Day 7 — Iceland Southern Style (5 July)

We joined our new group at 10 AM, eleven in all: five Americans, four Australians, and two Canadians as photographed from the trail at Skogafoss (thank you Heather).

We departed Rekyjavik via the #1, Ring Road, as we did on our Golden Circle trip. After Selfoss, we stayed to the right at the roundabout heading south rather going left to Fludir. We were told that we will be seeing a waterfall. Laird and I were the jaded veterans — come on, another waterfall?

After 45 minutes, we reached Seljalandsfoss, the only waterfall in Iceland that you can go behind. We were really impressed. The parking lot was filled with cars that we could see as we approached. The waterfall cascaded down 131 feet. What impressed me more than the water spray as you neared the falls were the roaring sounds of the water when it hit the stones at the bottom and the wind that hit my body.

Upon advice of our tour guide, Herdis, I put on my boots and rain pants. People lined like pilgrims approaching an alter to round the falling waters. Once behind the falls, you can feel its power that goes unabated. It is magical to focus on the water and not be distracted by the waterfall’s surroundings. The experience is better than the hole behind Niagara Falls. Certainly Niagara’s water flow is so much stronger. But you can’t see anything but the water. Here, you see the water from top to when it reaches its bottom.

We were on our way after an hour to another, yes, waterfall. What can be so good after this one? Down the road a piece was the Skogafoss, the last of 24 waterfalls that originate from the Myrdalsjokull glacier. According to our guide, one can hike the epic trail from the Skogafoss to a hut located between the Myrdalsjokull and the Eyjafjallajokulk glaciers. Maybe another time. Now, I have included four of the 24 waterfalls as one ascends up the mountain and a view from the top of Skogafoss.

We were done with waterfalls today but the next surprise was a black beach with some formations like the Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland. Reynisfjara is around the bend from Vik, the largest town after Selfoss on the southern coast. Herdis says that half the structures in Vik are either B&Bs or restaurants to accommodate the tourists who drive this coast in a day.

When walking the Reynisfjara, one has to be cautious about the strong waves that can sweep a person into the ocean. Before entering the beach, a sign illuminates three conditions concerning wave activity: green, safe; yellow, walk with caution; and, red, do not go beyond this point. The light was yellow. We had an opportunity to explore the beach up close and personal,

Time moves on; it was 4:45 PM and we eventually arrived at the Adventure Hotel Geirland in Kirkjubaejarklauster. I would love to attend a spelling bee in Iceland. This hotel ranks in the top ten of those on my various multi-day hikes. Soundproof, plenty of electrical outlets, roomy with a firm mattress. The dinner was also superb — mixed salad, lamb shank, ending with a light cheesecake. What a way to end the evening and ease my way into writing this blog.