After the volcano, we stopped at some beach, where the near gale force winds were still definitely present. In fact, it caused a door to rip out of Pokin’s hands and straight into the neighbouring car.
No one wants to remember that, least of all Pokin…so moving along.
We spent our time driving along the south coast before eventually making a decision to head to the Reykjanes peninsula, which is at the south western tip of Iceland for sunset.
Some time back, before I knew we would be headed to Iceland my bud and I watched the Eurovision Song Contest.
I didn’t realize it, but the Volcano Man was shot at the Reykjanes peninsula!
Seljalandsfoss, AKA the most photographed waterfall in Iceland was our last stop. It means “selling the land of waterfalls.” This is where most southern Iceland tours make at a stop; it’s overall one of the most popular places in all of Iceland. Based on its positioning facing west behind a cliff, it’s also most beautiful viewed at sunset because that’s when the light hits the waterfalls. Most of the rest of the day, it’s behind shadows.
Naturally Pokin wanted to head there for sunset.
“You realize every single photographer in Iceland is going to have the same idea right?” Nicholas said.
“Yes,” Pokin answered. And that’s why we are going to go early to camp out a spot.
So, despite the sun setting at 6:55pm, we were there by a little after 5. My bud and I decided to wait in the car. Pokin hauled off with her gear.
A little while after, she came back with her gear, looking a lot damper.
“I don’t have a wide enough camera lens to capture the photos. I’m better off with my iPhone,” was the answer.
We all head back out together. My curiousity was piqued from this “most beautiful waterfall” claim. From here it looks ok.
The sun starts to fall as we get closer and the view gets better.
And of course it gets wetter.
The place wasn’t as busy as it could be as most of the tour busses have to leave before sunset, but there were a decent number of Instagrammers on site and photographers. I can only assume they are Instagrammers based on the props and poses.
At one point Nicholas says “you’re going to regret not having your camera here.” And they go back to get their camera. But the iPhone photo still won out in the end.
Here it is during the full sunset glow.
The cool thing about this waterfall is that you can walk all the way around it. I recommend the counterclockwise route so you are scrambling up slippery rocks instead of down. The cave behind the waterfall was formed by gradual erosion of rock from the waterfall spray. Makes sense, this waterfall sure sprays over the course of its 60m drop! The Seljalandsfoss flows from the Seljalandsá river which is fed by the Eyjafjallajökull glacier.
And with that, we’re done with waterfalling in Iceland this trip. Can’t say I’m sad, but this is a nice one to end with.
By the time we got to Vík, my bud and I were exhausted. We’d gotten up for sunrise and then climbed around 3 different glaciers. Tonight we were staying at Hotel Kria, which is centrally located in the small town of Vík. I was getting ready to have a good dinner and tuck in for the day.
Pokin, however, decided it was time for sunset photos.
“It’s nice out,” she said. “Who knows when it’ll be nice out again.”
My bud and I groan. We weren’t winning this battle. In the car we go again!
Our sunset destination was Reynisdrangar, about a 15 minute drive west of Vík. Reynisdrangar was voted one of the best beaches in the world, and It was also one of filming locations for Game of Thrones (beach at Eastwatch by the sea.) It’s considered a very dangerous beach as amidst seemingly calm and predictable waves will come sudden powerful sneaker waves. In recent years, the waves have dragged several travellers out into the ocean where they drowned in the undertow. <gulp> The major landmarks are 3 basalt columns. Legend has it these columns were formed when three trolls unsuccessfully tried to pull a ship to shore when sunrise hit.
Not learning her lesson from this morning, Pokin was determined to get some photos in the surf break. “Further up the shore though,” she promises. Sigh.
Along the way we passed fields like this with sheep. I considered trying to ride one but given how wet it’d been, thought better of it.
Once we got to Reynisdrangar, Pokin discovered her plans would be foiled. A giant wedding photoshoot appeared to be taking place and people were everywhere, all over the basalt columns, on the beach, near the waves. It was work to sneak a person free view of the place. I didn’t care. Pokin minded. I reminded her she was a tourist too, then got out of the way of smack zone.
Eventually the other tourists left and she got a few shots in.
Which was about time! It’s cold and windy out here!
While we were waiting for the sun to set at Anakena (of course we were waiting for the sunset, thanks to Pokin and her want of sunset taking pictures ways), we strolled along the coast to check out more sea caves.
I have previously gone on record to say the way Nicholas wants a man-gaming-cave, I want a bear-gaming cave.
Let me now go on record that my bear-cave shan’t look like this.
It better be warm, comfortable, plush, and fully stocked with chocolate.
So all afternoon it would rain, and then it would look like it wasn’t going to rain anymore. Which was of course a lie because inevitably it rained again.
Which left us with the quandary. One of the main purposes of coming here is of course to see the crazy rock statues constructed by the Rapa Nui (the easter island natives). And of course a most spectacular way to see the Moai would be over a sunset.
I would say indecision got us more soaked than not.
Here we are in-between a rain drenching. (Note ominous rainclouds in the distance)
(Note also Nicholas’ expression of pure joy)
Well eventually we waited long enough that we did get to see it.
Nicholas even perked up a little.
Because it kept raining, we were really lucky to be almost the only people there.
By almost, I mean we were pretty much the only people at Tahai.
