The Ford Journals 1.5.1

Episode 5: The Land of Fire & Ice (Part 1)

The moment I stepped off the plane in Reykjavik, I noticed it. A folded piece of parchment—wedged into the handle of my suitcase.

It wasn’t airport lost-and-found paperwork. It wasn’t my luggage tag—By this point I knew what it was right away—another clue.

I pulled it free. The paper was rough, aged. But what stood out most was the ink—red, deep, and like a crimson color. The message was brief:

“Where stone splits and waters meet, look beneath.”

REYKJAVIK: FOLLOWING THE FIRST CLUE

I checked into The Reykjavik Edition—my home base for the night. Sleek, modern, everything you’d expect from an Edition property. Perched on the old harbor, it was the city’s newest crown jewel.

After a quick shower, I made my way to Harpa Concert Hall, it’s glass panels shifting colors under the midnight sun. The concert—a haunting mix of Icelandic folk music and modern composition—felt like the prelude to something bigger. A soundtrack for the unknown.

Later that night, I strolled through Reykjavik’s still-bright streets, ending up at Rok, located directly across from the infamous Hallgrimskirkja, just call it Hallgrimur for short, trying to pronounce Icelandic words will make you feel infantile, trust me.

A glass of a well balanced Sauvignon Blanc. A bowl of their tomato soup, with a side of their reindeer carpaccio. The tomato soup—exceptional. The carpaccio, well, I’ll let you try it for yourself.

I kept thinking of the clue—the phrase: “stone splits and waters meet...”—it wasn’t poetic. It was directional.

Then it hit me.

There was only one place in Iceland where the earth itself was torn apart by water: The Silfra Fissure.

DIVING BETWEEN CONTINENTS

By morning, after a great sleep, those beds are really great. I headed to the Silfra Fissure, with Troll Expeditions (a personal favorite) - upon arrival I saw one of the guides I had met last time, Lillian, he was this laid back French guy, with Dive.is, who was the best guide there, hands down.

By 9:30 am I was suited up in a dry suit, standing at the edge of Silfra’s crystalline waters, in the heart of Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park.

The dive was otherworldly. The clarity of the glacial water makes it feel like you’re floating in space. The water you have visibility up to 100m - which is incredible. The water is so cold, it hovers just above freezing. The body fine in the dry-suit, but your lips feel like they are gone.

I drifted between the tectonic plates—North America to one side, and Eurasia to the other.

And then Lillian signaled me, he noticed something different.

And then I noticed it, wedged into the rock beneath me—a small black stone, it’s surface impossibly smooth, almost unreal looking.

It took both of us to pry it loose, flipping it over.

Carved into it were three symbols:

1. A pair of wings - perfectly symmetrical, spanning the width of the stone

2. The number “150” - precisely etched

3. A compass - its needle pointing southward

We surfaced, pulling off our masks, my face regathering feeling slowly.

“Is this what you were looking for?” Lillian asked.I said, “I think it is.”

This was far from over.

THE BLACK STONE CLUE

I asked, “Do you by chance know what any of this could mean?”

Lillian raised an eyebrow. “A code? Or a terrible attempt at an art piece?"

I smirked. “Could be both.” I tapped the stone. “What does the 150 mean?”

He shrugged. “A lot of things.”

I started brainstorming the meaning…

“150 seconds? Maybe I need to time something?”

“150 feet? Something buried?”

“Or—wait—150 years ago? Am I suddenly solving a historical mystery?”

Lillian set back on his heels, watching me like I was a particularly amusing tourist lost in a riddle.

I sighed. “Alright, fine. You’re Icelandic-adjacent. What’s your bet?”

He squinted at the stone, then at me. “Well, let’s think logically. Wings? What does the symbolize to you?”

“Could be a bird, airplane…” I said.

Okay good,” he said. “and the compass means direction, obviously.”

“Yes—yes but look closer at which direction the compass is pointing.” I said.

“South.” Lillian said almost cutting me off.

“Exactly.” I said.

“I took out my phone and immediately put in 150 miles south.”

It put me in the ocean, something that was too rough to navigate and possibly too difficult to solve.

Was this the end of my journey?

Lillian started laughing.

“What’s so funny?” I asked with a more serious tone.

He responded, “You Americans man, and your miles.”

“Yeah, what about it?” I said.

“Get with the rest of the world, we are Kilometers.” He winked.

“Ahhhh, touche Lillian.” I excitingly pulled out my phone again. Looking up to confirm what we both already just figured out.

Solheimasandur. The famous plane wreck that occured in 1973, were United States Navy Douglas crash landed on the black sands beaches in southern Iceland. The aircraft was fling from Hofn to the U.S. military base in Keflavik, ran out of fuel—or at least, that’s one version of the story.

(Fun fact: another version claims the pilot switched to the wrong fuel tank, causing engine failure. Either way, the crew of 7 was forced to make an emergency landing in one of Iceland’s more unforgiving landscapes. All 7 crew members survived with no serious injuries. The wreckage was left behind, gradually stripped by the elements—and by scavengers looking for souvenirs. Today, the plan’es skeletal remains sit in eerie isolation on black sand beach, it’s corroding metal serves as haunting reminder of the crash.)

I thanked Lillian for the help once again and was on my way.

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

The drive south took me past lava fields, steaming vents, and miles of raw untouched landscape. By the time I reached Solheimasandur, it was getting late in the afternoon, I could have taken the van and parked it and then walked to the site—but what fun is that?

I headed further down the road pulled into a roadside rental shack—with a lineup of ATVs parked outside. I rented one and I was off—ripping across the black sands of volcanic ash.

THE GHOST OF SOLHEIMASANDUR

The plane wreck looked like something out of a war zone. Its fuselage, torn and corroded, was a hollowed-out shell of what it once was. The wings were long gone, either dismantled or stolen, leaving only the broken skeleton of its frame, open tot he elements.

I killed the engine and swung a leg over the ATV, my boots sinking into the damp sand as I approached the scene before me. The air was still, unsettingly quiet, as if the place was holding its breath.

I ran my fingers along the scorched metal. A relic of survival, left now for tourists alike to admire, almost as a work of art.

Then, inside, between the 3rd and 4th row windows, I saw it.

A second black stone, identical to the one I found at Silfra. I picked it up and turned it over.

This time, the symbols were different.

Three symbols, carved deep:

1. A triangle 

2. MMMM

3. A symbol of a staircase

I turned back toward the horizon, my mind racing.

This wasn’t just another way-point.

It was now time to head back to my hotel and decipher clue #2.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Since there is a part two, the next release will be Thursday, stay tuned…

.FORD’S HOTEL JOURNAL ENTRY

THE REYKJAVIK EDITION HOTEL ESSENTIALS

• Location: Reykjavik, Iceland

• Vibe: A fusion of Scandinavian minimalism and modern luxury, offering a sleek and calming atmosphere

• Accommodations: 

  • Standard Rooms: Modern design featuring warm oak floors, marble bathrooms, and floor-to-ceiling windows with harbor city views

  • Harbor View Suites: Spacious suites with panoramic views of the harbor

  • Penthouse Suite: A unique suite offering a private terrace, fireplace, and exclusive rooftop access.

• Dining: 

  • Tides Restaurant: A Michelin Guide restaurant specializing in seafood from Icelandic waters and locally sourced meats.

  • The Roof: A rooftop bar on the 7th floor providing panoramic views of Reykjavik and the harbor

  • Lobby Bar: A dynamic social space offering craft cocktails in a modern lounge type setting

• Rates: Standard Rooms start at approximately $350 USD per night, depending on the season and availability, Suites seem to start around $1200/night

• Nice to Know: The hotel houses a hidden cocktail bar named Tolt, offering an intimate setting for crafted drinks.

• Perfect For: Design Enthusiasts in the need of a calming and relaxing stay, but if they want to get a dose of nightlife, they can with an on-site nightclub. Location is next to Harpa concert hall, and about a 5-10 minute walk to the heart of Reykjavik

• Must Have Experience: Sunset cocktails on the rooftop terrace as the call to prayer echoes across the city

• Suites: Each room comes with desert panoramas, but the upgraded Desert Pool Suite steals the show with its private terrace, fire pit, and heated plunge pool.

• Awards: 

  • Iceland’s Leading Hotel 2024: Awarded by the World Travel Awards

  • Green Key Award: Recognized for its commitment to environmental responsibility

  • Forbes Travel Guide: Highlighted for its sophisticated design and luxury offerings

  • Cosmopolitan: Praised as the epitome of Nordic cool and an ideal base for stays in Iceland.

  • The PLEDGE on Food Waste Gold Certification: Honored for its efforts in minimizing food waste

• Amenities:

  • Geo-thermal spa that features Nordic wet areas, a sauna, steam room, and relaxation bar

  • Fitness Center that is open 24 hours equipped with state-of-the-art Matrix Equipment

ON THE HORIZON…

OTHER HOTELS FORD WOULD RECOMMEND TO CHECK OUT

If The Reykjavik EDITION is fully booked or you’re seeking a different vibe or price point, here are some alternative boutique and luxury stays in Reykjavik:

Always seeking the extraordinary,