The South Funen Archipelago – affectionately known as the ‘Danish South Sea’ – is an archipelago comprising over 50 islands to the south of Funen, the third-largest island Denmark’s. Soft sandy beaches, shallow waters and an unusually mild climate give the region an almost exotic feel, attracting holidaymakers from all over the world. MareTV is dedicating a special episode to the archipelago.
Anyone who MareTV broadcast If you missed the programme on Monday 27 July from 7.20 pm to 8.15 pm, you can also tune in on Tuesday 28 July from 2.55 pm to 4.40 pm.
Colourful huts with a long tradition
A special corner of the world can be found on the island of Ærø, where a centuries-old bathing culture is still very much alive today. Just under 90 years ago, resourceful islanders built colourful wooden huts on narrow headlands so that they could change discreetly whilst bathing. These charming little huts have since been transformed into cosy family weekend cottages. One of them, Kristian Kristensen’s ‘Red Bathing House’, has long since become a postcard favourite of the region – and occasionally even serves as a dreamlike wedding venue.
Janni Bidstrup also brings a touch of Caribbean flair to Ærø: for several years now, she has been growing tobacco plants in the centre of the island and using them to produce small batches of hand-rolled cigars, which have since won over a loyal customer base.
From the executive chair to the tranquillity of an island
The tiny island of Hjortø is home to just three to six people – including Arne Lund. After selling his company, the former top executive made a conscious decision to swap his stressful working life for the The tranquillity of this remote island . These days, he spends his time making small, colourful birdhouses and selling them exclusively locally.
A shipyard like a maritime museum
In Svendborg, the urban centre of the archipelago, the Ring-Andersen shipyard – founded in 1867 – looks back on a proud history. As one of Denmark’s most important wooden shipyards, it houses a spare parts warehouse that resembles a maritime museum. Luise Ring-Andersen, representing the fifth generation of the family, knows how to conjure up a solution to almost any problem from this treasure trove – as was recently the case with the emergency repair of the German cog replica ‘Lisa von Lübeck’.
Studying, living and sailing – all at once
And finally, the episode features Laurits Kallan, who is living two dreams at once: he is studying navigation at the renowned nautical college in Marstal on Ærø and lives on his own sailing boat in the harbour. Cleaning, vacuuming, mopping and mending sails are all part of his daily routine – because the first big trip on his floating student pad is just around the corner.
With the consequences “Baltic Sea bliss in Denmark – the island of Als” and “The island of Funen – green and hyggelig” There are more MareTV highlights for sailors.
Martin Hager
Editor in Chief YACHT
