I am blessed to say I have visited 50 countries in my lifetime. During those travels, I have experienced jaw-dropping, once-in-a-lifetime things. Those that top my list are: bike riding through Salzburg, getting a local full body scrub in Casablanca, smoking shisha in Doha, and visiting an orphanage in Dar es Salaam.
Now I get to add the Blue Lagoon to this list.
The day before was a sunny one where we experienced the Golden Circle tour. Ending at a bar around 2:00am, we slept in and awoke to clouds and a cool light drizzle. The Blue Lagoon is very near to the airport, so we took a similar bus and dozed during the long, boring ride there. We entered a big parking lot and were greeted with large rocks and big white sign saying “Blue Lagoon”.
We had purchased a premium experience allowing us to skip the long line and get right through to the locker rooms. The attendant handing us our fancy electronic wrist bands was very serious in his instructions. He elaborated about getting water into contact lenses, and insisted we lather up our hair with conditioner in advance of entering the water. I was confused by this given my blue hair situation, but quickly learned why.
All these minerals, all this lava, all this natural stuff could actually do some major damage to hair. Specifically, drying it out. The Blue Lagoon’s own website explains the following about the uniqueness of this water:
“Drawn to the surface through geothermal extraction wells, the water emerges enriched with silica, algae, and minerals. The bioactive elements that endow this unique fluid with its healing, rejuvenating, nourishing abilities.”
Once we were lathered up and ready, it was time to experience it for ourselves!
Going outside was freezing cold, especially after the mandatory “pre-shower” and hair slathering. The water behind us looks fake and my brain couldn’t quite comprehend what we were looking at. We hung our robes off the the side and tentatively started down the ramp into the water. The water is surrounded by big black rocks, adding to the very earthy experience.
It felt extremely hot upon initial entry, especially in contrast to the cold, wet air around us. My skin pricked and seemed to scream out, “this is wrong!” until I was up to just past my elbows. Then the feeling quickly morphed into that of a warm heated blanket. It started on the outside and slowly transferred its warmth to the inside of my body.
Looking at my own body in this water was completely surreal. Given how opaque it is, you expect to be able to “pick it up” and see and feel something solid. Yet you can’t see through it at all, your own hand disappearing about an inch from the surface. I kept lifting my hand slowly up and down within the water, waiting for something to change.
The water is salty, full of all those minerals the website boasts. Within the water pool are also two “bars”, one for face masks and one for actual drinks. Our premium package at the Blue Lagoon included 3 different masks, so we floated over and put the first one on our faces. It was then of course time for drinks, which we were able to pay for with our special electronic wrist bands. Patrons are limited to 3 alcoholic beverages while in the pool. The logic being that in such a hot situation (literally) the alcohol takes effect more quickly. Well, if I were a science experience, I would have proven this hypothesis as true. My fizzy pink rosé went straight to my brain, and before I knew it was I was talking and laughing like the loud American I am.
At one point when leaving to use the restroom, I thought to bring my iPhone into the water to take photos. Luckily I was sober enough to put it in one of those clear plastic bags for holding wet swimsuits. This at least allowed us a few live action shots WITHIN this crazy light blue water.
We enjoyed almost 3 full hours in this amazing location, debating the whole time if we should extend our time. Originally thinking the clouds and light cool drizzle would be a damper, it actually elevated the experience. The darker sky made the angelic blue of the water pop even more, and the light drizzles washed the sweat off our faces. We really didn’t want to leave.
We all fell asleep on the bus ride back, and coupled a low key dinner of fish and chips with watching the Eurovision movie. It was a great way to wind down such a relaxing day.
We enjoyed our best night’s sleep that night, ready for our southern coast tour the next day!
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