fríggjadagur 12. september 2008síða 21

Vestnorden Travel Mart 2008 21 Animals, plants and geology In this comprehensive collection, it is possible to find artefacts from every aspect of the Faroe nature. These include both whales and fish, which represented such an important part of the Faroe livelihood, from the very beginning of people settling here. Most fish are the normal kind found round the islands, such as cod, haddock, and coalies, but fish rare to Faroe waters are also included in the collection. Whale skeletons are also in the collection, and together with various seals, they represent the swimming mammals, which can be observed from land. Before the islands were colonised, plants were of course present on the islands, and the collection contains an extensive number of all varieties. Most of them have been collected and are investigated. In the museum yard, there are specimen examples of app. 150 of the approximate 400 plants in the Faroes. Preceding all else however, is the rock - the rock upon which all the islands are built. Therefore, geology is also represented in the museum. This is organised in such a manner, that it is possible to monitor all events, from the emergence of the very first peaks from the ocean to the current geology of the Faroes today. The Natural Museum is continually working together with field leading Faroe specialists, enabling an upto date museum in touch with all investigations/surveys undertaken. The most recent ongoing project is the satellite monitoring of whales and seals, intended to deliver a clearer picture of their marine movement patterns. Autumn celebration Each year, the Natural Museum organises an autumn celebration festival for children. The festival topic changes every year and when the festival began in 2002, the topic was oil. The celebration has been held every year since. Last year the topic was Natures Adversity and this year the topic will be Natures Evolvement. Usually, app. 2000 people visit this festival celebration, and the premises are adapted to the chosen topic. Faroe origins The Natural Museum has since 1955, collected material from the Faroese nature, so today this is quite an extensive collection, which it has managed to amass Búi Tyril Rentacar.fo, the new Faroese car rental firm has seen rapid growth during its first year in business. With a fleet that now extends beyond the initial small-car concept to include various vehicles ranging from tiny economy models to larger wagons, the family firm has added another angle to enhance customer service and satisfaction: rent a luxury apartment. The car rental service was founded with the 2007 acquisition of SLP Car Rent, which had been in the business since 1999. Owned and managed by the Kollafjörður-based Gunnarssons, rentacar.fo is looking to lure still more tourists its way in the coming season. Says Birna Gunnarsson: “We started off with a few city cars and it didn’t take long before people began to notice that we had a favorable price plan and a service that makes customers happy.” Most of the marketing communications including ordering is handled through the car rental website at rentacar.fo – no doubt a contributing factor to keeping overhead costs at minimum without sacrificing customer care. “We strive to offer the best combination of personal service and availability by using the internet,” Ms. Gunnarsson adds. “We want our customers to feel happy and to look forward to return – and that’s exactly what we’re seeing.” To complement the car rental service, rentacar.fo now offers its clients the option of renting a Kollafjörður fully furnished luxury apartment as well. According to Gunnarsson, the initial response has been encouraging. Only a 20-minute drive away from the capital of Tórshavn, Kollafjörður is the geographical center of the Faroes. “This is the perfect location,” Ms. Gunnarsson says. “It’s close to Tórshavn and to the Vágar Airport, as well as to Eysturoy and Klaksvík.” She adds: “Our offices are in Kollafjörður but in reality the business is internet based and we offer delivery service all across the main area of the islands.” To book a car, or an apartment, email info@rentacar.fo or call +298 232121. “All inquiries are answered within 24 hours, and the telephones are open 24/7.” Get the car and the apartment too Startup success rentacar.fo increases car fleet, adds luxury apartment rental to product range