With Max Cremer (@mrmaxcremer) in Iceland

Iceland is known for its breathtaking nature. From volcanoes and waterfalls to glaciers: Iceland has it all. Max Cremer, an old friend of our BIRDS founder Lupo, is one of the many who are amazed by the versatility of the nordic country. Max was initially on the path to becoming a banker, but the classic “nine-to-five” life soon became too monotonous, so he decided to travel the world as a photographer. In this interview, he takes us on a journey and shares his exclusive knowledge and experiences as he reminisces his time in Iceland.

What do you like best about Iceland?

I liked the inconsistent weather the most. Even when the day started with rain, it did not mean that it would end the same way. In the meantime, there could also be radiant sunshine, before the weather swings again and you find yourself in the middle of a blizzard (depending on the season). What’s more, there is always a sense of true adventure when you discover the island by car and venture through all the uncertainties.

How long did you stay in Iceland?

The first time I stayed for longer than 14 days, the second time I stayed for 10 days. If you drive along the Iceland Ring Road and take a few detours to the inland, 10-14 days should be enough to discover everything at your own pace. So far I did not get the chance to experience the highlands, I would definitely plan more time for that.

What should you remember to bring on a trip to Iceland?

You definitely should not forget a currency conversion table, or rather one of the many currency conversion apps that exist today. Iceland is quite expensive in terms of cost of living, so it’s not rare to pay three times as much for a meal as you would in Germany. Also, accomodations and rental cars are rather pricey as well.

What was your craziest Iceland moment?

The “craziest” was definitely a sightseeing flight over Iceland in a small three-passenger-plane, which was the most awesome experience during my time there, thanks to the pilot Haraldur Diego (@volcanopilot). Another crazy situation was while I was driving a section of the road from Southern to Northern Iceland. For more than 8 hours, the road led through a valley surrounded by a mountain range, we were in the midst of a blizzard and could only drive 50 km/h and see up to 4 meters, with gusts of wind beating against our car.

What is your funniest Iceland story?

It would be a moment during my first trip, regarding our food preparations. We had a gas burner and outdoor pots, so whenever we stayed in accommodations without kitchens, we just cooked our food on the gas burner in our bathrooms. I would not recommend trying this yourself though.

What inspired you to travel to Iceland?

I was inspired by the reality-travel show “Mission Selfie” with Ben Brown and Steve Booker, which is produced by BBC. The goal of the host is to create a picture which summarizes the entire traveling experience, in locations such as Dubai, Isle of Mull, Berlin, El Hiero and Iceland. I highly recommend the show! Ben is also the reason why I took an interest in photography in the first place.

Are you planning on traveling to Iceland again?

100% yes! So far I have only been there in winter and fall, so I am still missing two seasons. But apart from the idea of admiring Iceland during all four seasons, and as much as I might have seen during my trips, I know Iceland has so much more to offer.

Bucketlist for Iceland

☐ Svörtuloft lighthouse (Map ✈ 1)
☐ Admire the glacier Snaefellsjökul (Map ✈ 2)
☐ Take a picture of the Berserkjahraun lava field (Map ✈ 3)
☐ Visit the Streetfood Market Hall Grandi Mathöll in Reykjavik (Map ✈ 4)
☐ Take a bath in the Hrunalaug Pool (Map ✈ 5)
☐ Try seafood at the Bautinn Restaurant in Akureyri (Map ✈ 6)
☐ Eat Pizza at Lake Myvatn at Daddi's Pizza(Map ✈ 7)
☐ Visit the iceberg lagoon Jökulsarlon (Map ✈8)
☐ Explore Stokksnes headland with a view of the Vestrahorn mountain (Map ✈ 9)
☐ Visit Ice-Caves
☐ Admire the northern lights
☐ Rent a van with accommodation and cooking facilities and drive off
☐ Book a sightseeing flight over Iceland. Just write @volcanopilot on Instagram

The Gin for adventurers

After travelling around the world, the friends Lupo and Basti decided to create their own dry gin, inspired by the world. The concept: The best ingredients from five continents, combined in a handcrafted Dry Gin - made in Germany.
Today the BIRDS brand is much more than just a gin brand. BIRDS sees itself as a global community of friends who share a passion for adventure, travel and enjoyment and who are always looking to expand their horizons.