Early this morning National Geographic Explorer boldly cruises into Arnarfjörður in the West Fjords of Iceland. The most enthusiastic (and physically fit) of our shipmates decided to make a serveral mile hike to the object of our morning’s fascination—Dynjandi.
Dynjandi is an amazing waterfall, not by volume, but by shape. The fall is fan-shaped of many terraces. Each terrace is the result of a different lava flow. There are other falls, below and unseen above. This is one of the best places to snuggle up to racing, foaming water surrounded by a myriad of flowers and lichens too!
This morning there is a low ceiling, a light gray roof that promises to lift and clear later in the day. However, right now, it looks like the water is falling directly from the clouds, fantastic with an otherworldly aura.
After lunch we arrive at another fjord with the musical name of Geirþjófsfjörður. Musical if you can pronounce it! The fjord offers great protection where the wind only whispers. And why do we want polite air? For kayaking! The morning ceiling has lifted and the sun is peaking through. Some of us choose the kayaks, yet others opt for a Zodiac cruise. At this point the fjord is only a few hundred yards wide with steep, but not vertical, walls that are mostly vegetated. There are many birds, including whooper swans, Eurasian oystercatchers and common loons.
I am on the kayak safety boat and as you can see in the image, the kayakers are being safe. The only rescue I make today is fishing a red-theighed heather fly from the silky water. It seems to be thankful, but I am not sure?
And so this day does not end! There are still cocktails, recap with the staff, dinner and then a short concert by Myrra and Julius, our talented Icelandic traveling companions.
