Page 12 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - June '21

Page 12, Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens
The Faroe Islands, Rugged Unspoiled Beauty

By Don Kiselewski, independent nation under the
MCC, D.S., protection of Denmark. The
Palm Beach Gardens Faroe Islands were granted
Travel Leaders home rule in 1946 and
Although it is believed function as an independently
that St. Brendan and a group functioning government under
of Irish monks first spotted the Kingdom of Denmark.
the Faroe Islands some They have refused to join
1,400 years ago, there is no the “motherland” and the
unequivocal proof of their European Union. The Faroese
presence. The group was have their own flag, postage
known to have sailed in these stamps, and print their own
waters, and there is proof that they landed on other islands in money.
the area; however, it is quite possible that they missed the Faroe An old Faroese legend
Islands completely. After all, the prevailing rain, fog and mist says, “When the earth was
normally form a concealing shroud around the islands. These created, the foreman on the
weather conditions average 280 days a year. The only argument job cleaned his fingernails and View over central Tórshavn and Bokjarabrekka Street. Photo by Vincent van Zeijst
for the prior visits from the outside world was the wild sheep what plopped into the Atlantic
that roamed the island when Landsmenn, the first Norse Ocean became the Faroe
settlers, arrived in the ninth century. Someone must have left Islands.” Unlike other groups
them when they departed the island. These Landsmenn were of islands in the world, the
gentle farmers who feared the Viking hordes that terrorized Faroes are made up of long,
the mainland of Europe. narrow strips of land next to
Unfortunately, the treeless Faroe Islands are not prime each other, separated with
farmland, so for more than a millennium the people of the fjords and narrow waterways.
Faroe Islands have relied on the sea for their sustenance. The land itself has been laid
Likewise, their economy has risen and fallen based upon in layers, much like a cake,
the waters surrounding the 18 islands that make up this which produce steep walls
independent nation located in the North Atlantic Ocean. The right at the water’s edge.
Faroes are located 600 kilometers (372 miles) westward Being treeless, except for a
of Norway and 300 kilometers (186 miles) northeast of few that have been nurtured
Scotland, and about the same distance to Iceland, further to in Tórshavn’s city park, the
the northwest. barren landscape defines the
Some 49,000* residents live on 17 of the 18 islands – only true ruggedness that shines
Lítla Dimun is unoccupied. The town of Tórshavn on the through.
island of Streymoy, at approximately 13,000* residents, is the The Faroese pride
capital and by far the largest community in the Faroes. What it themselves on having the Pilot whales following the grindadrap. Photo by Erik Christensen
lacks in pubs and clubs, it makes up for in picturesque charm. cleanest marine environment
Tórshavn was named for the Norse god Thor, one of the most in the North Atlantic. There
powerful of the ancient deities. Havn means “harbor” and the are, however, a number of fish
combination of these two words translates to “Thor’s Port.” farms that raise trout and other
Tinganes, a name given fish crops that, because of their
to a small peninsula that confined nature, have created
juts out from the island, is some environmental concerns.
where Tórshavn began a Likewise, camping is illegal in
thousand years ago. The the islands in order to protect
first Norwegian settlers nature, and more importantly,
established the Alting the freshwater streams and
(parliament) on this site, rivers that feed the 100 little
which makes the town communities that make up the
the oldest continuing bulk of the islands’ remaining
national capital in population.
Europe at more than a
thousand years old. The The Faroe Islands
oldest construction in the on page 13 Tórshavn Cathedral. Photo by Vincent van Zeijst
city dates from the 14th
century and provides
a unique insight into Mother Nature’s Pantry
the Faroese lifestyle,
characterized with sod
roofs for insulation. Serving The Community For 40 Years
Although the
Danes believe that the
Faroes are as much a The Faroese wear traditional Everything you need for a healthier lifestyle
part of Denmark as attire for Olavsoka, a national
Copenhagen, the Faroese holiday of the Faroe Islands. H Sandwiches & Wraps
believe that they are an Photo by Don Kiselewski H Homemade Soups

H Garden Fresh Salads
H Smoothies
Family owned & operated since 1988
H Healthy Shakes
H Energy Drinks - Juices

We carry a complete line of Solgar,

New Chapter, Garden of Life, Natures Plus,

and many more
Excited to travel and visit new places
with friends or family?
Don & Heidi Kiselewski stopped by to say hello to Gertie the We Will Meet Any Competitor’s Price
Dinosaur during a trip to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Call us to help you discover places to explore in 2021 or 2022.
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