Kaye Family Journey

Faroe Islands- Day 6

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Today we travel the the southern-most island of Suduroy. It is a 2 hour ferry ride. We did not realize until we reached the port that this ferry was quite different from the previous ones...this ferry has 4 passenger decks and mutiple decks for cars and cargo containers & trucks. It can take up to 200 cars and 975 persons.

It looks more like a cruise ship than what I imagine to be a ferry...

A beautiful day...

Passing by all the islands:

First view of the village of Frodba, the oldest village in Suduroy

Ready to disembark from the lowest deck

Beginning our hike to Hvannhagi & Hvanndal

UP...

Our ferry making it's round trip- will be back in about 6 hours to pick us up...

DOWN...

AROUND...

Lunch spot-

Tummus brought delicious sushi but the real treat is the succulent lamb that his mother cooked!
He also brought along some dried fish...that is an acquired taste...

"What goes down, must come up"

3 hours later...

After the beautiful hike, we drove to Hvalba to visit the ancient coal mines that have been in operation since the 1770's.

Now there is only a small group of workers, still using very primitive mining techniques...

For example, this lantern...

...and this cart.
The boys got to navigate through the dark & narrow tunnels & try their hand at swinging the pick axe to harvest the coal.

Mom thought we were back to safety once out of the mine...
until we had the close encounter with the dynamite!

These islands provide endless awe-inspiring views!

One final opportunity for climbing for the boys before heading back to the ferry-

We did not miss visiting the southern most point on the southern most island-
the Akraberg Lighthouse
The lighthouse keeper and his family lived on this windy point until the terrible Christmas Hurricane of 1988

It still amazes me to watch the sheep just peacefully graze on this steep angled hill with the treacherous waves just below...

...and just inches away from the tall cliff ledge!

Beinisvord is the highest sea cliff on the island reaching 470 meters high (over 1500ft high)-
it was too scary to stand- I was nervous even being completely prone!

A spectacular view to end our visit to Suduroy!

Faroe Islands Day 5

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

This morning we take a sail across the bay to the island of Nolsoy & have another picturesque hike planned for the afternoon.

The historic sailing sloop, the Nordlysid.
It was repaired & refurbished by a small group of sailors and the current captain.
*Ask me sometime about our safety demonstration*

Happy to have waterproof gear for the top deck

It is possible to take a small boat into one of these caves...
later in the summer a small group of musicians perform a concert inside the cave

A small blowhole

Great view of the lighthouse and arch

First view of Nolsoy- population 200

An actual whale jawbone serves as the entry gate to the island

The cafe was serving salted chocolate cake & waffles with rhubarb -
The rhubarb preserves/jam were "lick the plate clean" DELICIOUS!!

This is the Faroese Navy ship that patrols these waters

After our lovely sail, we took a "walking tour" called the "Footsteps of the Vikings" above the capital of Torshavn. We climbed up & walked down, we trekked over ridges to open landscapes with lakes & viewed the islands of Hestoy & Koltur. It was a venture into a Tolkien like landscape and a photographers dream!!

These cairns have been standing for hundreds of years, used by villagers to mark the trail

Looking back at whence we'd come...

This is the "up" part

Another view of the prison

At the top of the hill you can see the now defunct NATO radar system

Pizza and "Jolly" cola (room service by mom & dad) hit the spot after a long day's walk!!

Our hotel and the view over Torshavn

Faroe Islands Day 4

Monday, June 5, 2017

Today is the visit to the island of Mykines (pronounced Mee-chee-ness)- known os the "Paradise of Birds". The plan is to take the ferry to the island & walk out to Holmin for "close encounters of the bird kind". A couple of things: The ferry is only able to dock in the narrow harbor if the sea is not too rough & there is one part of the hike that requires walking over a 35 meter deep gorge on a wooden bridge!

On the way to the ferry at Sorvagur- you get a view of the country's federal prison-
it is set in a beautiful place and has a wonderful view...
At present there are only FIVE (5) prisoners housed here!
It is safe to say that there is not a crime problem in the Faroes-

VIEWS FROM THE FERRY:

Arrival at Mykines

The "star" of the day: these funny birds-Puffins!!

These are the burrows they use as their nests

Hello Fred!

Puffins are pelagic birds- meaning they live most of their lives at sea but unlike most other seabirds, they are really terrible fliers and quite clumsy