Sunday, August 10, 2025

Enjoying Blue Lagoon, Iceland (August 10)

Sunday, August 10, 2025  , ,  No comments

Sunday, August 10, 2025

Start: #351, Cameron House, A82, Loch Lomond, Alexandria G83 8QZ, Scotland
End: #316, Courtyard Marriott, Keflavik, Iceland
Highlights: Lava Restaurant, Blue Lagoon

After waking up around 08:30, I showered and dressed. When Inna was ready, we walked downstairs, into the long corridor leading to our breakfast buffet.

At around 09:00, we joined the queue for the Cameron House breakfast buffet. The dining area was less busy than on Saturday (yesterday), with most tables taken. 

Cameron House's Scottish breakfast buffet had yogurt, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, haggis, black pudding, tattie scones (potato), grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, and baked beans. It was not a bad buffet (but not outstanding either). I selected the following items from the buffet:
  • Yogurt with berries, granola
  • Scrambled Eggs, Mushrooms, Baked Tomatoes
  • Pastries (croissants)
  • Coffee with cream
After breakfast, we returned to our room to finish our packing and check out. While Inna was reviewing the hotel bill (she got credited for staying in a room without a lake view), I was waiting for my Vauxhall Mokka to be retrieved by a valet (it took unusually long).

Outside, the weather looked splendid (we wish it were this sunny and clear yesterday, as we could have gone kayaking!)

Once the luggage was loaded, we started our drive to Glasgow Airport (only about 30 minutes away by car from Cameron House).  When nearing the airport, I stopped by the BP Gas station to refuel the car before dropping off at SIXT. Gasoline price was GBP 1.39 per liter or $7.13/gallon (very expensive).

After navigating a series of roundabouts, we finally found the Glasgow airport's SIXT rental car drop-off and parked our car. The total cost to rent the Vauxhall Mokka for 5 days was  GBP 621.74. This translates to $836 for a 5-day car rental with full insurance, with a cost per day of $167 + fuel.

We retrieved our luggage from the Vauxhall Mokka and bade it goodbye. We walked to the airport, going through security and passport control. Once inside, we sat down at Pret a Manger for lunch. We ordered the following items (later on, we found a lot more restaurants further in the airport):
  • Main: Protein Bowl with Egg & Salmon
  • Drinks: Cappuccino
  • Dessert: pastel de nutta
We waited for our flight to depart and finally boarded the plane at 13:30. We had a short, two-hour flight to Keflavik, Iceland, aboard Iceland Air (seats 10E, 10F). We did not have much space for luggage, but we managed to survive.

After we landed at 15:30 (Reykjavik time), we went through passport control and boarded a taxi for a 10-minute ride to the Courtyard Marriott in Keflavik. The taxi cost was a crazy high $30 for a 10-minute ride.

At 16:15, we checked into the Courtyard Marriott, got our room keys, and rested a bit. We got our small bags out and our swimsuits, and walked downstairs to board our 17:10 taxi to Blue Lagoon.

I had made dinner reservations at Blue Lagoon's Lava Restaurant for 17:30 and booked access to Blue Lagoon for 21:00. I was initially trying to book an earlier Blue Lagoon access, but the Blue Lagoon website was not working. When I tried booking again using my laptop, the 20:00 time was no longer available. So, book in advance!

The 20-minute taxi ride to Blue Lagoon was a crazy high $83, and we reached it just a few minutes past 17:30. Upon arrival, it was strange to be walking (like being on another planet) among blue water and lava. Upon reaching the entrance, we found the Lava Restaurant inside and were quickly seated. Looking at the menu, we ordered the following items:
  • Bread, Rye, and White with whipped Skyr butter
  • Appetizer: Mushroom Soup, Chicken Liver Pate
  • Main: Fish of the Day (Blue Link) x 2
  • Dessert: Skyr and blueberries
Both the food and service were outstanding (much better than I had expected). The freshly baked rye bread with Skyr butter was simply scrumptious. Inna's Mushroom soup and Chicken Liver Pate were also outstanding. We ordered two Fish of the Day (Blue Link) and they were delicious. The Skyr with Blueberries dessert was also excellent.

After we finished dinner, we found a cozy place in a nearby cafe where we read our Kindles, while waiting for our entry time. We were told that for a 21:00 entry, we could enter 30 minutes early at 20:30, which we did.

The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is one of the world’s most famous geothermal spas and a top travel destination. Here’s a full overview:

🌊 What It Is

  • A geothermal spa located in a lava field near Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula, about 45 minutes from Reykjavík and 20 minutes from Keflavík Airport.

  • Known for its milky-blue, mineral-rich waters, which are naturally heated by nearby geothermal activity.

  • The lagoon is not a natural hot spring—it’s fed by runoff water from the nearby Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant, but the water is completely clean, filtered, and renewed every 40 hours.

💧 The Water

  • Temperature: 37–40 °C (98–104 °F)—comfortable and relaxing.

  • Appearance: Opaque, pastel blue caused by silica particles that reflect light.

  • Composition: Rich in silica, algae, and minerals, which are believed to benefit skin health.

  • Famous for helping people with psoriasis and eczema.

🧖‍♀️ Experiences & Facilities

  • Main Lagoon: The large outdoor pool surrounded by lava fields.

  • Mask Bar: Guests can apply Blue Lagoon’s silica mud, algae, mineral, and lava masks while bathing.

  • In-Water Bar: Serves smoothies, wine, and cocktails right in the lagoon.

  • Saunas & Steam Rooms: Built into lava rock.

  • Waterfall Massage: A natural warm waterfall you can stand under for a back massage.

  • Retreat Spa (Luxury Upgrade): Offers private lagoons, relaxation areas, spa treatments, and access to underground rooms carved into lava rock.

🎟 Admission Options

  • Comfort: Includes entrance, silica mask, towel, and 1 drink.

  • Premium: Adds use of a bathrobe, slippers, algae mask, and reservation at the on-site restaurant.

  • Retreat Spa: Private, luxury experience with exclusive lagoon access, spa treatments, and skincare products.

🍴 Dining

  • Lava Restaurant: Built into a lava cliff, modern Icelandic cuisine.

  • Moss Restaurant: Fine dining with panoramic views, Michelin-recommended.

  • Spa Restaurant: Light meals and healthy options.

🏨 Accommodation

  • The Retreat Hotel: 5-star luxury hotel with direct access to the private lagoon and spa.

  • Silica Hotel: More affordable, includes access to a smaller private lagoon.

In the changing rooms, we were provided robes (which I never used) and were told to take a shower before entering the spa.

After a quick shower, I walked downstairs (with my GoPro Hero10 for photos/videos) and entered the Blue Lagoon. I waited for Inna to join me, and then we floated around to the bar, where we ordered drinks. (Since I had purchased a premium spa package, I could order two drinks for free.) 

Both Inna and I selected Apple Cider, which was delicious. We really enjoyed floating around in warm thermal waters with delicious drinks.

At this late hour, we noticed that the huge crowds started to thin out (as we expected for most tourist buses to depart). It was a beautiful evening, with the moon slowly rising, just above the horizon. We decided to try the steam cave and the sauna. (In general, the Blue Lagoon is much better in the evening.)

The Steam Cave was very hot, and I had difficulty breathing there. I left after a few minutes, hoping to use the sauna, but it was closed.

We decided to try the facial masks that were offered. Our premium package entitled us to 3 different facial masks. We ended up using all three masks.
The Four Masks at Blue Lagoon

  1. Silica Mud Mask

  2. Algae Mask

  3. Mineral Mask

  4. Lava Scrub Mask

    • Exfoliating black clay mask containing lava particles.

    • Gently removes dead skin cells and renews skin texture

The first mask we selected was the Silica Mud Mask. After scrubbing our faces with it, we waited about 15 minutes before washing it off. Then, after warming for a bit, we tried the Algae Mask. After this mask, we rubbed in the Mineral Mask.

Inna and I also managed to get our final drinks: Blue Breeze for me and an Apple Cider for Inna. The Blue Breeze seemed to be the most popular drink in  Blue Lagoon, as everyone seemed to be drinking it. I actually liked the Apple Cider better.

A Blue Breeze cocktail is a tropical, refreshing mixed drink that gets its striking color from blue curaçao. There are a few variations depending on the bar, but the most common recipe looks like this:

Classic Blue Breeze Cocktail

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ oz (45 ml) Vodka (sometimes white rum is used instead)

  • 1 oz (30 ml) Blue Curaçao

  • 3 oz (90 ml) Pineapple juice (or sometimes lemonade/7-Up for a lighter version)

  • Splash of Coconut cream (optional, for a creamier style)

  • Ice

Garnish: Pineapple wedge, cherry, or orange slice.

We stayed in Blue Lagoon until close at 23:30. On returning to the locker rooms, I took a shower and changed out of my wet swimsuit.

When Inna also changed, we asked for a taxi, but the silly staff told us to call ourselves. Luckily, there were a few taxis already waiting, and we boarded one immediately. The taxi back to the Courtyard Marriott in Keflavik cost $86 for a 20-minute ride (crazy expensive).

The local taxi phone number: +354 420 1212 (in case I need a ride from Blue Lagoon)

Day Report (August 10)

Highlights
  • Enjoying the thermal waters of the Blue Lagoon
  • Dining at The Lava Restaurant
  • Beautiful weather on our last day in Loch Lomond, Scotland
  • Beautiful weather in Blue Lagoon and Keflavik, Iceland
Lowlights
  • Crazy expensive taxis in Iceland



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