Heard of Gjogv? Shubha Bhandari Takes You To An Edge Of The World

Pushing boundaries is something else when you think of being in the Faroe Islands. Spending a day with puffins, driving through many tunnels that connect islands, get adventurous with food and embrace all kinds of weather. Nestled in between the northern tip of Scotland and Iceland this tiny island nation is one of Europe’s most picturesque country to explore. It may look a million miles away but it’s closer and accessible and that's why when we thought of heading there, I was curious about Faroe Islands. This small archipelago feels like one of Europe’s most untouched and isolated country. Yes, it's a country. It has 18 rocky islands connected by road tunnels ferries and bridges.

Pictures by Shubha Bhandari

It's an absolute paradise for hikers and bird watchers the islands are windy cloudy and cool all round the year. The Faroe Islands are best seen with your own eyes. They are so stark and wild and achingly beautiful that it is impossible to describe in words. For someone like me whose last trip was Siberia, the islands were just the kind of beauty I have not experienced among my many adventures.

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The barren landscapes, incredible waterfalls, rugged cliffs, wide open fjords and isolated villages are a must experience. No photos or lens however wide will show the true scale of mountains that tower straight up from sea. No photoshop techniques will show true colours of these desolate islands. I was fascinated by the roads that thread through a dramatic moody landscape of cliffs, hills dripping with waterfalls and a criss-cross of streams. Like some of the remotest islands in the world, here too we will find more sheep than people. Covered with green pastures, spread out multicoloured cottages that are home to the locals, just make this place rather cute up against the backdrop of its majestic natural beauty. Like you would find a grass-roofed wooden house or churches which add focus to the grandly stark treeless vast lands. Peeping puffins and dive bombing skuas and fulmars glide over the sea.

My three favourite moments:

1) Visit to Gasadalur and the famous Mussafadur falls
2) Hike to Lake Surgavastan and Sudoroy
3) The dining experience at KOKS
4) Drive to the beautiful town Gjogv

Picture by Shubha Bhandari

While all of this will occupy your mindspace, there is enough to do let your hair down. There are some amazing restaurants and bars in the capital city of Tórshavn. What's considered to be the most remote foodie destination KOKS,  is a two Michelin star restaurant. It's a paradise for seafood lovers. Even if the weather proves uncooperative this little nation is likely to surprise and delight even the most cynical traveller. As New Yorker featured this spot, it said, "People are flocking to a Nordic archipelago to sample cuisine—like fermented lamb tallow—that challenges even the most adventurous palate."

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How I Got There:

There are flights that operate from Copenhagen, Edinburgh and Iceland to Vága Floghavn, the main airport.

Three things to go to the Faroe Islands for

1) Hiking
2) Drive through the islands
3) Going to Mykines island for puffin watching

Language

They have a local language called Faroese but people speak English as well

Visa

One important thing, this country is not a part of the European Union so you'll need a separate visa.

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