After a beautiful night of stargazing, we had the chance to sleep in today and had an amazing breakfast at the Flinch’s Hotel.
Then, we departed on a bus tour of Samsø led by Søren Hermansen, the CEO of the Samsø Energy Academy and a global leader in sustainability.
The first stop was a beautiful view of the south part of the island, where we met and pet some very friendly sheep. From the top of the hill, we could see mini islands off the coast of Samsø that serve as breeding sanctuaries for birds across the globe.
As we continued our drive, Søren told us about how the area used renewable energy through both solar panels and incinerator methods. One interesting fact was how Samsø uses straw not only to feed animals but also as biomass to power a whole town! We also stood on a weight that measures the biomass of the straw - altogether our students had a biomass of 1800 kilos!
Another sustainable energy source we visited was a plant that uses wood chips as heat energy to power multiple villages. They also use gray water, such as sink and laundry water, to cool down these incinerators. Overall, it was incredibly inspiring seeing a community bond over a common resource and energy supply that was helping our planet.
After the tour, we stopped by the Energy Academy for lunch, which consisted of traditional sandwiches with chicken cutlets, sweet mustard, and beet salad. We then engaged in a circular discussion to share our thoughts and ideas about the future of global sustainability. Students shared solutions for improving solar energy and reflected on climate concerns due to the rising popularity of urban lifestyles.
Following the discussion, we drove down to the Falkecenter Samsø, which is a bird conservatory. We watched in awe as giant falcons and bald eagles flew above our heads to their owners. The employees at the conservatory were experts in their field and even let some of us hold the birds on our arm for a quick picture.
We bought our souvenirs and headed back to Flinch’s for dinner. On the way back, we witnessed the kindness of the Samsø community as multiple people, including Søren and Mr. Seventko, left the bus to clear the roads from a large tree!
Dinner was delicious! We got to try the local Samsø juices (gooseberry, red currant, and rhubarb) with smoked salmon, whipped cheese, and yellow caviar! Our main dish was beef with vegetables and a delicious pancetta with fresh berries for dessert.
At the end of the day, students got to go on walks, played football (american) on the football (soccer) field outside, and shot pool. It was a great bonding experience between the group before the long travel day ahead!
Day 5 was definitely a long one but truly unforgettable. See you on day 6!