Few destinations around the world can compare with the visions of one’s most colorful imagination. Purple rain clouds to drape the rugged island of Eysturoy in a golden shimmer, perfect rainbow arches over the Slaettaratindur Mountain, two spectacular rock pillars that protrude from the surf like craggy teeth. Does this remind you of Tolkien tales written by J. R. R. Tolkien. The setting unlike the movie, ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is not in New Zealand but in the Faeroe Islands of Denmark.
Gjógv Church, Image credit: Filip Ornstein
The Lord of the Rings analogy is never far away in the Faeroe Islands, a barren and wind-swept archipelago whose volcanic peaks shoot out of the Atlantic Ocean halfway between Iceland and Norway.
Carretera de Eysturoy, Image credit
Local legend even claims the ring of power is hidden here.
Gjogv, Image credit: Matti Utstrand
Although these islands can be easily reached by plane from Britain or Scandinavia, the Faeroe Islands are remote enough to be spared mass tourism for now. You run into more sheep than people once you venture outside the sedate capital, Torshavn.
Torshavn, Image credit: Sergey Lutov
Anonymity has helped this semi autonomous Danish territory remain one of those rare places where you don’t have to worry about traffic, pollution or crime. Doors are left unlocked and only seven of the roughly 48,000 residents are in jail.
The Faroe Islands: Grindadrap, Image credit: Jan Egil Kristiansen
Viking ancestry has kept alive traditions of medieval chain dance, the reciting of ballads and a controversial slaughter of pilot whales amongst the Faroese people.
Faroese chain dance, Image credit
What is the weather like?
These 18 islands are a pleasure where weather predictions don’t really matter since while one island will be baking in sunlight, the next is shrouded in fog. The mix of warm Gulf Stream waters and frigid Arctic waters also provides for fertile breeding ground for fish, whose impact on the Faeroe Islands cannot be overestimated.
A typical grass roofed house sits atop a sea of yellow flowers, Image credit
What is there to eat?
You will need some courage to sample Faeroese delicacies like sheep’s head, whale blubber and Skerpikjoet raw mutton that has been left to dry for months. If you’re not feeling adventurous, there’s always roast lamb and potatoes.
Skerpikjot, Image credit
Do chalk out a plan to visit these far off magical islands!
Image credit for first photo
Source: USA Today
