chapter
V. Confrontations
Journey to self-discovery
In summer 2019, I leave on a five-month trip through Scotland and Iceland. I travel on foot and by bicycle on large wilderness, mineral deserts, inhospitable environments and face the elements in search of a return to simplicity through physical effort. In Scotland, I walk for five weeks on the West Highland Way, the Hebridean Way and the Skye Trail. I walk through ruin, swamps and green mountains, ears lulled by the singing tones of the Gaelic language. Then I embark on an expedition to Iceland. Wind is my worst enemy and my best teacher there. It keeps me from advancing and destroys my strength. It teaches me to get rid of my vanity and my pride. To accept unpredictability and impermanence, to discover beauty in every second. I pedal and walk for almost three months, my mind on the alert in this very different world. On this island the landscapes are so raw, so pure that I feel on another planet.
Keywords: wind, effort, nature, hiking, cycling, wide open spaces, solitude, magnificence, volcanoes, bogs, talking to myself, mass tourism, raw
dispatches.
part 2: An Icelandic expedition
End of an expedition, end of a chapter
Conclusions and lessons from an Icelandic travel and a five-year journey.
At the pace of Iceland
Iconic landscapes of Iceland. Landscapes of a rough, inhospitable and beautiful island.
Driving on my footsteps
End of my trip to Iceland. I travel for the last time the extraordinary landscapes of the island.
In the mist of communication
Where I question relationships between people, loneliness and the impact of language.
Encounters amongst the milking cows
Two weeks of volunteering at a dairy farm near Búðardalur.
End of an Icelandic summer
Selection of photographs during my cycling and hiking travel around Iceland.
Snæfellsnes, end of a trip and gloominess
Last kilometers by bicycle around the Snæfellsnes peninsula.
Rainy autumn in the Westfjords
Bicycle crossing of the Westfjords from Ísafjörður to Stykkishólmur.
The breath of the elements
Reflection on the Icelandic wind and climate and how it impacts my trip.
Hornstrandir, the peninsula in the fog
Four days hike through the Hornstrandir nature reserve.
Askjà, a tale in black and white
Through kilometers of lava fields to reach the invisible caldera, hiking from Herbubreidarlindir to Askjà.
Walking in silence around the Kerlingarfjöll mountains
Three days of hiking on the Kerlingarfjöll Trail.
Crossing the Highlands on the F35
Cycling through the mineral desert from Reykholt to Hunaver.
Nostalgia for an approach of a different journey
Reflection on mass tourism and my approach to travel.
Going inland on the Laugavegur Trail
Hiking through the Highlands, from Skogar to Landmannalaugar.
Southern delusions
First week cycling along the south coast of Iceland, from Keflavik to Svinafell.
End of an expedition, end of a chapter
At the pace of Iceland
Driving on my footsteps
In the mist of communication
Encounters amongst the milking cows
End of an Icelandic summer
Snæfellsnes, end of a trip and gloominess
Rainy autumn in the Westfjords
The breath of the elements
Hornstrandir, the peninsula in the fog
The enchanted fjords
Askjà, a tale in black and white
The large North
Walking in silence around the Kerlingarfjöll mountains
Crossing the Highlands on the F35
Nostalgia for an approach of a different journey
Going inland on the Laugavegur Trail
Southern delusions
part 1: Walking through Scotland
Quick visits
Last days in Scotland. A short tour of Loch Ness following the Great Glen Way and a visit to Inverness.
The Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye, located in northwestern Scotland, is the largest island in the Inner Hebrides archipelago.
Just a few days on Skye
Just four days on Skye Island to go for day hikes along the Skye Trail.
The Outer Hebrides
The Outer Hebrides are an archipelago of islands east of Scotland that I crossed on foot following the Hebridean Way.
A step in the past
Last days on the Outer Hebrides to discover its history and traditions.
Exploring Harris and Lewis
Last part on the Hebridean Way through Harris and Lewis. An end of a hike full of discoveries and encounters.
The charm of the Hebrides
Part two on the Hebridean Way through the charming little islands in the center of the archipelago.
Windy monotonies
First part of my hike on the Hebridean Way through the Outer Hebrides archipelago.
The Scottish Highlands
Selection of my best photos taken during my 156km walk through the Scottish Highlands.
Across the Highlands
Part two on the West Highland Way. The return of the sun, a feeling of accomplishment and the great green mountains.
One foot after the other
A week of hiking on the West Highland Way. First part across the Highlands, in the rain and with a head full of questions.
Quick visits
The Isle of Skye
Just a few days on Skye
The Outer Hebrides
A step in the past
Exploring Harris and Lewis
The charm of the Hebrides
Windy monotonies
The Scottish Highlands
Across the Highlands
One foot after the other
photographs.
End of an expedition, end of a chapter
Conclusions and lessons from an Icelandic travel and a five-year journey.
At the pace of Iceland
Iconic landscapes of Iceland. Landscapes of a rough, inhospitable and beautiful island.
Driving on my footsteps
End of my trip to Iceland. I travel for the last time the extraordinary landscapes of the island.
In the mist of communication
Where I question relationships between people, loneliness and the impact of language.
Encounters amongst the milking cows
Two weeks of volunteering at a dairy farm near Búðardalur.
End of an Icelandic summer
Selection of photographs during my cycling and hiking travel around Iceland.
Snæfellsnes, end of a trip and gloominess
Last kilometers by bicycle around the Snæfellsnes peninsula.
Rainy autumn in the Westfjords
Bicycle crossing of the Westfjords from Ísafjörður to Stykkishólmur.
The breath of the elements
Reflection on the Icelandic wind and climate and how it impacts my trip.
Hornstrandir, the peninsula in the fog
Four days hike through the Hornstrandir nature reserve.
Askjà, a tale in black and white
Through kilometers of lava fields to reach the invisible caldera, hiking from Herbubreidarlindir to Askjà.
Walking in silence around the Kerlingarfjöll mountains
Three days of hiking on the Kerlingarfjöll Trail.
Crossing the Highlands on the F35
Cycling through the mineral desert from Reykholt to Hunaver.
Nostalgia for an approach of a different journey
Reflection on mass tourism and my approach to travel.
Going inland on the Laugavegur Trail
Hiking through the Highlands, from Skogar to Landmannalaugar.
Southern delusions
First week cycling along the south coast of Iceland, from Keflavik to Svinafell.
Quick visits
Last days in Scotland. A short tour of Loch Ness following the Great Glen Way and a visit to Inverness.
The Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye, located in northwestern Scotland, is the largest island in the Inner Hebrides archipelago.
Just a few days on Skye
Just four days on Skye Island to go for day hikes along the Skye Trail.
The Outer Hebrides
The Outer Hebrides are an archipelago of islands east of Scotland that I crossed on foot following the Hebridean Way.
A step in the past
Last days on the Outer Hebrides to discover its history and traditions.
Exploring Harris and Lewis
Last part on the Hebridean Way through Harris and Lewis. An end of a hike full of discoveries and encounters.
The charm of the Hebrides
Part two on the Hebridean Way through the charming little islands in the center of the archipelago.
Windy monotonies
First part of my hike on the Hebridean Way through the Outer Hebrides archipelago.
The Scottish Highlands
Selection of my best photos taken during my 156km walk through the Scottish Highlands.
Across the Highlands
Part two on the West Highland Way. The return of the sun, a feeling of accomplishment and the great green mountains.
One foot after the other
A week of hiking on the West Highland Way. First part across the Highlands, in the rain and with a head full of questions.
End of an expedition, end of a chapter
At the pace of Iceland
Driving on my footsteps
In the mist of communication
Encounters amongst the milking cows
End of an Icelandic summer
Snæfellsnes, end of a trip and gloominess
Rainy autumn in the Westfjords
The breath of the elements
Hornstrandir, the peninsula in the fog
The enchanted fjords
Askjà, a tale in black and white
The large North
Walking in silence around the Kerlingarfjöll mountains
Crossing the Highlands on the F35
Nostalgia for an approach of a different journey
Going inland on the Laugavegur Trail
Southern delusions
Quick visits
The Isle of Skye
Just a few days on Skye
The Outer Hebrides
A step in the past
Exploring Harris and Lewis
The charm of the Hebrides
Windy monotonies
The Scottish Highlands
Across the Highlands