6622_by_bicnick ...and its cosy interiors](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/BIC6622_by_bicnick-1.jpg?w=319&h=212&quality=99&ssl=1)
…and its cosy interiors
![_BIC6842_by_bicnick Sustainability is always on Hákon's mind: recycling water from the small bathroom is one way to go.](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/BIC6842_by_bicnick.jpg?w=320&h=213&quality=99&ssl=1)
Sustainability is always on Hákon’s mind: recycling water from the small bathroom is one way to go.
![_BIC6846_by_bicnick And cuteness of small rooms.](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/BIC6846_by_bicnick-1.jpg?w=319&h=213&quality=99&ssl=1)
And cuteness of small rooms.
![_BIC6633_by_bicnick ...fully equipped.](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/BIC6633_by_bicnick-1.jpg?w=319&h=213&quality=99&ssl=1)
…fully equipped.
![DJI_00044_by_bicnick Colourful coast.](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/DJI_00044_by_bicnick-1.jpg?w=522&h=294&quality=99&ssl=1)
Colourful coast.
![_BIC6717_by_bicnick There's no dinner if you don't catch it yourself. Hákon offers his guests fresh salmon, onto the table](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/BIC6717_by_bicnick-1.jpg?w=440&h=294&quality=99&ssl=1)
There’s no dinner if you don’t catch it yourself. Hákon offers his guests fresh salmon, onto the table
![GOPR00762_by_bicnick The job of a host is never done: time to get the fishing nets ready for the next day](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/GOPR00762_by_bicnick.jpg?w=336&h=189&quality=99&ssl=1)
The job of a host is never done: time to get the fishing nets ready for the next day
![_BIC6728_by_bicnick Raw food...](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/BIC6728_by_bicnick.jpg?w=336&h=224&quality=99&ssl=1)
Raw food…
![_BIC6757_by_bicnick ...straight from the river!](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/BIC6757_by_bicnick.jpg?w=626&h=417&quality=99&ssl=1)
…straight from the river!
![_BIC6761_by_bicnick It's just a matter of moments...](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/BIC6761_by_bicnick.jpg?w=643&h=429&quality=99&ssl=1)
It’s just a matter of moments…
![_BIC6775_by_bicnick ...along with carefully chosen ingredients...](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/BIC6775_by_bicnick.jpg?w=319&h=213&quality=99&ssl=1)
…along with carefully chosen ingredients…
![_BIC6780_by_bicnick ...and voilá! Raw salmon with salt and lemon is a treat for both the eyes and the stomach that everybody can enjoy.](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/BIC6780_by_bicnick.jpg?w=319&h=212&quality=99&ssl=1)
…and voilá! Raw salmon with salt and lemon is a treat for both the eyes and the stomach that everybody can enjoy.
![_BIC6762_by_bicnick Cleaned without chemicals.](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/BIC6762_by_bicnick-1.jpg?w=320&h=213&quality=99&ssl=1)
Cleaned without chemicals.
![_BIC6817_by_bicnick Let's fry that salmon.](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/BIC6817_by_bicnick-1.jpg?w=319&h=213&quality=99&ssl=1)
Let’s fry that salmon.
![_BIC6898_by_bicnick I agree.](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/BIC6898_by_bicnick.jpg?w=319&h=213&quality=99&ssl=1)
I agree.
![_BIC6837_by_bicnick Skuggi the dog heads home](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/BIC6837_by_bicnick-1.jpg?w=481&h=321&quality=99&ssl=1)
Skuggi the dog heads home
![_BIC6868_by_bicnick Field kitchen.](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/BIC6868_by_bicnick-1.jpg?w=481&h=321&quality=99&ssl=1)
Field kitchen.
![_BIC6853_by_bicnick No oven or microwaves in sight: just a crackling fire and a little bit of patience.](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/BIC6853_by_bicnick.jpg?w=228&h=152&quality=99&ssl=1)
No oven or microwaves in sight: just a crackling fire and a little bit of patience.
![GOPR00861_by_bicnick A few leaves of Arctic angelica to add to the dinner and the mood is set.](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/GOPR00861_by_bicnick.jpg?w=270&h=152&quality=99&ssl=1)
A few leaves of Arctic angelica to add to the dinner and the mood is set.
![_BIC6854_by_bicnick Dinner almost done.](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/BIC6854_by_bicnick-1.jpg?w=228&h=152&quality=99&ssl=1)
Dinner almost done.
![_BIC6904-HDR_by_bicnick After dinner, it's time to unwind, give the soul a rest and simply be happy.](https://i0.wp.com/grapevine.is/wp-content/uploads/BIC6904-HDR_by_bicnick-1.jpg?w=228&h=152&quality=99&ssl=1)
After dinner, it’s time to unwind, give the soul a rest and simply be happy.
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