We started the day in Ísafjörðor, heading west, We made our way to the westernmost point in Iceland, which is also the Westernmost point in Europe. Along the way, we gained a new appreciation for our locally sourced tour director and his amazing ability to drive in harsh, Icelandic circumstances. Our first stop took us to the Icelandic version of Mount Vernon. It was a museum dedicated to Jón Sigurðsson, who was the leader of the 19th century Icelandic independence movement. We actually observed his birthday while we were here. Turns out his birthday is Iceland’s National Day. He was an interesting character. He was born in Iceland, but went away to school in Copenhagen. He came home with a more political bent, and was the sort of father of Icelandic independence. There was a lot in between, and to drive that point home, our tour director had to come and pull us out of the turf house part of the museum where Cas and I were reading a display about his early childhood. Time to move on, folks.
With our visit to the Sigurðsson museum in the rear view, we all headed to the Dynjandi waterfall. It was kind of strange that none of the signage said Foss on it. The way I see it, the thing should be called Dynjandifoss. But I am new here, so I don’t entirely understand the ins and outs. This was a really pretty waterfall. It’s apparently often compared to a bridal veil. I get the comparison. Check out my groom next to this veil:
At this point in the day, everything was going great. It wasn’t until the trip to Látrabjarg that things got hairy. The way out is over some pretty crumbly dirt roads. Except for when those dirt roads are unavailable. There was some construction or some such nonsense. It diverted us from the usual dirt roads to some even crappier roads made from wobbly, pointy rocks. Fun in a car or a truck, I am sure, but even more interesting in a 17-person van. Not all heroes wear capes, friends, and Kitti was a hero today. I made sure to mention that I was properly impressed when we arrived at the cliffs at the end of Europe, and when we got to the hotel at the end of the day, I started up a round of applause. It was a hairy ride. He drove some stressful pathways in a confidence-inspiring way.
But why go all the way out there, you ask? It’s the puffins. The Arctic Puffin loves the heck out of that cliff, and to be sure, those things were everywhere. They’re actually kind of divas, They will pose for photos and make sure you get their good side. If you are a little patient with your video-filming, they will take off or land on camera. Also, they’re cute. I mean, Cas and I saw blue-footed boobies two years ago, and now, we’ve hit the other extreme with these guys. Who knew we were bird people?
It was a very bouncy, very stressful ride to the cliffs at Látrabjarg, and it was bouncy and stressful on the way back. Also, the to-and-from was about four hours total. We must have really wanted to see those birds. And the end of Europe. And all of the things, of course. But we have one more Icelandic day in the books and a promise to visit a peninsula tomorrow that will cause me to need this letter: æ. Oh, Icelandic is a strange language. Did you know they don’t use the letters C, Q, W and Z. That would be problematic if Cas wanted to take Qantas airlines to Western Zimbabwe while listening to Chicago, Queen, The Who and ZZ Top. But hey, at least they have the þ, the ð and the æ all nailed down.
Look it’s getting late. It was one of those days when, even as a passenger, I had my shoulders all tense and up too close to my ears. Mad respect to Kitti and appreciation for the masterful (if bouncy) safe passage. We’ll chat again soon when Cas and I are on the Shæfellsnes Peninsula.
Góða Nótt. Also, here are our photos: tinyurl.com/DunlapIceland.
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