I realize I’m cracking eggs too often, but memory compels me to report another superb buffet breakfast awaited us as we began our 6th day of exploring Iceland, the Island of fire and ice. Breakfasts in Iceland’s hotels were top notch, highlighted by endless choices of morning favorites, cheery talk, melodic chinking of silverware, and the constant traffic to gather seconds, and to sample other items.

After soaking up the atmosphere in the Geysir Hotel’s dining room, not to mention gratifying our taste buds, we wrapped up a couple of goodies (tasty Danish pastries) and tucked them away for a later snack. Our main target for the day was the Blue Lagoon. Anne had reserved the Premium Package for us there in early afternoon, so we didn’t need to rush away from Geysir.

Our drive, according to Google Maps, would take only about an easy hour and half. We noticed we would drive through Reykjavik on the way, and then reverse ourselves and come back to Iceland’s capital city for our two final days on the island.

So, having plenty of time, we delayed our checkout from the hotel and walked the few paces to the Geysir Center, a large modern building adjacent to the hotel. We discovered a gorgeous mall featuring Icelandic brands, a restaurant, an ice cream shop, and a fast-food soup outlet. I’ve mentioned before how Iceland’s shops in their tourist areas are kept neat as a pin (see here). Below is a photo depicting a portion of the Geysir Center. Neat? Or not?

Below I’ve spliced together the two ends of the building to show the cafeteria at the other end.

It was after mid-morning when we finally loaded our luggage into our Land Cruiser and aimed for the Blue Lagoon. The air was uncharacteristically dry along the way, the visibility sharp and clear, fine conditions to study the varied terrain of Iceland as it glided by.

The Blue Lagoon has an interesting history, albeit a fairly recent one. It was formed in the 1970s when water and steam discharged from the newly built geothermal plant next door refused to seep into the surrounding permeable lava field as engineers had expected it to. They soon realized that a high silica content in the lava had been released by the heated water and in turn sealed the rocks. Thus the lagoon gradually grew into a gigantic pool as more hot water was released. Because of the way silica (the lagoon water’s most abundant element) reflects sunlight, the water has a bluish tint.

Therapy for skin ailments

In the early 1980s, people began easing into the inviting warm waters. Not only did they find the dip agreeable, but reports soon surfaced that the experience had curative effects for such common afflictions such as psoriasis, eczema, rheumatism, and sciatica. You can find more historical details of the lagoon here.

Commercial opportunities for the warm healing waters were obvious. In 1995, a clinic for treatment of chronic skin conditions was established on the site. From this grew an enterprise now consisting of a couple of fancy hotels, a spa, two tony restaurants (one Michelin recommended), and more. In short, it has become quite the place, not to mention one of Iceland’s major tourist attractions.

Checking into the Blue Lagoon

I didn’t know all of this when we pulled in the Blue Lagoon parking lot, a broad space filled to capacity with cars, vans, and buses. We posed in front of the sign before checking in. The check-in was highly efficient, thanks to a number of attended computer stations. All was fully booked when we arrived. Without Anne’s reservations, we would have missed a memorable adventure.

At the reception area, we were given an electronic wristband which served to secure our lockers and to make purchases inside the lagoon. Thanks to the packages Anne had ordered, we were given towels, bathrobes, and slippers, and directed to the men’s and women’s locker areas. The water in the Blue Lagoon has no chlorine in it, so all guests must shower naked (the lagoon’s emphasis) before putting on swim suits, thus ensuring they are well cleansed before entering the water.

As I eased down the ramp into the huge pool, it felt somewhat like slipping into a hot tub, but there was a definite “smoothness” to the the water, and it felt fabulous. Once in, I could feel the squish of what I thought was a thin layer of silica mud on my toes. Anne and I found each other and explored sections of the lagoon. Submerged shoulder-high, we ambled and bobbed about, stopping at a poolside bar for Gull beers (the drink was part of the admission fee), and even having algae masks applied to our faces at another station. Those face masks, green and thin in texture, dripped off within minutes, but stickier white silica mud masks, also available, lasted much longer. Plenty of whitened faces floated above the shimmering azure surface.

A gigantic hot tub

The water temperature in the Lagoon varies between 37 to 40 degrees Celsius (98.6 to 104 Fahrenheit), comparable to a hot tub. It is a blend of fresh water and sea water that converged about a mile deep in the earth where extreme heat and pressure combined to force it up to the surface. Through methods I didn’t investigate, the lagoon is said to be naturally renewed ever 40 hours. Sites pumping the hot water in are spotted around the lagoon, and the water near those places is warmer, a difference we noticed when nearing those sites. Time was not a factor as we padded through the cozy, enveloping warmth, soothed and relaxed, zigzagging occasionally to avoid fellow bathers.

When we finally came up the ramp into the chilly air, I glanced at a wall clock and was astonished to see that we had been immersed for two hours. After we both showered away residual molecules of blue, Anne and I met in the cafeteria and had sandwiches for lunch. Tourists filled the tables. We found ourselves seated next to a retired British couple who had arrived via a cruise ship for their second trip to Iceland. Residents of Kent, they were hearty travelers, having covered much of the globe, yet somehow they had missed the USA. No problem, they were scheduled to fly to New York City later this year. Anne offered suggestions, among them certain Broadway plays they might enjoy.

Return to Reykjavik

Then it was back to Reykjavik where we checked into the now familiar Foss hotel. Anne then returned the rented Land Rover to Hertz, feeling rather sad to part with the vehicle that had served us well. She had picked it up in rain and, perhaps fittingly, drops began to fall as she left the lot. The evening sky had warned her, so she prudently had donned rain gear and enjoyed her 25-minute walk back to the hotel. Her rain-spattered face was grinning when I caught sight of her in the hotel lobby. We headed for the hotel’s Beer Garden for a light supper of Gull beer and an order of fish and chips that we shared. We had two more days in the town, and we began planning to make the most of it. Stay tuned.

Ending Note: My skin was noticeably smoother and firmer for a couple of days after soaking in the Blue Lagoon. Imagination? I don’t think so.