Faroe Islands 2005 - Suðuroy

From Worldtraveller

Having seen much of the northern islands, I headed down to the southernmost island of Suðuroy, where the weather is supposed to be nicer than up north. The weather was atrocious during my bus journey from Leirvík back to Tórshavn so I was hoping it would be true. In wild wind and rain I thought the ferry journey there might be a bit of a vomit run, but the M/F Smyril was a big ship and the run past Sandoy, Skúvoy and the wild islands of Lítla Dímun and Stóra Dímun was smooth and pleasant.

On the boat to Suðuroy

Lítla Dímun covered in cloud

I got off the ferry and onto a bus to Øravík. Øravík is a tiny settlement, but with great views over the wild north Atlantic, and a campsite and tiny hostel. I set up my tent in gale-force winds and driving rain, and then cooked dinner in the empty hostel building. I was the only tourist in Øravík by the look of things.

Camping at Øravík

From Øravík I got a bus to Famjín on the other side of the island, and walked back across the island over a high windy pass in the mountains. I asked the driver what time the bus was going back to Øravík, in case the weather got too bad for walking and I wanted to pick it up somewhere along the road. He asked me what time I needed it. I was beginning to fall in love with the way of life you find on remote outposts of human habitation.

By the sea at Famjín	Waterfall in the hills above Famjín	River flowing towards Famjín
Cliffs on Western Suðuroy	Famjín's harbourside	Clouds descend
A waterfall up in the hills of Suðuroy

I saw the bus pass by on the road as I was approaching the top of the pass. The weather was OK so I gave him a wave and he carried on towards Øravík. The views were spectacular but so was the wind whistling through the gap between the hills. I took some photos of the views and then headed down towards the village.

View from the pass down to Øravík	Similar view to Image:FO7-S05-33.jpg but about a minute later	Øravík and the bay
Øravík	Nearing Øravík after the walk from Famjín	Bleak road
Stream flows to the sea	Arrival at Øravík

The weather became typically north Atlantic in the evening, and all I could do was sit inside the hostel, listening to the rain slap against the windows. The next day I was up at 5am to catch the 7am ferry back to Tórshavn.

Moody skies over Suðuroy	The Dímuns	Rare clear skies at Lítla Dímun
Húsavík on Sandoy	Sun and clouds battle it out over Sandoy

Faroe Islands 2005: Story of a crazy day / Gjógv and Eysturoy / North-eastern islands / Boat journey to Fugloy / Suðuroy / Tórshavn / Nólsoy