Posted By Addi on July 1, 2010
To say the least Iceland has been hectic and more for the past 2 weeks since I arrived. First days and weekend was spent with family and friends as well as it was our Independence Day on June17th. After a very successful gathering the first Friday with my very best friends in Iceland where everyone were in a great mood and ready to party all night long my friend Justin Couper arrived in Iceland from Oz during the Monday. Our plan was to go for a motorbike trip to the “Outback” of Iceland to Kerlingafjoll. I had asked my friends to plan a easy to ride road trip to the inlands to see some amazing Icelandic Landscape. To say the least, this trip was the most difficult motorbike trip I have ever undertaken as most of us where on a touring adventure bikes. The track that the guys planned were very difficult and really only for Enduro and Motorcross bikes. Not one of us which had the adventure bikes came to town uninjured or with undamaged bikes. Even though I was not very happy during the Thursday while this trip lasted I am now and in spite or the difficulties I will remember this trip as one of the most challenging you can take anywhere. Next time there is no doubt that I will be riding endure bikes to enjoy simular environment to the max.
After the trip Justin went north and flew to Grimsey which crosses the arctic circle and then to west fiords and then to Reykjavik followed by the south coast to the Glacier lagoon. While he cruised I joined my parents at their 45th wedding anniversary and on total 175 year celebration (65+65 years of age + 45 years marriage) Great party which started at noon with beers, vine and snaps so I had every excuse to start early.
I also went diving in Silfra, which is said to be one of the 3 best cold water dives in the world. Water was only about 3 degrees instead of the 2 degrees when Justin dove so very warm. I must admit it was very strange diving in a dry suit where the buoyancy was controlled by inflating air into the dry suit. It is a bit more difficult to control as when you dive straight down all the air goes into the feet and there for you float with your feet up and head down. It actually happened with one of our co divers and I thought it was cool and that she was doing this on purpose as she kept her cool and just stayed with her feet up and head down until the dive instructor came to help her out. Visibility was about 150 meters +. Magnificent and you will not get this viability anywhere else in the world.
I’m now in Vestmann Islands during this weekend celebrating the 1973 closure of the volcanic eruptions which lasted 5 months and 10 days and buried 1/3 of the town and houses. More about that later.
Category: Dagbók |
No Comments »
Tags:
Posted By Addi on June 16, 2010
Flight from Amman was of course not too bad as it was only 3 hours to Abu Dhabi, 9 hours to London and then 1 hour to Hamburg, not too long at all and I even got about 3 hours sleep with the help of my doctors sleeping pills. After a night in Hamburg I was driven to Horsens in Denmark where I went to Uni and stayed with my very good friends Gummi and Freyja. As always it was hectic as I needed to see few people and do few things. Gummi showed me around the new school and we walked trhough 4th, 5th and 7th semester and spoke to the students. To cut a long story short I met Attilla, Thomas and Ditta and we went to Eydes Kjaeller for ben (pork ribs). During days we watched the world cup and drank beer so a very healthy sports life. Now I’m at Kastrup airport in Copenhagen waiting for my flight. My friend Justin Couper from Australia is coming to visit my ti Iceland next Monday and will be staying with me and my parents for 10 days including 2 motorbike trips in the “outback” of Iceland. I’m looking forward to that.
Category: Dagbók |
No Comments »
Tags:
Posted By Addi on June 16, 2010
Wadi Rum is in the south part of Jordan just northeast of Aqaban which is by the Red Sea. After only 1 ½ hour’s drive south we came to Wadi Rum Village and were welcomed by our tour guide Attayak , who was going to drive us around the desert for the day. We did not realise in the beginning that he picked us up on his 4WD as it was a very old Nissan Patrol of a very small type. However, after an hour or so we realized that this was hour vehicle for the day. It surely surfed it purpose even though it had seen better days. Attayak was extremely friendly and as this is now off season we got a private tour. The beauty of the Wadi Rum cannot be described in words, endless sandstone vertical cliffs mixed with yellow and orange sand and dunes. Pictures will show some of the beauty when published on Facebook and later here. Just by lunch we were dropped off at an end of a canyon which we had to walk through. At the other end Attayak was waiting for us preparing a typical local desert lunch. Of course you expect that shortly after lunch you leave but no, there is a siesta time in the desert so from 12.30 to 14.30 we had a nap in the desert. What a quite time it was out there in the middle of nowhere. After cruising through the desert for the day we headed for his camp where we had organised to stay overnight. We made an effort on climbing the highest mountain at arrival to watch the sunset which was beautiful where after Attayak had cooked us a typical Arabic dinner. Stars after sunset over there are amazing as there are no lights around.
The following morning we drove back to Wadi Rum Village to meet our guide for the Camel ride. We had planned about 4-5 hours but after advice from Attayak we decided to reduce it down to 3hours or so to be able to stand and walk the following day. Riding a Camel is a strange feeling and if you are not prepared when it stands up it is easy to fall off. It caught me by surprise but I managed to hold on but only just.
After completing this desert experience we drove back to Dead Sea to spend the last night at Hamman Ma’in Spa resort as earlier during the week. It was a luxurious stay and a good ending on a fantastic trip around the Middle east’s. This part of the world can be highly recommended to anyone and there is no doubt in my mind that I will back there to see more.
Next is my trip to Europe and to Horsens where I was in Uni and then Iceland after that, which will be another adventure in a new way as I have not travelled the “Outback” of Iceland before on a motorbike.
Category: Dagbók |
No Comments »
Tags:
Posted By Addi on June 7, 2010
What an amazing visit this has been with surprises every day. When I came here I had really no idea what I was getting myself into. I had not read the history or anything about the places we were going to.
Amman
After being lost for 4 hours in Amman at arrival we spent the following day in Amman. It is not an easy city to find your way around as streets and Circles as they call them are not on the same street all the way through. We therefore took a taxi to Citadel which are one of the many Roman ruins in this beautiful country. After this we walked down the hill to The Roman theatre which is the highlight for Amman as Lonely planet describes it and was built in the 2nd century AD. Magnificent acoustics where you can stand on the designated spot and you can hear anyone at the back and anyone could hear you. Of course I had to hold a speech there, in Icelandic, though I did not have the audience of the 6,000 people that can be seated there. Rest of the afternoon was spent walking the streets and markets as well as having a typical Arabian lunch before chilling out at the Magnificent Intercontinental hotel.
Amman to Dead Sea
We travelled mostly this day to Jerash and Ajloun where there was a magnificent restored castle and one of the best reserved roman ruins in Jordan which was an Roman City with about 20.000 inhabitants. We ended up at our SPA accommodation called Hammamat Ma’in. Rob had booked this resort thinking only that we could relax after our first part of the travels but men was he wrong. This resort is located in a small valley in the mountains about 300m below sea level. ( I am guessing as Dead Sea is 400m below Sea Level) Not only was the landscape and the vast mountain surrounding it beautiful, but the spa’s where fantastic. We cruised at arrival and had massages and nice dinner.
Dead Sea to Petra
This was by far the most adventures day so far. It started by driving back to Bethany Beyond the Jordan, which is the place where Jesus Christ got baptised by John the Baptiste. The site was found only 10 years ago so not many have been there so far. This is the only place where you are permitted to get close to the river Jordan, which is the border between Jordan and Palestine/Israel. This was a dead zone few years ago and only due to the peace agreement in the nineties where the Jordan archaeologists allowed to do their researches. Our guide was great and he told us stories how Jesus was baptised beyond Jordan, which means outside of Israel. He was there for 3 days where after he fasted for 40 days. Magnificent history at this place and even though I am not very religious I fell privileged to have walked in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.
After this we went to the highlight so far which was swimming in the Dead Sea. What an extraordinarily experience to be able to float in water. Even in a vertical position you only bunched up and down but there was no way that your body could sink below neck level. I took my Fylkir stuff with me in the sea and what a mess the following day. The salt content is so high (31%) that everything was just untouchable. Experience of a lifetime for sure. In the afternoon we visited yet another roman castle but much bigger than the previous one. Arriving late in Petra at our resort which also is fantastic.
Petra
WOW. Nothing else can describe this magnificent agent city which now is one of the new 7 wonders of the world. We started early and where at the gate at 6.30. We probably should have been there about 30 mins earlier to see the sunrise over the Treasury which is the most famous sculpture as filmed in Lawrence of Arabia and Indiana Jones. We carried on and yet again it was a big surprise how big this city was and how big of a land area it is on. After an hour’s walk we decided to use the service of donkey’s to the Monastery which is at the other end of the city. Very interesting ride up difficult landscape and steps. The Monastery is a simular sculpture as the Treasury but only bigger. Beyond that point we kept going to a view point’s which obviously not many people do. It was the most magnificent view I have ever seen and absolute peace and quiet. You could not hear one sound but an occasional fly which flew by. Picture cannot even do justice but look at my Faccebook site in the next few days. On the way back we got caught out again by the Donkey owners and they offered us another ride to one of the higher mountains. What a ride it was. We were taken into the tombs on the donkeys and then walked the last bit which was a very steep steps. Again, very much worth it as the view over Petra was fantastic with tombs and homes everywhere. What surprised me the most is that there are several families still living there and mostly on tourism and farming. (goats)
As we managed to take shortcuts with the donkeys and then a horse ride home we did this in a good time to be at the hotel in the afternoon to cruise around the swimming pool. Ahead, Drinks and dinner. Tomorrow, Wadi Rum decert on 4WD and Camel.
Category: Dagbók |
No Comments »
Tags:
Posted By Addi on June 4, 2010
Yesterday we went to a village called Baalbeck which is about 2 hours drive inland over the mountain ranges to visit old Roman podium and temple ruins called Heliopolis or City of the Sun. This places was built in 3rd to 1st Century BC and were restored partly in the 90’s.
It was my turn to drive in the crazy traffic and what a treat. As I said before, there are no road rules and you can do mostly whatever you like. It is a scary drive through the mountain range as cars overtake and drive on the wrong side of the road. You there for need to be fully concentrated and monitor the road ahead to give way if someone is driving on your lane. We did survive and I must admit that I enjoyed driving like a barbarian for a day.
The ruins are absolutely magnificent and amazing that some of them are still standing. This is the first time that I see ancient Roman ruins like this and it really took my breath away for the structure and the details of carving in the stone. Pictures are on Facebook and will be uploaded later to GINFAN.COM.
We were supposed to be doing the nightlife thing last night but somehow when we got the pubs we only managed to have 2 before I got really tires. We walked around for a while until my feet hurt and then took a taxi home, thankfully.
This visit to Lebanon has been absolutely magnificent, and a pleasant contrast between old and new. I would highly recommend anyone to visit here. You cannot be disappointed.
It was a short 1 hour flight from Beirut to Amman. At arrival we got our rental car and headed for our Intercontinental Hotel. With a hand written street map from the rental guy we headed to town. To say the least we got so badly lost that we drove around for 4 hours without having an idea about where we were. This would not have been so bad if Rob’s Iphone would not have been flat as he has Google maps and GPS in it. However, we never got enough time on it before the battery went flat again and the charger was not working properly. Anyway, 4 hours after departure from the airport we finally stumbled into our hotel and after checking in the first task was to get our Gin and Tonic and my god was it good.
Category: Dagbók |
No Comments »
Tags:
Posted By Addi on June 2, 2010
This morning started slowly and it was not until very late morning that we went for a walk around the area. It is amazing how worn out Beirut is and it is obvious that not much maintenance takes place on older buildings in general. Many buildings have been empty since the war and there are no signs that they are about to be rebuilt or removed. All public buildings are heavenly guarded with soldiers and police and no photos are allowed, as I found out after being the normal tourist trying to take photos everywhere. Traffic in general is crazy and the rule seems to be that there are no rules. People drive everywhere on the lanes and there are no road marks. Motorbikes drive on the wrong side of the roads and a read light means nothing to anyone. You just go for it and beeb your horn which means that you are about to pass and no one gives in. It is though amazing that it seems to work as everyone does it and no one gets frustrated or angry in the traffic. It just seems to be the way of life here.
In the afternoon we went for a drive around the Centre of the city which has been totally rebuilt in a old fashioned style as all buildings are brand new but have this Old Stone look. There is quite a lot of construction work going on in particular around the center of the city and old buildings are slowly giving way to new buildings. Give it another 20-30 years and Beirut will be a very modern city I think.
Afternoon we drove to the hills of Jouneih to look at Harissa, the Lady of Lebanon. It is a monumental statue on top of one of the mountains there. On the way back we were going to stop by at Jeita to see the caves of Grotto, which are said to be one of the most magnificent cave formations in the world. Unfortunately Rob’s phone ran out of battery so our GPS system died on us and we got lost. It was however a pleasant drive through the mountain area where we amongst other got stopped by the soldiers and asked for passports. Of course we did not have them with us as we thought it was not required and as they did not speak English and we not Arabic there was a lot of pointing and sign language which took place. After confirming that we where not Americans and only innocent Europeans they let us go this time. Apparently there was a army base on that road.
Evening was peaceful with way too much food and a walk through the night club area but we had no longing for more drinks so ended up in a taxi to the hotel and bed around midnight.
Category: Dagbók |
No Comments »
Tags:
Posted By Addi on June 1, 2010
Today has mainly been travelling from UAE to Lebanon. After few hours stay at the airport where we were the only customer on the bar Rob got a call on his mobile from the check in desk asking us to board immediately as we were the last passengers remaining we found our way to the gate. This flght was almost our own as there were 310 seats available in the plane, which was a Boing 777-300. There where though 78 people on board and service was quick.
At arrival in Beirut Rob got his rental car which has the gutless 1100 cc motor available so I feel safer now when Rob is driving. Traffic is absolutely crazy and there do not seem to be any rules on the unmarked roads. The only rule is that you try to be as rude as possible and make your way in front of anyone you can. It was strange driving through a previous war zone and see all those buildings with bullet and blow holes in them. Many areas have been rebuilt but there are still a lot of buildings which are unusable due to this and are there for empty. The afternoon was cruisy around the pool area with a great view over the ocean and beach where I saw a sunset over sea for the first time since 2003. Great sight. Evening was even better as we didn’t even mother going out so stayed in at the hotel bar and then to bed.
One of the things difficult to get used to is the Currency which is Lebanon Pounds. This is the first time ever that I have million pounds in my wallet, one beer costs 12.000 pounds so the numbers are extremely high. There are 1.225 pounds in 1 A$ and it is one of few currencies which makes the Icelandic Krona feel strong as there are 12 ponds to 1 krona. Scary stuff.
Category: Dagbók |
No Comments »
Tags:
Posted By Addi on May 31, 2010
Rob has managed to help me put a new photo page on GINFAN.COM. The link is on top on under photos and on the right hand site with direct access with newest photos from top to bottom. It is still a working process but will be updated in the next few days.
Later
Category: Dagbók |
1 Comment »
Tags:
Posted By Addi on May 31, 2010
Yesterday was not as hectic as the first day and started only around 11′ish. first stop was the Great Mosque in Abu Dhabi and what a magnificent building. there are no words to describe the magnificent details and workmanship put into this building. Unfortunately we only had about half an hour there as it closes 12noon and if ever here again I will definitely go there again to have a closer look. After that we went to Jabbel Hafiit which has a great viewing point and a fantastic windy road leading up to it. Rob scared the shit out of me on the way up with his driving but Iwould have done the same if he was on the back of my motorbike on this road. What a great ride that would be.
We are now trying to link my Facebook photos with this the GINFAN webpage. You see a new button on top called photos and those are the photos as of now. Rob is still working on few minor details but should be good when done as photos will be updated automatically when published on Facebook.
Anyway. Off to Beirut now. More later.
Category: Dagbók |
No Comments »
Tags:
Posted By Addi on May 30, 2010
Well, It has been a long while since I uploaded anything on GINFAN.COM. By the time you upload latest news most of them are old news as they have already been published on Facebook. However, as I am not travelling through Middle East’s and Europe I will be adding news and pictures during the next few weeks.
It started Friday 28th May with a way too long flight from Gold Coast via Kuala Lumpur. Air Asia was surprisingly good for a budget airline but Ethiad was a disappointment, in particular the leg space you’ve got. No change at all to rest and sleep and with out no doubt, he budget airline of Air Asia has more leg space. After couple of Gin Tonics the first night with Rob and going to bed around 3.30am we got up early to have our usual Corona Breakfast where after we went to Burj Khalifa, highest building in the world, 824 meters and over 200 stories. When in the lift you could not even feel when it took off and not late after entering you where on 124th floor. Even though it was a very hazy day the views where fantastic and we could even see the world Islands off shore, though they were not very clear. After this good view we went to Dubai indoor Skiing area in Dubai mall. What a great experience and after several successful trips on ski’s I changed to a snow board and what a challenge. I could hardly stand and fell of time after time. In the end though I managed to turn occasionally in spite of couple of painful falls forward on my ribs. Body feels a bit like being misused or maybe it is only the old age 
During the evening we went To Abu Dhabi and ended up on 3 hotels, which are the places you are allowed to drink in over here. The last one was The Emirates Palace, which is a magnificent place of luxury and architectural delight. We had the greatest Singapore slings, even better than the once at the Raffles hotel in Singapore. Amongst other things place at this complex is the famous gold ATM where you can buy gold in bars or coins. Unfortunately it was out of order so I came home empty handed.
Tomorrow, Abu Dhabi.
PS. I will be uploading photos here very soon.
Category: Dagbók |
No Comments »
Tags:
