MartynAbroad

Finland day two. The hotel is a bustle with people, a conference is being held in the hotel. The lobby is stuffed with people, groups of people laptops open, discussing topics important to them. We make our way to the breakfast bar, just off of the lobby. A lovely mix of old brickwork, and contemporary furniture. Giving a lovely vibe of traditions held, living alongside new. The smell of breakfast offerings dances in the air, a greeting for our senses. I find the usual fair of cheese, crackers, bacon and eggs. As well as the object of my desire, local delicacies. I try a pastry with rice in the middle, that is traditionally served with butter mixed with eggs. They have ginger snap type biscuits, and an Oreo type cookie that contains a minty filling. The ... read more

As day three Dawns upon us, we start the journey to the capital. Present in the moment, as only Iceland can teach you to do. We follow the highway upon what I expected to be an ordinary drive, filled with the same scenery as the days before. Be warned Iceland really sucks at ordinary and mundane. Instead of the mundane, we are presented with roads that turn into cliff climbs, bring us up hundreds of feet of elevation. The clouds hanging low, their wispy fingers brushing the car, leaving fingerprints of dew upon the painted surface. We wind or way along this Highway of unexpected pleasure, I never knew a transfer route to be so scenic. Cars whir past us with no real sense of hurry. The light low and flat, but our senses tuned in ... read more

Traffic is amassing already, hiking boots doned, backpacks loaded with provisions. The day begins. All roads lead to adventure, Terra incognito awaits. Driving down the South coasts single laned Highway. It reveals a different side to the country. One of lifestyle, of a working people living of the land that tried once to deject them, now communally they thrive, working with nature. Sheep farms line the sides of the road. Icelandic horses barely tamed roam the pastures of this wild country. The sub Tundra foliage now gives way to grasses. Sheep line the sides of cliffs human adventures should be proud to gain a purchase on. We make our way amongst these farms towards Vik. A seaside town, which reveals itself to be the hub for day trips further afield to the east and north country. ... read more