Note : this cache is unavailable during the first weekend of August and the 2-3 days preceding and 2-3 days following the festivities.
You do not need to enter the houses to find the cache!
FTF: stonefish.cz & hloust
The Valley of Herjólfur
It is said in the Book of Settlement (the Icelandic sagas), that Herjólfur Bárðarson was the first settler of the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar). Still according to the books, he most probably lived in that collapsed crater who still bears his name to this day : Herjólfsdalur, the valley of Herjólfur. Some archaelogical excavations, south of the small pond, has supported the stories in the sagas, as were found ruins of a few longhouses dating back to the 11th century.
The turf houses where the cache is hidden were built in 2005 as part of a cultural and heritage programme, managed by the National Museum of Iceland. It follows the plans of a traditional viking longhouse, with fire pits and wooden platforms.
Today, the area is primarily used as the public campsite and golf course for the town.
Þjóðhátíð - The national celebration
On the first weekend of August however, the Valley turns into a booming and exciting festival called Þjóðhátíð, the "National celebration".
It has been held continuously since 1874, when islanders could not travel to the main island to celebrate the 1.000th anniversary of the settlement. They had their own celebration, and continue to have it to this day. It consists of 5 days of concerts, shows, and heavy drinking. Islanders have party tents in the valley, to invite guests and family members from the main island.