The Faroes

Reactions to Photos & Blog

• Many praise the photos as stunning, intentional, and well-composed rather than “average tourist shots,” with good editing and use of composition rules.
• The tall cliff portrait that requires multiple scrolls is singled out as a clever way to convey height.
• Some readers thank the blogger and hope other locations on the site get similar treatment; the blogger mentions plans to expand it.
• A few initially saw only text due to blocked JavaScript/CDN content.

Visiting vs Living in the Faroes

• Several people say the landscape is magical and already plan return trips.
• Others note the constant grey, rain, and low sunlight would be emotionally hard; they’d visit but not live there.
• One commenter calls it ideal for introverts, with Tórshavn as a base for day trips.

Landscape, Trees, Sheep, and Safety

• The near-total lack of trees is striking; some find it beautiful, others depressing.
• Explanations given: harsh wind, thin soils, historical deforestation, and especially sheep eating saplings; trees survive mainly in fenced parks and gardens.
• Lush grass and dramatic cliffs are repeatedly highlighted.
• Lack of guardrails and warning signs is seen as both liberating and risky; a recent case of missing tourists near sea cliffs is mentioned.
• Some hikes require paid access, with skepticism about where the money goes.
• A claim of “no sandy beaches” is corrected with an example of a black sand surf beach.

Whaling / Grindadráp Debate

• One thread strongly condemns the dolphin and whale hunts as cruel and a reason to boycott the islands.
• Others argue:
  • It’s culturally embedded, relatively small-scale, and not ecologically comparable to industrial whaling.
  • If one accepts eating meat generally, it’s hard to single this out as uniquely unethical, especially compared to factory farming.
• Counterpoints emphasize:
  • Emotional attachment to whales/dolphins and “charismatic” large mammals.
  • The visibility and bloodiness of shore-based hunts, which can shock outsiders.
  • Ethical inconsistency is common but doesn’t invalidate targeted concerns.
• Some stress that only vegans have fully consistent grounds to oppose it, though even they acknowledge heavy-metal contamination as a deterrent to eating the meat.
• Sea Shepherd is criticized as an organization but its largely vegan volunteers are seen as sincere.
• Broader side-discussion: cultural taboos around eating different animals (horses, pigs, cows, dogs) and how norms vary by country.

Culture, Infrastructure, and Colorful Houses

• Colorful houses draw attention; theories include:
  • Practical visibility in bad weather.
  • A regional/Danish or Arctic pattern also seen in Greenland/Svalbard.
  • Psychological compensation for bleak winters.
  • Less concern about resale value than in the U.S., where neutral tones dominate.
• The undersea roundabout and tunnel network impress many; one link notes construction was relatively inexpensive by big-country standards.
• Mention of high birth rates and curiosity about immigration, with comparison to other Arctic settlements.

Photography, Style, and Web UX

• Some photographers reflect on saturated, vivid editing vs muted, “film-like” looks; the posted style is called rich and “cartoonish” by some standards but widely appreciated here.
• Right-click blocking on images is criticized as futile and “90s-era”; multiple workarounds (browser tools, screenshots, extensions) are described.
• One person defends the impulse as analogous to not taking art off a gallery wall, but others counter that people photograph artworks in galleries routinely.

Travel Practicalities and Opportunities

• Faroe Islands are described as reachable for day-hiking from Tórshavn and still relatively uncrowded compared to Iceland (status unclear).
• A digital nomad grant offering free housing and workspace in the Arctic region is linked as relevant to people intrigued by this lifestyle.