The Red Original Paddle Lock. Protecting your equipment! A review for @StandUpPaddleUK
Simple and effective. It may just be a lock, but does exactly what it says on the box…
With paddleboarding forever on the rise, and it’s ever more increasing popularity due to the COVID, it seems board theft is becoming quite prevalent.. Worry no longer..
The Red Original Board Lock features;
• 3.2mm Marine grade twisted stainless steel cable: Resistant to corrosion and provides increased cut resistance. • Abrasion-resistant Coating: Protects the cable from fraying or from damaging other objects the lock is attached to. • 340cm Long: Ability to lock multiple boards together with one lock. • Programmable Combination lock: Easy to use carabiner combination lock can be set to a personal code further reducing the likelihood of board being stolen.
I locked my two boards to a sign post. It easily fits two boards stacked. I looped the cable through my D rings for a more secure locking but you could link the cable through grab straps (Although a sharp pair of scissors / blade will likely cut your straps) My suggestion is loop the cable through the strongest points on your board – this really depends on the brands / style. Red Original Accessories are a universal fit which is great.
Two boards stacked and Locked
The programmable lock is great and it’s also a carabiner which is handy. I’ve used this a couple of times now and have confidently left my boards outside on a main road in St. Ives during my last trip away.
Just don’t forget your Code..
RRP £32.95. Don’t forget we have a checkout discount, use the code StandUpPaddleUK15…
Is it worth it? 100%Yes – regardless of the haters, the cheapstakes and nay sayers. Spending £32.95 on a product which is protecting an items worth between £500-1000 each, it’s a no brainer for me.
As ever, find me on Instagram search @Darrens_Visuals / @StandupPaddleUK for more!
Shh! It is the Red Originals Silent Air Remover. A review for @StandupPaddleUK
Gimmick or Valuable tool? Yep, this one had already divided opinion on our recent IG Reel..
I’ve always been on the side of ‘it’s just air coming out of the board’ and I believe many would probably agree.
Red Original says; “The Silent Air Remover reduces the sound of a board inflated to 18psi from over 130 decibels at initial valve depression to less than 80 decibels. That is the equivalent of a jet taking off in comparison to background noise in a restaurant”.
I deliberately tested the Air Remover in my car park. I live in apartments, where any form of noise is complained about! So really, a good place to test it..
Tested where I knew people would hear any loud noises…
I set up my board to 15.5/16psi. A standard running pressure. As you’ll see on the video review (coming up shortly) I set up the Air Remover (AR) on the Rear and Central Valves, then using the ‘traditional’ press down without the AR.
Tested with a Decibel Reader in the same conditions for all
Rear Valve – 72db Max with the AR
Central Valve – 105db without the AR
Rear Valve – 114db without the AR
For the rear valve, that’s over 40db difference with the use of the Silencer, which may not sound like much but audibly it really is when you’re outside.
Ideal uses:
Morning/night paddles in built up areas
On Busy beaches
When kids are around
When boarding with dogs
Staying at campsites
The above are all opinions of course, but as a person who has been, for lack of a better word, bollocked, for unleashing my board air into the atmosphere by a river dog walker, I do feel it has its place and I’ll be keeping it in my bag. Maybe a bit on the expensive side, but, it is the only tool of its type as it stands.
Very simple to use and effective
Do you need it? Assess your paddle needs. Definitely valuable if you live in built up areas or paddle in crowded places with kids or animals.
We’ve seen comments of “Useless plastic” / “waste of plastic” – I disagree. You’re not exactly going to be throwing or leaving this on the ground somewhere for it to never decompose! You’ll be putting it in your bag/pouch and using it again. The device may not be to everyones liking or requirement but it does exactly what says it will do, Suppress exhausted air noise from a paddleboard – which it does well.
RRP £34.99
Don’t forget, Red Original have given us a checkout discount code of standuppaddleuk15..
UPDATE – the video test of the Silent Air Remover:
The Red Original Accessories Review of the Waterproof Pouch for @StandupPaddleUK – Find your Discount Code inside!
Oh, you had me a waterproof..
It has been a big week for us over on StandupPaddleUK. We’ve received a fair amount of kit to test, trial and review. We’ve always loved what the crew at Red Original are doing, it’s high quality products, made the right way, by a brand that really cares about the community.
A bumper delivery for Review!
I’ve got a few reviews to write for their products but let’s get on with the Waterproof Pouch..
So as I said at start of the review, ‘you had me at waterproof’.. Yeah, this thing is legitimately waterproof. There are photos on their website of a guy swimming in the sea holding the pouch, that is insane! I’ve used dry bags before but this thing is the next level.
I mean.. Wow..
StandUpPaddleUK as a collective have been using this item for some time. Dale is a huge fan of the pouch and really does swear by it too.
Dale out on the River with his Waterproof Pouch fitted to the central grab handle
Sizing: the pouch its self is 23cm long x 12cm deep x 5cm wide. You’re easily able to get your phone, keys and a GoPro in there.. We’ve even had a drone in there. It’s also the perfect place for something like an inhaler, the most important piece of equipment when I go out on my paddleboard after my PFD! So knowing that my medication is protected is also a great thing.
I’ve comfortably fitted my Keys, GoPro, Sony A6000 and iPhone in here with space to spare
On the board: The really great thing about the pouch is you are able to connect it to you and your board in several ways. The double Velcro strap system can be secured to grab handles, your deck bungee straps, the RO deck bag and the RO AirBelt. Personal preference for me and Dale is attaching it to your central grab handle as everything is then easily accessible beneath your feet.
As ever, we are testing in line with the use on a paddleboard however you could use it on a kayak, on your bike, open water swimming.. It really is a very versatile piece of kit. I’ve now used this pouch on two paddles and during one of them was a horrendous downpour of rain, the pouch protected my keys and phone. I like the integration with my board, I don’t use a Red Paddle board, so it is really great to see a product working on different brands products. We talk to brands a great deal about integration with other manufacturers/competitors so it’s really good to see that you don’t have to own a specific board to use their accessories..
Integration across the Red Original Range. The Waterproof Pouch and be connected via the velvro straps to the PFD Airbelt. A great idea for the paddler without the need for a bigger dry bagThe Pouch attached to the RO Deck Bag – Attached via the Bungee Cords
Quick Water Test: So the basic of the basic, let’s submerge this pouch and see what happens..
A full basin of water 💧 Submerged for about 2 minutes100% dry internally
Absolute madness. No water droplets, runs or signs of moisture inside of the Pouch. That’s a pass on the water test.. Kind of the most important part of the review really!
I’ve never really been a ‘rating’ reviewer. I prefer more to explain how the products work, how they integrate with different things and essentially if they are practical in their use. I really do believe that the waterproof pouch is a 10 out of 10 product. I suggest you check out the product itself on their website (click here for the link). As usual a video review on our IGTV will follow.
RRP is £64.95. Oh also of note; Red Original have been kind enough to provide StandupPaddleUK with a discount code – use code ‘standuppaddleuk15‘ at checkout to get a discount!
Thanks to Ross over at Red Originals for the continued support and their immense products! Learn more about Red Originals over on our IGTV Series.
Cheers to another review, stay tuned for more Red Originals product reviews..
The VivoBareFoot ESC Tempest Review by Darren Farrar for @StandupPaddleUK
As you know may, or may not know, I’m one of the guys behind StandupPaddleUK. We review, test and trial equipment in the paddleboard/watersports industry.. And pretty much anything that can be used while out with your board!
Find us on Instagram StandupPaddleUK
As someone that paddles a lot of rivers and canals footwear is an absolute must. I know a lot of people are very keen on barefoot paddleboarding, which has its advantages when the weather is really hot but I always find myself trying to get out of waterways and more often than not the terrain is not favourable to bare feet. I started researching different types of footwear and qas generally pointed in the direction of a wet suit shoe or boot. I myself do use a Gul Powershoe but the problem with a wet suit shoe is they absolutely stink out your house and car!
This all led us into looking at amphibious footwear and the first company that I came across that produced something which not only looked cool but had a ton of technology behind it and is made by a sustainable company, Vivobarefoot.
In a different life I was a personal trainer so I’ve been well aware of the brand as I used to wear the footwear while working in the gym. However these amphibious shoes are completely different.. Minimal still, but different!
Now I must point out that these are solely being tested for general fit and in line with the use on a paddleboard. I’m not testing their performance for running/triathlons, the review is to show how well the shoe integrates with the day to day use of paddleboard. That being said these are being marketed as an Amphibious Swim/Run shoe so anyone outside of the paddleboarding arena will need to do a bit more research elsewhere if running is your niche.
Straight out of the box: No plastic. Boom. Love that Vivo!
The make up of the shoe: The upper of the shoe have a very interesting pattern which I’m sure when in the water (mainly for swimming) provides some form of friction).
Quick draining mesh and recycled plastic PET ankle sock construction are designed to keep your feet comfortable between land and water.
The bio-based Bloom EVA midsole gives additional flotation! **Bloom is amazing FYA – it us formed into a performance foam made using algae biomass which cleans and restores the environment when harvested. The first sustainable alternative to the synthetic and petrochemical EVA foam!
How do they feel when they’re on: Bloody hell they’re difficult to get on.. I’m a UK8.5 / 9, so with a wet suit shoe I always size down because they’re stretchy. Out of the box I would say these are slightly smaller than ‘true to size’ and anyone with a wider feet should size up by one.
Now for me, these are very weird but also cool looking shoe. We’ve been sent the Zinc colourway but the shoes do come in three different colour options, these which are:
Image from the VivoBareFoot SiteImage from the VivoBareFoot Website
Sole of the shoes are very chunky and they have been manufactured with Michelin so you can almost guarantee that the sole is of the highest quality. *The level of grip that you get from these while on a paddleboard will be tested with an ‘on the water’ test*
There are no laces on these as they are a Speed Toggle. The ST is quite a thin lace system which I feel could be a little bit thicker but on the whole does a good job of tightening the upper. I’ve honestly worn these without tightening the ST as the fit was so snug to my feet.
Overall fit: I have found these, quite tight and fit very snuggly around the top of your foot. If you’ve broken a metatarsal before like me then you may feel that they rub on the top of your feet, however this may wear off once the shoe has been worn in. When walking around normally there are no issues, I found them to be quite comfortable without socks. The shoes essentially work straight out of the box with minimal adjustments and are also very fast drying is also helpful!
Currently retailing on Vivobarefoot’s website for £170. They do a cool 100 Day Trial which may be worth the option for some people. Click Here to read more about the 100 Day Trial!
As a footballer, well, an ex footballer, these reminded me and felt comparable to these…
A very similar fit to that of the Adidas Ace boots..
Myself and Dale will be carrying out ‘on the water’ tests which will be video reviews on our IGTV. We really want to test out how well these handle on the paddleboard, getting in and out of water (specifically onto the sides of rivers or canals). I get the feeling they will be a great tool in our arsenal..
Remember that this is a minimal shoe and while we’re not talking about running it is advisable that if you are trying a minimal shoe for the first time that you seek advice from a professional.
Thanks to Vivobarefoot for allowing us the opportunity to test these out. Stay tuned for the ‘On the Water’ video review. Ciao, Darren.
This was my second time in Venice and I was really excited to explore these amazing islands again. This trip gave me a chance to wander a little bit further, and travel to the islands I didn’t see previously, like Lido and Murano!
I don’t think Venice needs much explaining.. So this post will be purely pictures of my top picks and locations..
Calle del Mondo Novo, 30122 Venezia VE
The Rialto Bridge (Sestiere San Polo, 30125 Venezia)
Scala Contarini del Bovolo (S. Marco, 4303, 30124 Venezia)
S. Marco, 2431, 30124 Venezia
The View outside Harry’s Bar (Calle della Scuola, 30124 Venezia)
Ponte della Paglia and the Bridge of Sighs (30124 Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice)
The Palazzo Ducale (Piazza San Marco, 1, 30124 Venezia)
Basilica di San Marco (Piazza San Marco, 328, 30100 Venezia)
The Cafe Lavena Nightly Band at San Marco (Piazza San Marco, 133/134, 30124 Venezia)
Cometa di Vetro, Murano (Calle S Stefano, 17, 30141 Venezia)
Chiesa di San Pietro Martire, Murano (Fondamenta dei Vetrai, 30141 Venezia)
Church of San Giorgio (Isola di S.Giorgio Maggiore, 30133 Venezia)
Acqua Alta Library (Calle Longa S. Maria Formosa, 5176/b, 30122 Castello, Venezia)
T Fondaco dei Tedeschi Rooftop (Rialto Bridge, Ramo del Fontego dei Tedeschi, 30100 Venezia)
The View over Venice from Marco Polo
Venice is somewhere I’ll keep returning to. I love the atmosphere, the people and of course the food and drink. If you haven’t been, of course it’s a must.. I’ve you have already been, go a second time.. I felt I saw more of the Islands than previously. Take some risks, get on the water taxi and explore everything..
Stop two of my August trip was Milan, the train from Lugano to Milano Centrale was so easy and cheap! Approx €20, great value. Similar to the Zurich-Lugano route, the views from the trains at times were beautiful..
I got off the train at Milano Centrale, it was around 33 degrees, I had to get rid of my backpack so I agreed to tie up with my Air Bnb host. I had a place near Garibaldi Station, and my host spoke pretty much zero English. I loved this. I had to learn Italian phrases so I could speak to her, and she really did appreciate I was trying!
The View from my Air Bnb, perfect
Such a perfect little find on Air BnB, Corsa Como was the best location
Duomo di Milano (Piazza del Duomo, 20122 Milano MI, Italy)
The Duomo di Milano
I walked from my Air BnB into the city, of course headed for the Duomo. Firstly, I probably saw 5 or 6 people getting pick pocketed. You’ll see guys handing out bracelets, once given one you’ll be followed around. From what I could tell; people with decent cameras were being targeted.. anyway enough of the negatives.
The Duomo is amazing. It’s not quite as immense as the Duomo in Florence, but non the less, this place is incredible.. tips for the Duomo.. Book your tickets in advance. I queued for about 40 mins to get tickets to the stair climb to the roof terrace..
The Roof Terrace can get over crowded but it’s beautiful
If you’ve read my blog before you’ll know I fly drones for photography. Flying over any of the ‘Art Cities’ is illegal. I was desperate to fly in Milan but couldn’t arrange a permit quick enough. I did see two P4Ps fly over the Duomo. Word of warning, you’ll get caught.. I watched police detain a guy for flying over the Duomo.. be careful and know the rules..
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (Piazza del Duomo, 20123 Milano MI, Italy)
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is visually exceptional
Stunning architecture I love, shopping I do not.. this is probably one of the only times you’ll see me enjoy a shopping experience. The Galleria has to be seen to be believed. Unique symmetry, perfect lines. It’s beautiful.
This is Italy’s oldest active shopping mall, built between 1865-1867, named after the first King of the Kingdom of Italy.
The Statue of Leonardo di Vinci (Piazza della Scala, 20121 Milano MI, Italy)
Did you know this statue was created by a winner of a contest? Pietro Magni..
I was more impressed by the Duomo when light at night
As beautiful as the Duomo is, I much prefer seeing epic landmarks at night. Lighting is everything. The warm tones which light the Duomo are pretty cool. Generally at meeting place at night, and very busy, not that the photo really looks busy!
The San Siro (Piazzale Angelo Moratti, 20151 Milano MI, Italy)
I’ve become something of a Stadium hunter over the years
Football stadiums my not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the top off my trips, even if I don’t see a game. I just love to see and experience the venues. The San Siro is a beast. I’ve wanted to come here for probably 19 years, yes since around Fifa 99 came out. Just over 80,000 seater stadium, it really makes you realise how HUGE football is in Milan..
I’ve secretly always prefered AC..
Amazing that these two power houses share a Stadium
Stadium Visits are a must for me when I visit a new city..
I could not imagine the likes of Man Utd and Man City sharing a Stadium, yet these clubs do and it works for them. Whether you support the famous Rossonero or I Nerazzurri, any football fan must visit here..
Cimitero Monumentale (Piazzale Cimitero Monumentale, 20154 Milano MI, Italy)
Now this was unexpected… and amazing..
Unexpected and highly impressed by the Cimitero Monumentale
The Cemetery of Monumentale is known for it’s stunning sculptures and garden grounds.
The Tomba di Manzoni was stunning..
The Marzoni Tomb is, well, crazy. Manzoni was a famous novelist, and o me of Milans most honoured citizens..
Lievità Pizza (Porta Garibaldi, 20121 Milano MI, Italy)
Lievità Pizza was some of the best I’ve eaten.. hands down. No review rewired. This place was amazing. 6 minutes for a pizza to arrive, fresh as fresh could have been.. Wow.
A couple of other spots worth a visit..
Sforzinda (Piazza Castello, 20121 Milano MI, Italy)
The Sforzinda
The grounds and park at Sforzinda are beautiful. You can walk from the Arco della Pace through the park, often live bands are playing. A really cool castle and a relaxing place to hang out.
Arco Della Pace
Built between 1807-1838, this monument was formed in dedication to peace amongst European Nations. A quick stop of on the way through the park!
Bosco Verticale (20124 Milan, Metropolitan City of Milan, Italy)
Bosco Verticale, a stone’s throw from Garibaldi Station and the new hub at Porto Garibaldi. Really cool apartment blocks which stand out a mile on the Milan skyline. They may only be apartment blocks, but there are a must see spot..
Where do I start.. Logically I should start at the beginning… but f*ck logic.. I got myself a new camera a few days before this trip, so say hello to lots of Sony Alpha shots with plenty of swirly swirly cream cheese like bokeh! New trip, new kit..
Ok back to the travel; I set off for Stansted at 3am. Croatia has some excellently cheap flights from Luton and Stansted, you just have to pay in loss of sleep.. but for £100 return you cannot argue with that.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
I landed in Dubrovnik to that famous Adriatic Sunshine. Dubrovnik gets almost 130 days of sunshine each year..
I’d hired a car before my arrival. Now it’s notoriously cheap to hire cars here, and when you read reviews you’ll see a great deal of NEGATIVE comments regarding companies policies, claw backs of money, claims of damage etc. I cannot confirm this, my experience was excellent. I used Rentalcars.com who I purchased full insurance with, so if there’s any damage.. you pay and you’re refunded, regardless of how the damage occurred. FYI I used Goldcar (via Rentalcars.com). Anyway, in the famous last words of the Goldcar employee.. “Please drive on the right and don’t crash, bye bye“. I did have a good laugh as I drove away!
The drive from the airport to Dubrovnik is beautiful. There are a few stop off points for photos etc, well worth getting out and taking in the views over the coastline.
As usual for my trips I used Air BnB, I opted for a place outside of the Old Town, mainly due to having a car. I paid around £35 per night, and my accommodation was excellent. Arguably one of the best Air BnBs I’ve ever used. Really nice views from the terrace over the Port..
Never used Air BnB? Well here is a link for £25 off your first stay.. You are welcome! CLICK HERE
Old Town Dubrovnik (Poljana Paska Miličevića, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia)
The Old Town as viewed from Lovrijenac
The Old Town of DBV is amazing. One of the most cool and beautiful places I’ve been to. It has the charm of an Old Town, yet the Vibe of thriving city. Everywhere you turn are restaurants and stunning buildings. But I wasn’t there for the restaurants.. I was there for the Old City Walls..
The Old Walls entrance can be found directly to the right as you enter the Old Town..
It’s 150kn to tour the Walls..
A surprisingly quiet tour of the Walls..
Views to the South show off the Island of Lokrum
There are some really cool hidden spots along the way round..
Plan your days accordingly in Dubrovnik. It is worth checking the Port Authorities Arrivals, click here. I arrived on a Thursday, notably quiter than Friday, funnily enough a massive cruise ship had docked over night… Dubrovnik’s Old Town went from the relatively quiet town looking like this…
To this on a Friday..
Double check the Arrivals. It can really change your experience of Dubrovnik..
The Old Town has plenty of highlights and places to visit, here’s some of my favourites;
Any, and every side street is a visual gem. I love how the lanterns pepper the streets
The detailing at Rector’s Palace is beautiful..
Buza Bar (Aim for the signs which say ‘best drinks and views in Old Town)
There is several ‘Budza’ Bars to the west coastline of the Old Town.. all are worth a beer and view of the coastline
Now if Drones are your thing then you’ll like these shots. If you’re planning on using your drone in Croatia you will need to contact the CAA, sending off a form to the authority by post to Croatia. You need to ensure it arrives 8 days before you plan to fly.. Use this link for more info. Once confirmed you’ll receive an email to say you are now an authorised UAS operator.
I found a few good spots to take off from, one just by Hotel Excelsior and the other to the North of Lovrijenac, head to towards this address and walk the coastline until you find a good spot.. Rudimira Rotera, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia.
This is the place I used for the droning.. follow the address to get here
Views from the Excelsior
The DJI Mavic making the Planet Little
I use the DJI Mavic Air for all my drone shots. It’s light, compact and is perfect for the backpack traveller.
Mount Srd (Cable Car: Ulica kralja Petra Krešimira IV, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia)
I’d prepped up my visit to Mount Srd for the evening, to capture the sunset and the night lit view of the Old Town.. and it really didn’t disappoint. When you get off the Cable Car you’ve taken to a viewing platform, it also has a restaurant. If you walk out of the building and round to the right you can climb down some rock face and set up your camera on the edge of the mountain..
The scene from the Viewing Platform
A night view of the Old Town was pretty memorable
Such moody sunsets can be seen from here, the mist when drops over the Islands to the North it makes it a really beautiful scene
I walked around Dubrovnik for 2 days – walking over 35 miles. There’s a great deal of stairs and walking to be done..
Views from Lovrijenac over to the Old Town
There is beauty at ever turn in Dubrovnik. I will return in the future and I highly recommend it to any and everyone..
Any questions about Dubrovnik or travelling there? Get in touch!
Iceland is a country I’ve wanted to visit for years now but I had always been nervous about the scale and amount of driving required.
Let’s get two things out the way immediately;
1- Iceland is expensive. Get over it.
2- The weather is changeable like you wouldn’t believe. Always check the forecast…
Anyway..
Before leaving I’d planned this trip extensively. I had 4 days so I really could only cram in the West and parts of the South. Now you can travel the ring road etc etc however you’d like, you could even hire a camper.. a good choice if there’s a few of you to split costs. I opted for an Air BnB just outside Reykjavik in Kópavogur, perfectly located to travel in all directions, and a bad ass 4×4 as I’d planned routes through the national park on F roads.
I arrived in Iceland and had pre booked a hire car with Geysir Car Rentals. Highly recommend them and the service was excellent. You get a little key fob which gives you a discount at OB fueling stations.. a nice touch.
The AWD Ford Kuga was the perfect choice for this time of year
Day One – The Golden Circle
þingvellir National Park
The huge lake of þingvellir was solid frozen which was quite a sight.. pretty much all the water I’d seen all morning was frozen.. including the sea. There was excellent walking routes here. I followed a couple of trails but was conscious of the time needed to complete the Golden Circle in one day. You have to pay to park here.. if you veer off to the right before this sign you can park for free… off-road parking though!
Viewing Gallery of the lake
Take a look around the walking routes before heading away. They can be found here
Geysir Geo Thermal Park of Haukadalut
Aerial shot of one of the Geo Thermal Pools
The Geysir is pretty cool. You can’t miss it, A) because it’s packed solid with people and cars, B) the stench of sulphur is pretty heavy. Regardless of the fumes the Geysir experience is well worth your time. The eruptions from the main Geysir are pretty large, upto 70m high. This is a no drone zone over the eruptions.. I saw 2 drones fall foul to the Geysir bursts!
The Geysir will soak you if you’re down wind. I was drenched after an eruption.. and smelt like sulphur for a few hours..
Photo hot spot, full of camera tripods and selfie stick wizards.. yes I am one of those idiots too. Hillarious to see people being battered GoPros unsuspectingly while trying to capture the eruption..
Gullfoss Falls
In a word. Epic.
In the summer you can gain access to closer areas of the Fall
The 32m drop looks huge, especially when the fall is partially frozen over. It was surprisingly quiet during my visit, I really guess it all depends on when the Golden Circle tour buses arrive..
Stunning and Iconic Waterfall
Keriđ
This place was one of my favourites. The scenic lake occupies a volcanic crater. It is around 3000 years old! And even better, the lake was frozen and you could walk over it..
The sounds of creaking and cracking ice was pretty haunting!
I walked around the lake looking for the best vantage point for the sunset. There was a massive ground of tripod raiders on the West flank.. I found a better spot..
Any wide angle lens on the North facing side will capture a sunset
The sunset from Keriđ was exceptional. I got really lucky with my timing..
After Keriđ I ended up heading back to my Air BnB in Kópavogur. If you’re doing a self drive I’d advise heading to Selfoss. There’s a few supermarket shops (and takeaways here if totally necessary!). By the time I got back to Kópavogur I was beat. I’d travelled non stop since 5am, I had a quick chat with my host and hit the hay. I had plans for a 5am start in the West..
Day Two; West Region
I headed out at 5am. A 180km route was in the sat nav. Be aware when heading North/West, Route 1 has a tunnel under the Hvalfjördur. It cost me 1000ISK each way, so about £7. Worth the cost as the drive around is an additional hour.
The drive from Reykjavik to the West was awesome. I genuinely saw no cars for miles upon miles…
You can really see the changes in weather from region to region..
The roads after Route 54 are pretty baron, untouched and icy AF. I saw three cars on the roof tops.. All non 4×4/AWD. Again I’d advise a 4×4 if you’re headed out on a self drive. After 160km I hit Kolgrafarfjödur.. I had to stop and get some shots. It was silent, so peaceful and totally epic.
Kolgrafarfjödur
The Mavic Air was the perfect drone for Iceland
At this point, this was the highlight of my Iceland trip. I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was. I’ve been to the mountains in various countries and always get that feeling of amazement, but here it was different.. I was speechless. I sat and watched over the lake and mountains eating breakfast, the perfect spot.
Kirkjufell Mountain
Approx 20km from Kolgrafarfjödur is the immense mountain of Kirkjufell. Again a real photographer hot stop however today, 6 people were here..
Some will know Kirkjufell from Game of Thrones, it features in Seasons 6 and 7.. known as Arrowhead Mountain.
Pano taken on the Mavic Air
A really impressive mountain, with a stunning backdrop. Take some time to take in the mountain, there are plenty of spots to camp of picnic here. If you need supplies there is a large shop in Grundarfjödur..
Svödufoss Waterfall
This I found by accident while travelling the Snæfellskökull peninsula coastline. Head up the track about 400m, hop out the car and walk another 200m and you’ll see the waterfall..
I was really taken back by this find. It wasn’t on my Maps during my planning so I was shocked to find it. It was difficult to see how close you could get to the fall as everything was snowy or frozen. I sent the drone out to see what the situation was, and capture some bangers of course. Well worth a stop off.
Snæfellskökull Peninsula
I continued round the coastline of Snæfellskökull. There were a couple of stop offs, there are quite a few beaches but I was unable to get down the roads due to the weather. Very gravelly roads full of ice.. I didn’t fancy a massive repair bill. Eventually I found the Malariff Lighthouse and coast line..
This is Londrangar.
Londrangar is a pair of natural towers which overlook the ocean, formed by volcanic material. The walk from Malariff will take you around 20 minutes.. maybe quicker if it isn’t icy! Excellent views out to the ocean, a real peaceful spot.
After spending some time here and at Arnarstapi (a good place to get supplies for the drive home) I headed back to Reykjavik. The coastal drive along the south peninsula of Snæfellskökull is exceptional. Non stop mountains to the left and ocean to the right for miles and miles, very cool.
Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik
Hallgrimskirkja is Reykjavik’s cathedral, inspired by Icelandic traditions. It can be entered and has a 70m plus tower. Tip; a good place to park after 6pm and walk into the city centre.
I can recommend a place to eat. I had a real urge for a burger after a 18 hour day.. I found the Vitabar in downtown Reykjavik (
Yeah I’ll admit it looks pretty low key from the outside but the food was awesome. Prices were very good and I thought cheap (for Iceland) a huge burger and fries with a coke set me back 3000ISK so around £20. Most places this would be 4/4500ISK. Give it a try!
Day Three; The Southern Coast
I’ve always wanted to visit locations on this leg of my tour so I was pretty excited when I set off from Kópavogur..
Seljalandfoss and Gljúfrabúi
When you pull off Route 1 for Seljalandfoss you’ll see the car park full of buses. Drive past this, there is a big lay by about 300m down the road which is free..
Seljalandfoss is stunning. I’ve seen photos of it for such a long time and they do not compare to being there and seeing the waterfall in motion. In winter when the water hits the base of the waterfall it freezes and settles as snow around the base. You will get wet it you get up close..
I stood staring at the waterfall for ages, it is pretty amazing
In months without snow it is possible to go behind the waterfall.. I was disappointed I was unable to but The entrance was frozen over!
Skógafoss
Just 24 minutes down the road is another beaut.. Skógafoss waterfall. The only difference between here and Seljalandfoss is there’s a cool staircase and viewing platform which gives off great views over the waterfall.
Go up the staircase. It is steep but worth the climb!
Tip; I returned here on my way home, Unfortunately my phone and gopro were completely dead, the moonlight shots you can get from the waterfall are class. I stood with a group of photographers who were shooting absolute gold!
Sólheimasandur DC3 Wreckage
The wreckage isn’t sign posted from what I could see.. but It is 11km from Skógafoss on the right. Now be warned, the ‘path to the DC3’ on Google doesn’t really show or tell you how far it is. I walked 30 minutes each way, in horrendous winds which were blowing people over and rain which left me soaked through.. but the end of the long walk is the wreckage. It’s pretty haunting, especially in dark wet conditions. But it’s such a cool spot..
As with most spots.. this is usually busy as hell. The weather kept people away!
Conditions were terrible…
Reynisfjara Beach
This felt like Mordor or something from Game of Thrones.. the black sand beach is both beautiful and haunting. I’ve never seen a beach like it but it given the conditions of the day it really looked moody AF! Beware on this coast, deadly seeker waves hammer this beach.. massive 20ft waves which pull people in from the coastline due to the tremendous power of the under current.
The coastline has been beaten for many years and is sculpted by the waves and winds, some of the cliff faces looking similar to the iron throne!
Day Four; The Blue Lagoon
Key piece of advice is book your tickets. There are three levels, each more expensive.. click here for details. I opted for the Comfort entry, this is ample for me. You get use of a towel, a free silca face mask, and a free drink while in the lagoon. It cost me £70, steep yes but it’s an all day ticket.
The lagoon is awesome. A totally relaxing experience. Probably the most well known spot in Iceland, yeah it’s busy but it’s pretty big that there’s room to chill out away from others.
After 4 hours in here I left, as I was driving away I spotted some non entry thermal streams..
Nature is just immense.
At this point I only had an hour before I had to be at the airport, I had one last stop.
The Bridge America
A cool geography lesson on my.last stop. This bridge connects the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Before the breaking of Pangaea this would have been connected.
And that was it. My Icelandic adventure was over. I had the most epic experience and I was definitely return.. I only saw a tiny bit of Northern lights and it was quite disappointing that I didn’t see the green dance.
Iceland tips;
•Waterproofs are essential
•Pretty much everywhere will accept credit or debit cards
•Book the Blue Lagoon before you travel
•Always carry water on journeys, dehydration is not joke, as I found out.
•Pick up a 12V DC car inverter. This will also you to change things like a laptop or drone.
•Also pick up a phone holder as you’ll need it for GPS.
•
Thanks to my Air BnB host, Floris and thanks Iceland, you’ve been incredible.
Alpe D’Huez is a resort based between 1250 / 3330meters. In the central French Western Alps, and forms part of the Isère region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.. and was year’s location for our 1st Snowboarding trip of 2018
It is that time of year again..
Alpe D’Huez is a resort based between 1250 / 3330meters. In the central French Western Alps, and forms part of the Isère region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.. and was year’s location for our 1st Snowboarding trip of 2018.
I’ll start off by saying, I really do love France so I’ve always wanted to hit the mountain in winter.. plus following our trip to Morzine last summer.. my mind was made up.
Morzine really convinced me to come back to France in the Winter
Now we had booked this trip before the MAMMOTH snowfall across Europe. We booked with Crystal Ski and got a great deal in the Bergers area of Alpe D’Huez, a board in board out location right next to the base lifts. Hotel Les Bergers was a decent Hotel, half board with excellent food. The location was the key point but I’d recommend staying here. We paid £800 each which included flights, transfer, lift pass and a half board hotel. Not too bad at all!
Link the image for a downloadable piste map link
Let’s talk about the Mountain.. It’s huge. No, it’s on an epic scale. Considering this is a local lift pass.. I’ve been to resorts with an Area Lift pass which are smaller!
131 Pistes
250km/155miles of Piste
Highest point 3330m
41 Greens, 34 Blues, 40 Reds, 16 Blacks
2 Snow Parks
84 lifts (Gondola, Chair, Pomas, Cable Cars)
Cross Country Skiing (if that’s your thing) 50km
Obviously the first thing we did was go straight to the very top of Pic Blanc, 3330m.
Pic Blanc surrounded by snowy clouds 😍
The route down from Pic Blanc is via the famous Sarenne, a 16km Black Run. One of the world’s largest. Some would say it isn’t a true black as there are parts which become flat between cross overs but it’s pretty challenging as it can be icy and very narrow.
We hit as much of the mountain as we could. It’s near on impossible to cover every piste/untracked in 6 days but we tried. Mornings are best suited to the Signal de L’Homme over towards Auris en Oisans – grab the Alpauris chairlift. We had some much pow and some of the best of it was here.
Obviously we got to Alpe D’Huez in one of the worst snowfalls in the past 20 years. So most days were spent in low light, be prepared for such as some of the mountain when in the shade is difficult to ride. We opted for Oakley Prizm lenses which made things a lot easier..
Whiteouts were just blinding..
Best runs on the mountain?
Sarenne
Cassini
Chateau Noir
Combe Charbonnaire
Olympique (some excellent pow to be had through the pistes)
Col du Cluy
Les Vermettes
Pré Rond (Yep a blue with mega Pow because of it’s position on the mountain
Chamois (excellent under the gondola)
To be honest I could have listed all the Red and Black runs, the resort was decent all round!
We did have some bluebird days.. Only 1.. maybe 1 and a half. Due to the stormy weather.. but when you get this much snow.. It’s worth it..
Yes – that’s a football pitch and the snow is nearly up to the cross bar…
All in all I would come back to Alpe D’Huez. A vast resort, immense snow and beautiful views in every direction.
Some of my favourite shots from the week;
If your hitting the mountain here or have any questions about Alpe D’Huez please get in touch!
Mountains, Hiking, Biking, Cheese.. What more could you wish for?
The snowy mountains are where I love spending time the most I’d say. However, this is the first time I’ve been solely to the mountains in summer. Myself and Becci had the chance to head out to the French Alps and it seemed too good to miss out on..
We picked up flights into Geneva for £80 return per person, and luckily for us we were collected from the airport and ferried to the Alps by car. The route from Geneva to Morzine is pretty simple. The main route headed past some places I’ve already travelled to, Lake Geneva and the Telepheric Salavéwhich over looks Geneva, the views are beautiful.. Non stop mountains and blue sky’s..
The route into mountains
Morzine
We arrived in Morzine in around 1h30mins, the winding roads were not too favorable to a VW Caravelle! The trip could probably be done quicker in a smaller car..
We were staying with VIP SKIin a chalet on the Morzine main high street. The chalet was awesome, a massive place which slept 14-16 people, Chalet Alaska.
The view from Chalet Alaska over to the Super Morzine Gondola
Châtel Mountain Range (Pré la Joux, 74390 Châtel, France)
We headed out past Montriond, up into the mountains towards Châtel, through Les Lindarets.. The goat village.. Yes Goat Village.. We headed deeper into the mountains, up the chair lifts towards Châtel. At the top of the chairlifts we saw the Zipline which ran a couple of 100 meters above the ground below.. We queued up for our flight suit and prepped for the zipline..
Me, Becci and Sarah at the Zipline
Be prepared for a queue.. We waited around 40 minutes to get on to the zipline, but we did head up here just before midday so a peak time..
Becci suspended, ready to Zip..
I watched Sarah and Becci zip off.. And I must admit.. The fear kicked in. I’d always been scared of heights but I’ve got over that slowly over the years.. So this was sort of a conquer my fear moment!
Zipping over the Mountains
The experience was amazing. I’ve never done anything else like it. The speed, height.. An amazing view. It was well worth the €35!! Visit Fantasticable for more info…
Absolutely stunning views from the second zipline
Head over to my Instagram to see some zipline videos..
Lac de Montriond (Voie Communale N°2 de la Glière au Pont du Tannay du Chemin N°228, 74110 Montriond)
Nestled between mountains
Lac de Montriond is a real beauty and it has lots to do. Kayaks, paddleboarding, swimming.. It’s a pretty clean lake so well worth venturing out on..
Becci cruising the Lake
Paddling at a lake surrounded by Mountains is just epic
This was by far the most beautiful place we have ever paddleboarded. The setting is almost unreal. Hiring paddleboards cost us €15 each per hour, so not bad at all.
DJI Spark Pano shot over Lac de Montriond
Cascade de Nyon (Chemin sous le Rocher, 74110 Morzine, France)
The ‘Tour’ trail gives some beautiful views
The Cascade de Nyon was on Becci’s list.. I had no idea it existed but, as usually, she was right. The walk from Morzine took us around 20 minutes. Follow the ‘Tour’ trail until you reach the waterfall..
The waterfall as seen from the DJI Spark
Becci and I grappled with rocks and rushing waters to get up close to the waterfall.. Be aware.. The water.. Is BALTIC, and the rocks are slippery..
Pointe de Nyon (Chabalis Mountain Range)
Grab the Gondola next to the Cascade de Nyon, then the chairlift to the right. This will take you up to the Pointe De Nyon. There’s a little hike in store for you at the top though so wear decent footwear…
The half way point of the hike, views down to Morzine and the surrounding mountains are unbelievable
The Summit – with views over to a cloudy Mont Blanc. This is also one of my favourite photos from our trip..
After a 15-20 minute hike you’ll reach the summit at 2019m, Pointe de Nyon. On a clear day the Pointe boasts views of Mont Blanc on a clear day.. Unfortunately it was a bit cloudy but the view was still epic. You get a 360° view of the whole area and it’s honestly one of the most impressive sights I’ve seen to date..
Downhill MTB Morzine to Les Gets
The Morzine / Les Gets MTB Map
I managed to haggle a hire to a downhill bike with a local shop in Morzine. 1/2 a day for around €50 including all protection (helmet, body armor etc).. Be aware, to ride the gondolas and chairlifts with a bike you’ll need a different pass.. I opted for a 5 hour pass at €22 – this covered Morzine, Les Gets and Mont Chéry.
It’s fair to say that this is a difficult sport.. I’ve never done it so I had no idea what to expect.. The closest I go to MTB is road cycling!
Lyra was traded for full body Armour..
The runs are ranged, much like snowboarding.. I hit some ‘family runs’ which were far from family friendly!! I headed out from Morzine, across the mountain to Les Gets, looking to get up to the Top of Mont Chéry..
The above video was headed down into Les Gets.. I continued through the runs until I reached the town, and the Gondola up to Mont Chéry. The views from the summit of Mont Chéry were amazing. Mont Blanc was clearly visible in the distance.. My first real view of that mountain, and a moment to remember..
Mont Blanc standing out of the Mountain Range ahead
DJI Spark grabbing some Aerial shots of my ride
I’d recommend beginners take a guide with them for a tour. Most shops offer this service, and they’ll even teach you how to ride certain terrain..
There is tons for you to do here.. We even did a bit of Luge.. Not just for kids!
There’s lots of places offering parapenting also.. Something I would have done if we hadn’t hiked to over 2000m! I recommend this destination to anyone, especially those who think the mountains are just for snow.. I think me and Becci will head back for some more mountains adventures!
Here’s the cut from our trip:
All shots taken with GoPro Hero 5 and where noted, the DJI Spark Drone
After visiting a few cities at the start of 2016, Berlin was at the top of my hit list – so much history, I had to go. I picked up some really cheap flights.. £29 each way so it was a no brainer, I was booked in.
Berlin
I landed at Flughafen Schönefeld pretty early, around 7am, but I was happy with that. I’d completely forgot to look into how to get from the airport to the city.. I’ll save you the trouble..
Walk out of the airport and head towards the train station. You can catch either the RB14, RB or RE/RE7 – all will get you into the main station of Alexanderplatz. Various routes can be reached from here. Ensure you grab yourself a ticket – machines are pretty easy to use, they are down stairs, before you get to the platforms. It’s an approx 40 minute ride, so sit back and relax.
Alexanderplatz
Alexanderplatz, early morning. Shot with GoPro Hero 4 Silver.
Iconic. That’s the best way to describe this place. You walk out of the station to the Fernsehturm, the Berlin TV Tower. It is a stunning view, and on a sunny day.. Perfection. The Fernsehturm is accessible for entry, I’ll get to that in a second..
The Fernsehturm, Berlin Tower. Shot with GoPro Hero 4 Silver, Flat Mount, on Timelapse.
It’s a shopping hub around Alexanderplatz, so if you do need anything for your stay it may be worth your time having a quick look around. Alexa Shopping Centrehas lots of cool shops including the likes of Quiksilver.
The Fernsehturm can be accessed by lift to the summit. 365m high, a perfect 360 degree view of Berlin. It costs €13 for an Adult. It’s an unmissable sight if it’s a clear day.
A view from the summit of the Fernsehturm.
The Olympiapark (Olympischer Platz 3, 14053 Berlin)
The main gates of the Olympiapark. Shot with GoPro Hero 4 Silver, Sandmarc Metal Edition pole, on Timelapse.
The grounds of the stadium are simply epic. Entry costs €7 and you are free to walk almost anywhere within the ground (except on the pitch, and changing room areas).
A view from above the grounds of the Olympiapark.
Being a huge fan of different stadiums.. I must have sat in every seat! You get a perfect view from each stand.. as I said, EPIC. It was amazing to sit almost alone in a stadium this large. I counted around 20 people inside the stadium while I was there.
The inside of The Olympiastadion. Shot with GoPro Hero 4 Silver, Flat Mount, on Timelapse.
There is so much history in this stadium alone. I would advise a walking tour from the entrance office. Originally built for 1936 summer Olympics, it’s said to have held over 100,000 people.. Simply amazing. Official capacity for today is just under 75,000.
The Olympiastadion stone honours list.
I cannot stress how much this must be visited, it’s truly amazing and a place I’ll never forget visiting.
Seated in the front row. Shot with GoPro Hero 4 Silver, Flat Mount.
The Olympiapark has it’s own train station. I caught the U2 train from Alexanderplatz. It takes around 30 mins and is 21 stops. You can also catch the S75 for 12 stops. Consult Google Maps if you’re in a different location!
The Reichstag Building and Dome (Platz der Republik 1, 11011 Berlin)
The front of the Reichstag Building. Shot with GoPro Hero 4 Silver, Flat Mount.
Historical, beautiful and unique.
The Reichstag Building was severely damaged after it was set on fire in 1933. After years of non use, repairs and restoration, the Bundestag was born after its completion in 1999.
Me outside the Reichstag Building following my tour. Shot with GoPro Hero 4, Flat Mount, Nightlapse.
To enter the Reichstag you must book in advance, please click this link for details. Once inside, you’ll be taken through the entrance of the huge pillared front section, and into a lift. Once you walk outside you’ll see the magnificent Dome. The Dome has two spiraling walk ways to the top, ensure you grabbed a walking tour head set, they are free and explain the history and views from the Reichstag rooftop and Dome.
The interior of the Dome with it’s unique mirrored cone.
The core of the Dome is awesome. The mirrored cone is like nothing I’ve seen before.
Simply stunning. Shot with GoPro Hero 4 Silver.
The Reichstag Dome from the outside. Shot with GoPro Hero 4 Silver.
This landmark signifies the reunification of Germany. A real must see, like most things in Berlin really!
Remember the Reichstag MUST be booked in advance via their website. You cannot turn up and try to enter the building..
The Brandenburg Gate (Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin)
Sunset at the Brandenburg Gate.
The Brandenburg Gate at night. Shot with GoPro Hero 4 Silver, Flat Mount, Nightlapse.
Another magnificent landmark. The Brandenburg Gate. Arguably one of the best known landmarks on Berlin.
Outside the Brandenburg Gate, shot with GoPro Hero 4 Silver.
The Brandenburg Gate has always held major historical events, but is seen as a sign of peace and unity. The gate was heavily used as part of the Nazi party’s ‘symbol’. I always remember history lessons with images of Hitler walking through the Brandenburg Gate. The gate survived World War 2 and was one of the only parts of Pariser Platz still standing..
The UEFA Fan Zone at the Brandenburg Gate
I was lucky enough to be in Berlin during the Euro 2016 tournament, the site was used as a Fan Zone. A massive screen under the gate was installed and it was rumored that 10,000 watched the match that night! In true German fashion I had a few helpings of currywurst, several beers and watched Germany win. An amazing atmosphere to be apart of.
The Berlin Wall / East Side Gallery (Mühlenstraße, 10243 Berlin)
Head for Warschauer Straße – U1 train.
For me, this place needs no introduction. It’s known across the world as a symbol of division, and subsequently change. I spent hours here looking at what is now hundreds of works of art.. Head over to my Instagram page for a Timelapse video of the whole Berlin Wall..
Absolutely unique. Do NOT miss this.
Checkpoint Charlie, (Friedrichstraße 43-45)
One for the Historians and War buffs..
A panoramic view of Checkpoint Charlie
Checkpoint Charlie was the name of the gate given by Western Allies during the Cold War.
Things to know about this historic place:
Only foreigners could use this gate
It sat just a few feet away from a huge German checkpoint..
Many East Germans tried to escape through here
An infamous showdown occurred here between the Soviets and USA
For €2 you can have a photo with some well dressed men in US uniform *hint – they weren’t very American.. Shot with GoPro Hero 4 Silver.
The Checkpoint is now heavily commercialised. From the photos I mentioned, to a Macdonalds behind the original Checkpoint. I loved the history of it but it’s also sad to see how it’s used as a tourist trap. Very busy, but very cool for me. If possible, join in with a walking tour.
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (Cora-Berliner-Straße 1, 10117 Berlin)
This place must be visited to understand the sheer volume of lives lost during the Holocaust. There are 2,711 concrete slabs or ‘stelae’. The place of information also holds the names of 3 million Jewish holocaust victims. The memorial itself is magnificent, it covers over 4.5 Acres of space.. It is massive. The concrete slabs vary in size, from around 0.2m to 4.7m high.
You really can’t appreciate it until you have been here. Must see. I walked with a free walking tour which started at Potsdamerplatz and finished up here.
Potsdamerplatz (10785 Berlin)
The famous Potsdamerplatz, although you may not know why from the surface when you arrive there. There are lots of Berlin Wall relics dotted around the area. Since the German reunification, Potsdamerplatz has been the site of major redevelopment projects and is home to some superb architecture.
During World War 2 Potsdamerplatz was heavily used by the Nazi party and even had a Gestapo secret prison, interrogation and torture rooms on the upper floors of Coloumbushaus. On a lighter note the 1936 Olympic Games was organized here..
Other places which are worth a look:
Topography of Terror – the former HQ of the Gestapo and a look into Nazism. So much history and information to take in here. There are walking tours available.
Victory Column – 67m high column commemorating the victory in the Prussian-Danish war. Views from the top deck are very good..
Gendarmenmarkt – home to Berlin’s Christmas market, seasonal markets and beautiful architecture. There’s also a great deal of restaurants in and around this area.
Monument to the Soviet Soldiers (Tiergarten)
About 10 mins walked from the Brandenburg Gate towards Victory column, and on your right you’ll see the huge memorial to the Soviets.
White Trash Fast Food (Am Flutgraben 2, 12435 Berlin)
Click this link for the menu – must be visited and tried. Worth the trek out of central Berlin.. A €8-10 Uber from Alexanderplatz makes this an easy location to get to. I walked for miles, don’t make the same mistake I did!
Museum Island
I walked through Museum Island everyday, it had some beautiful architecture, and of courses museums. In fact it boasts 5 museums and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Saturday morning, I walked into a mini market / car boot sale. Absolutely anything can and is sold here.. Lots of German War relics and medals – whether they were genuine or not I don’t know..
Stand Up Club SUP Berlin (Eichenstraße 4, 12435 Berlin)
Absolutely gutted I had injured my leg a few days before I couldn’t get out on the river. The complex is cool, if it’s a warm.. What better way to enjoy the sun?! For details click here
As a snap tourists guide, I think I’ve covered everything I can in the city.. I’m sure there are more secrets of the city but the 3 days I spent in Berlin taking in it’s culture and history were so cool. This trip I won’t ever forget.
Sunset at the top of Reichstag Dome. Shot with GoPro Hero 4 Silver.
And that’s that.. I already had my next trip lined up – Prague, Czech Republic.
Want tips or help with travel? Contact me!
°All photos shot with GoPro Hero 4 Silver, with use of a Sandmarc Metal Edition pole, and various mounts.
@darrens_visuals 