2010 summer holiday trip to Iceland and Faroe-island

Iceland & Faroe-island, what did I knew about these countries before the trip? Actually not much. I knew these islands are located somewhere in northern Atlantic, so there must be cold all the time (guessing, not knowledge).

  Map

So, this sounded like a proper holiday target!

More I found out information of these places, more I started to feel that I need to get there.

You can travel to Iceland either by flying or by taking Smyril-line ferry from Denmark (some years ago there was also ferry connection from UK and Norway, but currently only working line is from Denmark).

Originally plan was to travel to Iceland together with one of my friends from Finland (riding BMW R1200GS Adventure), but unfortunately he had to skip this trip.

I called Smyril-line office and started to check ticket availability to July-August timeframe. Cost for bike, rider, couchette and breakfasts/dinners was 786€. Couchette is a shared cabin for 6-9 people, just bed, nothing else. With private cabin price went well over 1000€, so this option was dropped immediately.

First schedule proposal did not work due to lack of free couchettes, but from the second option (20th of July to 10th of August) we got a deal.

Rough plan for the schedule was to start from Ulm during the Sunday evening 18th of July, ride overnight to Denmark to meet one friend from Finland. Stay one night somewhere in Denmark and head to Hanstholm early on Tuesday morning 20th of July. After boarding in Hanstholm, enjoy relaxing boat trip to Iceland, ride around the island for 2 weeks and on the way back to Denmar stop for 3 days in Faroe-island.

As a pre-preparation for the trip I serviced my bike, changed new brakepads and brakedisks, changed new tires (TKC-80) to my spokerims and installed headlight protector (in case of flying stones from other vehicles).

As I would ride alone also in quite remote areas I decided to put some focus also to personal safety. I purchased Spot Satellite Messenger, which can be used to alarm help also in the areas where GSM-phones do not work. Also I purchased separate kneeprotectors (Thor Force).

Some facts and figures from Iceland and Faroe-islands

First week of the trip

Second week of the trip

Third week of the trip

Summary