Perth to Sudbury - the long way

Selfoss, Iceland

Sat, 07 Oct 2017 13:32:00 +0000

Ever since we learned about it during undergrad I have been fascinated by Laki (or more correctly Lakagigar - Craters or Laki). It is the most voluminous volcanic eruption in recorded history, releasing over 14 km3 of basalt lava, with over 120 million tonnes of sulphur dioxide. The eruption itself occurred in 1783-1784, and is referred to as Skaftáreldar ("Skaftá fires"). It destroyed 20 villages, killed 50% of livestock, and led to the death of 25% of Iceland’s population. What followed was 2 years of global cooling and climate change, resulting in a ‘year without summer’ in Europe and droughts as far as India and North Africa. It is a testament to how far the lava travelled that, over the 2 hour drive inland to the 25 km long fissure (with 130 craters) from the coast, you are always on Laki lavas. This eruption is particularly important to geologists, as we use it as a baseline to understand the truely epic volcanic events from geological history, which we call flood...

Hol, Norway

Fri, 06 Oct 2017 14:25:40 +0000

We try not to follow in the footsteps of others, but sometimes it’s hard when those footsteps have been to places we dream of. Exploration is such an important part of life, but sometimes wanting to stand in a place where you have seen so many amazing photos, to smell the air, feel the wind and complete the experience the photo started, is too hard to resist. Photos of Olstinden and surroundings from the bridge into Reine is one of those places for me. I didn’t want to replicate the photo, I wanted to complete the feeling I had when looking at so many others. Obviously it would have been rude not to add a few photos to the Reine portfolio... . . . *also - there will be no photos here from Reinebringen, the famous hike the leads to amazing views over Reine. This is because hugely increased demand over the years has worn the trail to dangerous levels. Locals ask travellers not to hike it, but many still do, making the situation worse, and disrespecting locals in the process....

Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Iceland

Tue, 03 Oct 2017 14:12:23 +0000

The Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon is fast becoming a favourite with travellers in Iceland, for it's damn fine looks but also its accessibility from the ring road. In the highlands, canyons such as these are relatively common, and anyone who has seen the Emstrur canyon on the Laugavegur will know just how deep and dramatic they can get. However - that is not to give this canyon a disservice; it's a beautiful spot and hey - not everyone has time to make it inland. The story behind the formation of the canyon is pretty cool. It started to form at the end of the last ice age around 9000 years ago, as the glaciers retreated a lake formed behind a more resistant rock layer. Water escaping from the lake was full of glacial sediments and began to carve the valley. The lake eventually filled up, and the remaining river then carved out a gorge in the lake sediments. This is why these rocks do not have the characteristic layers of the lavas observed in most of Iceland's canyons. It's a beautiful...

Massey, Canada

Mon, 02 Oct 2017 12:59:14 -0400

Went for a walk in the new 'hood this weekend. Wasn't too shabby. . . . . . . #canada #ontario #visitontario #explorecanada #lacloche #hiking #hikers #travel #outdoors #explore #adventure #wilderness #roamtheplanet #ourcrater #sudbury #wildernessculture #passionpassport #forest #lakes #igers #instatravel #instagood #mondaymotivation

Kvæfjord, Norway

Wed, 27 Sep 2017 16:07:13 +0000

Destinations in travelling are a bit like children, they can be temperamental, loud, frustrating, but ultimately rewarding? Well... I was thinking more that you shouldn't have favourites. Most trips there are pros and cons to each place and you love them all in their own way. This was the case on this trip, except for the Lofoten Islands. They were just so spectacular and captivating, they forced me to pick a favourite, otherwise I'd just be lying to myself. The world is so full of noise and distractions, it's hard to find space to look inward at yourself, and outward at the world, at the same time. Somehow Lofoten allows you the space and environment to do that. It takes your hand and says "come with me and know the world again". I hope it never changes. . . . . . . #norway #lofoten #munkan #munkebu #huts #fjords #norwayhike #hiking #hiker #salomon #explorenorway #travel #instatravel #instanature #nature #landscape #traveller #outdoors #wilderness #wildernessculture #passionpassport...

London, United Kingdom

Fri, 22 Sep 2017 00:59:02 +0100

This is not exactly the most spectacular photo I've ever posted; but it is of a place very close to my heart. I spent five years in London for my undergraduate and first job, and although I didn't grow up there, it is certainly a place I consider home (although these days a few places feel like that). I never really bought into the old adage "the home is where the heart is", I find it is more the home is in the heart - you can take it with you wherever you go. It's a constant source of warmth and reassurance, the good times, lessons learnt, and mistakes you made there. When times are dark it will sustain you through almost anything. . . . . . . #uk #britain #england #london #thames #cityoflondon #home #instatravel #city #instagood #igers #traveller #travelgram #traveldiary #moodygrams #londonsky #roamtheplanet #explore #photo #walk #bridge #britishweather

Helsinki, Finland

Tue, 19 Sep 2017 10:23:39 +0300

Last week we nipped over to Helsinki for the day. It's only a two hour ferry from Tallinn so why not? As far as cities go, it is not going to set your life on fire (apologies all Helsinki-ans), but it's a nice way to get a taste of Finnish culture. The Finns are lovely people and the city has great food, coffee and drinks culture, but it just lacks the pizazz of other cities with big old towns or impressive new architecture. This shot is from the senate square with the Helsinki cathedral behind. Apologies - couldn't resist the pose

Tallinn, Estonia

Tue, 19 Sep 2017 02:53:46 +0300

Over the last few weeks we have been on a whistle-stop tour of Vilnius (Lithuania), Riga (Latvia) and Tallinn (Estonia), with a few days in Poland (Warsaw and Gdansk). I'm sure you're gagging to know (or not?

Hol, Norway

Sun, 17 Sep 2017 05:09:22 +0000

The end of big trips are always emotional, because they last long enough to define a part of your life. We hatched the idea for this trip outside a cafe in Victoria Park, Western Australia in the knowledge that research positions do not last. It was over two years in the making, and took us across the world from Perth, to Beijing and across Eurasia, through Mongolia and Siberia, into western Russia, after which we spent two magical months in Norway and Iceland, the two countries that had always defined the journey in our minds. We have travelled over 15,000 km, the vast majority by train. It's been an amazing adventure through some of the most diverse and contrasting climates as well as landscapes. This post is dedicated to my partner George (pictured above (@georgeandhergeo ), for her tireless efforts in planning 90% of the trip while I worked late in the lab or office, as well as her bravery in completing numerous activities for the first time, many of which she would admit might...

Tallinn, Estonia

Sat, 16 Sep 2017 11:16:07 +0300

The last stop on our whirlwind tour of the eastern Baltic states ends with Tallinn in Estonia. It's a beautiful city which oozes character from every cobble-stoned alley, inviting you to explore randomly till you end up inevitably at the city wall, of which around 40% still survives - and incredible amount for a city with over 700 years of complicated history. One of the unique things about Tallinn is it has upper and lower old town sections, creating a layered, tiered city that is a pleasure simply to wander through. This is also the last stop on a trip that has taken us across the world from Beijing, the majority over land. It will be sad to finish, but there are some big challenges and adventures to face in the months ahead. Also tomorrow I get to spend five days with my family which I'm super excited about. . . . . . . #estonia #tallinn #view #cloudporn #oldtown #spires #travel #instatravel #instagood #igers #traveller #travelgram #traveldiary #city #instacity #instadaily #baltic...

Vík, Iceland

Fri, 15 Sep 2017 07:16:23 +0000

This is fast becoming the classic shot at Dyrhólaey (door-hole island), and for good reason - the aesthetics of the black sand beach stretching off into the distance capture the wildness of Iceland, with the handy plus that you can drive to it. I am a fan of getting those classic shots, but what is much harder, but in my opinion more rewarding (and exciting) is to make your own classics, even if it's just a classic to you. It doesn't necessarily have to involve a trek to some mountain that no one frequents (although it helps!)... I guess all it really takes is a promise to ourselves not stand in the same place, and take the same shot, as someone else did, all the time. To make our own footsteps. . . . *Dyrhólaey formed in a submarine volcanic eruption around 100,000 years ago, similar to the activity that formed Surtsey in 1963-1967. The island is formed from mostly basalt and tuff (ash and various ejecta) and showcases a variety of beautiful volcanic and ocean-erosion features...

Rīga, Latvia

Thu, 14 Sep 2017 08:10:26 +0300

Lunch on nice squares is usually a touristy, pricey affair - but it was well worth it in Riga to have a view of St Peter's church with some awesome food (Domini Canes restaurant if anyone is interested). Riga seems quite sleepy until around 1-2 pm when the streets start to fill up, so this lunch at around 12 was really chilled. I think there was even some dude playing an accordion nearby. Classic. . . . . . . . #latvia #riga #baltic #travel #instatravel #instagood #igers #travelgram #traveller #citylife #rigaoldtown #church #square #lunch #easterneurope #traveldiary #travelphotography #roamtheplanet #cloudporn

Ullensvang, Norway

Wed, 13 Sep 2017 14:50:12 +0000

Two months ago I was sitting on the edge of Trolltunga - a genuinely exciting and beautiful experience. Here's what it felt like on the edge! Swipe left for picture. Getting my phone out whilst sitting there was not the most comfortable feeling... but it was worth it to preserve that moment. Important always to be careful in these moments... . . . . . . #norway #trolltunga #odda #hardanger #fjord #hike #hiking #adventure #scandinavia #video #instatravel #instanature #igers #travel #travelgram #timetoplay #salomon #explorenorway #wilderness #roamtheplanet #passionpassport #hikers

Rīga, Latvia

Wed, 13 Sep 2017 12:38:44 +0300

Bit of a milestone today, as this is my 100th post on instagram - insta-centenary if you will! It started out as a curiosity, and then an outlet for years of travel photos locked up on my computer. But it has become a bit more, a channel to talk about travelling and my love for geology. More importantly, it has become more and more about the community here, and listening to and learning from others, whether they have thousands of followers or one. The one thing that made less sense with each post is my persona "coffeebeforelife". It all started out because, when going to the beach or a weekend hike, I kind of demand a coffee before I can start the day, as the people at @hoopla_espresso may remember. However, I have never posted once about coffee, so continuing with this name makes little sense. Hence I'm gonna change it to _geologistkindalife - much more in line with what I do here - stories about my work and personal life as a geologist. I hope this doesn't confuse the crap out of...

Skaftafell, Iceland

Sun, 10 Sep 2017 14:59:49 +0000

Landmannalaugar is a four hour bus ride from Reykjavik, with the last hour along bone-rattling gravel roads with a few river crossings along the way to keep you interested - just in case the ridiculous scenery isn't enough for you. It's possible to do the drive independently by 4WD but we would not be leaving from here, as we were about to start the Laugavegur - the four day hike from Landmannalaugar to Thorsmork. We arrived at 6 pm ish, and between then and around 10 pm there was the usual sun-rain cycle that is fairly typical of the Icelandic summer... at some point the light became epic and I managed to get a few snaps of the characteristic rhyolite hills (more on the geology here in another post) before heading for the hot spring... after all Landmannalaugar does mean "the people's pools". It would have been rude not to. . . . . . . #iceland #ig_iceland #landmannalaugar #laugavegur #rhyolite #geology #travel #wilderness #instatravel #instanature #igers #instagood #travelgram...

Heading out of Landmannalaugar and up to the plateau at Hraftinnusker, I looked back after completing most of the 450 m ascent to see this in 360 degrees. The colours and complex interplay of the hills here make for incredible compositions, and with the sun in a good place, the shots just came so easily - the area is just so awesome that great landscapes are just there to be taken. It's actually hard to make progress on the trail at this point... oh - and check out that weather! . . . . . #iceland #ig_iceland #landmannalaugar #laugavegur #rhyolite #trekking #hiking #camping #landscape #landscapephotography #travel #travelgram #traveller #wilderness #outdoors #sun #explore #adventure #nature #hike #colours #geology #unlimitediceland #timetoplay #salomon #instatravel #instanature #igers #instagood

Å i Lofoten, Norway

Sat, 09 Sep 2017 09:11:13 +0200

When we are on long drives, or sitting in a bar chatting - those moments where your thoughts drift around in your head in the beautiful pointless way that is relaxing - we often end up talking about the Lofoten Islands. It was our first stop after the Trans-Siberian at the beginning of July, our first time to Norway and first time in the real Arctic. The place captured us like it has so many, the landscapes are unlike anywhere on Earth, but there is something more, some genuine magic to the place that makes you want to go further, explore more - I think most people leave planning their next trip - through excitement but also fear - that this won't be the last time. In 2006 the Norweigen government put nature before oil in signing a moratorium on drilling in the Lofoten Islands. However, this deal is about to end, and on September 11 negotiations to open the area to drilling will begin. The future of a landscape that has changed many people and will change future visitors, is hanging...

Skútustaðir, Iceland

Fri, 08 Sep 2017 10:04:44 +0000

Mind the gap? In Iceland the mid-Atlantic ridge, the volcanic mountain chain that marks the spreading centre separating the Eurasian and North/South American plates, can be observed directly at the surface. At this ridge, new oceanic crust is formed. It gets a bit messy as it cuts through Iceland, forming a number of volcanic zones and micro-plates, and an active hotspot adds to the party, but the result is Iceland itself - a volcanic plateau over 3000 m above the ocean floor, and continuing to grow every day. This shot is from the lava flows at Leirhnjuker, which formed between 1975 and 1984. One of Icelands's greatest attributes is that these major Earth processes (like this big crack / fissure) are visible and accessible to tourists - it's an important place to educate, inform and inspire people about the geology that creates and controls their world. . . . . . . #iceland #krafla #leirhnjúkur #myvatn #volcano #geology #geologist #geologyrocks #explore #adventure #instatravel...

Selfoss, Iceland

Tue, 05 Sep 2017 13:55:16 +0000

The feeling of heading into the wilderness of southern Iceland for five days, with everything you need on your back, and the uncertainty of the elements, terrain and physicality ahead, was one of the most exciting experiences of this trip; maybe my life so far. I wasn't thinking about work, the future, money, or any of the other issues we all have to deal with on a day-to-day basis; all I was thinking about was "how do I cross this river", "where do I put my tent" or "how do I keep this dry" (usually followed by: "this is wet"). Everyone is different, but I think I realised that is something I need every now and then. Perhaps more than I realised. . . . . . . #iceland #southerniceland #trekking #hiking #hiker #hike #wildernessculture #outdoors #wilderness #highlandsoficeland #travel #instatravel #igers #unlimitediceland #travelgram #traveller #passionpassport #wanderlust #lifelessons #explore #nature #landscape #landscapephotography #travelphotography #outdoorlife #simplelife...

Trek camping - find a dry spot and try as much as possible not to disturb any moss... respect the moss! In all seriousness, the Icelandic environment and especially the plants and moss are extremely sensitive. Our guide explained that it can take a decade for a footprint to fade from the moss. In some cases it is unavoidable to walk or camp on moss, but in many cases it can be avoided. In five weeks travelling round Iceland we saw dozens of people jumping ropes and climbing sensitive areas off the path for photographs - and even more frustrating are the influencers on instagram who post pictures I know were taken behind ropes or off paths - only encouraging their 300 k followers to do the same. These people should respect the wishes of Icelanders and the restrictions/fences/paths/ropes; otherwise Iceland's most visited areas will be just a criss-cross of brown tracks. If they can't respect the places they visit, and the nature they claim to revere, they should stay at home....

Suðurland, Iceland

Mon, 04 Sep 2017 16:52:46 +0000

The Hraftinnusker hut is the highest on the Laugavegur trail at over 1000 m, and is known for its high winds, rain and tough camping conditions - to the extend that rock walls have been built to shelter individual tent sites. We were worried whether our ultralight hiking tent could handle it. That said - it was an amazing feeling to wake up to this. . . . . . . #iceland #hraftinnusker #laugavegur #trek #hiking #hiker #travel #instatravel #highlands #epic #mountains #outdoors #wilderness #wildernessculture #igers #instanature #instagood #nofilter #passionpassport #roamtheplanet #unlimitediceland #guidetoiceland #luck #datweather #travelgram #travelphotography #traveller #icelandatitsbest #instagram

Warsaw, Poland

Mon, 04 Sep 2017 15:00:37 +0200

In terms of photography, the outdoors and big vistas are my core interests - but for me, and many others, travel isn't just about nature and scenery, it's about the people that inhabit those spaces and their story. I felt I had to post something about the Holocaust when we visited Warsaw - a city with a tragic modern history. The overwhelming number of Jews who suffered in the holocaust encourage people to talk about it, read about it, visit the camps - so we can all learn from it and make sure it never happens again. Many German friends encourage the same. The story of the Warsaw Jews follows the horrific narrative of others in Nazi Europe. The photo shows the line where the wall of the Warsaw ghetto used to exist. On November 16 1940 the ghetto was completely isolated from the rest of the city by this wall. In this approximately 3 km2 space, 360,000 Warsaw Jews and 90,000 Jews from the local area were forced to live. Nearly 100,000 died of hunger, and during the summer of 1942, the...

Selfoss, Iceland

Sun, 03 Sep 2017 16:08:20 +0000

Trekking into the highlands west of Skaftafell, we passed innumerable waterfalls, streams, rivers, ravines and mountains that were simply unnamed - the landscape changes so quickly that they had appeared relatively recently and may disappear as quickly. This area is called Skaftárhreppur according to the geotag on the photo, but to me it is simply the middle of nowhere: A beautiful place. . . . . . #iceland #trekking #southiceland #hiking #hike #hiker #camping #gorge #highlands #unlimitediceland #nature #igers #instatravel #travel #instanature #instagood #landscape #landscapephotography #travelgram #traveldiary #travelphotography #traveller #isolated #guidetoiceland