Blues Clues

I want to stay for another week or more. There is so much more to see and do. One last official tour must be the Blue Lagoon / Bláa lónið. Truly an otherworldly place sitting in the middle of an expansive lava field. Seemingly the middle of nowhere. The area is a very active geothermal zone with enough potential for locating the Svartsengi power plant. The thought of having the most popular tourist attraction at the local power plant might seem odd until you get there. Disneyland without the Mickey Mouse or fake facades. The plumes of steam can be seen for at least 10km. You start to see the power lines and hot water lines heading across the lava desert toward the city 45 km away. They say that the steam only looses 2 degrees over the distance. The pipe reminds one of an oil pipeline, except this is simply very hot water and essentially serves the same purpose, it is fuel.

You walk down a winding path cut deep into the lava. No doubt this is by design and adds to the effect of awe once you see the milky blue water. You enter the building and get your bracelet that serves as your pass and will open the turnstile and is your electronic key to the lockers. A very modern Nordic spa look and feel to the place. But outside this is unlike any spa. Acres of rough lava with all that hot water and zones of varying temperatures. After your shower you take the short walk between the building and the water where you will see and hear tourists laugh and hesitate as they get hit by the cold wind and wonder why they are dressed for a summer swim. No problem, just go in.

Heavenly.

The Blue Lagoon is the outflow lagoon from a geothermal power plant.  Produces electricity, heat, and hot water to the district heating system for the city and towns.

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Tags: Clean Energy, Iceland, Travel