Travel Video Blog

Where the Hell is Matt?

2008-07-10T03:41:00.000-07:00

Do you know Matt Harding? He is well known person in video blogging and big traveler. His specialty is very specific dance. And he dances this dance in all countries he has visited. And all this he is recording on video. He makes nice shots from all his dancing videos. I want to show you the last one. It tooks him 14 months in the making, 42 countries, and a cast of thousands. It is a very good link baiting campaign for his pages. If you want find more info about Matt, you can find it on Matt pages.

Where the Hell is Matt?

Do you suffer from Aerophobia?

2008-05-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

Do you suffer from Aerophobia? If yes, never go to El Caminito del Rey (The King's pathway) in Spain. This walkway is only for brave back-packers. I found excellent video from this walk. This man with camera is really unbelievable. Work on this way started in 1901 and it was built in 1905. It is crossing falls and it was built for material transport. This was wasn't repaired for long time nowadays, and it is is in catastrophic state. Many people died on this way. For improving safety is whole way followed with wire. This way is closed now, but many hazardous people are still visiting it.

Spain Links

Travel facts
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El Caminito del Rey

Animaniacs - Nations of the World

2008-04-30T06:07:00.000-07:00

I found interesting video on web with travel topic. If you think that you know all nations of the world, and you can speak fast enough, try to sing together with this video. I am sure, that you will not be able to sing together with this singing evil. And when you will be good enough, correct Czechoslovakia in this song and sing Czech Republic and Slovakia, because now we are 2 separated countries.
Animaniacs - Nations of the World

My Travels - Iceland 1998 - 17.day

2008-02-08T13:15:00.002-08:00

30.August 1998

At morning we left camp so early. Some tents were destroyed from strong rain. Wet tents and luggages we gave to the bus and continued in our trip. After long way through black desert we joined to our well known route "1", the main way around Iceland. It was raining and Iceland showed us its right face. We stopped near of Seljalandsfoss waterfall. It was interesting, because it was possible to go underneath waterfall via small pathway. Wet shower from waterfall didn't upset us, because we were wet enough from rain.

After Seljalandsfoss we visited Glufurarfoss. It was known waterfall from saga, where some old well known Viking hide a big treasure. We didn't find it, unfortunately. Our next stop was black beach Dyrholaey. Strong surge on black beach made impressive view. It is also possible to see stone gate in the sea. I gave up this exhibition, because I wasn't in mood to get wet next time. All our things hanged in the bus didn't dry, and water was everywhere around us. Our last exhibition was waterfall Skogafoss. At evening we reached National park Skaftafell. There, near of a big iceberg we built our tents, made some shower and tired we went to sleep into our wet tents.

Iceland and Faroe Islands Links

Photos Iceland and Faroe Islands 1997
Iceland travel facts
Iceland Google map
Faroe Islands travel facts
Faroe Islands Google map

My Travels - Iceland 1998 - 16.day

2008-02-08T13:15:00.001-08:00

29.August 1998

At morning it was rainy and windy weather. It checked quality of our tents and an outdoor equipment. Well chosen place for tent was very important. Some of tents stayed in the water. Also the wind didn't help our tents so much. But I had good luck and my tent resisted. Concerning to weather we declined to go on some trip. We didn't want to get wet. We decided to pack Boris's tent, because it wasn't suitable neither as store. Without going on trip it wasn't there so much possibilities how to spend free time. After founding stream with thermal water near of our camp, we decided to try it. When it a little bit stopped to rain we wore swimming suits and over them our Gore-tex jackets and went to swim. Jackets we left over on tentative hangers on bank of stream and divided into thermal water. It was excellent feeling. Outside it was temperature some degrees above zero, it was a little raining and we were dipped into hot water. When it started seriously raining some of us gave it up. In short time I must gave it up also, because rain started to be very strong, and my jacket on the bank was going to be wet. I left water, took my jacket into hand and ran to my tent in the strong cold rain. When I came into tent I was wet and cold. I changed my swimming suit to dry and warm clothes. It took me some time, but when I was dressed, I started to relax.

When the weather improved, we decided to prepare our rice from previous day. Educated from yesterday, we cooked our rice in small wooden cabin, near of our bus. Later we recognized that it was service cabin for neighbouring toilet. Our rice was cooked in background sound effects from toilet. Three times boiled rice with meat wasn't so good, but it was warm, and we ate it together from one big pot. We had been overeaten, when joined us Lubica from Presov and she helped us. At last we prepared also hot tea. It was still raining and we went to our tents, where we played cards. It was only one thing, what it was possible to do there in this weather.

Iceland and Faroe Islands Links

Photos Iceland and Faroe Islands 1997
Iceland travel facts
Iceland Google map
Faroe Islands travel facts
Faroe Islands Google map

My Travels - Iceland 1998 - 15.day

2008-02-08T13:14:00.001-08:00

28.August 1998

It is morning's standard weather on Iceland. It is raining. We packed our tent in a record time, to prevent to have wet things. We saved a day or two, and we decided to go to mountain camping in Landmannlaugar. This camping is far from main maintained round way around Iceland. Before our trip we had to find some informations about possibility to reach that place with our bus. We stopped on our way in Hveragardi. It is a small city on southwest of Iceland. There we visited a big glasshouse, Eden Shop. You can buy there souvenirs between palm trees while temperature outside can be under 0 degree. Hynek found out there, that the way to Landmannlaugar, is negotiable also for our bus. Franta sat down to his place of driver, and after a few kilometers we left main way and turned to black wilderness. The way wasn't such good as we were informed. But with help of God and our driver's abilities we continued forward. Everywhere were black dust and it looks like we were going through the black desert.

The last place with inhabitants Hrauneyar were in a half of our way and it looked more like lodging houses for workers. After short break there we continued. The countryside around us warped from plain to mountains. At afternoon we reached our camping place. In front of camp it was the ford. It was better to bring our things with us and went over it by foot using wood pathways. It was a little bit raining and we had a beautiful surround. Mountains were colored from black to dark red. We built our tents and decided to cook some dinner. After preparing all ingredients for the risotto we started to cook it on the wooden table near of our tents. Our effort was broken with strong rain. We stopped the cooker and went to our tents. Our rice we hid under the table. After a half hour weather improved and we continued in the cooking. But also the second attempt was broken with rain. We hid our rice and also cooker. That day it looked on cold dinner. During strong raining and it also started to blow cold wind. We gave up all our cooking attempts. Boris's tent we degraded to store tent and Boris moved to my tent. It was a little bit uncomfortable, but it was necessary.

Iceland and Faroe Islands Links

Photos Iceland and Faroe Islands 1997
Iceland travel facts
Iceland Google map
Faroe Islands travel facts
Faroe Islands Google map

My Travels - Iceland 1998 - 14.day

2008-02-08T13:13:00.001-08:00

27.August 1998

Refreshed enough, I took shower and after breakfast we packed our things. We left camp at noon, and we were looking for new experiences. We saw first time Reykjavik during a day. We bought some souvenirs and visited National Gallery. There was a free entry. We saw there a lot of pictures from local artists. Especially pictures of Iceland in stormy weather were beautiful. Before leaving, we looked at Reykjavik, from observation point
Pearlan.

From capital city we continued to Blue Lagoon. Inside the factory is artificial lake with thermal water. Water is mixed with minerals and they give water beautiful blue color. We healed our ached bodies dipped into water. Only our heads sticked up from water. Palo ordered for all blue colored alcoholic soda. Waiters in swimming suites and jazz-bow on necks brought them in synthetic glasses straight into water. After drinking, one participant made decision to be recorded in Guinness book records. When he gave the mineralized mood on his head, we made a tower from all our 40 glasses on his head. We were successful, and we won applause from others spectators in lagoon. After finishing our bathing, we continued to our camping in Grindavik. There we build our tents in rain. After fast dinner we went to sleep.

Iceland and Faroe Islands Links

Photos Iceland and Faroe Islands 1997
Iceland travel facts
Iceland Google map
Faroe Islands travel facts
Faroe Islands Google map

My Travels - Iceland 1998 - 13.day

2008-02-08T13:12:00.000-08:00

26.August 1998

The night and especially the morning was terrible. I slept only short time and my knees were achy. I looked more like the adept on wheelchair. Our first stop was Storygeysir. Tere, we looked on father of all geysers, Geyisir. The biggest geyser in this area, Strokkur, had erupted water to 30 m height. It was active until year 1930. Later it was active only from to time after earthquakes and only for short time. Icelanders tried to change it, and they discovered technique for activating geyser. Always, when they threw a few kilograms of soap to geyser, geyser erupted. This technique they used occasionally for important foreign visits, but later it didn't help.

After geyser visit we continue to Gullfoss, golden waterfalls. This waterfall was really beautiful. We also visited centre of culture on Iceland, church Skalholt. Here were written most of well known old Icelandic sagas. Our next stop in history of Iceland was valley Thingvellir. There you can find the oldest parliament of the world. It was based in 930. Thingvellir is located on rifts of Europe and America continents. Here groups of Vikings from whole Iceland each year met together and voted for new laws, and solved their's argues. There was also possibility to repay from killing somebody. At evening we reached our camp in capital of Iceland, Reykjavik. After building tents and dinner we prepared us for night city exhibition. We found a small coffee-bar, where we drank beer and tequila and rested. We returned back to camp at 10:00 PM. We were happy, that we could sleep on plain surface in our tents.

Iceland and Faroe Islands Links

Photos Iceland and Faroe Islands 1997
Iceland travel facts
Iceland Google map
Faroe Islands travel facts
Faroe Islands Google map

My Travels - Iceland 1998 - 12.day

2008-02-08T13:11:00.000-08:00

25.August 1998

At morning we packed all our things and gave them to the bus. We were going to left Reykjahlid. Our way continued with bus to Reykjavik. It had to be so long way and we had to reach Reykjavik at next day afternoon. To make the way more comfortable and not so bored, we stopped on interesting places. Near of lake Myvatn we visited Skutustathagigar where we saw nice pseudo-craters. Later, we stopped near of beautiful Godafoss waterfalls.

Longer break we made in Akureyri. Akureyri is the second largest city of Iceland. It is the biggest exporter of bananas in Europe. It is surprising fact, but when we saw big amount of glasshouses in city, we understood. All glasshouses are warmed with thermal water and in the most of them are growing banana's trees. We didn't visited any museums there. But we found very good shop with fishes. At last we had dinner in the local botanical garden. Near of the garden we had also our bus, and after short exhibition we continued to Reykjavik. At evening we also visited some open-air museum. I don't know, where it was, exactly. After this night last stop, I tried to sleep in bus, during seeing of video. I saw whole Dangerous Speed 2, but from Men in Black I saw only small parts and I slept in short time.

Iceland and Faroe Islands Links

Photos Iceland and Faroe Islands 1997
Iceland travel facts
Iceland Google map
Faroe Islands travel facts
Faroe Islands Google map

My Travels - Iceland 1998 - 11.day

2008-02-08T13:10:00.000-08:00

24.August 1998

At morning it was cloudy, but didn't rain. At 9:00 we went to Dummborgir. In translation this word means black forest. In reality, it is black stone city, created by nature. Streets of this city were pathways, with colored markings, and maps on crossings. The most beautiful part of the city was Kirkja, the church created from basalt crystals.

From Dummborgir we went to see black volcano Hverfjall. The volcano consists from huge amount of black slag, with circle crater inside it. Nearby should be place, where US astronauts, with Neil Armstrong, had practised landing and moving on moon. I believe, that there they had really real conditions, because we also felt sometimes like on the moon. We didn't find the specific place. After climb on Hverfjall we went down on another side of volcano.

There we found Grjotagja, the stone break point with caverns and thermal water. We wanted to swim in it at first, but fortunately we thought better of it. The radiant heat from water indicated us high temperature of water. To Reykjahlid we came at 4:30 PM. It was sunny weather, we took advantage of it and we tanned on the sun. At evening we all played "Mariáš" (card game). I wasn't very good, because I was only one, who lost many games. It forced me to go to sleep, with idea, that tomorrow I will be more successful.

Iceland and Faroe Islands Links

Photos Iceland and Faroe Islands 1997
Iceland travel facts
Iceland Google map
Faroe Islands travel facts
Faroe Islands Google map

My Travels - Iceland 1998 - 10.day

2008-02-08T13:09:00.000-08:00

23.August 1998

At morning it looked on standard weather at first. Later clouds disappeared, and weather improved. We left our tents in camping and went by bus on trek. Bus rode us on the foot of volcano Krafla. Here we met together with the second group. Krafla is volcano that erupted last time in 1984. In near neighbourhood are still wide lava fields from this eruption. Under volcano is crater Viti with lake inside it. After hour we reached top of this crater volcano in 827 m height. There, Palo withdraw bottle of champagne from back-pack, as hilltop bonus. On place, where 10 years ago erupted volcano, now erupted the cork from champagne. We shared the bottle among 20 people. Then we made some group photo and created together message into the top-hill visitors book.

After the descent we continued through the lava fields back to our camp. It was difficult trek, because sharp lava crushed our boots. There were also some places where lava was still hot. We returned back to camp at evening. There we visited our well known tea-sop, and there we bought big portion of ice-cream. After shower we went to sleep.

Iceland and Faroe Islands Links

Photos Iceland and Faroe Islands 1997
Iceland travel facts
Iceland Google map
Faroe Islands travel facts
Faroe Islands Google map

My Travels - Iceland 1998 - 9.day

2008-02-08T13:08:00.000-08:00

22.August 1998

At morning we woke up to beautiful weather. After eating and packing, we rode back to see waterfall Dettifoss. Now, in sun, it introduced in whole beauty. Sun with help of falling water created rainbow. Our next target, was waterfall Selfoss. After seeing 2 waterfalls, we continued to Iceland specialty, mood volcano Namafjall. It was unforgettable view and smell. From all sides we were enclosed by sulphur fume mixed with steam. In excavation boiled black mood. It was allowed to use only marked pathway. White and yellow stains on ground, all around, were potentional dangerous places with high temperature and boiled mood, near of surface. If you want to see hell on earth, this is the right place. Smell attracted flies from wide range, and they were trying to enter in all holes on our body.

From there we continued to Myvatn lake. There we had to spend night in camping. But before we went up to local observation point on hill Indelbergfjall. It's top is in 528 m and it is not problem to reach it. But on my way down, I sniffed fly and I have big problems to eject it. Only after half hour of intensive cough ,I left stop to stifle and only after next half hour I was OK. During this time we moved to our camping in Reykjahlid city. Our camp was situated near of lake. Besides of next 10 tourists, there were myriads of flies and they were trying to martyrize us. Later we found out, that it is better to turn against of wind and stay near of ground. Then it was much better. At evening, we visited local tea-shop and there we bought very good ice-cream with chocolate glaze. After sweat feast and city observation, we returned back. There we gathered in big tent (eating house), and wrote postcards. At evening it was so cold there, and we rather went to sleep into our tents.

Iceland and Faroe Islands Links

Photos Iceland and Faroe Islands 1997
Iceland travel facts
Iceland Google map
Faroe Islands travel facts
Faroe Islands Google map

My Travels - Iceland 1998 - 8.day

2008-02-08T13:07:00.000-08:00

21.August 1998

At morning we woke up in a good mood. Half before 10 AM we went with bus to stone city Vesturdalur. All parts of stone city were created from lava. It flaw here long time ago, and created nice elements. Through the city are good marked pathways. We had enough time, and we saw whole city. After Vesturdalur exhibition we did our first longer hike.

We crossed canyon of river Jokulsa back to our camp in Asbyrgi. All of us prepared some energy drinks for this tour. Our group declined Isostar and other well known marks, and instead of them we chosen "Demanovka" (Slovak national herbaceous alcohol). This energy drink gave us a lot of energy, and we got over all traps on our way with unbelievable effort. Also I didn't feel my usual absence of energy. Nature around us was beautiful. The most beautiful point on our way was Rautholar volcano, with slag of many colors. But our energy drink finished together with our energy. We were on plain surface already, and in short time we reached our camp. After shower we grouped in one tent and started to play cards. "Marias" is well known card game in Slovakia, usually played with men in pubs. Hilda decided to learn this game. After some time she managed basic rules of this game and we could play in 4 members formation. At 11 PM it started to be cold and we decided to go to sleep to our tents. Our sleeping bags warmed us and we slowly went to our dreams.

Iceland and Faroe Islands Links

Photos Iceland and Faroe Islands 1997
Iceland travel facts
Iceland Google map
Faroe Islands travel facts
Faroe Islands Google map

My Travels - Iceland 1998 - 7.day

2008-02-08T13:06:00.000-08:00

20.August 1998

To wake up after yesterday's party was very difficult. But shower made it easier. We reached Iceland
at 10 AM and before we landed there, I was fine. Island invited us with standard weather. Ground was hidden in fog and it was raining a little bit. But it didn't make any problems to us. We were staying on the board and looking for new adventures. We looked at nearing ground, Iceland.

We landed in port Seydisfjordur. Here was finished the worst part of our travel for people with seasick. After landing we absolved passport control. Customs check absolved only our bus, together with our things. As we were instructed, sausages, bacons and bottles with alcohol were hidden on the bottom of our bags. It is prohibited to import these products on Iceland. But it is only question of beer bottles count, to blind eyes of customs officers. Before our bus arrived, we found local information service, where we took a lot of leaflets about Iceland. Information services are equipped very well here in Iceland, but it is the same in all north countries. After half hour we started our travel on Iceland continent. Hynek tuned up our popular radio Reykjavik and he "enjoyed us" with information, that we have unbelievable good weather today. We interrupted our ride, because we wanted to make some photo of beautiful view on Myvatn lake. Maybe that it was a beautiful view, but we didn't see each other in this fog nor lake. We changed our money in Egilstadir. We spent our free time there by visiting local shop.

On our way to camp we visited beautiful waterfall Dettifoss. When I was in Norway, I saw a lot of waterfalls. But only here I understood, how big and beautiful waterfall might be. We saw it from place above waterfall, and there was possible to see a huge amount of water that fall down, to canyon of Jokulsa river. It was really unbelievable experiences and we knew, that we will see much more during this holiday. We entered into bus and continued to our camp. It's name was Asbyrgi. It was situated in huge stone horseshoe. It uprose with help of under iceberg volcano. After eruption volcano melted quantum of water from iceberg and this water broke everything on its way. The only one thing that left there, was horseshoe stone. There we built our tents and went to sleep . It was our first day in Iceland and we enjoyed the next morning.

Iceland and Faroe Islands Links

Photos Iceland and Faroe Islands 1997
Iceland travel facts
Iceland Google map
Faroe Islands travel facts
Faroe Islands Google map

My Travels - Iceland 1998 - 6.day

2008-02-08T13:05:00.000-08:00

19.August 1998

Today was our last day on Faroe Islands. At evening we had to continue to Iceland. Norrona, our ship, returned back from Bergen in Norway to Torshavn. After breakfast we packed our luggage and went from camp at 9 PM. We went to look at Koonsgaard cathedral. This cathedral were never finished. Local obedience rose against bishop cruelty, and declined to build this cathedral. It is beautiful also without a roof. In near greenhouse we admired variety of plants, that can be gardened in this area. In greenhouses there were much more plants than outside. Because of bad weather there is not big variety of plants on islands. Only trees are in the city park. In nature there is only grass and some brush. Grass is grazed with lot of sheep with high quality wool. Sweaters from wool are very good export article.

After cathedral exhibition we returned to Torshavn where we had free program. We filled it with city exploration. The best part of program was local bakery. Fresh baked products smelt all around and we surrended. We got in and bought some of them. Outside we everything unpacked and swapped. With good feeling near of stomach we continued to Vestkirchen. It is modern, very nice local church. It was not possible to go inside, because there was the funeral. We had a lot of time before our meeting. We sat in local coffee-house. There we wrote postcards that we bought in near information service. After short time near of our bus we successfully took aboard on our ferry. We got cabin near of Viking club unfortunately. Educated from previous sea-way I decided to spend this night in Viking club. Rest of our group had the same opinion, apart from Boris who lay down to bed and declined to leave it. Night in club spent big part of our tour, together with some northerners. When local music band started to play, I knew that it would be long night. Whole night we spent by drinking and dancing. At first I had big problems to find right approach for dancing on ship. I named this approach Stay on floor and waves will move you. Later we danced in group formations. We made snake together with northerners. It had to be shock for their silent style of life. The band repeated all songs ten times, packed their instruments and came away. They didn't believe that they made such good entertainment. We wanted to continue but waiters started to clear tables. We understood, that it is time to go to sleep. It was 3 AM and after shower I went to slept lolled by alcohol and waves.

Iceland and Faroe Islands Links

Photos Iceland and Faroe Islands 1997
Iceland travel facts
Iceland Google map
Faroe Islands travel facts
Faroe Islands Google map

My Travels - Iceland 1998 - 5.day

2008-02-08T13:04:00.001-08:00

18.August 1998

First night in my new tent I managed well. Also my tent managed it well. I woke up after 7 AM. We had planned climb to the highest hill of Faroe Islands Slaettarindur. Weather was OK, because it was sunny, and a little bit cold. Slaettarindur is 882 m high and it is possible to go on top without special equipment. On bottom there was grass surface, later it was stony surface. My first verve finished after a half hour, and I continue with more rest pauses. Surface was moving under my legs, and my smoker's lungs didn't help me a lot. I reached the top in a hour, when a lot of others were some time there already. There was an excellent view and you could see the most photographed scene of Faroe Islands. 2 giant stones surfaced from sea watter near of coast are on most postcards from Faroe Islands. Later our beautiful view was deteriorated with a fog. But even though that, we were satisfied. I went down faster than it was clever, and I made mistake. I slipped, and only stick marking way down stopped me fortunately on my fall down.

On our way back, we visited agricultural museum. It was a small open-air museum. We didn't go inside, we only were waitting on people visiting it. We preffered a small wooden church staying near of museum. We went inside it and there we visited upstairs choir. The church had unforgettable atmosphere. Everything smell wood like, without expensive adornments, only with simple wooden benches, altar and some candlesticks. I can live imagine classical Christmas, like from old postcards. People in tabards sitting in church, a lot of snow outside, and small boys singing carols from house to house.

In camping we arrived evening. We decided to dine in the kitchen. When kitchen emptied, we prepared spaghetti a la Faroe for 4 person. We prepared a very big portion, and at last Hynek had to help us. Here I was renamed to "Vorel (Eagle)" from Hynek, and this new name remained me to end of our travel. During our dinner we also spoke with our well-known man from Italy. We swapped some patterns of alcohol. We gave him our "Horec" (alcohol with herbals from Slovak mountains) and we tried some his alcohol. After dinner part of tour went to Torshavn. We remained in camp. We occupied the kitchen, where we entertained to late night. After cracking of our bottle, we recognized that we are without alcohol, because rest our resources were locked in bus. At first we planned to make an assault on bus, but at last we reconsidered this idea and went to sleep. Rest of our tour arrived after midnight in appropriate mood.

Iceland and Faroe Islands Links

Photos Iceland and Faroe Islands 1997
Iceland travel facts
Iceland Google map
Faroe Islands travel facts
Faroe Islands Google map

My Travels - Iceland 1998 - 4.day

2008-02-08T13:03:00.001-08:00

17.August 1998

It took me a lot of time to wake up. I washed myself, packed all my things and went to deck to see our arrival to Faroe Islands to capital city Torshavn. Weather was typical for islands, it was raining. Dressed in Gore-tex coat we looked at advanced island. We could see in far Torshavn city, and in short time our ship landed in harbour. Torshavn is small standard north seaport. We grouped before exit from ship. With customs we didn't have any problems, and in short time we got out on ground. It made happy especially some of us, with seasick problems.

We moved to waiting room in port. Here we were waiting on our bus. I found there ATM with Maestro card logo on it. It looked like my new card would be useful. I didn't try it yet, I had some Denmark krone, it didn't need more money. After hour we entered in a bus and went to our camp on edge of Torshavn. Hynek said us, that he knows well owner of camp, old viking Einar. Here we built our tents. It rained, we were fast and we and our things stay dry. At last weather improved and we decided to visit city. Near our way we found out a fortress, for the sake of island defence against sea robbers. There was also a lighthouse and 2 big cannons. We didn't spend a lot of time in city.

We had to return back to camp, because we had planned visit on birds islands Vestmana Vjorgini. With bus we moved on next island of Faroe Islands. Our trip consisted of observing birds on sea-shore from ships. Because our group has a lot of members, we had to divide in 2 ships. Bigger one was modern and smaller one was older with beautiful dragon on forehead. Here we went 5 people plus old sea wolf, our captain. The second, modern, sailed his son. I dressed my Gore-tex coat and trousers. It was a good decision. Strong wind was blowing and ships slowly went from bay. But when we were near of open sea, waves got height, and from time to time some waves also went over deck. We thought that it is normal, but when our captain said, that it would be better to return, we agreed with him of course. After agreement with his son, both ships turned back, and instead of watching birds, we saw the place with the oldest settlement on Faroe Islands. We returned on bank after a hour, soggy from sea waves. Especially Boris's jeans were absolutely wet. He had to change trousers in a bus, to prevent cold. We were looking forward on hot tea and meal in camp. After arrival to camp, we all move to camp kitchen. It was full, and we moved outside on near table, after preparing our meal. There was sitting older man from Italy. It was a strange man. He was searching crystals on island. After eating we played cards in Hilda's tent. There joined us also Katerina, one girl from Plzen. We took up with her on ferry. At evening was getting colder, vodka didn't warm us, and we decided go to sleep.

Iceland and Faroe Islands Links

Photos Iceland and Faroe Islands 1997
Iceland travel facts
Iceland Google map
Faroe Islands travel facts
Faroe Islands Google map

My Travels - Iceland 1998 - 3.day

2008-02-08T13:01:00.001-08:00

16.August 1998

I woke up before 10 o'clock. I started my day with a shower. It is not easy to take shower on rocking ship. I borrowed book "Africa Alive" from Hynek Adamek, our guide. This is the book about expedition to Africa, and you can find there also articles and photos from one older expedition from Zikmund and Hanzelka book, "Black Africa". Expedition Africa Alive went in trails of this older expedition. It is interesting reading, especially for me. I love old books from Zikmund and Hanzelka and most of them I also own. When woke up others, we ate something and we went to Viking club. Only Boris had a little bit problems with seasick, and he declined to go with us. We visited all open shops on ship. I had to change some money in change office, because it was not possible to pay with my new Maestro card. I bought some beer from Faroe Islands, box of cigars and some chocolates. And we also tried everything in short time. Cigars were strong and beer was good. On deck it was so cold, and most time we spent in cabins and Viking Club. Hynek there spoke with group on jeeps. At evening we went on movie Peacemaker (some scenes were recorded in Bratislava). Before midnight I went to sleep.

Iceland and Faroe Islands Links

Photos Iceland and Faroe Islands 1997
Iceland travel facts
Iceland Google map
Faroe Islands travel facts
Faroe Islands Google map

My Travels - Iceland 1998 - 2.day

2008-02-08T12:59:00.000-08:00

15.August 1998

I woke up early at morning, and my body felt a long way in bus. Today we had to transfer through Germany to Denmark. Our ferry was going from Hanstholm, in Denmark, at evening. I am not fun of long bus travels, and only with a lot effort I activated my body during breaks. I observed rest of bus passengers. I know that it will not be as good group as on my last year Norway travel, because there was more people, with more interests. 40 people sharing one bus for longer time, it can be a good test of their patience. But everything was good for the moment. Together with Hilda, Emil and Boris we drank Vodka as prevention of bad mood. Weather was OK, and I was dressed only in shorts. While we crossed Denmark we dreamt about living in one of the small, nice looking houses around. Only Boris qualified everything around kitscher and he also declined to live in system, where is everybody responsible for good looking neighborhood of his house. But nobody offered us accommodation there and our discussion was only on philosophic nature. We shortly changed our topic. We arrived to Hanstholm at evening. We had to choose things that we wanted to took with us, because we will not be able to go into bus wile shipping. Until we were waiting for ferry, we recognized many buses and cars from Czech republic. It looked like that ferry was all booked by people from Czech republic and Slovakia. We boarded in next hour. After short search we found our cabins. I was lodged together with Emil, Boris, Palo, Hynek and Franta. Hilda was lodged in other part of ferry. We didn't know how much are we resistant to seasickness. Be sure we took special boxes assigned for that problems. Many of us also used them later.

We took leave to Europe continent from board. To ground that we will not see in next 3 weeks. We continued to Faroe Islands. Ship Norrona, our ferry was a big hotel on sea waves. Underground parking place, areas for small children, Viking club (there was also cinema, and bingo gambling house), that everything suggested me a big hotel. As prevention to seasickness we opened bottle of vodka in cabin. It helped only them, who didn't have problems with sickness before. After healing we checked areas of our ship. As best place for us we choosed Viking club. Here were mainly part from our bus. Here were also a big amount of info materials about Iceland. It was a good source for us, because we still had absence of good infos about this island. We also had there our first meeting. Local entertainer instructed us, what to do if ferry going to scuttle. It was really encouragement before our shipping. Later he presented a cultural program in that manner repeated every shipping. We were sorry for him, and we ignored him as rest of passengers. In time of our meeting there was also bingo and Viking club was engaged by old women. It looked like they go to Iceland, only because of Bingo game. After quarter of hour, and many furious glances rest of passengers, we left Viking club. Others started to applaud. We moved to lower board on place before entry to restaurant. It wasn't best place for session, but we remained there to end of our meeting. We received some papers and we were also informed about our next program on Faroe Islands. There we had to spend next 3 days. After meeting we played cards. When Bingo in Viking club finished I went to see movie about Faroe Islands. It was a good documentary about inhabitants of Faroe Islands and their habits. Especially the part about spinning of whales was unforgettable. Fischer yarded whales to bay, and there together with inhabitants kill them. Water in bay changed to red, from blood of whales. Then with iron hooks they move whales on shore and divided them between all inhabitants. This bloody habit is from times, when whales were important source of necessary food nutriments on island. But now are Faroe Islands part of Denmark, and they don't have problems with variety of food. But inhabitants of this island doesn't want to abandon this habit. After movie I continued in entertainment. I didn't resist a long time, and I decided to go sleep. I had no problems with seasickness yet. I had only a little headache, and I was curious what it will be, while sleeping. But it was interesting feeling to sleep swinging with sea waves.

Iceland and Faroe Islands Links

Photos Iceland and Faroe Islands 1997
Iceland travel facts
Iceland Google map
Faroe Islands travel facts
Faroe Islands Google map

My Travels - Iceland 1998 - 1.day

2008-02-08T12:57:00.000-08:00

14.August 1998

I started my first day of holiday traditionally in my work. Our bus had to go afternoon. I had so much work and I required to close some open tasks. But it had also some advantages. My boss took me to work with company car from Stupava, and he also took me before Istropolis, from where had to go our bus. It took me some time to collect all my things, but at last I moved all baggage on small wall before Istropolis. In short time arrived also Boris, and after five minutes also Hilda and Emil. They had most baggages from us, therefore Hilda's father took them with car. We grouped all our baggage on one place, and started to look after our bus. Bus wasn't still here, but we found next adepts on Iceland here. Young man from a near group started to talk with us, and he acknowledged us, that he is going also on Iceland. Emil dismissed for short time, but suddenly he returned back with 4 cans of beer. We drank our beer, and Hilda made our first photo from this holiday 3 men with beer in hand waiting for a bus. Slowly also other people from tour to Iceland started to meet. And also people from another tour to somewhere on south mixed with us. We were doing some jokes about alternate tours, if our bus didn't arrive. But soon arrived yellow Karosa bus, with registration mark of Moravia city Roznov pod Radhostem. We were at first surprised with older type of bus, but we inserted all baggage to bus and found our seats. Our Bubo guide Palo informed us, that only small part of our tour started from Bratislava. Next people will board in Brno and Prague. We were surprised second time, our bus already looked optimally filled.

With optimism we ejected from Bratislava at 15 o'clock to Iceland. In Brno we boarded only a few other participants. We were waiting intense on last wave in Prague, where had to board largest amount of participants, together with our main guide. We were in Prague 10 minutes before 19.hour. Boarding rest of participants together with baggage took a hour, and we were staring on quantum of baggage vanishing in bus. Here we also met our guide. Our first impression wasn't very good, but in short time we recognized that our guide Hynek is our man. After leaving Prague, Hynek started with broadcasting of our local radio (microphone) channel radio Reykjavik. Hynek informed us about actual state of our travel, and also read us interesting info about Iceland. Radio Reykjavik gained shortly big success. Our way continued very fast. Our driver Franta was old professional of all roads over Europe. Near of German boundaries we had fun, while observing local prostitutes. We had only problems on customs with one participant. Young guy worked in Germany before, and according to computer he didn't paid some penalty. After long discussions, we assembled 2000 DM for caution and we continued. After finding the best position on seat I slowly asleep.

Iceland and Faroe Islands Links

Photos Iceland and Faroe Islands 1997
Iceland travel facts
Iceland Google map
Faroe Islands travel facts
Faroe Islands Google map

My Travels - Iceland 1998 - Preparations

2008-02-08T12:43:00.001-08:00

It was one year after my Norway travel. But love to North remained me. This year I had big problem to choose right target for my holiday. I spend many evenings by reading catalogs from travel agencies. At last... Together with our party form English lessons we celebrated some birthday in coffee bar Propeler on bank of Danube. It was a good atmosphere and main topic of our discussion for this evening was our summer holidays. I had there catalog from travel agency Bubo. As we listed in it, our friend Hilda said. I would like to go on Iceland, is somebody here on point to go there with me? It was funny offer, and I agreed in joke at first with words "Why not". Later also agreed Boris, next member from our group. Later we spoke about other topics. But when we met together next time, we spoke about this topic again. At that time we spoke about Iceland without joking.

We also gain next member of our group. Emil, Hilda's boyfriend and our classmate from English lessons, decided to join us. We knew that we go to Iceland and we started to look for more information about this country. In travel agency we were informed that this travel is made together with Czech travel agency SEN. And guide from this agency was on Iceland many times and he knows Iceland very well. Palo Fellner, guide from Slovak Bubo travel agency will go with us more as tourist, because it was also his first travel on Iceland.

We didn't know so much about this island. It is on the North, and there are some volcanoes and icebergs. We didn't now either, if is Iceland Europe or America country. As main source of informations we used internet. I found out, that weather on Iceland is not so much cold, because around island is flowing Gulf stream. Main problem with weather will be a lot of rains. Iceland is island with the lowest population density in Europe. It is possible to see there volcanoes, geysirs, beautiful waterfalls and icebergs.

We decided to prepare well on rainy and cold weather. The best combination were Gore/tex, Polartec and Klimatex clothings. We also had to bought good sleeping bags and tents. We also had to prepare eating because it was not included in this offer from travel agency. Together with Hilda we were chosen to buy food. It was for me bigger adventure than lava field traverse. Try to imagine amount of food for 4 people for 17 days. I was desperate when I saw fast filled gigantic shopping cart. I was afraid that at least half of food we bring back. But later I was happy, that I said nothing, and I was silent. As I saw later we bought optimum amount of food, and we ate everything except of some littles. Cooker and pots provided Hilda. With transport we hadn't problem. Bus started from Bratislava. We were afraid only from shipping from Denmark to Iceland. To spend 3 days on sea, we had never experienced before. Luckily we had to interrupt our way on Faroe Islands, where we had to spend 3 days, and then continue on Iceland. We will see.

Iceland and Faroe Islands Links

Photos Iceland and Faroe Islands 1997
Iceland travel facts
Iceland Google map
Faroe Islands travel facts
Faroe Islands Google map

My travels - Norway on Bike 1997 - 15.day

2008-01-23T00:44:00.000-08:00

17.August 1997

With glued eyes, but good rested I woke up. We are in Czech republic. Boundaries near Dubi i didn't registered today. Before afternoon we crossed boundaries to Slovakia in Teplice. We continued to Trencin, where we (Gabike, Lucia and me) had to leave our group. We were sad, because we knew that we have to divide in short time. We changed our address cards and managed our next meeting. It was not a big problem to find right term for 7 people. We wanted to change photos and Jaro promised to make video tape for everyone. In Trencin parents of Gabika welcomed us with home cakes. It took some time to unload our luggage. After our leave, car continued to Zvolen. We loaded our luggage to Gabika's car. Then we fastened our bikes. We had experiences with that from our way to Zilina and now we know how to fasten them well. We continued to Bratislava. Gabika took me to my house to Stupava. There I unpacked my luggage, took shower and went to sleep.

Aftermath

How we promised we met together more times. We also visited together KGB restaurant. Only our meeting in one bed (See previous posts) we didn't manage yet. Jarko made excellent video. Always when I am looking on it, I am back in Norway. I will return there, I know this. I believe that also another members of our group feel it similar. Once...

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Photos Norway on Bike 1997
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My travels - Norway on Bike 1997 - 14.day

2008-01-23T00:43:00.000-08:00

16.August 1997

At morning in Trelleborg we woke up sooner, to catch our ferry. We are going by ferry to Sassnitz. Weather is beautiful. We discovered a palm tree in harbour. It suits to this tropic weather and we made a leave photo using palm as background from Scandinavian Peninsula. We took aboard. We had 6 hours until we land in Sassnitz. On ship we wanted to shower, but after finding info that shower cost 10 DM, we managed to find other solution. Girls showered together in one cabin. I washed myself straight in washroom, dressed only into my scanties. Jaro and Peter used a mug to shower them in shower cabin.

City Sassnitz is not as smooth as Rostock. Everywhere we saw described blocks of flats. It looks like we were back from fairy tale to reality. In local supermarket we bought some cheap yogurts and other meal. I ate my yogurt on near filling station. But in next hour we had to stop on panelled highway, and I unfolded my yogurt in near forest. We continued, and after 5 hours was our car going out of fuel. And through last 100 km there wasn't any filling station. Without fuel we stopped on side of highway. Girls tried to stop some cars, and after short time they stopped some German man on Peugeot with diesel engine. He gave us 5 litres of oil fuel in exchange for chocolate and some money. Jaro spent some time to start car engine. But at last he started and we continued. Shortly we found a filling station. After scooping up we continued at home. We only prepared a dinner on bay. After dinner we got to car, to find best places for sleeping. Gabika chose place on luggage at the back, Lucia on back seat, and I placed myself in gap between back and middle seats. Olga and Hela also found their places for sleeping. Slowly I fell to sleep, while our car continued to our way at home.

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My travels - Norway on Bike 1997 - 13.day

2008-01-23T00:42:00.000-08:00

15.August 1997

Only at morning I inquired that rest of group stay to sleep on a beach. I feel disappointed, because I went to sleep to tent so early. On other side I had dry sleeping bag unlike others. We continue today to Copenhagen. It was not in plans to visit this city but we spared some time. Our car stay in Helsingborg and we together with our bikes came over to Danish side. It took some time to find necessary money on ferry tickets, but after some mutual loans we found enough money. Ferry was full of people from Sweden with crates full of empty bottles. We didn't understand why. After a half hour we arrived on second side to Helsingør. There we sat on our bikes and went with good rate to Copenhagen. It was about 50 km from Helsingør, but we were good rested and we know that we do it without problems. Only weather was our enemy. It was too hot, and sometimes it was big problem to find place with shadow.

When we arrived to Copenhagen, we decided to visit The Little Mermaid statue. Jaro declared that he knows place where is the statue situated. But his orientation sense failed and we found statue only after many bad attempts. We visited also other places in city. But in this hot weather we decided to find some shadow in local park. There we rested lying on a grass. Before nightfall we returned back to Helsingør. We were so surprised, because only we were sober from all passengers on ferry. Others changed their empty bottles to full bottles with beer and they were all drunk. Prohibition in Sweden is good business for ferry operators in Sweden. In Helsingborg we fastened all bikes on top of van, and we continued to Trelleborg. There we arrived at night. We built our tents in camping where we spend night before 2 weeks. We slowly evaluated our holiday. We all were dedicated and we didn't want to return back. But this our last wish was not redeemable. It was our last night on the Scandinavian Peninsula, that was so hospitable to us.

Norway Links

Photos Norway on Bike 1997
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My travels - Norway on Bike 1997 - 12.day

2008-01-23T00:41:00.000-08:00

14.August 1997

Our morning is exceptional. Local farmer woke up us with a big noise. He was owner of land, where we have built our tents. Jaro, natural diplomat, solved this problem in short time. He shake hands with farmer, and he propitiated. We promised to return all to previous state and farmer was satisfied. He left us with a smile. Shaking hands is main rule how to propitiate nervous opponents. We packed all tents and made order as we promised. We continue to Sweden. Our target is Göteborg. In time when we visited this city, was also Michael Jackson there. At first time we thought that we have seen him in cabriolet, but later we were inquired that in the city was lot of doublers. I am not sure if I have ever seen Michael Jackson in Göteborg. Peter argued that it had to be Jackson, because he had also guards, but I think, that it is not important. We visited a harbour and drink some coffee and we continue.

All our wishes were fulfilled. It remains only last one. We want to try to swim in sea. It looks like a difficult wish, but Jaro want to fulfill it. It is not easy to find right camping place near of sea. At last we found nice camping near of Helsingborg. The excellent camping place with sand beach. Temperature of North sea 25 degree of Celsius. What else we had to wish? We built our tents, made some meal and in short time we swimmed in sea watter. Especially Olga was satisfied. She spent in water more than hour, swimming in long distance from beach. In free time we bury Gabika into sand grave. We make also temporary ceremony. At last we released her and we helped her to leave her temporary sand grave. It was too late, I was tired and I go to sleep.

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Photos Norway on Bike 1997
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