Iceland: West Fjords 2013 with Bill Schwab

bill schwab

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Iceland: West Fjords 2013
w/ Bill Schwab

August 30 - May 8

It's time for another trip up to the beautiful West Fjords of Iceland and I've put together a great trip to get you there. Not only will you see, experience and photograph some fantastic places, you'll have a private room with facilities each night, breakfast every morning and a fantastic meal* every night. Add to that all of your transport once you land in this incredible country and a wonderful group of photographers to share it all with and you've got the trip of a lifetime.

This trip is limited to 8 adults and there are now only 3 spaces remaining. If at all interested and you can swing it, get on the bus now. We'll have a great time!

More information HERE.

See a couple short, souvenir films made on past trips I've led HERE and HERE.

Thank you!

Bill Schwab
 

Poisson Du Jour

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'Tis a long, long way from the Land Downunder (gimme the distance, somebody!?).
The itinerary is making me turn varying shades of green with envy... just the sort of tour I can join comfortably. I'm not one to laze around on cruise ships, be trundled along all day in a bus with just a wee stop or slurp champagne while watching polo players. Ugh.

I'm looking to joining this tour in 2016 — my retirement swan song year and time for a cash splash!
Of course Bill will still be running the West Fjords junket, and Iceland may just be a little cheaper!
 

DREW WILEY

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The mere thought of Iceland makes me salivate uncontrollably.
 

Bob Carnie

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Yes its name is Bill and he is something to be careful with. I am sure they are very well prepared knowing our friend from Michigan.
 

Curt

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Just out of curiosity, not including airfare from anywhere in the US, what is the rough or average cost for an Iceland trip like the ones you take? I know it's highly loaded and requires speculation but it interests me if I can take at least an 8x10.

Thanks,
Curt
 

PKM-25

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I'm not sure how much it costs but when I do it, and I plan to, I will spend no less than 2 full months.
 

Steve Goldstein

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Dan, if you plan to spend two months in Iceland you should plan on bringing several large barrels of money. Even cheap B&Bs run close to $100US per night, though you can pay less for a sleeping-bag room. Gas is around $8/gallon, but the cars are microscopic and quite fuel-efficient. Everything is expensive. My wife and I have been here for a week and wonder how the Icelanders can afford to live.

On the other hand, the landscape is simply stunning, even with the drizzle and rain we've had for about half our visit. Almost everyone here speaks English. We want to come back, but perhaps in July next time.
 
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Steve Goldstein

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Curt, the biggest problem you'll have with an 8x10 is wind. We were along the southern coast yesterday, it was absolutely gorgeous and the wind was blowing close to 60mph. I brought a Mamiya 7 on this trip and am glad I did - messing with a 4x5 would have been a lot of work and frustration on some days. I'm sure you can get days when an 8x10 won't blow over, but we didn't have many during this trip. I just wish I'd brought a 65mm for the M7, my usual 80mm was just a little tight at times, and the 43mm is very wide. I hardly used the 150mm and would probably leave it home next trip.
 

David Brown

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Curt: Look at the more info link in Schwab's OP. It should have all the info on this trip including the price. Airfare was on us, but was comparable to UK from USA.
 

Poisson Du Jour

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I am interested in following the experiences of those who have participated in this tour; I am considering the 2014 tour if it is being held around the same time. What we know here in Australia is that Reykjavik, virtually all of Iceland, is not a cheap place to play unless you are happy to rough it; estimate of costings of tour with Australia-London-Reykjavic transfers is $7,000. This is the upper extreme; friends have been to RIK and reported it as "expensive and narrow of choice". By the sound of Bill's itinerary about accommodation, it is basic, but comfortable. I see that this year's tour has departed in the last couple of days.
 
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Curt

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David Brown said:
Curt: Look at the more info link in Schwab's OP. It should have all the info on this trip including the price. Airfare was on us, but was comparable to UK from USA.
Click to expand...

Thanks, and I apologize for not looking at the very first post.

Curt
 

PKM-25

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Yeah, it would cost me a fortune....

Steve, after years of experience, I have found I do much more professional level work when not resting comfortably from a hotel or B&B room but instead occupy what I own and use here in the U.S., a well equipped 4x4 camper. I would rent a Defender 110 for about $5,000-$8,000 U.S and really get the work done.

I figure two months would run me about 20K, it is all tax deductible. Besides, I have contacts there that could help me shave off a few or more grand.
 
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bill schwab

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Having a great time on this trip! I am at this minute sitting at the base of Dynjandi while the others are climbing all over making what I am sure are great images. As for the storm, it never materialized. At least no more than any other weather here in Iceland. I've seen it pretty bad here weather wise and this trip has so far been the usual... Bits of rain, sun, wind and snow. All make for fantastic photographs. Here's one made just this morning as we were setting out from our hotel...

 

David Brown

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Back home after this trip! Somewhere in the range of 300 negatives to develop! Maybe 2 or 3 will "turn out" ...
 
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