In a previous post I outlined my current travel quest, which is letters of the alphabet, with the letters remaining as D, P, Q, Y and Z. The letter D will soon be retired with a visit to Denmark. As part of this trip the other destinations visited include Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. I am especially excited about visiting Greenland and the Faroe Islands because of their remoteness and these are not common places for Australians to visit. Both places as well as Iceland should contain some spectacular scenery and I am travelling to some remote parts of Iceland that should give some great photos.
Kind regards,
Derek.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Not long now and the trip begins. I have been reading up on the various countries and some fascinating history. In Denmark I will start in Copenhagen and then do some tours, in Iceland, I will travel completely around the country and in Greenland to Illulissat and Disko Bay. Illulissat has among other things "The Cold Museum". Hopefully that is better than the Architecture Museum I visited in Frankfurt once. Who would have thought - an Architecture Museum and it had a model of one and only one building. And not a particularly interesting one :-) But Illulissat is the real Arctic. And in the Faroes Torshavn and maybe a few other places.
ReplyDeleteFirst stop coming up is Hong Kong. A short stopover there before the flight to Copenhagen via Helsinki. I'm looking forward to seeing Hong Kong, I haven't been there since 1997 and will be pleased to add some more photos to my collection. The weather is expected to be hot and rainy, which will certainly be different to the rest of this trip with lots of sunshine and chilly days.
ReplyDeleteI must say, I have fond memories of Honkers as we used to call it back in the day. Lazy days at the Peninsula - loved the Rollers they'd pick me up in from the old Kai Tak airport. And that new place right on the harbour at TST. Always grand service.
ReplyDeleteAnd there was nothing better than a wander up the peak, look in on the Governor and spend the afternoon in one of the mansions near the top, 'entertaining' the lady of the house while her husband slaved for one of the hongs.
Hope you enjoy your stay, however brief it may be.
Q really helped with the new technology on this trip although had a touch of trouble with the Chinese version of this website. Oh and I avoided the Indian tailors that wanted to stitch me up on Canton Road too. Now in Denmark via Helsinki the old airport security got a bit over ambitious, my boots set off the metal detector (most places they don't) so took them off, went through without setting the machine off, only to get felt up by the security guard who decided he needed to look down the front and back of my parents. Almost sent him to Hong Kong. Copenhagen though, ahh what a good place for a spy novel, the buildings, the people, such an interesting history. Tomorrow to Zealand and the Castle setting of Hamlet (one has to sample the culture Sir Roger) and then a few more visits before the land of Fire and Ice. Oh and it was a black mercedes that sped me from the airport in Hong Kong. Didn't go to the peak this time, did that in '97, but will be back in Hong Kong in a month's time.
ReplyDeleteCopenhagen in the summertime has been a great city to visit. The tour of the castles of North Sealand, very interesting and again great places for stories and history. With Sweden only four kilometres away from Kronberg Castle and day tours that will go to the University town of Lund and then back to Copenhagen, it is a pity I didn't know and couldn't fit that into my itinerary. Today though the Hop on Hop Off bus tour - I did the loop twice - seeing the Little Mermaid, the rather well endowed other Mermaid, the changing of the Guard at the Palace, and Ronsberg Castle and garden in the city. With the temperature, so came the bikinis and less, so I guess I can say I saw the best and the breast of Copenhagen - rather like of your puns, Sir Roger. Tomorrow to Reykjavik, I have been watching carefully as there has been a number of flights disrupted due to piloit action. So far the only one disrupted tomorrow is to Seattle but previous days it has been CPH-KEF (Copenhagen to Reykjavik) and others. There is some time up my sleave but I always like visiting a new country and would prefer not to have to find some accomodation and change flights at the last minute. I'll check the Internet in the morning and then take the train to the Lufthaven. I'm looking forward to Iceland having seen some shows on it while here. Really looks a spectacular land and should be photographically stunning. Copenhagen though, certainly ranks as one of my favourite (albeit very expensive) cities. And with 40% of the population cycling to work and a plan to be energy self sufficient as soon as possible (they have had a Carbon Tax on cars and other polluters for years), there is a lot to like about Denmark - especially the drives along the coast, through the agricultural lands and the woods. The long-legged beautiful ladies on bikes with whicker baskets is rather nice too. You should get yourself a Danish Bond Girl, Mr Bond.
ReplyDeleteSome years ago I had a little adventure involving that cad Elliot Carver. Before I went on a jaunt up to Oxford, brushing up on a little Danish. So while I haven't spent a lot of time in Denmark itself - well, I've been there a couple of times but I don't think I'm allowed to say too much about that - I do have some fond memories.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to hearing what you think about Iceland. My abiding memory of the place is that I kept losing my car. It was like I couldn't see it, for some reason.
Yes I remember that car although I thought it was Pierce rather than yours truly although he really was a cheap immitation of you. Iceland is a great spot for fast cars though and the Aston Martin would be excellent to drive here chasing some bad guys. Of course the invisibility is a problem what with it being hard enough to find a car in a car park at the best of times! Isn't technology wonderful though, here I am tapped into a wireless hotspot with a netbook hooked up to a GPS unit that zeroes in and tells me exactly where I am an information on this area. In a hotel outside the domestic airport grounds at the moment, an interesting hotel a bit natural history museum like in some respects with lots of stuffed birds in glass cabinets, free movies on icelandic culture and lectures. Meet the guide tomorrow for the start of the Fire and Ice adventure. Tomorrow here and then onto Ilulissat.
ReplyDelete1. We Bonds are a gestalt entity. We may be many, but we are one. Or, in the words of the Beatles: I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together.
ReplyDelete2. Sounds like you're leaving a technological footprint the size of a small European country. Wireless hotspot/netbook/GPS ... you do realise you're telling them exactly where you are? Keep under the radar, man.
3. Exactly who is this 'fire and ice' guide? Sounds like a Smersh agent to me. Or possibly even Spectre. Beware.
4. Lookout for Madonna. She is very dangerous.
Didn't the Beatles say "I am the Walrus, koo koo ka choo"?
ReplyDeleteSmersh and Spectre can't track me. On the move too often and don't stay on the grid long enough - I've watched the Terminator movies. Crossed the Europa and North American plates today, looked into geothermal vents - geothermal power stations everywhere and if Iceland put in wind power and could export their energy they'd be very rich. But what is the saying Iceland has the ash but no cash. Checked out the Blue Lagoon, the ladies in bikinis, faces covered in the special mud - rich in minerals. Saw the whale hunting boats too, next to the bwhale watching ones. I'll be sure and pay that a visit on the return journey for a few shots :-) Ooh and visited the Pearl of Reykjavik, not to be confused with the Jewel of the Nile but about as accurate. Well must away before Smersh homes in. Heading to Geysir tomorrow and more Volcanoes. Iceland has about 200 volcanoes ansd 40% of the population believe in fairies and elves. Trolls are shown on the map too. No Madonna though but I'll keep an eye out for her, she might have been in disguise at the Blue Lagoon.
I spent an interesting couple of days in Reykjavik a few years ago. M sent me up on a flight from London quick smart, no time to prepare, no time to ask questions, they needed someone for a wet job and my name had come up. Imagine my surprise when I arrived at the Embassy to find the basement filling with water. They didn't want me to assissinate anyone, they wanted me to fix a burst pipe. Turns out there's a James Bont who worked in maintenance; they were hoping for him.
ReplyDeleteI had a couple of days before my flight home, so I figured I may as well pitch in and give it a go. Only took me a couple of hours and it was right as rain. Or not rain, as the case may be. Spent the rest of my time tracking down these bikini-clad women who seem to be following you around and flew back to London.
I saw some maintenance workers at the geothermal power plant today I should have checked if one of those was Mr Bont although I think that was a ruse as all Icelandic mens names end with "son", and women with "dottir" I think it is. Icelanders only get a first name and then take their fathers name and add son or dottir depending if they are son or daughter. Remember that waterfall in Iguassu, Brazil though? I saw one equally impressive today and the original Geysir too. Wasn't quite on my game and got showered with water, fortunately not 80C to 100C as is typical. Oh and visited an Icelandic horse farm, the woman looking a bit like Madonna, whom you warned me about. Gorgeous horses though and have a unique gait, quite handy for the work we have to do, you could ride and not spill a beer with this gait. Not that beer is the thing, vodka martini perhaps. Checking out some more of the wilds of Iceland tomorrow and then back to Reykjavik before continuing in Greenland and fata morgana.
ReplyDeleteThings to look out for in the wilds of Iceland:
ReplyDelete1. Enormous ice palaces. Keep your invisible car handy in case you have to rescue a 40-year commemorative edition of Honeychile Rider.
2. North Korean generals posing as posh British diamond smugglers.
3. "lasers", especially when they're actually focused beams of solar energy from "satellites".
4. Anyone called "Mr Kil". The clue is in the name.
There are a couple of Koreans on this trip. Today was certainly into the wilds of Iceland though with massive volcanic ash plains, it was like being on the moon. Indeed the US astronauts practiced in Iceland before their journey. Not much ice though. 10% in Iceland, 90% in Greenland, I'll keep an eye out in Greenland as I fly there tomorrow. Disko Bay; sounds kind of funky. Oh and not sure on Mr Kil, but when I get back from Greenland I have a few more days here and may go off whale watching maybe Mr Kil will be in disguise as Mr Krill.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what the US astronauts practiced in Iceland? Job hunting skills? That's about all they need these days. In my experience the only training one needs before space flight is a ride in a malfunctioning centrifuge machine. Worked for me at least.
ReplyDeleteI'm off to Prince Albert's wedding in Monaco - should be a fun time, as long as he manages to keep his bride in the country. I believe she's already made one run for it.
Hope you have a great time in Greenland. Give my regards to Fatima Gana.
In Greenland now they flew us to a secret location outside Nuuk, changed to a smaller plane on the tarmac and now in Ilulissat - no passport checks, nothing. Spectacular scenery flying in, some of the bst I have seen, probably never seen a person there before. Ilulissat is riddled with mosquitos but there are icebergs in the harbour and lot of fishermen wandering around. Apparently you can get a gun here without a license and even walk into a shop with it across your shoulder. Off to an old viking settlement tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteWell done man. There's nothing like getting in a tiny plane, flying under the radar, touching down in a bumpy field and jumping out before you've come to a halt, then watch as your ride out turns and flies away. No documents, no passports, no backup, just you and your Walther PPK. Travelling barefoot as we say. You've got a day: kill the president/mole/tour operator and get back to the airfield, hoping like hell the game hasn't changed and you're not left in the field with nothing to get you home but a handful of local currency, a command of the language and the wife of the cultural attache. Good luck. We salute you!
ReplyDeleteMake my escape tomorrow. Same deal, hop a plane, touch down, run across the tarmac and onto the next one back into Reyjavik. Have grabbed a chopper for first thing though to check out more of the ice castles. Did so yesterday with a small boat under the pretence of whale watching - even saw a whale and again today on an old tug, this time heading far North (glaciers was the excuse). A number of suspicious fishing trawlers nearby but mission accomplished in Greenland. Back in Iceland soon I will continue up in the North East for a few days then that special ask in the Faroes.
ReplyDeleteLooks like it's all about to kick off. Rumour has it the Katla project has gone critical. I imagine the corridors at Langley are swarming with panic - they certainly are here in London. No one knows if we can get it under control. So far I think the media has swallowed the 'volcano' line ... but surely it's only a matter of time before the truth gets out. Unless our boffins can settle it down, of course. You should get out of there before it all kicks off.
ReplyDeleteWill do Sir Roger although I took time this morning to pay a visit to a special location, where Reagan and Gorbachev met in 1986 - the beginning of the end of the cold war. Put a lot of good spies into retirement - not the 00's of course. I hopped on a Norwegian Tall Ship that came into Port too, oh and checked out the stuffed bird museum. I did see the most unusual though, drunks with coloured pencils, one decided he might draw might picture but quickly lost interest. I got a photo of him and his colleagues just in case.
ReplyDeleteI'll grab a flight to the Faroes tomorrow to continue the task.
Sir Roger, not sure about this Faroe's visit. Are you sure on this one? I know it was a strategic naval base for the British during World War II, lots of Scots based here, but I think it is more suited to a Scooby Doo mystery than a Bond movie. I have explored the city thoroughly and even got in a spot of swimming this morning. Tomorrow I'll check out Kirkjubo the old cultural centre. As I came in from the airport I came in with the replacement surgeon from Iceland. The conversation turned to Katla and expectations are we won't see sunlight for a year when Katla goes, it was even considered as a contributor to the French Revolution. See shares in airlines was the suggestion. I'll keep on in the Faroes for a few days and then hop it back to Hong Kong.
ReplyDeleteCome on, man, it isn't always about the work. Sometimes it's about getting your gear off and diving into the deep end. Just look out for that cold water - it can have a very nasty effect.
ReplyDeleteAnd I hope you've managed to catch up with Madam Gaardbo. I know that appearances can be deceiving, but she doesn't offer anything she isn't able to provide. Good luck!
Thanks for the postcard, BTW. M sends her regards.
ReplyDeleteGlad the postcard arrived. Had heard M had got promoted one level to N but think she'd like Iceland and the Faroes or at least the general spin and thread of the locations. Some good yarns. Haven't been able to catch the mysterious Madam Gaardbo but hired a local, Absalom, today to visit Kirkjubo, the old settlement. Quite a good singing voice had Absalom in the 800 year old church perched on the coast. Nasty habit though, we visited the Prime Minister's office and he popped behind it for a wizz. He did explain all the names on the old houses though - Barrastova, Snikkastova, ... I was thinking the Russians had an influence but Stova means room - Barrastova - children's room (Kindergarten in the very old days), Snikkastova (Carpenters house)etc etc. Might grab the old sailing boat to the bird cliffs of Vestmanna tomorrow as Absalom wanted a day off and so did the second 'tour' this evening. Was a bit worried about the transfer out of here but all looks okay, don't need the many hours at the airport as in other countries, turn up, bags in, on the plane and out of there. Some tight connections but should be in Hong Kong in a couple of days.
ReplyDeleteFinally Sir Roger I think I understand the Faroes part of the job as I took an old Schooner around the island of Nolstoy this morning (mstakenly thought it was Vestmanna). With tall cliffs, few people, lots of caves and inlets you could hide an old sub plenty of places in here. I collected some video for analysis when I'm back in Hong Kong but I think you would have liked the old Schooner as a naval commander. I certainly did, the creaking of the wood and the cut of the sails. Originally a fishing vessel in 1945 it was restored in the 80's. The waves got a bit rough as we rounded the horn past a spectacular lighthouse one of many in this region, but those waves wouldn't have bothered you.
ReplyDeleteLots of interesting discussions on whaling too on this trip, each place very different, some justifiable perhaps, some not, but we'll save that debrief for another day.
Well done man, on the final leg now.
ReplyDeleteHope the chopstick training goes well - I've seen men flinging them through sheets of plywood. It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye.
And if you do the harbour cruise, don't be fooled by the indolent appearance of the staff. If you try to steal their bottles of whisky they will catch you.
Good luck making it home.
Thanks Sir Roger. The Indian suit men tried to stitch me up again but I avoided their clutches. A new foe arose though - foot massage women. Yes I said I might be big but I'm sure I'm not a foot! (Nothing like a bit of Bond or is it Austin Powers humour eh?)
ReplyDeleteThe black mercedes will collect me at 9. A few hours to occupy till then and I'll merge into the background in the hotel lobby. Direct to HQ, rumour has it the next mission is in the planning, something about Sri Lanka or Myanmar. A pleasure as always SIr Roger. See you back in HQ.
I'm pretty sure neither Bond nor Powers ever denied being a foot!
ReplyDeleteYou're right Sir Roger I'll bone up on my humour for the next trip :-)
ReplyDelete