Trip - 2018 Faroe Islands — ThePhotoGuy.dk

My 2018 Trip to the Faroe Islands

9 Days with Anna

I already wrote a long story about this trip in the related book page. Rather than repeat myself, I’ll just give a summary.

During my trip to Iceland in 2017, I began to think about visiting the Faroe Islands to do landscape photography, because it was my sense that it was just as beautiful and less well known, so there would be fewer tourists.

It seemed like a good location for a solo trip, but I read that it could be dangerous to hike alone. So, when my co-worker and friend Anna, who lived in the Ukraine at the time, asked if she could join me for a trip, she didn’t care where, I decided this was the perfect location.

Although I had taken pictures of Anna once before, during a business related visit she took to Denmark, the trip was more about hiking than taking pictures of her. She likes to hike and so do I, so that was the main focus. I did suggest that she bring some dresses, and, not really expecting her to agree, the florescent green bikini she posed in on a mountain top when skiing with friends. Thus, we did three “serious” photo sessions, which were great fun.

Otherwise, I took pictures while we hiked, but very little landscape photography, as I struggle to switch modes between hiking/talking and hiking/taking pictures.

Unlike some of my other trip pages, I include all the pictures of Anna from this trip, since those pictures are such an integral part of this trip for me.

In case you haven’t read the other story, I broke 3 ribs in a silly bicycling accident 3 weeks before this trip, but was determined not to cancel. That’s why, in my journal entries, I refer to pain so often.

Our route

Day 0 - Friday, May 4, 2018

Copenhagen 20:07

OK, ouch. My first 24 hours without morphine, I felt fine to drive to the airport and pick up Anna, who’s flight was delayed several hours, so I think I picked her up at about 23:00 and went to bed at about half past midnight.

Day 1 - Saturday, May 5, 2018

Copenhagen 08:25

I admit to a worrying amount of pain still this morning. I had a, kinda, hard night.

My back is complaining. It complained a lot last night. The pain itself is quite manageable, to be honest. It has my attention, but allows me to concentrate on other things as well. I would say the biggest challenge is just my concern about how it will limit me in the coming days (not to mention, today, walking with my backpack).

Day 2 - Sunday, May 6, 2018

Two destinations, waterfall and peak... 13km round trip

A quick peek over the edge before turning back...

Day 3 - Monday, May 6, 2018

A thousand mile journey (or one that feels like it) starts with a single step (over a fence).

We've been lost and now we have found you! Love for cairn 10.

The end of a thousand mile journey also requires a step (over a fence).

Day 4 - Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Klaksvik 00:11

OK, we are several days into our vacation and this is my first time to write.

Anna and I just finished talking and I’m in bed after another long day. Notice the time. It’s past midnight.

Things have gone very well..

My back is holding up surprisingly well. I don’t think I’ll take any more pain killers. I took some this morning, but not since, and I do not actually feel any pain.

Day 5 - Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Klaksvik 04:48

Damn. I keep waking up too early. It’s 4.48 and I’m wide awake, despite having only about 4 hours sleep. I’ve slept poorly, sweating in this comfortable, but too hot bed. I have the window open now, which is very unusual for me.

14:41

Anna got up earlier than expected at 8:30. We had another long discussion.

Now we are taking naps before an afternoon hike, we decided to skip our helicopter trip after discussing it. I’m very happy that we made that choice.

Day 6 - Thursday, May 10, 2018

Klaksvik 09:24

Anna and I continue to have marathon conversations.

We ditched the helicopter idea and instead drove to other islands and little towns, which was a much better way to spend the day. We didn’t hike at all, just walked around a town and drove. We also did a photoshoot along the side of the road with her in a purple tight fitting dress. That was fun and I look forward to seeing the pictures.

I’m not sleeping very well at this house, however, and I hope the next is better. We have to leave in about 2 hours.

Seldom seen blue sky over the Faroe Islands

Vágur 22:55

The ferry was running on a Sunday schedule due to the holiday (I forgot). We arrived at the house fairly late and it’s time for bed.

I’m tired and my right knee is developing some tendonitis. Anna wants a full day of hiking tomorrow. I hope I can cope. I do, however, also hope to take pictures of her in her white dress at some point, so we’ll see.

I’m feeling older (or, that is to say, my age) and seeing myself as older as well.

Day 7 - Friday, May 11, 2018

Vágur 08:05

Getting close to the end of our trip and so far most days have been quite unique.

I had hoped that this vacation would give me the chance to really get to know Anna, and our long talks have indeed fulfilled that goal.

This IS the trail you are looking for...

Just one shot to prove that I was actually there too

Destination in sight, but would we have continued if we knew the cafe was closed?

Miðvágur 01:24

Damn. I woke up in the middle of the night about an hour ago.

I’m hoping a little activity will make me tired again.

I seem to have re-injured my ribs with yesterday’s hike, due mostly, I suspect to the extremely prolonged strong winds we experienced while walking on a steep slope. The act of keeping myself balanced meant holding the muscles in my torso taunt, and I started to feel discomfort and then pain in my ribs, particularly the one spot that has bothered me since my early 30s, and which I think I have originated in childhood with my paper route.

By the time we got back to the car, I could really feel that I had gotten pretty stiff. This has just increased as the evening wore on, and at dinner it was bothering me enough that I struggled to hold my fork in my left hand while eating.

I took a bath when we got home, at Anna’s suggestion, but when I got out, I felt feverish and dizzy. Luckily, she was downstairs and I could walk with a towel into my room to lie down. After 5 or 10 minutes I felt better and got up and was able to take clothes on.

I just woke up at 1:30am or so.

My left side is still stiff, but better. Now I’m just annoyed to be awake.