Iceland. Blue Lagoon

  We spent an entire day in this unique place, which, although very popular, can’t be called "touristy" in a derogatory way... We walked to the lagoon from the village of Grindavík along a picturesque path laid through a moss-covered lava field...

Map of the route...

  The path through the moss-covered lava field... 

  A bit about the background of the lagoon's formation... Iceland is located at the junction of the American and Eurasian continental plates, which are constantly moving. This is why the island has high volcanic, geyser, and geothermal activity... Seawater seeps into the cracks and fissures that form, then heats up from the magma layer to temperatures of 240°C. Over two thousand meters deep in the earth, ocean and freshwater converge in a tectonic process of intense heat and high pressure, creating geothermal seawater... Drawn to the surface through geothermal extraction wells, the water emerges enriched with silica, algae, and minerals - bioactive elements. Deep underground, the steam-water mixture reaches temperatures of 240°C, and by the time it reaches the lagoon, it has cooled to 38°C… All the water in the Blue Lagoon is completely renewed every 48 hours and consists of 70% ocean water and 30% freshwater… The iconic color results from how the silica reflects sunlight. The beneficial properties of geothermal seawater were first discovered in the early 1980s when locals began bathing in the warm blue waters that formed after geothermal power plant Svartsengi started discharging processed hot water onto the nearby lava fields… The silica-rich water clogged the earth's pores, creating these small "pools"...

  Entering the spa center at the appointed time and showing our electronic tickets, we received wristbands that allowed us to open the lockers in the changing room and also get drinks... The lagoon area is quite large, with "kiosks" in the water where you can get mud masks and drinks...

  Designers worked on the lagoon's landscape to make everything as organic as possible... The primary decorative element is the moss-covered lava stone...

  The entrance ticket price includes one white silica mask and one drink of choice... If you want more, you can get an additional drink or mask for an extra charge, with your wristband being scanned, and you settle the bill upon exiting...

 In essence, you can get the same white silica mask from the bottom of the lagoon...

  We chose Icelandic ale for our drink...

  The Blue Lagoon was the last major highlight of our trip... The next day, we were to fly home after spending 15 unforgettable and eventful days in Iceland...