The Land of Ice and Fire

Our Celebrity cruise took us to Reykjavik.  Iceland’s capital is the world’s northernmost capital city and has a natural beauty which includes waterfalls, mountains, hot springs and glaciers. The name Reykjavik actually means steam bay.  The island has many volcanic vents which release the sulfur-scented steam which heats nearly all the homes on the island. They are a hard people and have learnt to live and evolve with their unique environment. Apparently, the mothers leave their newborn babies out in their prams in the snow to toughen them up.

Although the country is below the Arctic circle we still entered the circle to get around to  Reykjavik.

A trip to Iceland would not be complete without an afternoon of relaxation and rejuvenation in the distinctive milky blue waters of the Blue Lagoon. Surrounded by black lava fields, these mineral-rich waters average at a comfortable 37°C.

The Blue Lagoon is not a natural phenomenon. While Iceland is a country brimming with natural hot springs, the Blue Lagoon isn’t one of them. The land is natural, as is the lava that shapes the pool, but the water is actually the result of runoff from the geothermal plant next door.

The plant was built first, and it uses Iceland’s volcanic landscape to produce heat power. The runoff is filtered straight into the Blue Lagoon, which is what heats the water.

That doesn’t mean it’s dangerous or toxic — far from it! It’s just not the natural phenomenon that many people believe it to be.

Warning: You have to get naked and shower first. Not unlike many spas around the world, you need to take a shower before going into the pool. However, the Blue Lagoon goes one step further and requires you to shower naked. Don’t worry if you don’t want to be naked in public: there are now several shower stalls that lock for privacy.

Once you’re rinsed and conditioned, you can put your bathing suit back on and head on in. This I have to say was quite an experience for us all! But well worth it.

In my next blog, I will tell you all about our Akureyri whale watching experience.