mikudagur 15. mai 2019síða 60

VOLUME 5 SUMMER 2019 28 T he trip to Suðuroy starts of with a mini- cruise from Tórshavn as you take the two hour trip with the ferry Smyril, which transports passengers and cars to Suðuroy and back to Tórshavn. When Smyril leaves the dock it truly feels like you are on a holiday cruise. On the trip from Tórshavn to Suðuroy you will pass the islands Sandoy, Skúvoy, Stóra Dímun and Lítla Dímun. You can find the scheduled trips at www.ssl.fo. SUÐUROY IN A DAY SUÐUROY IS THE SOUTHERNMOST ISLANDS OF THE COUNTRY AND FURTHEST AWAY FROM THE CAPITAL WELCOME TO SUÐUROY FÁMJIN As you arrive in Tvøroyri you have several options to fill your day with unforgettable experiences. On your way south you will reach Øravík, which is the first village after the dock. Instead of continuing south you should visit the village Fámjin, to see the first Faroese flag, which has its home on the church walls in Fámjin. As you leave Fámjin you should head south. This leaves you with two options and you can either drive through the tunnel or take the scenic path named “Sóljurutan” across the edge of Hov. VÁGUR the second largest town in Suðuroy, provides an opportunity to experience enthralling nature and museums and art exhibits. As you drive to Vágur you should go west to “Vásgseiðið”, a beautiful spot on the beach on a sunny summer day as well as on a stormy winter day. A visit to Pálshøll when in Vágur is a must for those who like swimming. The center also has a café, hot tub, fitness centre, massages and other offers. Located next to Pálshøll is the multi-arena Marghøllin where visitors can try the only indoor climbing wall on the islands. HVALBA AND SANDVÍK Driving back north the northernmost villages of the island Hvalba and Sandvík are worth a visit. From both villages you will get an excellent view of the island Lítla Dímun, which is the only uninhabited island in the country. These two villages are connected by one of the oldest tunnels in the country and the tunnel connecting Trongisvágur and Hvalba was the first tunnel built to accommodate cars. Hvalba is the only place on the Faroe Islands where you can still find coal mining operations. Brown coal has been extracted from the mines since the 1770s. but now only one mine is active. In the 17th century three North-African pirate ships ravaged Hvalba and took 30 women and children, but when they left two of the ships hit some rocks and shattered. More than 300 bodies washed ashore and were buried in “Turkaragravir”. When in Sandvík make sure to visit Húsið uttan ánna, a traditional Faroese house from 1886 now a museum. Inside you can see how old Faroese houses used to look like, and see old Faroese household items. Make sure to book in advance at VisitSuduroy. FROÐBA Before stopping in Tvøroyri a drive to Froðba is recommended. Tradition says that Froðba is the oldest village on Suðuroy and in the Faroe Islands, and there you will see distinctive scenery and columnar basalt by the road and the beach. Suðuroy is made up of lower and middle basalt layers and the columnar basalt is very visible in Froðba and above the town of Hov. TVØROYRI Before taking the ferry back to Tórshavn there are several places where you can stop for a while to get some food in Tvøroyri. There amongst are Café Mormor and Glasstovan. Café MorMor is a unique café with excellent food and a homey feel, while Glasstovan is a cosy café in the middle of the city that offers a wide variety of excellent food including gluten-free and lactose-free options. You can see down on magnificent bird cliffs on Suðuroy’s west side EXPLORE THE ISLANDS TRAVEL TIPS Fámjin RUTH SMITH ART MUSEUM in Vágur showcases the art works of Ruth Smith (1913-1958) who is one of the most well known artists in the Faroe Islands. The museum is open upon request. Contact VisitSuduroy for more information. SUMBA Drive south to Sumba through the tunnel but take the old village route “um Hestin” on your way back. Sumba is an unusually stunning place, which has a rich history and sagas about heroes and villains surrounding it. Contact VisitSuduroy and you will be provided with a guide who will take you on a scenic walk and tell you the story of the white rocks found on the field and the two brothers, both villains, who hid in one of the many caves in the field and why they were able to hide as long as they did before the law caught up to them. If the day is clear you might be able to see all the way to the northern isles on the walk back. Sumba also has a bird and village museum which showcases stuffed birds, Faroese butterflies, and historical items.