Faroe Islands - July 2005

Footloose in the Faroes

The Guinness

My research on the Internet before I left home led me to believe there may be a pub selling Guinness in Torshavn but that proved to be a false rumour.  Fortunately for us, a kind sole called Henrik and his wife Lene invited us all around their house for Guinness they have brought over especially for us, all the way from Denmark.  Their kindness meant I didn't have to drink my 'emergency bottle' that I had brought with me.

Enjoying a Guinness with Henrik and Lene

Henrik picking out my next destination - Vilnius

Getting there and around:
One reason for waiting till July to go was that not only was it warm but we could fly from Stansted direct to the Faroes with Atlantic Airways, landing on what is probably the only flat piece of land around. We hired a car for a few days but that's an expensive option so took it back and used the good public transport system - coaches and ferries and even a helicopter at one stage.

The helicopter taxi

Team makeup: 
A great turn out of Dave, Pete, Lynne and Paul..

Accommodation
Youth hostels at four different locations.

The only Youth Hostel with a turf roof I've ever stayed in.

Food

Not the highlight of the holiday that's for sure.  We self-catered a few nights and had some mediocre food other nights.  I gave the whale meat a miss. 

Sightseeing highlights

So many on this trip. The bright green scenery was spectacular. Massive cliffs, no trees, sea birds, houses with turf roofs.

The historic part of Torshavn

The tiny Mykines Island where we happened upon a folk festival.

Kristian Blak and others jamming at the Mykines Youth Hostel

The annual parade where the Prime minister gave a speach and people wore traditional costume.

Out of the City

We spent a couple of nights in the capital Torshavn then visited a number of other islands.

Village of Sandavagur

Quirky moments

The others in the party searching for a Geocache which was in Henrik's garden only to realise it wasn't Henrik's garden they were looking in, it was somoene elses garden.  

Paul with the girls outside Torshavn Youth Hostel

Lasting memories

The spectacular scenery

The visit to the Mykines Island.

The puffins,  dead and alive - the Faroese still trap and eat puffins.