So, safe to say I did not make to South America. Only a week after my last post, I was on the move back towards Denmark jumping borders that closed moments behind me. Back home, I managed to keep myself busy the following months but still, my feet got itchy pretty quickly.
What better thing to do when you get itchy feet than go hiking?
Not knowing how this pandemic would look like come summer, I came up with about seven different ideas for possible travel destinations and how to get there should certain borders open up. As August began closing in, one idea stood out as being both new and thrilling but also safe and responsible during these times. That idea was Iceland.
In June, they reopened their borders to travellers from the EU and a few other select countries with a seemingly viable and safe tourist strategy. So, that is where I have been for the past ten days exploring the charming streets of Reykjavik as well as the wide valleys of the mountains.
My travel partner Minna and I set off into nature right away hiking the famous Laugavegur Trail. Carrying all our gear on our backs including tent, camping stove and all the food we would eat for the next week, we hiked through chocolate-coloured mountains, traversed patches of eternal snow with streams trickling beneath us, descended into a green paradise of moss-covered slopes with rugged, dark peaks dotting the horizon and crossed icy rivers on our bare feet.
Nothing beats pasta with pesto
Our biggest challenge however was not carrying our heavy packs up and down slippery mountainsides. It was enduring the wild Icelandic weather. Upon reaching the summit, we got soaked by freezing, pinching rain and had to pitch up the tent with our cold, barely-moveable fingers.
Our trip was not without its obstacles but that is also what makes it fun and with a lot of laughter, good conversation, beer and gorgeous views, we've had some pretty splendid days here in the land of fire and ice.
