#37 | Exploring The Faroe Islands: Sailing, Folk Tales, and 007’s Tombstone

Our journey to the top spots on the Faroe Islands continues – The Story of Risin og Kellingin – Fuglafjørður – Voxbótn Festival – No Time To Die Filming Site – The Story Of Kópakonan.

Under blue skies and on a glassy sea, we sail from Vestmanna to the iconic sea stacks known as Risin og Kellingin – the Giant and the Hag – while unraveling their story, shrouded in legend.

Our journey continues along the rugged north coast with its impressive cliffs, taking us to Fuglafjørður, where we’re treated to a traditional homemade Faroese dinner by our local friends, Frímund and his wonderful family.

We experience the annual music extravaganza, Voxbótn, in Tórshavn – two nights of incredible music and non-stop partying right by the marina.

We also explore the excellent public transport options on the islands, taking you on a land excursion to the site near Trøllanes on Kalsoy, where James Bond met his fate in “No Time To Die” and even has a tombstone.

Our journey doesn’t end there. On our way back we stop at the charming village of Mikladalur and delve into more of the Faroese folk tales surrounding Kópakonan, the Seal woman.

Don’t miss this enchanting adventure as we sail through breathtaking landscapes, uncover captivating stories, and immerse ourselves in the beauty of the Faroe Islands.

Subscribe now for more travel tales!

#36 | Faroe Islands: Top Hiking Spots & Controversial Traditions

In this episode we visit lake Sørvágsvatn, Bøsaldalafossur waterfall and the Trælanípa cliffs and we become witness of a controversial tradition, a Faroese whale hunt.

We leave Hestur and sail to Miðvágur on the Faroese island of Vágar where Kathrin undertakes a hike to three remarkable places on the island: the picturesque lake Sørvágsvatn, the spectacular Bøsaldalafossur waterfall and the Trælanípa cliffs once a haunting site of Viking history. But there’s a twist – to preserve these treasures, a trail fee has been introduced to manage tourist footfall …

As we risk to get Polaris damaged on the concrete pier in Miðvágur in the ever-increasing tidal range of the approaching spring tide we make the call to leave for the floating pontoons in the small fishing harbour of Vestmanna on the island of Streymoy.

Taken completely by surprise we experience a most polarising part of Faroese culture: a traditional whale hunt or Grindaráp, as it is called. In this chapter of our video, we try to give a factual and unbiased account of what we saw on that day. We shed a light on the background and facts and explain the cultural and historic importance of whale hunting for this small island nation, in their past and present context. We did speak to many people, did our own research, and we were privileged to glance behind the scenes of this archaic tradition to find our own conclusion. What we think about it? Find out in this video.

Warning: Throughout the chapter Grindaráp – Whale Hunt will use graphic images which you might find upsetting. Watch at your own peril.

Our heartfelt thanks to Lív, Hávarður, and Sunniva for their invaluable contributions to bringing this episode to life.

#35 | The Cathedral Sea Caves of Hestur

We sail to one of the Faroe Island’s top attractions: The spectacular sea caves Klæmintsgjógv, Husagjógv and Trongnugjógv, an interconnected cave system said to be the largest sea caves in the world.

But before we set off to this adventure, we hike to another must see place on the Faroe Islands, the village of Kirkjubøur, the historic seat of the diocese of the Faroe Islands. Some historians believe that the Faroe Islands were first settled by Irish monks, a century before the arrival of the Vikings.

We then set sail – well, due to lack of wind, we motor – to the small island of Hestur. The island’s harbour offers perfect shelter and a floating pontoon with shore power and water for free!

With the help of our friends Hávarður, Birgir, Mortan and Mike we visit the stunning natural wonders on the south-west side of the island of Hestur by boat. We are lucky enough to coincide our private trip with a tourist rib tour which includes a moving saxophone concert in the cathedral-like Klæmintsgjógv.

The sea caves and the adjacent towering bird cliffs are swept by ferocious tidal currents and are strewn with a few sub surface reefs and rocks. An attempt to go that close to the cliffs should only be considered with local knowledge and in the most settled of conditions.

Join us on our journey to the enchanting Faroe Islands and their stunning natural wonders.