June 15 – Excursion to Mykines

Mykines is a very small island with a tiny harbor and a tiny village…population ~30 in the summer and 7 in the winter.  It also has scads of sheep and a gazillion sea birds.

We caught the ferry in Sørvágur for a cruise down the Sørvágurfjordur (Sørvágur fjord).  

The fjord had some pretty impressive islands…

and we were able to see Mulafosser (waterfall) from a distance. 

*********************************************
More photos of Sørvágurfjordur
*********************************************


Once we got to the island of Mykines the captain cruised slowly along the southwestern cliffs…really dramatic. 

Then he started heading back towards Sørvágur.  We were all rather surprised as we all thought we were to land on the island and take a hike.  It turned out that a small boat had capsized and we were headed to the sight to help with the rescue if needed.  There was a helicopter in the area crisscrossing the waters.  

There were a couple of kayaks pulled up on shore and at one point the helicopter landed and the crew appeared to confer with those on shore. 

The copter took off again and pretty soon a rescue boat showed up.  We eventually left as apparently we weren’t needed.  News later was that the person had been found and rescued.  Good news.

A view of the village of Bour from a distance.

We pulled into the little harbor of Mykines about an hour late.

There were huge colonies of kittiwakes near the harbor.

It was quite a hike up from the harbor to the top of the steep hill where we were met our guide.  

After a bathroom break in the village we all (us and two women from Mexico and our guide) headed up a pretty steep hill.  There were great views of the village

and sheep to photograph

and great views over the cliffs at the top.

We walked farther down to a memorial that had two sides, one for sailors who had been lost at sea and the other side listing those who had fallen off a cliff on the island.  Sobering.

The trail headed on farther but Mary decided to sit it out, the terrain was extremely rugged.  She sat on the top of the cliff for a long time enjoying the sunshine, watching the birds (including lots of puffins) and eventually ate her lunch. 

After a while she wandered down to the village.  

There was a modest café and a souvenir shop that also functioned as a mini-convenience store.

Meanwhile Paul stayed with the hike.  He later said it was extremely difficult.  But from his pictures the views might have been worth it.

There was also a lighthouse at the top with great views as well.

They spent some time at the puffin colony.

And also found some colonies of gannets. 

*********************************************
More photos of Mykines
*********************************************


We were all back on the ferry at five o’clock for the one hour trip back to Sørvágur.  There was a truck festival just starting in town but we decided it wasn’t quite the type of festival we were looking for so we didn’t stay. 

We did head out to the end of the island to get a closer look at Mulafosser.  It was just a short walk out to the overlook.

There was a little village nearby with a café so we went there for dinner.  Unfortunately the menu was very limited with no vegetarian options so we had carrot cake and then headed back towards town. 

We drove through the village of Vatnosyrer ...

and then stopped at a hotel near the airport for dinner.  

Then to the hotel to organize for the following day.

Parking "meters".  These are attached to the windshield of your car.  

When you park, you set the time you arrived, and then parking enforcement will give you a ticket if you overstay the time limit, or put on a time later than you actually arrived.  Parking is limited in Torshavn.  There a several 30 minute and 2 hour spaces scattered throughout the city, and a large 8 hour lot by the port.  Parking is free on Sundays, and from 6 pm to 9 am.  Note therefore parking is monitored from 9 am to 6 pm – 9 hours.  As we later found out, if you park at say 5 pm in a two hour spot, you are good until 9 am  the next morning.  Since it is a two hour spot, you might think you are good until 11 am.  And you can be, but only if you go out to your car at 9 am and reset the time wheel.