Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ICELANDIC EMBASSIES ABROAD
There are no Icelandic embassies or consulates in Australia, Republic of
Ireland, New Zealand or South Africa. For the full list worldwide, check
W
iceland.is/iceland-abroad.
Canada
Constitution Square, 360 Albert St, Suite 710, Ottawa,
Ontario K1R 7X7
T
613/482-1944,
W
iceland.is/ca; Consulate
General Wellington Crescent, Suite 100, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3M
3Z2
T
204/284-1535,
W
iceland.is/ca/win.
UK
2A Hans St, London SW1X 0JE
T
020/7259 3999,
W
iceland.is/uk.
US
House of Sweden, 2900 K Street N.W. #509, Washington DC
20005-1704
T
202/265-6653,
W
iceland.is/us; Consulate General
800 3rd Ave, 36th Floor, New York, NY
T
646/282-9360,
W
iceland
.is/us/nyc.
some in Reykjavík and Akureyri stay open longer.
No vaccinations
are required for visitors to Iceland.
To avoid being charged for
emergency health-
care
in Iceland, Scandinavian citizens must show
medical insurance and a valid passport, while
citizens of the European Economic Area can simply
show their European Health Insurance Card and
passport at a health centre or hospital for free
treatment. Citizens of other countries need to
contact the nearest Icelandic Embassy or represent-
ative for information on whether they qualify; if not,
you'll have to pay at the time and then claim back
the money from your travel insurance.
If you're spending much time outdoors, be aware
that the weather and distance might cause di
cul-
ties if you need medical attention in a hurry, and it's
wise to carry a
first-aid kit
. Two important items to
include are a roll of elasticated sticking plaster (band
aids) and crepe bandages - both vital for supporting
and splinting sprained muscles or broken bones.
Most problems you'll encounter, however, are
minor. Though you might not think the northern
sun
would be much trouble, it's still strong enough
to cause sunburn and eyestrain - especially when
reflected off ice or snow - so use sunscreen and
sunglasses. Some sort of hand cream or moisturizer
and lip balm are a good idea too, as the
cold dry
air
, wind and dust can painfully crack exposed skin.
Eye drops will also relieve irritation caused by dust.
Flies
are not the problem in Iceland that they can
be in Scandinavia; Mývatn (see p.249) is the only
place you'll encounter them in plague proportions,
though very few bite.
Water
is safe to drink
throughout Iceland.
The most serious thing to worry about is
hypothermia
, wherein your core body tempera-
ture drops to a point that can be fatal. It's likely to
occur if you get exhausted, wet and cold while out
hiking or cycling; symptoms include a weak pulse,
disorientation, numbness, and slurred speech. If
you suspect hypothermia, seek shelter from the
weather, get the patient as dry as possible, and
prevent further heat loss - aside from clothing, a foil
“space blanket” available from camping stores will
help. Sugary drinks can also help (alcohol definitely
doesn't), but serious cases need immediate hospital
treatment. The best advice is to avoid hypothermia
in the first place: while hiking, ensure you eat
enough carbohydrates, drink plenty of water and
wear su
cient warm and weatherproof clothing,
including a woollen hat and gloves. During the
colder parts of the year,
motorists
should always
carry a blanket and warm gear too, in case they get
stranded by snow.
Gay and lesbian travellers
Iceland is a very small and closely knit society,
where it's generally said that two Icelanders
meeting for the first time can usually find people
they know in common - not exactly ideal condi-
tions for a thriving
gay scene
to develop. Indeed,
for years many gay people upped and left for the
other Nordic capitals, most notably Copenhagen,
where attitudes were more liberal and it was easier
to be anonymous.
The
Icelandic
gay and lesbian association
,
Samtökin 78, at Laugavegur 3 in Reykjavík (
T
552
7878,
W
samtokin78.is), promotes awareness of
homosexuality and gay rights at a political level and
also offers a support network in the capital and out
in rural communities, where attitudes towards
homosexuality are not nearly as enlightened. In line
with other cities where the gay scene has moved
online, there are no longer any specifically gay bars
in Reykjavík or the rest of Iceland.
Samtökin's efforts have certainly paid off at the
political level - after much lobbying, Iceland's
politicians not only agreed to allow
gay marriage
in 1996 (in effect the right to register legally a
partnership between two same-sex partners, thus
granting legal parity with straight couples), but
also to allow gay men and lesbians to adopt
children, making Iceland the first country in the
world to pass such progressive legislation.
Health
Iceland's healthcare system is excellent and
available in most communities. Tourist o
ces or
accommodation can recommend doctors and
hospitals - all of whom will be English-speaking.
There's at least one
pharmacy
, or
apotek
, in every
town, as well stocked as any you'll find at home.
Most open during normal business hours, though
