My guide, Aslay, was from Dhaandhoo.  He explained that Dhandhoo was the third largest island in the Maldives, with 2,500 people.  I couldn’t verify that information anywhere online, and I don’t know if he was talking about third largest in terms of population or size.  But, that’s what he said and for the sake of this post, let’s say it’s true.

Even though Dhaandhoo is one of the largest, you can walk across it relatively easily within 20 minutes.  There are motorbikes on the island, but no cars.  The streets are actually crushed coral and sand. Most of the people on the island are fisherman, as that was the only industry available to them.  There are some shops on the island and one guesthouse.  Aslay is probably related to everyone on the island, and we visited his mothers house and his house.  Everywhere we stopped, someone was there to give us something to eat.

You’ll see many lounging chairs made of metal and netting. Aslay explained that mostly, in the afternoon, you’ll find women lounging in these chairs, watching the world go by. I never did see a woman lounging, but I did see a lot of lounge chairs.

The 2004 tsunami destroyed many of the houses in Dhaandhoo. Foreign aid and donors rebuilt most of the houses with aid money, which Aslay calls “tsunami houses”.  

Photo Journal

This is my photo journal of my trip to Dhaandhoo.  What life is like in the Maldives, outside the resorts.  

Share what the Real Maldives is like and pin it!

To see what life is like on the other side, in the resorts, see my post about Park Hyatt Hadahaa.

Lannie

Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.  She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!  She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.

Click on the blue icons below to follow her on social media!

lanniesfoodandtravel.com/index.php/about-me/

As it turns out, I was the only one on the tour with Armann (solo travel for the win!). Along with being a licensed tour guide, Armann is also a classically trained chef and a former member of the Icelandic national hockey team!  He said long winters make you find different hobbies to try out!

Disclaimer: (23 June 2020) I’ve just confirmed that Akureyri Food Walk is no longer operating. However, Reykjavik Food Walk (their sister company) is! There is even a discount code at the bottom of this post! So keep reading for some fun Icelandic food and discounts!

Please note that some products or referrals in this post are affiliate links (in green) and if you go through them to make a purchase or booking, I will earn a commission. I share these product and booking links because they are related to the post and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours whether to click through and make a purchase through these links.

1. Introduction to Northern Icelandic (Akureyri) food

Icelandic food has come a long way since the days of just salted cod and lamb.  Armann said that when he was growing up, all he knew was lamb and cod.  To have access now to produce and different kinds of fruits and vegetables was something that was unheard of 20 years ago.  Many people complain about the price of Icelandic food, and yes, it is quite pricey, but I can say with confidence, the quality of Icelandic food is also very high.  Lamb and cows are raised in the utmost conditions, with little to any antibiotics.  They are free range and enjoy nature often. 

There is even a dairy farm outside of Akureyri that has mechanized everything, so the cows live in a climate-controlled barn, with little machines that clean the barn (basically, Roomba for barns), and are fed automatically.  Armann told a story of taking a group of Indian Hindus to that dairy farm , and it literally brought tears to their eyes as to how well these cows were treated. Happy cows make happy cheese, and apparently 95% of Iceland’s cheese comes from Akureyri.

Icelandic fruits and vegetables are now grown in greenhouses around the country.  They are currently trying to perfect greenhouse conditions to grow bananas!  I also know there is a famous tomato greenhouse and restaurant located outside Reykjavik (which I will not have the chance to visit).

Alright, back to the Akureyri food tour.

Stop 1: Greifinn Restaurant

Of course, we had to start out with a Viking Beer, a local Akureyri brew. The beer was nice and refreshing and perfect to pair with the langoustine soup and salted cod! The salted cod is from the best salted cod fishery in Akureyri, which has been in business for 6 generations! Really delicious! 

The langoustine soup is similar to a lobster bisque – rich and creamy. Langoustine is a small lobster, that people have only started treating as food in the last 10-20 years. And I’m so glad they did!

Stop 2: Strikið

The next stop was Strikið, where it was a cod-filled tasting! For starters, the candied cod and tuna tartare were really unique and delicious! Yes, I know that “candied” cod is also pickled, but it would be rude to refuse food on a food tour.  I’ve never had a pickled meat before. Have you?  yum.. After the starters, we were served a delightful roasted (regular) cod, paired with barley and roasted carrots. Really fresh and tender cod, delightfully roasted.

Stop 3: Bláa Kannan

I’m so glad this was the final stop on our Akureyri food tour. The big, beautiful, blue building (“bbbb”) is a landmark in town. I walked past it several times earlier, and never really figured out what it was. Turns out, it’s a restaurant, with an extremely cozy interior. This “bbbb” is home to Bláa Kannan, a local coffee shop and cafe, known for marital bliss.

Sorry, what? Just kidding, not marital bliss, the “marriage bliss” dessert! “Marriage Bliss”, a dessert made of oatmeal and rhubarb jam, served with ice cream.  Named so, because if the wife makes this dessert, the husband will never leave!

Parting Thoughts on my Akureyri Food Tour

And that was my first evening in Akureyri, eating my way through their great eats!

Overall, it was a wonderful food tour. I had great conversation with Armann, who was very knowledgeable.  I did a lot that first day in Akureyri, haven’t I?  The night isn’t over yet!

In my next post… the hunt for Northern Lights and all the misconceptions about Northern Light activity!

For other things to do in Iceland, consider:

• Try hunting for Northern Lights – Akureyri (Northern Iceland) is perfect for that!
• Go horsebackriding on gorgeous Icelandic horses – in summer and winter!
• Visit Lake Myvatn, but also try to have a better trip than me! Check out a Tale of an Awful Tourist.
• Have a spa day at the Blue Lagoon!

Disclaimer: During this food tour, I was posting to Akureyri Food Walk’s Instagram account. I was not sponsored, nor did I receive any compensation. It was just a fun thing to do, and thank you to Egill at Akureyri Food Walk for letting me collaborate with you!

Please note that some products or referrals in this post are affiliate links (in green) and if you go through them to make a purchase or booking, I will earn a commission. I share these product and booking links because they are related to the post and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours whether to click through and make a purchase through these links.

Information on Akureyri & Reykjavik Food Walk

Akureyri Food Walk – sadly no longer operational.
Their sister company, the Reykjavik Food Walk is open and taking bookings.
Cost: 13,900 ISK | $101 USD
Cost after discount code below: 12,510 ISK | $91 USD

For 10% off, use discount code FOODANDFUN

Lannie

Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.  She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!  She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.

Click on the blue icons below to follow her on social media!

lanniesfoodandtravel.com/index.php/about-me/