Faroe Islands, day seven...all before noon

Myths and Legends were on tap today…The path from Fuglafjørður to Hellurnar is called Sjúrðargøta. Legend has it that a giant from Suðuroy came to the village of Oyndarfjørður to test his strength. No one dared to fight him. The people of Oyndarfjørður urged Sjúrður, the farmer, to challenge the giant. He wanted his youngest son, also named Sjúrður, to try. They wrestled and Sjúrður the younger…

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Fuglafjørður

I park the car in the center of the small town, and a woman that was tending to the flowers and plants in the park puts down her tools and comes over to talk to me. “You English?” “American?!?” “Welcome!” She then goes right into a tirade about her town being a whaling village, how they are not savages, even though the blood soaked waves that hit the beach following a whale being killed may…

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Hiking to Lamba, inhabited by Huldufolk

On the morning of my sixth day in the Faroe Islands I decide to hike over to one of the oldest villages of the Islands, Lamba. Home to myths of water trolls that guard the mighty fjord, I excitedly get going, as the morning air is magical. Clouds hug far off misty mountain tops as I venture across a pristine high valley. I have no one else out here my entire time along the trail. I do encounter…

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Villingardalsfjall

On my fifth day exploring the Faroe Islands, I head to the 3rd highest mountain in the area, attempting a summit climb. Was I successful, did I enjoy epic views, or did the Gods rain down hard on me, and cover the landscape in clouds? My morning started out promising weather wise, but as I’ve quickly learned here, things change rapidly. I head through undersea and mountain tunnels to the…

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Gotugjogv Log House

Where one chooses to stay while traveling can make or break your trip, at least in my humble opinion. I was more than nervous about my choice to stay at the Log House for my Faroes Island trip, but it was one of the highlights of my time here. The wood (cedar I believe) that the home is mostly built out of leaves a calming scent. The large windows looked out onto the bay, surrounded by mountains…

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Magic on day four in the Faroes

The rains seems to have left, leaving a beautiful day ahead for me to explore. I decide to head on over to Tjornuvik, the little village I was attempting to hike to on my second day here. I want to finish the hike I couldn’t complete that day due to the weather. Pure magic fills the morning air as I get going up this side of the mountain. Cool temperatures and sublime scenery as I climb upward.…

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The mountain path between Leirvik & Gota

The path up over Mt. Leirvíksfjall is as ancient as it is beautiful, with views north across the strait to the Northern Isles, over the bay Gøtuvík and toward the southern seas. Further up, you walk by Moyggjarhellið, a cave, where it is said young women hid when Vikings and pirates marauded in the area. Easy to some in fair weather, it tested my entire will and strength today. Passing by old…

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Saksun to Tjornuvik

I wake up to overcast skies and a light, intermittent rain failing. Day two in the Faroe Islands. Today I randomly decide to hike the Saksun trail and see what treasures may lie within. The drive is lovely, even with the light rain and dark clouds shrouding the mountain tops. The two lane highway quickly becomes a one lane country road as I get closer to the destination. I quickly learn the…

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The Gonguturur route

It was around 4 a.m. when I arrived to my Faroe Islands apartment from the ferry terminal. I tip toe quietly, like a mouse, so I do not disturb anyone. Exhausted, I fall asleep quickly, excited to wake up in a few hours to see my surroundings in the light of day. I roll out of bed and see it is 1030 a.m. I make coffee and get my first glimpse of the Faroes from my apartment, and chills run down…

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The Smyril Line Ferry

I sit in the crowded ferry terminal waiting area, exhausted. The stress that led up to this point just about did me in, but the end is in sight as boarding the ship will commence soon… I get my boarding pass. I miss the elevators, and end up carrying all my heavy luggage up row after row of stairs until I get to my boat deck on level 7. The ship is a confusing maze, but I eventually find my…

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The Tehusid Hostel

This is the the true story of how I ended up having my first hostel experience ever. A few days into my self driving trip along Iceland’s ring road, and I get an email that my ferry departure in a week’s time will be delayed by one day. I try to extend my hotel by an extra day, but no availability. I search and scour the town for alternate accommodations, but can’t find anything close to the…

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Seyðisfjørður

I’m treated with beautiful aeriel Icelandic views on the quick flight across country. Less than an hour later and I’m back in East Iceland. I’ve arranged for a taxi to pick me up, drive me over the mountain and to my resting place for the night….Seyðisfjørður. I get put up in a lovely room in a historic building, just behind the infamous Blue Church and rainbow street. It’s been a long day, so I…

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My final day on Iceland's Ring Road

I leave Gulfoss waterfall, and wonder how I can fill the time on my final day until I fly out of domestic Reykjavík airport this evening. I decide on just driving out to the Rekjanes Peninsula and see what stumble upon. No more than ten minutes later, I find myself back at the Geysir area that I had explored the prior day. I had no idea Gulfoss was so close by, but with it being a rainy and cold…

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Gullfoss

I arrived back in the Capital of Reykjavík last night, staying at the same hotel I was in when I begin this Icelandic Ring Road adventure. I went to sleep early so I could get an early start. Today I head out to Iceland’s most infamous waterfall, Gullfoss. Dark skies and a light but constant rain are with me as I head back out of the city. I could have go to Gullfoss last night, but I had a…

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Day seven on the Ring Road in Iceland

I go for a walk before breakfast to soak in the morning sunshine and enjoy the Iceland landscape in relative quiet. The occasional sheep bray or a lone car passing on the highway in the distance, along with the ocean waves crashing onto shore are the only sounds I hear. I find a magical waterfall before heading into Vik town. I have an hour to kill before my horse ride, so I go to the infamous…

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Skógafoss

The crowds here were by far the largest that I had encountered since starting this Iceland adventure a week ago. The parking lot was overflowing, and what looked to be an almost standstill line on the staircase leading to the top of the waterfall had me somewhat dejected. I decided to forego my pack with water, thinking that I’ll get in the line like at an amusement park, eventually make it to…

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Black sand beach Icelandic horseback riding in Vik

In the picturesque Icelandic village of Vik I find the stable full of horses to choose from. One needs to find a horse that chooses you to be it’s rider, the centuries old kinship between man and beast. We build a bond as we head outside, I constantly rub his neck, and talk softly to my horse as we go, giving him words of encouragement. We go along the black sand beach, watching the puffins…

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