Yes. 🙂

A dream of my dream list came true again. 🙂  In order to avoid travelling with thousands of tourists in summer, May is basically a good month for travel anywhere. Ya. I am more than happy to visit Iceland and Lofoten as my birthday present this year. I’m extremely generous to myself this time. Indeed. But I’m soooo grateful for this trip; it’s the best one I have ever had.  The latest one but easily has taken over the first position from somewhere I‘m not bothered to remember. Unforgettable landscapes and the fantastic weather just couldn’t be better. Happy Birthday to me! 🙂

Iceland is relative colder than other Europe countries.   On the earth map it looks so small but owns the most amazing geographic environments : glaciers, mountains, ice lake, lagoon, waterfalls, active volcanoes, geyser, sand and lava fields. Amazing! I absolutely know 5 days for it couldn’t be enough. (Because I have defined it as a glimpse.  😛 ) Although I always dream of this country, I just couldn’t take the risk for my precious 11 holidays in the same country which I have never been.

As we rent a car, the staff had warned us not going to north part which was snowing. I did have enough snow in Germany, surely we wouldn’t go there. For the following days, we did our best to visit south and west part of Iceland. Other parts will be done for next time. Promise!

Of course it would be a great idea to do a round trip here next time. Firstly is the budget must be sufficient ( ISKs price will give you the same WOW-effect…), secondly is better to rent a 4-wheel-drive car to better handel with all kinds of roads, thirdly, pray for good weather. Safety is always the top 1 rule.  Especially when driving into some nature reserves, the roads are really rough without maintain, you need to be aware of the wild animals and birds to keep them undisturbed.

I got a strange feeling as if I was visiting another planet.  This country is simply “lonely”.  (Don’t get me wrong, lonely doesn’t mean negative.)  Iceland has only a population of around 300,000. Two-thirds of them live in Reykjavik and surrounding. So other parts are just EMPTY. No wonder Icelander love writing and reading more than any other countries in the world as they live without disturbances. It’s just so quiet, so calm, and so peaceful everywhere. You don’t even notice how long & how far you have been driving and still seeing nobody except lava fields. Over mountains you might see a “lonely” house built in the middle of nowhere and no neighbors nearby. Sometimes if you are lucky you might see a lovely tiny church with colorful roof near some farms with sheeps and horses lively.

Anyway I would say this country is really unique and worth visiting at least once in life. Especially when you have enough from the traffic jams or crowds of people everywhere, come to iceland. The best place you can enjoy your quietness.

OK, the second highlight of the trip about Lofoten starts from here.  🙂  heavenly happy. Yay!

I admit that I am madly, deeply, truly, passionately in love with Norway after my first visit in 2014. Don’t ask me why,  I haven’t found the answer yet. I do love it simply.

Lofoten is a must-see according to all my Norwegian friends and it’s a really wonderful x wonderful x wonderful place.  At the beginning I wasn’t sure where it’s located. Till I managed all the tickets for plane and ferry, I realized oh my god it’s in north of Norway!!! All my German colleagues couldn’t get it how come I plan to visit a place which is supposed to be colder than Germany in this lovely season. (Me either, I didn’t consider about that , to be honest. Everything about Norway fascinates me so easily EXCEPT NOK.)

The people we met on our way have made a lot of compliments for it. So we are really excited. And in the end we are amazed by it deeply. (Although it’s quite difficult to sleep with 24-hour day light.) This fabulous experience will be kept in my mind and be recalled in my whole life. I would say this visit got my money worth!!! No matter where you are, the views are too beautiful to be true. What an incredible place!

The pictures speak for themselves very well. Don’t they? The fresh air, cosy wind, sea like a mirror and the blue sky are just perfect combination.  I can feel my lung cleaned and my skin is shining again.  🙂

Shortly before my third visit of Norway, I made my mind to learn Norwegian by myself. (Since I have mastered the unbelievably tortured GERMAN with countless tears, I do believe I would never be afraid of learning anything else!) So I tried to practice my poor Norwegian there, even just after 100 days learning (still keep it going everyday..  ) and appreciated those nice Norwegian I met  who listen to me with patience and encourage me stick to it.

SURE. I WILL. 🙂 For Norways sake.

Was a bit surprised when I heard the locals suffer from depression due to only max. 2 hrs sun in winter. However, I did meet some kind people there and they were so friendly saying „hei hei“ to me with big smile unexpectedly . I know I know, it must be Sun’s credit! 🙂 I finally realize the charming of sunshine and how important it is for our daily life.

4-day-trip for Lofoten is not enough for sure. But it’s certainly an awesome experience of exploring Norway. Step by Step. Wanna see the whole Lofoten islands and the sea under the Lofoten by diving. Wanna see the northern lights in the dark winter…Wanna go hiking through mountains and visit Trolltunga…Wanna try swimming in the fjords…

The story about Norway and me just starts (…to be continued..)

Ha det bra. Vi ses. 🙂