Author

About the Author
Jewells is a native New Yorker that fell in love with an Icelander and now lives in one of the most fascinating countries in the world. As the host of the All Things Iceland podcast, she shares about Icelandic culture, history, language and nature. When she is not making podcast episodes or YouTube videos, you can find her attempting to speak in Icelandic, hiking up mountains, reading books and spending time with her family.

Naustahvilft: The Troll Seat in the West Fjords – Folklore Friday

A quick but fascinating Icelandic folklore tale about Naustahvilft. According to the legend, a troll was hurrying home to avoid being turned into stone by the sun that was going to rise soon. She was traveling quickly enough that she was ahead of schedule and was able to stop to rest. The area that she…

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Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland – Response Episode 1

This is the first response episode for my new segment “Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland”. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions and if you would like to submit a question, you can do it here. Questions sent in from the listeners of the All Things Iceland Podcast 1. Can you please discuss some…

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Is Hekla Volcano the Gateway to Hell in Iceland? – Folklore Friday

For this episode of Folklore Friday we’re diving into the chilling tales and explosive history of Iceland’s very own Mount Hekla, often dubbed as the “Gateway to Hell”! Hekla Volcano’s Eruption Patterns & Destructive Past Our story begins in the year 1104, when Hekla made its grand entrance into the annals of volcanic history with…

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Will 2024 Be One of Iceland’s Busiest Tourism Years Ever?

As of January 15th, 2024, Keflavík International Airport (KEF) has stated that they are gearing up to host a whopping 8.5 million passengers this year, making it one of their busiest years ever. Yep, you heard it right, this little volcanic island is becoming more of a hotspot than ever before! I know 8.5 million…

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The Famous Trolls of Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach – Folklore Friday

At the famous, beautiful, and dangerous Reynisfjara black sand beach there are three sea stacks clearly visible out in the ocean. They look as though they have popped up out of nowhere but there is a story behind their existence. Legend has it that two trolls were trying to pull a ship to shore during…

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October in Iceland – Weather, Fun Activities, What to Pack & More

Visiting Iceland in October offers a unique and captivating experience, characterized by its transitional weather, diminished crowds, and the chance to witness the Northern Lights. Previous Episodes About Months in Iceland January in Iceland February in Iceland March in Iceland April in Iceland May in Iceland June in Iceland July in Iceland August in Iceland…

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An Icelander’s Intimate Encounter with an Elf – Folklore Friday

This particular episode is about Hallgerður Hallgrímsdóttir, who did an interesting interview with VICE back in 2016 about her intimate encounters.  An important warning though is that she goes into some graphic details about her and an elf being intimate, as well as an anonymous account that she shares from someone else. It’s definitely out…

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An Early Morning Volcanic Eruption Cuts Off Hot Water

In the early hours of February 8th, a volcanic eruption north of Grindavik, not far from the famed Blue Lagoon, marked the third eruption since December, igniting concerns among locals and authorities. With the eruption’s intensity waning by the evening, experts from the Icelandic Met Office suggest this latest upheaval might be fizzling out. Yet,…

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Hallgrímskirkja Church: Reykjavík’s Iconic Architectural Marvel

One of Iceland’s most iconic and breathtaking landmarks is Hallgrímskirkja church. This isn’t just any church; it’s a symbol of Icelandic identity, a fusion of history, and a beautiful architectural design that speaks volumes about the island’s unique character. Later on, in my random fact of the episode, I share who this church is named…

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Iceland’s Killer Shaggy Trout – Folklore Friday

The tale about Shaggy Trout is one I learned from reading the lovely book “Meeting with Monsters: An Illustrated Guide to the Beasts of Iceland” by Jón Baldur Hlíðberg and Sigurður Ægisson. I’m summarizing bits of the story in this episode but it is really interesting to read about this fish and other creatures in…

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