This small nation of islands is unbelievably stunning

Once I was a younger boy, I collected stamps as a pastime and there have been these stamps from two “international locations” that I assumed have been fairly frequent again then – Yugoslavia and Faroe Islands.

Right now, Yugoslavia is only a identify you’ll discover in historical past books because it break up into 5 successor states between 1991 and 1992.

In the meantime, Faroe Islands appears prefer it has remained the identical peaceable and rustic place it has been because the eighth century … The Faroese wish to joke that they’re “working very onerous to breed, however can’t even meet up with the sheep on the island!”

Made up of 18 volcanic islands, Faroe Islands is positioned inside the Atlantic Present Zone. It’s an offshore particular autonomous area of each Denmark and Greenland. The Faroese have been dwelling in the course of the ocean since time immemorial, and this considerably has formed them into changing into a bunch of happy-go-lucky of us.

The islands have over 75,000 sheep, 12,000 cows, numerous birds and a few free-range chickens. In the meantime, the human inhabitants right here is 54,000.

You may in all probability guess that meat, particularly lamb and beef, are the staple meals right here. (The braised lamb shank at a restaurant known as Aarstova within the capital Torshavn is to die for.)

Some of us additionally eat an area seabird known as the rhinoceros auklet.

Torshavn is the port and capital of the Faroe Islands that was based within the ninth century. The crimson constructing belongs to the Faroe authorities; you could find the Prime Minister’s workplace there.

The land on these sparsely populated islands is hardly arable, forcing the islanders to show to the ocean for livelihood. However the Faroese are born seaman and fishermen anyway so this is smart. Fishing makes up a whopping 90% of the native financial system; deep sea cod is their greatest catch and commodity.

Faroe Islands measures about 1,400sq km in space. Alongside the coastal highway you possibly can see loads of salmon breeding farms, a burgeoning business right here. Every fish farm circle has 75,000 salmon fry, which carry a worth of many tens of millions in euro {dollars}.

The Faroese additionally have interaction in whale fishing, which is a non-commercial, conventional observe that has been handed down for over 4 centuries. The fishing folks solely catch long-finned pilot whales in addition to restricted numbers of white-sided dolphins, as these are thought-about “non-endangered” species.

This 12 months, the Danish authorities is simply permitting the seize of no more than 500 white-sided dolphins.

The very fact is, if the Faroese aren’t allowed to eat meals from the ocean or sky, they might in all probability starve to loss of life as agriculture right here is sort of non-existent; the islands are lined with barren volcanic rocks the place most crops don’t develop. There are hardly any massive timber on the islands, however the hills are blanketed in a carpet of inexperienced grass.

Solely in the summertime can the locals plant root greens like potato and carrot, which can then be prepared to reap in the course of autumn. All different produce are imported from Denmark. Which means that the dwelling normal right here is definitely increased than in Copenhagen, which is 1,500km away. A cup of latte, for instance, prices RM30, and a three-minute taxi journey is RM65. After all, the folks right here additionally take pleasure in social advantages similar to different European Union states.

The overall inhabitants of the picturesque Gjogv village is simply 49.

One other factor to notice is that the Scottish arrived on the Faroe Islands as early because the eighth century. Some remnants of their tradition can nonetheless be seen as we speak, like the standard Scottish apparel, and meals.

Within the ninth century, the Vikings from “modern-day” Norway landed on the islands and made the place their dwelling. However in 1380, Denmark colonised Norway, together with the Faroe Islands. In 1814, Faroe Islands turned a county. It was then occupied by the British throughout World Struggle II, and that was once they started to construct the army airport, dam and different infrastructure.

Faroe Islands was ceded again to Denmark in 1948 and has since turn out to be a particular autonomous area with prolonged self-governance, very very similar to Hong Kong and Macau as we speak except army and diplomatic affairs.

The Faroese have their very own passports, personal nationwide flag, nationwide emblem, nationwide anthem, nationwide flower, foreign money, stamps, prime minister, cupboard and a 32-member lagtig (parliament), with a Danish governor and the queen of Denmark as monarch. Faroe Islands can also be represented with two seats within the Danish parliament to combat for the rights and welfare of the islanders.

However, there’s a small group of politicians championing for full independence!

Our energetic Faroese driver-guide Maria is sort of pleased with the established order, as a result of the Faroese folks take pleasure in 99% self-governance and nonetheless retain their very own language and tradition whereas receiving help and assist from Denmark. Maria used to work for a few years in France, however ultimately opted to come back again to her village positioned on one of many Islands.

Maria mentioned due to the tiny inhabitants right here, the folks worth their household probably the most and maintain common household gatherings, particularly throughout weekends and public holidays. And if that’s not sufficient, additionally they have music festivals, cultural festivals, harvest festivals and plenty of extra neighborhood occasions through the summer season months, when the islanders are dressed of their conventional costumes. Such festive pleasure might by no means be felt in the event that they have been to reside abroad.

As such, all Faroese yearn to return to the islands some day, regardless of the place they reside now. Our 60-year-old taxi driver had additionally returned after working for a few years in Copenhagen, whereas the younger waitresses on the star-rated ROKS restaurant had all come again from abroad.

The Faroe Islands is actually an unimaginable place. Essentially the most charming factor in regards to the place is its superlatively serene magnificence that can simply take your breath away. Despite the fact that it does snow right here, the ocean is rarely frozen, and the temperature ranges between 2°C and 15°C all year long. Isn’t that simply great?

The views expressed are totally the author’s personal.

Leesan, the founding father of Apple Holidays, has travelled to 136 international locations, seven continents and enjoys sharing his journey tales and insights. He has additionally authored 5 books.