Adventures
RING ROAD: Around the Iceland on bike - 2016
In the spring of 2016, I set off on a solo bicycle trip around Iceland. It was the adventure of a lifetime during which I met many amazing people, experienced the charms of Icelandic nature and got to know myself better. Every day, I shared my impressions with the Polish community in Iceland through short entries with photos via the Iceland News Polska website (each entry was read several thousand times, and later a book was based on them). In total, I covered 1,400 km of a road that changed my life forever.
Expeditions to the Faroe Islands - 2018-2023
Between 2018 and 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to spend almost three years in the Faroe Islands, engaging in various projects that allowed me to explore this unique part of the world from different perspectives.
One of my main goals was the production of the first Polish documentary film about the Faroe Islands – *FAROEWAY*, which involved not only local residents but also Polish emigrants. The film aimed to showcase the unique culture and everyday life on the islands. Another project was the documentary *Together in Isolation: The Lockdown of the Faroe Islands*, which documented the first wave of COVID-19 on the archipelago. At that time, as in many other places around the world, life on the Faroe Islands changed dramatically, and the film became an important testament to those difficult moments.
During my stay in the Faroe Islands, I also gathered materials for the book *Escape from the Faroe Islands*, in which I conducted dozens of interviews with Faroese historians, politicians, artists, fishermen, athletes, and members of the Polish community. These conversations allowed me to delve into the history, culture, and contemporary challenges of this region.
Together with my partner, Dominika Lusina, we undertook the ambitious project *100 Mountains*. As part of this initiative, we climbed 100 mountains in the Faroe Islands at different times of the year and in various parts of the archipelago – most likely as the first Poles to do so. It was an extraordinary challenge that allowed us not only to admire the spectacular views but also to get closer to the wild nature of these remote islands.
One of the topics that particularly fascinated me was the research on grindadráp – the controversial whale hunting practice that sparks strong emotions and debates. As part of this project, I conducted numerous observations and interviews with representatives of the Ministry of Fisheries, members of the Faroese whaling association, journalists, and historians. This experience gave me a deeper understanding of this tradition and its impact on society and the environment.
AREX Expedition to Spitsbergen - 2019
It was the warmest summer in the Arctic.
Scientists, led by prof. Marcin Węsławski analyzed the effects of retreating glaciers on the ecosystem and biology of western Spitsbergen. As part of the ADAMANT project, they cooperated with researchers from the University of Klaipėda.
Despite many wonderful memories that I brought back from the Arctic I dreamed of since childhood, I also became an eyewitness to its melting and climate changes, which have been talked about more and more recently. I hope that my film will be my small contribution to bringing awareness to this global problem and motivating us to make changes in the lives of each of us.
Lofoten Islands bike tour - 2022
In the summer of 2022, my fiancée and I decided to go on a cycling trip through the Lofoten Islands. Our route took us from Narvik to Å, and then we returned via Harstad. Over the course of two weeks, we covered nearly 700 kilometers, camping amidst the wild nature of the Norwegian fjords.
The weather was typical of the North – a bit windy, a bit rainy, but as with all such adventures, the views made up for any hardships. Every day spent on the trails was filled with unforgettable landscapes: majestic fjords, towering mountains, and untamed nature.
The goal of this trip was to gather materials for a project aimed at understanding the negative impact of mass tourism on the natural environment of Lofoten. During our journey, we documented various aspects of tourism, with a particular focus on its effects on local flora and fauna. Our observations aimed to show how the growing number of tourists can affect the fragile ecosystem of these incredibly beautiful but delicate areas. Exploring the Lofoten Islands together thus became not only an unforgettable adventure but also a part of an important project that we hope will contribute to the protection of such exceptional places.
Eidembukta Expedition to Spitsbergen - 2022
In August 2022, I once again accompanied a group of scientists from Poland and Lithuania on an expedition aimed at studying the formation of a new coastal lagoon ecosystem arising from the regression of the Eidembukta glacier. For seven days, we camped and worked in the extreme conditions of the Arctic tundra. We even had a close encounter with a polar bear – fortunately from a safe distance. My task was to document the team’s activities and map the terrain using a drone. Along the way, I also managed to capture some footage for the film *Polarniczki*. The adrenaline I felt during my first night watch will stay with me for a long time.
RAW - Reatreat & Wither Expedition to Hornsund Polish Polar Station, Spitsbergen - 2023
From May 27 to June 17, 2023, I participated in a scientific polar expedition to the Polish Polar Station named after Stanisław Siedlecki in the Hornsund fjord on Svalbard. The aim of the expedition was to conduct research within the framework of the *RAW – Retreat And Wither* project, which sought to examine the impact of glacier recession – both marine and terrestrial – on marine biological production and the biogeochemistry of the Arctic seas.
The project, which received support through the GRIEG competition funded by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014-2021, presented a significant challenge to scientists: determining how changes in glaciers affect the productivity of Arctic fjord ecosystems. Understanding this process is crucial for predicting how polar coastal areas may influence the global carbon cycle, especially in the context of future climate change and rising CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere.
Expedition to Nepal and the Himalayas – 2024
The expedition to Nepal and the Himalayas took place from March 9 to March 29, 2024. Its main goal was to undertake a trekking journey to the base camp of Mount Everest and explore the Pokhara region, in connection with a research project on the negative impact of mass tourism on the natural environment of this area.
During this incredible journey through the Nepalese mountains, we gathered data and documented the effects of tourism on the natural environment. We focused particularly on issues related to pollution, the degradation of trekking trails, and the growing amount of waste, which has become a serious threat to the ecology of the region.
The Pokhara region, one of Nepal’s most popular tourist destinations, was also at the center of our research. Pokhara, with its picturesque lakes and views of the Himalayas, is becoming increasingly crowded with tourists, leading to numerous problems related to waste management, overexploitation of natural resources, and the fading traditions of local communities.
IV Scientific Expedition to Spitsbergen – 2024
From August 15 to August 28, 2024, I participated in a scientific expedition to northwestern Svalbard. The goal of our mission was to investigate and locate key points along the coast that would assist in tracking the migration of coastal organisms and the presence of plastic on Arctic beaches.
Under the leadership of Professor Jan Marcin Węsławski, our team spent two weeks on inflatable boats, visiting 27 measurement stations. Every day, we collected samples for analysis, focusing on the amount of plastic accumulating on the coast, as well as identifying migratory organisms from the Atlantic. During the expedition, we conducted detailed observations, documenting changes in the Arctic ecosystem and migratory patterns of coastal organisms. It was a significant challenge but also a unique opportunity to directly contribute to research that is crucial for understanding the impact of climate change and pollution on the fragile Arctic ecosystem.
