With my bags full of gear and a sense of adventure building, I zipped up my rucksack—a small yet significant act that signaled the completion of months of intense expedition training. The airport loomed ahead, marking the start of a long journey to the Faroe Islands. As I settled into my cramped plane seat, I couldn’t help but think that these meager comforts—poorly fluffed pillows and all—might be the best I’ll experience for the next two weeks.
You see, my crew and I are about to spend several days navigating the treacherous waters of the North Sea in a wooden Viking boat replica. Imagine a canoe, but with the added history and danger of traversing one of the most challenging bodies of water in the world. Comfort? That’s the least of our worries.
"Comfort? That’s the least of my concerns as I swap airplane seats for a wooden Viking boat on the wild North Sea."
Despite the thrill of the upcoming journey, I’ve promised myself to stop watching videos of the North Sea. It’s hard to keep excitement from turning into fear when you see those waves casually tossing around huge modern boats like toys. But there’s a wild beauty in the North Sea, a reminder of nature’s raw power, and I feel incredibly lucky to be part of this adventure.
More than just a physical journey, this expedition is a chance to immerse myself in Viking culture in a way that few people ever experience. It’s a rare opportunity to honor their legacy and walk—or rather, sail—in their footsteps. As we prepare to set sail, I know these blog posts may become shorter and less coherent, a side effect of the cold and inevitable sleep deprivation. But for now, I leave you with a Viking quote from the Poetic Edda that has been on my mind: "There is always a better choice than cowardice.
"Stay tuned as I share more about this incredible journey across the North Sea. Together, we’ll explore the lessons of the Vikings and embrace the challenges ahead with the same determination that made them legends.
Your loyal Viking archaeologist and official stowaway,
Karla
