Our second and last port in Iceland was the well known Reykavik! We got 1.5 days in this amazing city and we made sure to fill every second of our time there. We arrived in port in the early afternoon on day one and we made sure we were some of the first ones off the boat to make it to the very famous Blue Lagoon as soon as we could! We took two buses to get there, so we had some time to fill, and Thomas wanted to fill that time taking silly pictures and researching the map of Iceland.
The geothermal spa is located in a lava field in Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula, southwestern Iceland. The pathway to the main entrance of the spa is lined with high walls of lava rocks.
The facilities at the spa are so beautiful, clean and wonderful! After checking in, we went to the locker rooms to shower off, change and slather our hair in conditioner so the minerals didn't dry it out.
Then it was time to go swimming!!
The geothermal water has a unique composition, featuring three active ingredients – Silica, Algae & Minerals. The blue color comes from the silica and the way it reflects sunlight. During summer there can also be a hint of green in the water. This is the result of the algae, which multiplies quickly when exposed to direct sunlight. However, the water is actually white, if you pour it into a transparent cup, it will always have a milky white color. The sun simply makes it look blue!
The geothermal water originates 2,000 meters below the surface, where freshwater and seawater combine at extreme temperatures. It is then harnessed via drilling holes at a nearby geothermal power plant, Svartsengi, to create electricity and hot water for nearby communities.
On its way to the surface, the water picks up silica and minerals. When the water emerges, its temperature is generally between 37°C and 40°C (98-104°F). But owing to variables outside of our control – including weather and time of year – the water temperature sometimes fluctuates beyond this range.
The lagoon contains 9 million liters of water and the water is self-cleansing – it renews itself every 40 hours. The Lagoon is mostly about 0.8-1.2 meters deep, its deepest point is 1.6 meters.
There is a "floating" bar in the lagoon, and our ticket included one free drink! We all got blue slushies, that were actually called "Kraps".... delicous ...
Then it was time to try out the famous white silica mud mask! When you go swimming at the Blue Lagoon, you will see tons of people coated in white mud, it's definitely a must try!
After our time in the lagoon, we stopped by the cafe to grab a few snacks before catching the bus back to the ship.
I have loved those OmNom chocolate bars since I discovered them! You can find them in selected stores in Utah, but apparently they are made in Reykjavik and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to enjoy one in Iceland.
I also thought these chocolates were too adorable. So cute and clever.
No comments:
Post a Comment