My Travels - United Kingdom 1999 - 1.day
7.August 1999
At morning we woke up at 7 AM. We spent some time to move all things in the car. Then we assigned positions. Boris was driver and I was navigator. At the back seats was secondary driver Marcel and navigator was Eva. I had prepared papers with route from internet and maps of Europe. We stopped at first time in Bratislava Tesco store. There we needed to buy Pikao (condensed milk with sugar and cacao) for our driver. Our last stop in Slovakia was at the near gas station. There we bought gas and after consultation with our company manager also oil to engine, because we had low level. Shortly we had small accident at the near parking place. There we touched staying Škoda 120 car, while we were moving back. But nothing bad happened, it was only touch and we continued to Berg, boundaries to Austria.
There we were at 9 AM. From there we crossed Austria through Wien and Linz. We went to Germany crossing boundaries in Passau. We didn't see some customs. Inside Europe Union there was nobody. There is no speed limit on German highways, and we increased our speed to 150 km per hour. We continued through Regensburg, Nurnberg, Frankfurt and Koln to Netherlands. We crossed Benelux through Aachen, Liege and Brugge. Our target at Europe continent was Calais in France, from where we had to cross Channel by ferry to Dover in Great Britain. We did only short rests on the parking places or gas stations near of highways. In France I first time tried to be driver. It was also my last try. I didn't have so much experiences with driving car.When I was 15 minutes overtaking truck on highway, all passengers in the car became silent. At the first stop I was replaced with remark that I am very good navigator, but very bad driver. Near of Calais we recognized that we didn't have international automobile mark. In France it was impossible to buy it. We made it using pen and paper. We pasted it from inside to rear window. We reached Calais before midnight. We decided to buy tickets from P&O company. In short time we were boarded on their ferry. We left France at 1:30 AM. We will be in the UK in 2 hours.
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Labels: Great Britain 1999, my travels, uk, United Kingdom
posted by Juraj Svajdlenka @ 2:29 AM
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At 6 o'clock morning, we all woke up and we started to survive our tents. I decided to do the same, despite of Boris's protests. We packed our tent. Then we helped Emil and Hilda. Strong wind blew away cover from Emil's tent and we searched it half hour. We found it at last. After shower our mood rapidly improved. Fully packed we visited local coffee shop, where we bought some coffee and cakes. We had enough time, that we spend with visiting of 
We left our camping at afternoon. We stopped at 
Then we continued to 
At morning we woke up to beautiful weather. The rain finished. That day we prepared to trekking around an iceberg. We finished our preparation before noon. It was our the longest trek, here in Iceland. We crossed 
We could see from there 2 joining moraines of the iceberg. Boris took 8 pictures with camera for the panorama. They were the most beautiful pictures from our holiday. After our return back from the top we continued through 650 m high 
At morning we left camp so early. Some tents were destroyed from strong rain. Wet tents and luggages we gave to the bus and continued in our trip. After long way through black desert we joined to our well known route 
After Seljalandsfoss we visited 
When the weather improved, we decided to prepare our rice from previous day. Educated from yesterday, we cooked our rice in small wooden cabin, near of our bus. Later we recognized that it was service cabin for neighbouring toilet. Our rice was cooked in background sound effects from toilet. Three times boiled rice with meat wasn't so good, but it was warm, and we ate it together from one big pot. We had been overeaten, when joined us Lubica from Presov and she helped us. At last we prepared also hot tea. It was still raining and we went to our tents, where we played cards. It was only one thing, what it was possible to do there in this weather.
It is morning's standard weather on Iceland. It is raining. We packed our tent in a record time, to prevent to have wet things. We saved a day or two, and we decided to go to mountain camping in 
Refreshed enough, I took shower and after breakfast we packed our things. We left camp at noon, and we were looking for new experiences. We saw first time 
From capital city we continued to 
The night and especially the morning was terrible. I slept only short time and my knees were achy. I looked more like the adept on wheelchair. Our first stop was Storygeysir. Tere, we looked on father of all geysers, Geyisir. The biggest geyser in this area, 
After geyser visit we continue to 
At morning we packed all our things and gave them to the bus. We were going to left 
At morning it was cloudy, but didn't rain. At 9:00 we went to 
From 
After the descent we continued through 
At morning we woke up to beautiful weather. After eating and packing, we rode back to see waterfall 
From there we continued to 
At morning we woke up in a good mood. Half before 10 AM we went with bus to stone city 
We crossed canyon of river 
To wake up after yesterday's party was very difficult. But shower made it easier. We reached 
We landed in port 
On our way to camp we visited beautiful waterfall 
Today was our last day on Faroe Islands. At evening we had to continue to Iceland. Norrona, our ship, returned back from Bergen in Norway to Torshavn. After breakfast we packed our luggage and went from camp at 9 PM. We went to look at 
After cathedral exhibition we returned to 
First night in my new tent I managed well. Also my tent managed it well. I woke up after 7 AM. We had planned climb to the highest hill of Faroe Islands 
It took me a lot of time to wake up. I washed myself, packed all my things and went to deck to see our arrival to 
We moved to waiting room in port. Here we were waiting on our bus. I found there ATM with Maestro card logo on it. It looked like my new card would be useful. I didn't try it yet, I had some Denmark krone, it didn't need more money. After hour we entered in a bus and went to our camp on edge of 
We had to return back to camp, because we had planned visit on birds islands 
I borrowed book "Africa Alive" from Hynek Adamek, our guide. This is the book about expedition to Africa, and you can find there also articles and photos from one older expedition from Zikmund and Hanzelka book, "Black Africa". Expedition Africa Alive went in trails of this older expedition. It is interesting reading, especially for me. I love old books from Zikmund and Hanzelka and most of them I also own. When woke up others, we ate something and we went to Viking club. Only Boris had a little bit problems with seasick, and he declined to go with us. We visited all open shops on ship. I had to change some money in change office, because it was not possible to pay with my new Maestro card. I bought some beer from Faroe Islands, box of cigars and some chocolates. And we also tried everything in short time. Cigars were strong and beer was good. On deck it was so cold, and most time we spent in cabins and Viking Club. Hynek there spoke with group on jeeps. At evening we went on movie Peacemaker (some scenes were recorded in Bratislava). Before midnight I went to sleep.
I woke up early at morning, and my body felt a long way in bus. Today we had to transfer through Germany to Denmark. Our ferry was going from 
I started my first day of holiday traditionally in my work. Our bus had to go afternoon. I had so much work and I required to close some open tasks. But it had also some advantages. My boss took me to work with company car from Stupava, and he also took me before Istropolis, from where had to go our bus. It took me some time to collect all my things, but at last I moved all baggage on small wall before Istropolis. In short time arrived also Boris, and after five minutes also Hilda and Emil. They had most baggages from us, therefore Hilda's father took them with car. We grouped all our baggage on one place, and started to look after our bus. Bus wasn't still here, but we found next adepts on Iceland here. Young man from a near group started to talk with us, and he acknowledged us, that he is going also on Iceland. Emil dismissed for short time, but suddenly he returned back with 4 cans of beer. We drank our beer, and Hilda made our first photo from this holiday 
Our morning is exceptional. Local farmer woke up us with a big noise. He was owner of land, where we have built our tents. Jaro, natural diplomat, solved this problem in short time. He shake hands with farmer, and he propitiated. We promised to return all to previous state and farmer was satisfied. He left us with a smile. Shaking hands is main rule how to propitiate nervous opponents. We packed all tents and made order as we promised. We continue to Sweden. Our target is 
We wake up, wash, eat some meal, pack everything and we continue today to 
I was really delighted at 
We are in 
We are in 
From there we use ferry to 
We are going to 
Morning is for me really hard. Only very slowly I leave tent. Outside is strong wind and sun is hidden somewhere above dark clouds. I make decision to spend today in car. Other people want to make some easy route. On the "Eagle route" they are struggling their fight. Strong wind is dangerous enemy. I speak with Jaro about their conditions. It is not bad thing to spend some time in car, but from bike you can see much more. We stop near of 
With car we reach 
It is morning and I am going out from tent very slowly. All my body is weary of yesterday route. After a small time I feel more better and I decided to pass next route. Today we have prepared beautiful track to 
Some time later we slowly reach an observation point on top. There I sit down on bench together with others. I did it at last. Gabika has legs in unbelievable cold water of small river "brrrrr", and other are eating and sunning. I am doing the same. After half hour rest we are going to observation point. In souvenirs shops around way there, are trolls of all sizes and shapes. This is the right place to buy troll at home. We also built our troll from stones for happiness. It is a difficult thing, because all stones are used for other trolls, and take stone from another troll means accident. We finally found enough free stones for our troll. Near of observation point are Japan filmmakers and they are recording advert on Subaru and some kind of tea. Actress in Norway national costume is drinking tea from pot with words "teaaaa" with smile on face. When she did it 20 times, she looks so bored from this role. We lean against barrier railing and take a pleasure in beautiful view down. Now we really see how difficult was our way up. Way was going up in steep long serpentines and its start is boundless. We make some photos for our families and friends in order that they can admire us for this performance. Then suddenly Jaro begin to hassle. He bought emblem with reindeer and he pinned him to peak of his cap. But cap unfortunately fall down 20 m under observation point with help of strong wind. Jaro without speculation skid down. And Peter everything record on camera. Terrain looks very dangerous and Jaro's way down looks very risky. Everybody on observation point is looking on this crazy man, but Jaro fortunately take his cap and he returned back without wounds. Our bikes stay abandoned near of our car. Here it is possible. We are careful only in big cities. 
Our next target was 
I am first up at morning. Weather is beautiful. My stomach and my head reminds me alcohol orgy from yesterday. But socialization is also necessary on this kind of travels. I am walking slowly, and sun is shinning on my face. Sooner than others wake up, I wash myself and I make small excursion to near village. When I returned others were also up. We are a little bit nervous, today is our first bike trip. I am curious on Olga, because yesterday she confessed, she is doing triathlon with good results. After unmounting bikes from car, checking their status, we must prepare us, bikers. After preparation we start our trip. We form a small ruck. Today it was only small trip, for warming up our bodies. Peter supervises us, and it looks like we are going without problems. Driver Jaro, round around us with car in half hour after our start. 
Later we visited center of Lillehammer. Lillehammer is a small city with wooden houses and with nice surroundings. It is a few year after Olympic Games, but they atmosphere is still there. Souvenirs of all types from T-shirts to books and sculptures of trolls are everywhere around us. We were really surprised with quality of tourist information bureaus. Their services are excellent. After city exploration we go to near camping on bank of of Mjosa lake. We build our tents near of volleyball play-ground. At reception we lend volleyball ball and we prepare our sport evening. First of all, braver of us try the water. It took me 10 minutes to dive in such cold water. Slowly after me go Gabika and I try to splash water to her. I was surprised with her bad reaction. After swimming we start our volleyball match. Together with Gabika and Lucia we lost, because Olga as physical training teacher disrupted us with her funny speaking and advices. We play only to entertain ourselves, and result wasn't so striking. It was funny improving of our evening. We know with two young Slovaks crossing North Europe by trains. Peter helps them with possible interesting places here in Norway. We decide to visit Lillehammer in the night. We wanted to visit some local pub, but all pubs were closed at this time. In Norway it is a big problem to find open pub after 10 PM. I think they have some law, that pubs have to be closed to 10 PM. But on the other side night streets of Lillehammer were also beautiful. We wrote some postcards and sent them at home. When we returned Peter was already sleeping. We as a good team followed him in a short time.
At morning I get up as first. I am slowly leaving tent. We are still in 
We continue on our way. Flat is slowly changing to mountains. We are in
As rest place we choose place near of biggest lake of Norway, 
I wake up at 3:00 am. We are staying. Jarko tell me that we are here in Rostock on parking place near the port. I a little bit walk around, because my legs are stony-hard. At last I take mattress roll and sleeping bag and I lie down on parking place, near of car. Finally I am going to sleep. 
After good rest I wake up at half past 5. Near of me is sleeping Peter and on other side also Olga. About meter from me is on the ground used napkin a some fag-ends. It is OK, more important for me that I am good rested. All of us get up and we are preparing to go board to ship. But we come to know that departure is moved to afternoon. We have a lot of time now. We only wash in near toilet. As breakfast Peter prepared sausages with mustard and bread. They looks very good, and Lucia, vegetarian in normal life, eat also one of them. We have still enough time and we are going to walk to city. To city we are going by car, it is about 3 km from port. 
We land to 
To Zilina we arrived short time before time of our departure. After quarter of hour we found departure place. But we don't see no bus not even other people. Only empty square. We phoned to travel agency, and they informed us with actual situation. They go with van on gas station. What, van? We know that it was signed on 15 people on this travel. And 15 people plus 15 bikes plus big amount of luggage is impossible to transport with van. Square was situated near a travel agency office and in short time come some people from travel agency. We got to know that from 15 people we reminded 5. Plus our guide and driver. 7 people is good count for van, not for bus. We weren't very happy from this info, but later we were very satisfied with this situation. Van arrived and we are quickly became acquainted with rest of our group. Our next members are women Olga and Hela. We are also welcomed with our guide and driver. Our driver Jarko together with our guide and me lodge in our luggage into car. We don't have so much time, because we must catch our ferry in 
Our situation is next: We are going via Czech republic to Germany. Morning at 6:00 we must be in Rostock from where is going our ferry. During our way we become acquainted all together. It looks like, that here meet together a good group. And that was confirmed also many time later. We continue with comparing our previous experience with biking and I my optimism is decreasing. Our guide Peter compete on bikes. Olga, physical training and russian language teacher, took part in many triathlon competitions before. And Hela is also experienced biker. Opposite of me, because I spent a lot of time in my work and now my condition is very poor. We crossed Czech boundaries, and our driver Jaro is fast as wind. A few hours later we were in Prag, capital of Czech republic. Slowly is getting dark an we are near of German boundaries. We are going on E55 way to Dubi passage. We are together watching on poorly dressed girls(prostitutes) near a road together with shops full of gypsum dwarfs. Boundaries crossed without problems. Some time we were watching out on country of capitalism. We had only short stops for our necessary needs. First night we must spend in a car. Gabika lay down between seat rows and Lucia together with me sleep on back seat. Hela and Olga also settled to sleep. I am very tired and in short time I sleep. From time to time I am trying to change my position and my eyes are going down. Around us is a darkness and we are driving quickly to our next target, Rostock.
