My Two-Month Journey In Iceland, Hitchhiking, Camping And Photographing The Most Serene Landscapes I’ve Ever Seen
In early August 2015, I left my hometown of Sofia with the idea to visit Iceland. I didn’t take a flight nor did I take the ferry – I took the public transport to the ring road of the city and there, at the last stop of bus number 54, my journey started.
I hitchhiked through whole Europe and upon my arrival in the UK took the plane to the dream destination which this island was supposed to be. There I’ve spent two months, alone, in search of different viewpoints, exploring feelings and emotions, putting up ahead some small and big goals and trying to fulfil them. Walking or hitchhiking for more than 9700km, sleeping in a tent almost every night far away from public camping grounds, spending no more than 7€ per day, I’ve enjoyed photographing some of the most amazing landscapes I’ve ever seen and had loads of unforgettable moments – it was worth it, Iceland didn’t fail the expectations.
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Eagle Flies In Stormy Skies
Darkfall
September Song
The Troll
Blue Satin
Infinite Horizons
Silk
Queen Of Diamonds
Petrified
Empyrean Glow
Five Little Sheep
Desert Life
Other Lives
Descending Light
We All Meet Somewhere
THE IDEA
Travelling is something amazing yet, as many other things in life, it starts to get a bit unproductive if one does it aimlessly. Therefore I have decided that I could do more than just exploring and roaming around on this trip. Two main goals were set:
#1 LIVE WITH AS LESS AS POSSIBLE without being deprived of the necessities but at the same time leaving the unnecessary behind. Low-budget travelling was something I was “preaching” about for a long time and Iceland, as one of the most expensive countries in the world, seemed to be a good opportunity to prove or disprove my ideas.
Usually, there are three main expenses when one travels – for transportation, for shelter and for food.
• TRANSPORTATION: When I wasn’t trekking, I was hitchhiking and when it didn’t go well, I was just walking along the road, sometimes for whole days.
• SHELTER: Camping is what I’ve done most of the time. I’ve slept in my tent for 49 nights out of 57 on the island. I’ve also spent two nights CouchSurfing and stayed a few times at a friends’ place using the advantages of modern science – a washing machine and a hot tub.
• FOOD: I was cooking almost all of my food on a gas stove. At some point, my diet became quite strict – pasta with pesto for lunch and dinner, nuts for breakfast. At the end of my journey, I stayed in some towns which allowed me to do some dumpster diving.
For the two months spent on the island the I’ve spent around 400€, which makes up for around 7€ a day. To be honest, sometimes I was missing a hot shower, but other than that I didn’t feel deprived of anything. In the end, if this is done in a different way, it could cost way less or even be completely free and still be fine in terms of personal comfort.
#2 SHARE. No matter the medium, will it be photography, video, writing, drawing, talking – I thought I’ve kept too many stories and conclusions to myself from my past journeys.
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Beautiful photographic art. hope to visit and capture one day. thanks for sharing and keep on doing what u enjoy the most.
Thanks, wish you to go there Matti, it's not so hard nowadays :)
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amazing photos. Iceland is heaven for photography and you made sure to capture that magic!!
These photos truly fantastic, though I wouldn't go as far as dumpster diving... p.s What is the exact location in which you shoot the photo, The Troll? Sorry if I am prying you. Did you know that Iceland is part of the longest underwater mountain in the entire world? or is it a called ridge? hmm...
Hey there, sorry for the late reply. The rock is called Hvitserkur. Just check it in google maps :)
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Iceland is in my bucket list to photograph. These photos set the standards VERY high. They are stunning and breathtaking. Amazing job Simeon
Those are simply stunning! Thanks so much for sharing, I found my new "happy place"!
Wow these are amazing! Don't know where to start. I can see why so many movies are filmed there. Waiting for your hitchhiker's guide to the landscapes book to be published 😆 Sounds like you have some amazing tips to share.
Yeah, it's an amazing place... For the guide - in a way I have started it, you can check out this map here: https://icelandmap.github.io/
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Glad you made it back! Was it cold to sleep in the tent and walk? How much luggage did you carry? I have done many trips (60 countries) and i mainly do couchsurfing. So for those reading this- yes it is possible, no, you don't have to be rich. I am 27 y.o!
CS works in Iceland perfectly, however, it wasn't my way :) Otherwise, I haven't had any issues with the cold, as I had some good gear fortunately. I was carrying between 25-30 kilos, usually with food for 10 days ahead (so I don't have to go to towns to re-supply as often)
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I have seen many photos of the Iceland but yours are truly exceptional! You have captured the essence of Iceland... Someday, I wish I could be able to go there..
It is great that you had so much time that you could see these places at dusk. My Godafoss Experience involved a whole lot more people :-D.
Yeah I know what you're talking about... I've seen many of these places overcrowded as well and I didn't like it. That's why for some I've waited for October to come so I can have some time alone with the landscape. At 90% of the places I've shot I've actually spent at least one night camping.
Load More Replies... so beautiful! what an absolutely inspirational morning for me looking at these photos..
Beautiful! Iceland is amazing. The photo titled "Infinite Horizons" - where was that one taken, it looks like the Basalt Columns, we visited one set of them at the Black Sand beach, but you've discovered another bunch of them! Amazing pictures, thank you so much for sharing!
Yeah, Iceland has some breathtaking views to offer... Infinite Horizons is taken at Selfoss waterfall, which is just 1km away from Gullfoss on that same river. Not many people bother to walk this additional kilometer and they only miss out :)
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"Serene" is not the word I'd choose for one of the most geologically active places on Earth.
Haha :) Still, serenity is something that you mostly find within youself anyway, so as always - words are quite subjective :)
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Thanks Raquel. At the moment I don't but if there is more interest I will think of something. If you like you can drop me a mail so I will have you in mind :)
Load More Replies... Beautiful photographic art. hope to visit and capture one day. thanks for sharing and keep on doing what u enjoy the most.
Thanks, wish you to go there Matti, it's not so hard nowadays :)
Load More Replies... amazing photos. Iceland is heaven for photography and you made sure to capture that magic!!
These photos truly fantastic, though I wouldn't go as far as dumpster diving... p.s What is the exact location in which you shoot the photo, The Troll? Sorry if I am prying you. Did you know that Iceland is part of the longest underwater mountain in the entire world? or is it a called ridge? hmm...
Hey there, sorry for the late reply. The rock is called Hvitserkur. Just check it in google maps :)
Load More Replies... Iceland is in my bucket list to photograph. These photos set the standards VERY high. They are stunning and breathtaking. Amazing job Simeon
Those are simply stunning! Thanks so much for sharing, I found my new "happy place"!
Wow these are amazing! Don't know where to start. I can see why so many movies are filmed there. Waiting for your hitchhiker's guide to the landscapes book to be published 😆 Sounds like you have some amazing tips to share.
Yeah, it's an amazing place... For the guide - in a way I have started it, you can check out this map here: https://icelandmap.github.io/
Load More Replies... Glad you made it back! Was it cold to sleep in the tent and walk? How much luggage did you carry? I have done many trips (60 countries) and i mainly do couchsurfing. So for those reading this- yes it is possible, no, you don't have to be rich. I am 27 y.o!
CS works in Iceland perfectly, however, it wasn't my way :) Otherwise, I haven't had any issues with the cold, as I had some good gear fortunately. I was carrying between 25-30 kilos, usually with food for 10 days ahead (so I don't have to go to towns to re-supply as often)
Load More Replies... I have seen many photos of the Iceland but yours are truly exceptional! You have captured the essence of Iceland... Someday, I wish I could be able to go there..
It is great that you had so much time that you could see these places at dusk. My Godafoss Experience involved a whole lot more people :-D.
Yeah I know what you're talking about... I've seen many of these places overcrowded as well and I didn't like it. That's why for some I've waited for October to come so I can have some time alone with the landscape. At 90% of the places I've shot I've actually spent at least one night camping.
Load More Replies... so beautiful! what an absolutely inspirational morning for me looking at these photos..
Beautiful! Iceland is amazing. The photo titled "Infinite Horizons" - where was that one taken, it looks like the Basalt Columns, we visited one set of them at the Black Sand beach, but you've discovered another bunch of them! Amazing pictures, thank you so much for sharing!
Yeah, Iceland has some breathtaking views to offer... Infinite Horizons is taken at Selfoss waterfall, which is just 1km away from Gullfoss on that same river. Not many people bother to walk this additional kilometer and they only miss out :)
Load More Replies... "Serene" is not the word I'd choose for one of the most geologically active places on Earth.
Haha :) Still, serenity is something that you mostly find within youself anyway, so as always - words are quite subjective :)
Load More Replies... Thanks Raquel. At the moment I don't but if there is more interest I will think of something. If you like you can drop me a mail so I will have you in mind :)
Load More Replies...
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