fríggjadagur 12. september 2008síða 18

Vestnorden Travel Mart 2008 18 The schooner, Norðlýsið, was rebuilt in 1989. Since then, Mr. Birgir Enni, captain and chef, has arranged innumerable unforgettable tours around the Faroe Islands, where you are taken close inshore to the dif­ ferent bird cliffs, where you experience live concerts under­ neath the cliffs and where you, in addition, get to taste traditional Faroese food, cooked on board the schooner. Experience of a life time Norðlýsið arranges tours from April to October. These tours usually start in the capital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn and the arrangements will vary both in style and destination. The schooner was originally built for fishing in 1945. In 1989 it was rebuilt and since then, the boat has only been used for excursions and thus next year will see its 20th anniversary. The boat can facilitate up to 50 people and there are two bath­ rooms, with showers and warm water, one kitchen area and one engine room. In regards to the sleeping facilities, Norðlýsið has one large cabin area with 14 bunks and in addition another small cabin area with 3 bunks. In general, if it is possible, the scho­ oner will sail with its sails and only use the engine, if necessary. The company arranges various excursions, for example, fishing trips, where tourists are able to experience life on a boat, by catching fish, fresh from the clean and rich sea of the North Atlantic Ocean. During this trip, Norðlýsið will sail in between the islands and tourists can take their entire catch home with them. These types of trips are very popular and there are many different types of fish available in these waters, which is also of great interest amongst the tourists. Closer to the birdcliffs Another very popular excursion is a trip to the east side of a small island called Hest. During the season, Norðlýsið arranges this unforgettable trip at least once a week, with the possibility of experiencing the rich bird life on the bird cliffs. The boat will sail very close to the cliffs, which does give the tourists a breath­ taking view of the bird cliffs. Norðlýsið for rent It is also possible to rent the schooner for a day or even only a few hours, with the possibility of dining on the boat. The captain, Mr. Birgir Enni, who is also a chef, is well known for his com­ petence in cooking a delicious fish soup, which he serves the tourists. It is also possible to get 2 or 3 other fish dishes. Acoustic music in nature A few years back a cooperation started between the captain of Norðlýsið, Mr. Birgir Enni and a famous Faroese musician, Mr. Kristian Blak. The two of them started the concept of grotto concerts, with live music inside the grotto around the Faroes. The grotto extended the acoustic sound in the music and made this a very popular tour, both for tourists and also for Faroese people. The program for this excursion is sailing from the capital to either Hest or Nólsoy, two small islands, depending on the weather and then the tourists will leave Norðlýsið and enter smaller boats that are able to sail all the way into the grottos. These trips are renown as an unforgettable music experience, with a better acoustic sound than even Nôtre Dame of Paris. Kunningarstova a local Tourist Information Centre Your Safety-net in the Faroes Norðoya Kunningarstova Klaksvík - tel 456939 Kunningarstovurnar í Eysturoy Fuglafjørður - tel 737715 Runavík - tel 417060 Kunningarstovan Tórshavn - tel 302425 Vága Kunningarstova Miðvágur – tel 333455 Sandoyar Kunningarstova Sandur - tel 361836 Suðuroya Kunningarstova Tvøroyri - tel 372480 Vágur - tel 374342 Unforgettable excursions with the schooner Norðlýsinum