We wake up early and continue our journey down into the valley in high spirits. We’re already overwhelmed and wonder how every day in Iceland can hold such unique and beautiful wonders. The sun is shining, the air is calm, and the valley welcomes us with perfect stillness. At the jetty in the Renaðsfjörður fjord, we witness a magical scene: wisps of clouds hang in the mountains, the sun dances on the water, and we actually see jellyfish gliding gracefully, almost epically, through the water. We are filled with awe and, amidst this magic, suddenly realize how much we miss home and our loved ones. Jürgen, in particular, feels a strong connection to home in this place, as he was here with his children a few years ago. So we both feel as if we’re not just sitting here alone, but together with our children, who are sharing this moment with us in spirit.
We tear ourselves away from the jellyfish and continue driving to the head of the fjord. The view is breathtaking, and every glimpse is like a little moment of pure joy. Along the way, we collect unusual stones, sample blueberries, and find mushrooms growing by the roadside. On the drive back to Egilsstaðir and Bakkafjörður, we suddenly have the feeling that a circle is closing: we’ve made it all the way around Iceland. The road winds through a valley directly opposite Höllnheidi. Memories of the first stages of our journey come flooding back, and we chuckle at our own naiveté. We cross the gigantic Dyrfjöll mountain ridge and beyond it, a valley unfolds that once again leaves us speechless. We’ve arrived in Bakkafjörður, the realm of the Elf King and Queen.
In Bakkafjörður, we cycle through the valley to Puffin Rock. But then Jürgen notices that one of his tires is flat. We are so grateful, because it’s the last leg of our journey and our bikes have served us so well for so long. We patch the tire temporarily. Only seagulls are left at the rock; the puffins have already moved out to the open sea, where they will spend the next few months. Only one lone, young puffin sits still and waits. This moment also reminds us of our children back home, who are also patiently waiting for our return. Iceland has been overwhelming, beautiful, and invigorating for us every single day of the trip. Nevertheless, homesickness and longing for home are becoming increasingly intertwined with it.
Back at the campsite, Silke climbs Elfenberg, soaking up the mystical atmosphere and enjoying the sunset over the landscape. The night turns cold and starry. At 1 a.m., Silke feels compelled to leave the tent and see if the Northern Lights are appearing. She spots a gigantic, white veil in the sky, wakes Jürgen, and we know immediately: the Northern Lights are beginning. For an hour, we stand in the freezing cold, admiring the dancing light in the sky and filled with gratitude that we are able to witness this magical spectacle.
We are so happy that we made this dream a reality as a team – Jürgen, Silke, Pielow, Johanna, and Mirja. The friendship that blossomed between Silke and Jürgen during their rehabilitation in Hamborn is what sparked this journey. The energy of the day and this trip, the beauty of nature, the camaraderie – that’s exactly what we want to share with everyone reading this: not just to dream dreams, but to live them. Just like the tattoo of a young Icelandic woman we met a few days ago in the hot pot: „Don’t dream it – do it.“