The Famous Blue Lagoon

We have been looking forward to this our whole trip.  Today we are travelling by tour bus, (Reykjavik has no public transit that goes to the Blue Lagoon) about one hour away to experience the famous 'Blue Lagoon.'  

It is located right in the middle of a huge lava field, (created over 800  years ago), about 24 miles from the Keflavik International Airport, which is why so many people stop before and after flights to Iceland to enjoy the lagoon.  So big it can be seen by satellites from the sky.

Lava rocks line the walkway entrance to the Geothermal Blue Lagoon Spa.

I'm ready!

Every nook and cranny of this lava field has this incredible milking white, blue-green hot steaming water pooling around it.

Two interesting lava rocks that are on the edge of the lagoon.  The lava rocks turn white when exposed to the waters of the lagoon?  This is a blue-green algae (that I think I put on my face) that thrives in the lukewarm temperatures of the lagoon.  Somehow silicon mud is a byproduct of the natural processes of these waters which isn't quite clear to me.  You can feel it underneath your feet as you wade in the pool.  People grab a handful of it along the way although some is available in buckets in the lagoon and apply it to their face, neck, and rub it on feet, legs and arms.  Almost like an exfoliating cream only absolutely natural.  It has magic powers of healing psoriasis, eczema, and fungus, and hopefully stress fingers which I no longer have.

Ok....we are going in.  It actually has a swim up bar....seriously.  However besides beer and smoothies you can also purchase healthy spinach drink and skin treatments to do yourself in the lagoon.  I ordered Deb a strawberry smoothie and me a healthy spinach drink.  All out you say?  I replied 'good' to the gal and ordered a strawberry smoothie for myself instead.  Yummo.

There is little Debbie soaking up the energy and healing powers of the Blue Lagoon to help her sore muscles after such an incredible adventure these last five and a half months.

The warm waters are rich in minerals, naturally found, such as salt, silica and sulphur.  It is especially helpful for people with skin diseases to soak in these therapeutic waters.

It was formed by accident in 1976.  There is a geothermal power plant nearby, and the Blue Lagoon was fed by the water output generated by that plant.  By 1981 people were starting to use it unofficially.  Then in 1992 it was officially established as a bathing facility.

It is incredibly clean.  You must first take a shower in your 'birthday suit' before you are allowed in the pool.  They have monitors to ensure you do.

The temperatures are between 37-39' Celsius.  The entire contents of the lagoon are replaced every 48 hours.  It is amazing....truly one of a kind.

Very eerie looking when you first see it.  The steaming mist moves about so you see little heads coming out of no where.

The lagoon is about 200 meters wide and a few kilometres in length.  Only about one to three meters deep.  As you wade and float around the lagoon, the depth changes and the temperature can get quite hot in certain places.  But it was entirely comfortable for us.  There are actually little spots to sit amongst the lava rocks.  They are totally smooth under the waters of the lagoon.

For some reason, I don't quite understand, bacteria does not grow in this water?  It was thought that with over 300,000 visitors per year and that the temperature is an ideal habitat for bacteria to develop, that it would thrive.  But to their surprise, there are no traces of bacteria normally associated with humans found in the lagoon!  In fact, it dies right away in these waters.

Only one little hiccup I found out accidentally.  If you put your hair in the water, the strands become coated with the natural silicon crystals in the lagoon.  My hair has been incredibly stiff and very difficult to control or manage since our Blue Lagoon experience.  Apparently I was supposed to apply some sort of hair nutrients before entering the water?  Oops.

LISA.......I NEED YOU!!!!!

(my fantastic hairstylist)