Part of the allure of the Transatlantic cruise we were on was the prospect of visiting the Faroe Islands. I did not even know where they were before we planned this trip. I'm not sure I had even heard of them but I became very interested as the trip got closer. When we got there it was stunningly beautiful with massive green hills dropping to the water. Small clusters of houses at the water's edge defined the towns and there was miles of coastline between them.

The ship had an serious accident on the way to the harbor. Several power lines are stretched between islands and the ship cleared three of them. The fourth line caught the antenna on the navigation mast. The line stretched but did not give way - the antenna snapped off and the falling debris injured a crew member. This line was supposed to be as high up as the first three but it was too low. The crew member had to be evacuated to a hospital. After some tender care with a ship person for support the crew member was flown home to continue recovery.

Our tour was a private one - we hired a car and driver for the day. This would allow us to see the area and get some photo stops that our shipmates would not have on a regular tour. It worked out great getting to see some different areas and hear the driver tell us about his home country. The Faroe Islands are part of Denmark but consider themselves self sufficient. The residents have both Faroe Island and Denmark passports.

We got to see a wonderful area with small villages, fishing boats, occasional sheep, vast vistas, blue skies with clouds, blue water, salmon farms, a church from the 1100's, lunch in a restaurant, and the oldest farmhouse in the islands with the 17th generation living there. Everywhere the scenery was beautiful.

At the oldest farm house we got to talking to the farmer and listening to his stories. He has lots to tell and likes to talk. We listened for too long and left later than we should. CJ asked the driver to get us back to the ship by 5 pm since all aboard was at 5:30. Leaving the parking lot  at 4:15 pm with an hour and 15 minute drive left no time for slow traffic. Our driver really pushed while CJ's stomach churned. Passing cars and speeding allowed us to make the dock by 5:28 pm - a lot later than CJ wanted. We were both happy to be back on board after a wonderful tour. I just wish we could have spent more time.