Blue Lagoon

Welcome to the Blue Lagoon, arguably Iceland's most popular (and most luxuriously relaxing) tourist attraction.  Located just 20 minutes from Iceland's international airport, it is the perfect first destination after a long flight (someone should be paying me for saying this).  

The geothermal hot spring starts just over 6500 feet below ground where the water is almost 465 degrees F.  The pressure forces it up through the earth, through the lava field (also through the geothermal energy plant) and then, finally, into the lagoon, bringing with it minerals (predominantly silica) and several kinds of algae, two of which are only found in the Blue Lagoon itself!  This combination leaves one's skin soft and rejuvenated.

Here you can see the length of the main lagoon which is surrounded by silica-coated lava rock:

What's fun is that the water temperature ranges from 95-105 F and sometimes is layered: the surface water is hot and gets gradually colder as it goes down toward your feet.  Tourists and locals alike flock here to relax in the warm waters and to coat their faces with silica mud masks.

Massaging waterfall is stronger than you'd expect!  

We love it anyway.

 Marie and I can't help but indulge in the silica mud masks.

Me, relaxing in the lagoon.

My face has NEVER been so soft!

If you ever go here, don't miss the relaxation room upstairs.  There's also a bar, a snack area and a massage pool that require no cash.  Simply scan your bracelet (also serves as your locker lock) and you pay as you exit.  Genius.  Ask Marie which hottie Icelander "had" to help her remove her bracelet.  Apparently, she had trouble.