Day 102 July 22nd Torshavn
A brief (car-less) trip to the tiny capital of the Faroe Islands. A small capital ‘city’ built around the harbour with a population of about 13,000. Torshavn so named after Thor God of Thunder – Thors Harbour. With a long history: settled at least during the 800s when Viking settlers arrived, if not before by Irish monks.
My first mistake today was to read a map and not think hills. My second mistake was forgetting the effect of Sunday. This lead to being dropped off at a shopping mall that was closed – so no browsing, no coffee to fill in the couple of hours before check-in. And with pack, food and bags – a kilometre or so walking up hills to my new home.
The walk taken slowly was uneventful and calm – when there is two of us together our Venus and Mars navigating has its moments! Still time before I could check-in so I found a beautiful park near the apartment with a seat surrounded by trees and (unusually) in sunshine.
Strange though it is not to have a travel buddy after 18months together, there is a quiet, travelling alone that encourages self sufficiency, calmness and introspection. Though the connectivity of modern times is at times an irresistible barrier to aloneness.
After settling in I set off to see what the little city was like. Rebelliously I did not go to the Tourist Information but walked where my feet lead me. Strange to see a city so quiet and closed, yet impressed to know that a “day of rest” continues today.
My feet took my down to the harbour packed with boats of all sizes and lined on one side with old buildings. At the end of a row of buildings mainly housing cafes, bars, restaurants was a hill overlooking the sea with a group of old turf roofed houses. As I meandered through I realised this was Tinganes, the area containing the oldest continuous Parliament in the world. History shows parliament here in 825 when the Vikings held Tings.
Tinganes, Torshavn, Faroe IslandsTinganes has markings from Viking times and buildings from 1700s – today I rambled along through the narrow lanes and stone stairways. While not having the history with me it was a beautiful old town walk. The small, safe feel seems to extend through the culture – the Prime Ministers phone number is in the local phone book!
Before heading back I decided after days of self catering a cup of coffee was the treat of the day. Still the $8AUD price tag continued to shock. First and last and not even good coffee.
