We picked-up the rental car, squeezed our luggage in (not sure where we’re going to put Ellen’s bag when it arrives), and headed out for our appointment at the Blue Lagoon, one of Iceland’s iconic hot springs spas. The weather was idyllic, sunny and warm, with just a touch of puffy clouds.
Of course Ellen’s swimsuit was in her bag, but not to worry, they rent bathing suits we were told. Here’s her account of how that went – ‘When we got there I was given a suit that would fit a 3rd grader. I said do you have anything bigger? So I was handed a 5th graders suit. Greg said it’s just like the Olympic swimmers, it takes them 45 minutes to get their swimsuits on. I am no Olympic swimmer…’ Plan B isn’t always size specific 🙂
Good thing they had mineral masks at the Lagoon or we might all have sunburned our first day!
It was quite the place. Much bigger than I imagined. They also have steam and sauna rooms accessible from the water, along with a wade-up bar where you could pick up your free drink of choice!
After luxuriating at the spa, we hit the road and grabbed some lunch and a coffee, then headed off for the rest of our Day 1 itinerary; Deildartunguhver (the most powerful hot spring in Iceland, with 200 liters/sec. of 100°C (212°F) hot water, supplying the towns of Borgarnes and Akranes with hot water); Reykholt a church, parsonage, medieval institution and a hotel; the home of Snorri Sturluson (1179–1241), the best-known Icelandic medieval writer; Hraunfossar (lava falls); Barnafoss (children’s falls); and then Hotel Stafholt where we’ll stay for 2 nights.
The Hotel Stafholt is set on a hill overlooking a beautiful valley.
