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Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
Our morning started when we entered the waters of Vestmannaeyjar (the Westman Islands) and watched as its stunning, lush, green islands came into view. Within an hour, we were anchored offshore from Heimaey, the only inhabited island, and I was watching a whale playing near the ship. Absolutely amazing. The ship was too large to enter the harbour, so instead we took one of tenders into the marina. Our tour leader, a lovely man with an unpronounceable name who usually works at the library, led us on a steep walk from the harbour up to the Elheimar Volcano Museum where we spent around an hour. The island’s volcano had been…
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Fun Facts: Faroe Islands
Most people have never heard of the Faroe Islands and until earlier this year I was one of them. Thank goodness for The World’s amazing itinerary otherwise I may never have visited these beautiful islands. The Islands were settled by Norwegian refugees in the 9th century who were fleeing King Harald’s rule. They are a self governing part of the Danish realm. They are an archipelago of 18 main islands linked by bridges, roads, ferries and tunnels. They are located west of Norway and north of Scotland. No part of the islands is more than 5 kms from the sea. The official languages are Faroese and Danish. Its government is…
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Vágar, the Faroe Islands
Our scheduled Gasadalur hike was unfortunately cancelled due to high winds and rain, as the rocks were unprotected and would have been too slippery and dangerous. Luckily, the tour company suggested another hike in a (slightly) more sheltered area so we didn’t have to miss out. The new hike was absolutely beautiful with sweeping views across the cliffs and ocean. We ate our lunch perched on rocks overlooking the sea, before heading back to the start of the track where we had free hot drinks provided by the cafe to hikers. Today’s lecture was Vikings in America, presented by Sturla Ellinvag, an ever so handsome Norwegian who stars in a…
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Eysturoy and Streymoy, the Faroe Islands
Feeling only slightly jet-lagged after a great night’s sleep on a mattress that could be mistaken for a cloud, it was time to head out for our highlights of the Faroe Island tour. We travelled to the southwest corner of Stremoy to visit Kirkjubour, its 12th century Magnus Cathedral, Saint Olav’s Church and the Kirkjubøargarður farmhouse. We had a Vicar of Dibley moment when the priest rushed past us waving to start his televised service, wearing his cassock and a ruffled collar that wouldn’t have looked out of place in the 1600s. It was then on to the villages of Saksun and Gjógv and a traditional Faroese lunch of of salmon,…
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Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands
38 hours, 3 flights and half a jar of Red Currant chocolate coated licorice later, we arrived in Torshavn in the Faroe Islands. The taxi ride into town was marked by emerald green grass, dramatic cliffs punctuated with deep cracks and sheep. Many, many sheep roaming free on the hills and alongside the roads. We checked in a hotel, 62N, as the ship wasn’t due to dock for around four hours after our arrival. We showered and freshened up and I left the girls to meet up with Gudrun, my friend Camilla’s aunt who lives in the Faroe Islands. We set off on foot together to explore the town and…