27.08.2017

When in Mývatn we decided to spend one night only without our van: the reason was the lovely North Aurora Guesthouse in Laugar, which we remembered from our previous trip in 2015. Even though I have loved cooking on our portable gas stove and eating outdoors, it was nice to be able to cook something a little more elaborate for once and to enjoy the delicious breakfast of the guesthouse!

The morning after it was pouring rain when we hiked to the Krafla power plant: it was not very pleasant, but the dramatic weather made for some very good photos! Sadly enough — despite being it the end of the season — there were still quite many tourists around Mývatn. We were already missing the solitude of the Westfjords!

Camera Nikon Df
Lens Nikon 135mm f/2 DC

25-26.08.2017

After having seen the north west of the Westfjords I am almost sure I can call it my favourite region of Iceland! The landscape was so overwhelmingly beautiful that I remember sitting on a rock and staring at it for the longest time without taking any photograph. The roads in this region were though, but driving there was totally worth it!

When the weather turned for the worst, we decided to leave the Westfjords to move towards Mývatn. Not exactly on our way, but yet we decided to stop by Ánastaðastapi as we wanted to see our favourite lighthouse — which we remembered since 2013. It was very photogenic with all that cottongrass in bloom!

Passing through Akureyri, we had the chance to meet with Ingeborg, whom I have been online friends with for years — we met through this blog in fact. It was lovely to finally get to talk to her in real life at Kaffi Ilmur! The countryside just outside Akureyri was also the perfect spot to take some portraits of Icelandic horses.

Camera Nikon Df
Lens Nikon 135mm f/2 DC

21-22.08.2017

We both agreed to spend the most of our trip in the Westfjords: since 2015 they have held a special place in our hearts!

It was great to be able to see Patreksfjörður again and enjoy the delicious pizza of the local grocery shop: I had not forgotten that one! Also stopping at Simbahöllin at Þingeyri for their incredible waffles was a must!

This time around we also had the chance to enjoy the natural hot pools and swimming pools: the Birkimelot ones were particularly nice, as we were able to have them all for ourselves in the early morning.

Last but not least, we arrived at Látrabjarg cliff in the evening but did not expect to see any puffins as the nesting season had already ended: you can imagine how delighted we were to be able to see a few instead! I am so happy with the photos I took of them!
That evening we slept at the Breiðavík camp ground, which was particularly lovely.

Camera Nikon Df
Lens Nikon 135mm f/2 DC

19-20.08.2017

Not many people visit Iceland more than once in a life time, but we have already come back three times. As they say, third time's a charm. It was almost like coming to a home away from home! For this third trip we decided to concentrate only on our favourite locations and spend more quality time there, rather than rushing from a place to another. Our home for twelve days was a van, that gave us the freedom to move more efficiently: we both loved it and we are looking into a similar solution for our future trips.

As for photography, this time around I have shot less and very different images: instead of using a wide angle and taking the typical landscape photos, I have used my 135 mm. I am looking forward to hearing what you think!

The first two days of our trip were spent in the Snæfellsnes peninsula: even though it was our third time there, for the first time we managed to get a closer look at the seals at Ytri Tunga and enjoy a beautiful sunrise by Kirkjufell.

Camera Nikon Df
Lens Nikon 135mm f/2 DC

27.06.2017

In occasion of my workplace's summer party, I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a day in Nuuksio in a way I had never done before: not only I could see a spot of the national park that I had yet to visit, but I had the chance to meet a nature guide and enjoy my first ever canoeing experience! Even though the hike started off with the rain, the weather turned for the better — nevertheless it was cool to wear the mimetic raincoats that the guide provided us with (check out the picture that my colleague Greta took of me, with wet hair and a dreamy expression!). Canoeing was absolutely fantastic: I had never felt as peaceful and as close to the nature as I did right at that moment! I also loved having tea and cinnamon buns by the open fire, meeting a flock of very friendly sheep — I have become quite the sheep whisperer myself — and last but not least enjoying local food in a picturesque red cottage. Oh, how I loved that day!

Camera Nikon Df
Lens Nikon 135mm f/2 DC

14.06.2017

A magical island I had never been to before, a best friend, a new friend, three adorable sheep and the evening light. Could I ask for more? In Kuusiluoto I had one of the most beautiful summer evenings so far. These photos are a precious memory — that is why I have chosen to share so many — so I hope you will enjoy them as much as I do!

Camera Nikon Df
Lens Nikon 135mm f/2 DC

P.S. Lately I have been listening to a Finnish musician that I got to know about just recently: Vesala. I think this beautiful song by her might be the perfect soundtrack for these photos: Sinuun minä jään.

04.05.2017

Today I finally had the chance to spend some time alone with my camera. It was wonderful to be able to test my new lens in the beautiful evening light at the botanic garden in Kaisaniemi — even though my models this time were only young leaves, flowers and the occasional bird. Spring is in full bloom here and I intend to make the most of it!

Camera Nikon Df
Lens Nikon 135mm f/2 DC