We´re in Husavik in north Iceland leaving for the Faeroes. Did 24hours sailing from Isafjordur to Husavik and spent last night there. Before we went to port, we enjoyed some whale watching out on the bay. Husavik is famous for its whale watching and many old boats have been restored for that purpose. The plan was to saili to Seydisfjordur in the east before goin to the Faeroes but now the winds are with us and we will probably go straight to the Faeroes. It will take us 2.5-3 days of sailing.

We´ve managed to put the schedule for all our trips on the web. As usual it´s full of exciting trips in the beautiful nature that surrounds us.

Borea Adventures adheres to the principles of low impact, sustainable tourism. Our trips are "silent", as we try not to use any motorized vehicles. We like to encourage physical activity to suit any level of ability from easy sailing and hiking through to exhilarating action sports. On our trips, we tie together our local knowledge of times gone by, the culture, wildlife and the know how of where are the best spots to do exciting things. Last but not least, the word of captain Siggi´s cooking skills are spreading and totally makes the day after a fullfilling experience in the wild nature of Iceland.

Every year we try to include something new and unique and this year is not any different. For the first time we´re offering Glacier Ski Touring on Drangajokull icecap. It´s a great opportunity for those who want to try out skiing across a glacier where hardly any skiing experience is required. The highlights are probably camping on the glacier, exploring the geothermal formed ice craters and two nights in a hut beside a geothermal swimming pool in Reykjarfjordur on the north side of the glacier.

Also for the first time (and after many requests) we´re offering self supported sea kayaking trips in the Glacier Fjords and Isafjardardjup area for the first time. These are the perfect trips for those looking for more self reliance in their travel since we´ll be on our own in the total wilderness of the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, kayaking where we feel to and where nature and the elements allow us. There are plenty of beautiful spots to make camp in the evenings and light bonfire on the beach from driftwood and maybe some barbeque. The trip begins in Hesteyri and we´ll steadily make our way along the coast and end in Ögur in Isafjardardjup. Sea kayaking is truly a unique way to enjoy nature from a different angle; getting closer to birds and curious seals that would otherwise stay in a safe distance.

Here you can download the full schedule for next year.

The weather has been very nice here in the Westfjords of Iceland for the last few weeks. This MODIS satellite photo is taken from Einar Sveinbjornsson's website.

This shows Iceland last Friday July 10th. I have also attached a few photos taken in our trip that same day where we are kayaking between Lonafjordur and Leirufjordur.

Another interesting thing to notice on this satellite phote is how little ice there is already along the east coast of Greenland. Still large floes in Scoresby sound but quite open water outside. This looks promising for our trips over there. We will leave Isafjordur on August 3rd and spend all that month in Greenland. We are fully booked for these trips so make sure you book in time for your Arctic Adventure in 2010.

Every traveller knows Lonely Planet, the publisher of travel guides all over the world, TV shows and travel magazines.
In its latest edition about Iceland, Isafjörður is in second place of the LP Top Picks. "Take in Iceland's most isolated town among a spectacular setting in the rugged Westfjords."

One of the authors, Etain O'Carrol also puts a trip in the Westfjords among hers favourite:

 

"Despite the painfully slow driving on the long, windy and potholed roads of the Westfjords, some of my favourite Icelandic territory is on these lush, sweeping green fjords that covers the coastline. Few tourists make it here, which makes it all the more rewarding. For wildlife experiences the comic antics of the puffins on the cliffs near Látrabjarg really cen´t be rivalled - bumping into each other, crash landing and huddling round to watch a fight, they´re incredibly entertaining birds. Driving on between the sleepy villages from Patreksfjörður to Bíldudalur and past the thundering falls at Dynjandi is really spectacular.
The road snakes along the coast over some incredible passes and through otherwordly lunar landscapes. At the end of the long drive you´re rewarded with the sights, sounds and tastes of the very cosmopolitan Ísafjörður, a real treat after days off the beaten track. If there´s time, hiking in Hornstrandir offers some fantastic scenerey, towering birdcliffs, a massive icecap and plenty of challenging trails. Alternatively, the drive up the Strandir coast to Djupavik is magnificently peaceful and all but deserted by other travellers. Lined with rugged mountains and wild, craggy cliffs, it really feels like the end of the world."

 

You might wonder what place was on top of Lonely Planet´s list. It was not Blue Lagoon, Gullfoss or Geysir. It was Austari Jökulsá (e. Eastern Glacier River) for its breathtaking river rafting and horse riding possibilities. I have to check it out.