Author: cometsgirl

My six chairs in the sky travel concluded a couple of days ago, when I boarded the aircraft and flew to Atlanta.

For the trek home, we departed early Wednesday morning, bound for Vagar once again. Flight departure was at 8am, dictating an early morning drive in the dark and in the rain. It was tough.

Morning Dawn for take-off.

Next stop, Copenhagen.

With an eight-hour layover, we accepted an invitation for coffee from the young woman who had been our barista the past two trips to the Faroe Islands. She now lives in Copenhagen and is studying to become a doctor.

What fun to hail a taxi and be transported along the streets of Copenhagen…

…to meet Zoe for delicious coffee and delightful conversation.

We returned to the airport for a long trek to the gate and the flight to Frankfurt.

After spending the night in Frankfurt, we boarded Lufthansa flight 440 for the 10 1/2 hour flight to Houston. The take-off was complete with the familiar 747 shimmy.

An overnight at my friend’s home, then my flight home.

One thing I’ll never forget is how I paid for absolutely everything using Apple Pay on my iPhone. Not once did I take out a coin or a bill from my wallet. Merchants and customer alike loved this easy way to pay!!

Plans for this travel made long ago, allowed anticipation to grow and grow. A lovely way for my friend to move into retirement and then experience lift-off literally.

More sky chairs to come.

Traveling mercies.

I’m not quite half-way on my ten and one-half hour flight from Frankfurt to Houston.

At 34,000’ over Greenland, there’s a lot of traffic as aircraft fly from and to their destinations. It’s the coolest thing to look at my flying app to see what’s beneath me. Or around me.

There are stunning views of Greenland below.

Ah, the gift of flight!

Lufthansa still flies 747s and this may be the last time I fly one. Still, I’m seated in one now. Be careful what you wish for.

You may get it – and find yourself in that chair in the sky for a long, long time.

Traveling mercies.

Yesterday – Wednesday, we began the trek home.

The first of four legs home for me was Vagar, Faroe Islands to Copenhagen. Early departure from the hotel, with a long drive in the rain, to Vagar. Boarding at dawn.

Soon after take-off, “Morning has broken like the first morning…”

A couple of hours later, Copenhagen welcome.

A long walk through the airport, then a long wait for our bags. Three of the four made it. My duffle was missing. AirTag to the rescue!

There it is! My phone located it, and when I showed the above image to the woman at the nearby lost baggage kiosk, she made two quick phone calls. Minutes later she announced the bag was on the conveyer belt and so it was!!

Lost baggage miracles do happen.

Yesterday – Tuesday – had the kind of weather I had feared when we decided to come to the Faroe Islands in October.

It was wonderful to have glorious sunshine, cool temps, and calm days for the previous days. Not this day.

Tuesday was wind, rain and wind gusts! I came close to being blown over a couple of times. Especially while we were trying to pump gas. I literally was blown into my friend, shouting the whole time. Shouting when startled or falling has become a trademark of my response to “suddden” in my life.

Of course we began our day at our coffee cafe. We lolled long enough to make plans – yes, in spite of the threat of nasty weather; and to write postcards.

Then it was off to the police department where one pays parking fines. The parking near our coffee place is good for 30 minutes, so there is a lot of running out to move the car a space or two, and reset the clock which is found in a corner of the windshield. I miss-set it.

Then we drove to the island of Vagar, where the airport is located. I needed to take proof of having paid the fine so the rental car agency would not pay it again. We were to leave too early the next morning to take care of this before the flight. Anyway, the day was lovely, if brisk.

As we drove to Vagar, the winds picked up some waterfalls were falling up.

Still, it was such a gorgeous drive.

One drives to Vagur via an undersea tunnel. One with an art installation!

Vagar was windy!!

I took photos from the car, with the windows down. Wind gusts made it unsafe for either of us to move about.

One minute I had this view…

The next moment this.

The rainbow was a nice touch.

It was a super windy drive back to Streymoy. I clinched the steering wheel all the way.

Later, we dined out. We took a taxi.

We dined at Toscano’s. A couple we met at the Joel Coel exhibit recommended it. It was delicious! A real treat on the last night of our stay.

Blustery, yes. But gifts of rainbows in the midst.

Yesterday – Monday, we stayed on our “home” island, Streymoy.

After a leisurely morning of coffee, and then a bit of wandering around the town of Torshavn, we headed just about straight north.

Before long, we veered west. The road gradually took us north near the west coast on the North Sea. Our endpoint was Saksun.

I loved the drive. Every mile brought new beauty.

We have seen so many small groups of geese along the byways.

Every turn brought a new vista.

After arriving at Saksun, we turned around and drove back to where we had headed west. We then made a left turn and began the drive north to Haldarsvik, again driving on an angle forward toward the top of the east coast.

Always sheep along the way.

I am drawn to the many small and uniquely beautiful structures found along the way. .

At the top you can see across the sea to the Rock Stacks located at the top of Esteroy.

After having driven a large Y, we returned to Torshavn where we enjoyed a dinner of fabulous assortment of Danish cheeses and accoutrements.

Another awesome and awe-filled day.

I’m reminded of the time I was moving from Texas to Georgia when my 4 year old grandson asked, “is is faaar faaar away?” In his world it was.

My best friend and I went far, far away yesterday.

We drove from the island of Streymoy at sunrise

through the undersea tunnel to Esturoy where we

attended the 11am service at Glyvra Kirkjygarður Lutheran Church. The music – hymns sung by the congregants and accompanied by organ – was worship for me. Then we

drove through an undersea tunnel to Bordðy where we watched a tug boat steer a ship out to sea

and traversed two tunnels to a bridge which crossed

over to Vidoy

where we picnicked near a gathering of Highland cows,..

overlooking Fugloy Island.

We intended to drive to the top of the island but an issue with a tire losing air over the past several days was worrisome. We kept adding air but this day it was not holding the added air. We ended up in someone’s driveway. The owner used a pump device that, once it was plugged into the cigarette lighter, pumped the tire back up. Then a nail in the tire was spotted. Oh no!

We made one more stop on Vidoy Island before traversing all the aforementioned islands home.

We made it safely home, with one stop in Eysturoy for a quick bite to eat and, more importantly, FaceTime with my younger son on his birthday.

Upon returning to the hotel, I asked the front desk to contact our car rental company. It was soon set up for a replacement car to arrive just after 8am this morning. It did, and just like that, we were on our way to another great adventure.

Yesterday’s Sabbath Day was an extraordinary day of island hopping faaar, far away.

The Faroe Islands consists of 17 islands. Sixteen can be accessed by plane (the international airport) or ferries or bridges or tunnels. The 17th requires a helicopter.

Everyone flies into Vagar International Airport on Vagar Island, and most travel to other islands from there. Vagar is a destination as well.

We are staying on Streymoy Island, in the town of Torshavn. This is our third trip to the Faroe Islands and we always stay at the Havgrim Hotel.

Yesterday our travels took us to Eysturoy Island, just a tunnel’s drive to the east. It’s a relatively new tunnel that costs a lot but saves over an hour travel time. It is under the Tangafjørðut sound. A fun feature is the art work at the round-about in the middle. We’ve been known to go around and around before exiting just to see the art.

Exiting the tunnel, we were greeted by rainbows.

We stopped at NAVIA, a specialty yarn shop. Also clothing, limited to sweaters, socks, jackets, and raincoats. I needed a new raincoat so… coat number 3. It’s a good thing I packed a lightweight duffle, just in case.

Then we were off on a scenic drive. As we drove higher and higher, we passed many sheep, too numerous to count, but always fun to see.

The drive led to an abundance of wind turbines. They are so graceful and captivating to watch. A special viewing seat just for me.

Of course I couldn’t resist a high-point-ish attempt.

Success!

The rest of the afternoon was wonder-filled scenic driving. Waterfalls. The sea. Beautiful structures.

Driving home to Torshavn we realized that if we hurried, we could drive up above the town to see the sights of wind turbines in the sunset. They are so awe-filled.

We wrapped up the day with fish ‘n chips takeout, enjoyed in our car.

A full day. Full tummies.

Yesterday – Friday – was the big day. The Joel Cole art exhibit opening.

But wait… there was a large day to be had first.

Of course, coffee to begin the day. We chose Paname Cafe. It was a delicious delight.

Then off to a slice of the West coast of the island Streymoy for stunning sights.

From this beauty place we traveled back to Torshavn for the exhibit opening. Held at the National Gallery of Faroese Art, it did not disappoint.

Joel Coel’s pieces were breathtaking.

The late-afternoon event began with a large gathering of friends and family. And us.

A singer/songwriter sang ahead of introductions. He was great.

Joel was introduced and spoke briefly, and then opened the exhibition for all to enjoy.

I had the opportunity to meet him and chat for a time. Our conversation ended with an invitation to visit his studio which happens to be on the grounds of the prison. That’s a whole other story for another time.

It was a wonderful encounter and a stunning exhibition. I’m so glad my travel and his exhibition coincided!

A bonus of the retirement celebration trip is that it coincides with an art exhibit that opens today.

Joel Cole, an artist whose medium is wood, will show his recent work. I’ve loved his work since my first trip to the Faroe Islands. I have several small pieces.

He was honored a year or so ago with Faroese stamps.

I’m really looking forward to the exhibition and to meeting Joel in person.

Yesterday morning we began the day with a return to our favorite coffee cafe, Brell.

We had a day of wandering around town, enjoying coffee and small meals. Just a pokey day.

Noodle soup for lunch, in the place we learned about 2 yrs ago when I had to get my head stitched up. The doctors raved about it and it was good for my healing.

A bit of drive around town time.

A late afternoon treat.

Oh, I shopped for a coat to keep me warm.

I bought a second coat too.

Last daylight image of the day. Surf will really be up in the morning.

Let’s see. Planes, train, automobiles, carts and one wild wheelchair ride. We arrived in the Faroe Islands last night. Highways, small roadways and tunnels to Torshavn and the Havgrim Hotel. Yay!

A last glance at Copenhagen-

to Vagar on descent.

Sunrise over Nolsoy Island.

First stop of the day. Brell cafe.

Today will be a pokey day. Surprisingly I’ve no jet lag. Still, after the long travel to get here, there’s little reason to do more than poke.

I may buy a new coat. It’s chilly-cold here.