Day 7 - Iceland- day 2
So yes... we elected to go to Blue Lagoon. We had a lot of debate about this, but ultimately decided that while we usually are "go off the beaten path" types, in this case, we wanted a very well beaten path.
For the uninitiated - it's spa, where you hang out in a lovely, very warm, lagoon... that is blue- with cool volcanic scenery around you.
Anyhow... I couldn't find a lot of details about how things work at the Blue Lagoon, so please humour me while I describe how it works.
Once you arrive at Blue Lagoon (at your appointed time), you stand in a rather long line, which moves fairly quickly. When you check in, you are given an electronic bracelet, which is used to open/close your locker, and (apparently), you charge things on it (we didn't). You are given your towel. You can also get a bathrobe but that's extra.
Then, you are sort of corralled towards the change rooms they are using at that point. They move people around- to keep the crowds under control- so this is key, because you need to remember WHICH change room you were in... (foreshadowing).
At this point, you find any empty lockerc and use your bracelet to open it. You do need to shower unclothed (but in private if you wish), so you will stash your clothes and whatnot in the locker. They provide lovely soap, shampoo, and conditioner (which they strongly encourage you to use - and I agree). There are other places to shower that aren't private if you prefer (I didn't prefer).
And then, you head out to the lagoon.
So- for the packing-inclined, I had my bathing suit, flip flops, my waterproof phone case (which allowed me to take photos), and then (see note re: curly hair), a comb and hair product.
I found this part a bit frantic, but I'm really not good with crowds. However, I got through it.
You wander outside, and you can hang your towel, leave your flip flops, and head into the water.
And then, you relax.
This is basically like floating in a huge bathtub - just exactly the right amount of warm for me (Conor found it a bit hot). It's blue. You're basically feeling like you're in a volcano.
Conor liked these rocks- we spent some time here because he could easily stand... other parts were a bit deep for him to stand.
Again... surreal.
The water is super buoyant - as in, you feel like your legs are very heavy when you first get out... like gravity just ramped up.
During this time, you can have a drink (there are stands in the lagoon). Conor had a small smoothie, and I had juice. We would periodically see DH, but Conor wanted to hang with me mostly. You can also get a scrub/mask (included) - so you can exfoliate of whatever floats your boat. No photos of that!
Note- the waterproof phone case (which was on a lanyard) was perfect and great. I could take photos well enough, and keep track of time.
I loved it. Because they manage when you enter, the lagoon itself didn't feel crowded. I love hot baths, so this was kind of heaven for me. DH also loved it. Conor... well, not so much. He didn't dislike it, but he was craving 'real swimming' and you can't do that here. It was, in places, a bit hot. Plus, as mentioned, his feet didn't always touch the bottom. I get it. I certainly don't know that I would bring kids who were much younger. This whole thing was expensive, so you really wouldn't want to risk missing out on it because of younger kids being uncomfortable.
Anyhow- after about an hour, we all agreed we were done. (Skully had given us some parameters). As noted above, beware that you'll feel like you're suddenly nowhere near as strong as you were an hour ago. (That was kind of funny to watch.)
You can change your wet towel for a dry one- highly recommend that.
We headed back into our change rooms, and then I discovered I was in the wrong change room - because the numbers on the lockers didn't make sense. I headed back out, found a staff person, and they just scanned my bracelet to let me know which one to enter. So... moral of the story- pay attention as you exit your change room to know where you need to return!
You then really need a shower - because the mineral content of the water is high, and I'm very glad I followed the suggestion about using their conditioner- with my hair, it would have been UGLY otherwise. I used a heck of a lot of the conditioner both times (it is lovely).
Then, you exit through the signs and there is a place to hand in your bracelet.
We had all agreed to grab a quick lunch at Blue Lagoon (yes, it wasn't yet lunch!) - so we did that- and that was OK. In Iceland, they do the nice open-faced sandwiches so we did that... except Conor who decided to eat sushi.
If you like, you can fork over half of your fortune to buy the Blue Lagoon products. I did not.
The sun had joined us again... and this is the landscape as you head back to the parking lot.
Just amazing ... again. (Sorry - running out of adjectives.)
Our goal next was to hit up a few places in Reykjavik - pre-arranged with Skully. Specifically- a music store to get souvenirs for grandparents (Icelandic music, though it also had lots of vinyl, so DH got a Miles Davis album he was very giddy about... and which did, miraculously. return to Canada intact), and a place to get local beer. With these objects procured, we made our way back to port.
We had left ourselves enough time to peruse the souvenir place at port, I bought Conor what are now known as his Icelandic slippers... will have to do a photo another time.
And then, reluctantly, we boarded the ship, after 2 of the most amazing days of vacation EVER.
(And I need to get back to life around here!)