Day 6 - Rough Seas, Dynjandi Waterfalls and Troll Talk

Rough Waters in the Morning

We were expected to visit a small, remote island that one family (seriously ONE family) lives on to get some up close, personal looks at life on an outlying island.  It had promised to get us closer to puffins and the many other beautiful creatures of this land.  It was just not meant to be.  The winds were blowing quite hard and two zodiac boats disembarked with one group even getting ashore.  They were quickly called back to the Explorer because getting back ON the ship would be a huge challenge.  Imagine being on a small zodiac boat rising 10 feet up and down... trying to go through the opening of the ship.  Mr. S. was still in bed remembering the hypnotic music from the night before... and he was MORE than happy to roll back over in bed when he heard over the intercom that ALL morning adventures were cancelled.  The explorer then made its way to calmer waters that were protected by land.  I have a video here of what it is like to ride in a zodiac boat.  This was the actual landing for these falls.

Dynjandi Waterfalls - in a protective cove

The beach was covered with electric green seaweed across the black, crunchy shore of the cove.

We then were brought over on zodiac to a coastal landing spot where a path lead to Dynjandi Waterfalls.  This was not a planned stop but as our expedition leader said, "You must always have Plan A, Plan B and Plan C."  We never found out which plan this was.

Walking up to the falls, the main deluge looked small so far way.  You could hear the thundering rush of water as it plummeted to the earth.  Every step took you to a new kind of life.  Pops of colors - lilac, royal blue and yellow dotted the pathway. 

Purple flowers among the many colors walking towards the falls.

Seaweed along the shore before getting on the path to the waterfall.

Along the shore, each step allowed you a reminder that you were on a volcanic island.  The shore had black, crunchy sand that snap, crackled and popped with each step.  Strewn along the cost was various kinds of seaweed laying about.  The local artesians use this to make various crafts like necklaces, beads and belts.  It was so neat to see the live beginning of what could end up in one of the many shops in the main city.

Eventually, the path made its way from the beach to numerous steps - each foot movement was like a clod of an Icelandic horse.  I can't say that I was moving as fast or effortlessly as those beautiful beasts.  :) 

The walk to the larger falls was long and steep. You had to watch your footing on every step.

Feeder Dyke that the naturalist was talking about on the video. This was the first falls that we walked upon.

To some, the trek up to the falls would have seemed easy.  Mr. S. felt like he was getting officially old!  While the hike didn't seem exceptionally long, it was steep and up and up and up and up it went!  I wasn't too concerned with taking a moment to let someone stop to pass by or helping someone who needed a hand to come down.  A moment for a breathe meant that I could enjoy the spender of the falls and mountainside.  Each step brought me a little closer to this beauty; that was motivation enough. I honestly was tired looking back at the videos!

The majesty of the falls from start to finish. Wow!

View from the shore to the mouth of the cove.

Some more pops of lemon-yellow flowers along the path to the waterfalls.

A smaller section of the rolling waters and green grasses of ICELAND. Um... no ice here!

Mr. S. taking a selfie by the falls.

Oh.. and some things about trolls!

Trolls are actually related to us! Many humans have been afraid of them because of their tremendous strength and size.  Mostly, I think we were probably just jealous of them.  They are said to be harmless and quite loveable (probably like my little minions in first grade - smile - ).  They are nocturnal - which means they sleep during the day and come alive at night.  They used to spend much more time above ground. That is... until people invaded their land.  After their first horrific encounter with humans, the trolls made it their business to stay way from us as much as possible.  It is because of this that it is so difficult for any of us to come across them.  They only come out under complete cover of night.  Right now, Iceland has almost the ENTIRE day of daylight.  It makes it hard for humans (like Mr. S. ) to sleep and for humans (still like Mr. S.) to find them!  I will continue to gather stories and be on the look out.  If I have to stay up all night, I will do so for my smelly, little minions that I love so much!  Until tomorrow!