It is always awesome to see Eivind and Elly's big smiles again as they welcome us back to the Faroe Islands! We are thankful that they continue to do so well. It was also good to be welcomed back with gorgeous blue skies and lovely temperatures - something we don't take for granted in the Faroes.
Later in the week we had a dream come true. We were at the airport watching our good friends, Scott and Cindy, walking down the steps of the airplane and soon meeting them in the arrival area. It was one of those moments when you needed to pinch yourself to make sure this was for real.
Our week of exploring the Faroe Islands together was soon to begin. During those 7 days we scouted out places we had never been to and did things for the 1st time in the Faroes. Who is a tourist in their own area? When we are in the Faroes, it has always been to be with family, friends and supporting churches. But this week we were the 'Tour Guides' and really enjoyed that role!!
On our way to Torshavn, where we would spend the night with mutual friends, Asa and Olavur Jokladal, we stopped at several spots to take pictures of various villages and mountain peaks. It was another beautiful day but we didn't know when that would end.
We were up bright and early the following morning for our excursion to the island of Mykines - a first for all of us. Knowing he shouldn't push himself too far, Ragnar choose to stay behind and visit with friends in that area.
The ferry had us back to the main island by 6:15, and soon we were on our way to Klaksvik. After a quick supper, watching our brave guests try Faroese fried fish balls for the 1st time, we went up to Ragnar's brother's family and enjoyed some waffles with them.
The next morning found us on another ferry, headed to the island of Kalsoy. 4 tunnels later we were in the most northern village in the Faroes - Trollanes, where we wandered down to the shore.
Back in the village of Mikladal, where Ragnar's sister graciously lent us the key to her lovely summer home, we prepared a very typical, old fashioned Faroese meal - dried whale meat, whale blubber and dried cod with boiled potatoes. Scott and Cindy were both good sports with all the new food.
After walking up a small incline from there, we had a beautiful view of a few of the other islands.
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| Us with our niece and the birthday boy!! |
The timing worked out perfect for us to join in on our nephew's birthday celebration that evening.
How beautiful to watch the sun set from their back yard at 11:00 p.m.
After going back home we took a drive to the end of the island east of us and took a few pictures after midnight. Yes, this picture really was taken after midnight!!
Even though we didn't understand much of what was being shared in church the following morning, it is always amazing to be able to fellowship with believers anywhere around the world. Lots of people do speak English though, so Scott, Cindy and I were able to chat with folks during coffee time.
Sunday dinner in Asa's home is always scrumptious - roast lamb with all the trimmings. A very relaxing few hours followed with the Jokladal family - 4 generations of them.
Later in the afternoon we took a stroll thru the village of Kirkjubour, where the ruins of an old Cathedral are still standing. The farmhouse is believed to be the oldest wooden house still standing in Europe. The folks living in it are the 17th generation still farming the land.
A couple rooms in the back show how it was many years ago.
Monday brought another new experience for all of us - a 2 hr. boat tour of Bird Cliffs, which are inhabited by nesting seabirds in the summer months. We saw lots of puffins, guillemots and fulmars just to name a few.
It was also amazing to see sheep grazing on what seems like vertical fields several hundred meters over our heads.
As the boat cruised along the soaring perpendicular cliffs, in and out of caves and around free standing huge, tall rocks, lots of 'oohs and aahs' could be heard.
Words cannot explain God's fantastic creation in this area. We are so blessed to have experienced it and can't help but wonder why we didn't do it 20 years ago.
On our way to a friend's summer home, we had our first stroll through the village of Kvivik, where 3 surprises were waiting for us.
Remains from Kvivik's first inhabitants - Vikings.
The fireplace is in the center. The smaller 'foundation' was a stable for 4 horses.
A corner by someone's house was set up with coffee, cream and sugar, with a sign, "Help Yourself - it's free". How sweet of someone!! I don't think I have ever seen something like this before. A couple of us took them up on it.
Olavur started a conversation with a man who was washing his car and asked him if he was from that village. He told us he was from Sorvagur, where Ragnar's dad grew up. When Olavur told him that, the man looked at Ragnar (whom he had never seen before) and said, "You are Oli Niclasen's grandson." What a fun surprise. Ragnar must really look like his grandfather!!
The man went on to call his wife and tell her to come meet one of her relatives. She invited us into their home and after talking for a few minutes discovered that they were 2nd cousins.
She showed us lots of interesting antiques she had collected over the years. She had even set up a mini museum in a shed in their back yard.
What a surprise to meet a cousin for the 1st time, in a village you had never been to before, while 'putting in time.'
Another treat was waiting for us in the beautiful village of Saksun.
Erling and Asa Bech made us feel very welcome in their century old summer home, where they served us mouth watering home made fish soup - one of the times you are thankful they are willing to share the recipe.
It was fun cuddling around the old dining room table with the vintage wooden stove in the corner giving off heat.
After walking down to the ocean which took quite some time since the tide was out, we went back to enjoy yummy homemade crepes and coffee.
Our day ended by taking a quick trip to the beautiful village of Gjogv. The only issue with trying to get to that gorgeous spot was wanting to stop every few minutes to take pictures as we made our way up and down the windy mountain road.
1 comment:
We're so glad to see you're enjoying your time in the Faroe Islands. We loved to read about it and enjoyed the beautiful pictures.
- Philipp & Lia
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