Blaa Lonid (Blue Lagoon)

Driving from Keflavik to Grindasvik on route #43, you can't but admire the moss covered  lavafields on either side of the road. In the distance, the flume of the Svartsengi power station is giving away our final destination.
Back in 1976, when the Power Plant started it's operation producing hot water and energy , a side product was created which would later result in the Blue Lagoon.
Back in those days, people noticed the benefits of bathing in the lagoon and applying the silica mud onto their skin resulting in beneficial results for psoriasis.

Roll on the years and you find yourself in one of iceland's top attractions. So we mentioned Silica mud, the aptly named Silica Hotel welcomes guests in it's 35 rooms. The hotel has been carefully built between the lavafields using materials which nicely blend into the environment. The hotel is a 10 minute walk from the Blue Lagoon, but it has also it's own bathing lagoon available to the hotel's guests.
​The black material is nicely matched to green tinted glass, thus totally blending in with the environment of the moss covered lava fields.

Walking from the Silica hotel to the Blue Lagoon is a pleasant experience. A path has been carved through the lava fields and lagoons making it a pleasant walk on a particular sunny morning. The early morning sun was still hidden behind the steam flumes of the power station, but was trying its uttermost best to break through the thick steam flume.

It is actually suprising how quiet the walk from the Silica hotel to the Blue lagoon is. But at the Blue lagoon is where it get's busy, buses dropping off multiple eager tourists waiting to feel and sample the thermal lagoon. That being said, it is all well organized and it never seems to be too hectic to get inside the building.
The Blue Lagoon main building has also been nicely blended into the environment. Entering the building, bathers have to go to the left. on the right is the Blue lagoon shop selling loads of skin products, straight onwards is the Blue Cafe and Lava restaurant.

The Blue cafe is bright and spacious, a great spot from where you can observe the many people in the lagoon. The cafe offers sandwiches, sushi and light salads and a whole array of drinks.

At the back of the cafe is the entrance into the Lava restaurant which has been built into a lava cliff with fabulous views across the lagoon.
On the menu, you have a la carte options, but also a tasting menu if you want to sample what's on offer.

And for the people who still have energy left after a day soaking in the lagoon, there is also the option to do a bit of shopping.
Many of the skin products can be purchased in the shop so that you can enjoy them during the weeks ahead.
Even if you don't feel like going into the lagoon, it is worth a visit just to walk through the lavafields, admiring the milky blue lagoons and have a tasty cup of coffee.
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