Blue Lagoon & Myvatn Nature Baths
Carry a swimsuit when you travel to Iceland… Some may laugh… but, believe me, you will have the last laugh at the Blue Lagoon or Myvatn Nature Baths!
While Iceland has a lot of natural hot water springs, the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is a man made one located in a lava field in Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Undoubtedly one of the most popular spots in Iceland this warm pool is supplied by water used in the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power station.
In 1976, a pool formed at the site from the waste water of the geothermal power plant that had just been built there. When one of the employees, who suffered from a skin ailment, took a dip in the pool, he realized that the ‘bath’ was making him feel better. Word spread and people began to come in from various places to have a dip in the pool! Subsequently, a company was formed and the bathing facility was opened for the public. Blue Lagoon derives its name from the milky pale blue colour of the water.
The Myvatn Nature Baths have a similar reputation though a tad less visited (possibly because of the location being nearer to Akureyri than Reykjavik).
In recent years, several cosmetics companies have begun marketing skin care products using mud purportedly extracted from the Blue Lagoon, personally I found the prices a bit on the high side and whether they work on not, well let’s say the jury is still out on that one! All I can say is that after a long and tiring day, this is THE place to sink into the warm water and relax. So however incongruous it may sound, pack that swimsuit on your trip to Iceland! You don’t wanna miss the Blue Lagoon or Myvatn Nature Baths!
Read about the other interesting aspects of travel to Iceland here.
For ideas on experiential travel to Europe, Asia and Africa, visit Beyonder Travel.
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