The Blue Lagoon is a surreal experience. Voted the best medical and thermal spa by the readers of Conde Nast Traveller magazine, this spa is certainly worth one, if not several, visits. Light blue steamy water laps against dark volcanic rocks, and steam comes off the lagoon, drifting over mossy green mountaintops. To enter the lagoon, first you must shower in the nude - the waters are not chemically treated, so all patrons must do this. Afterwards, you pull your bathing suit back on and move outside. The air is often cold - and it hits your bare skin quickly. Move into the lagoon and feel its healing warmth close around you.
One of the biggest benefits of the Blue Lagoon is the silica mud. White and grainy, it can be found in buckets around the lagoon, near underwater benches and places to relax. Smear the mud on your skin and let it dry for 10 to 15 minutes. Then wash it off - your skin will feel renewed and open, rosy from your pores being cleansed and open. The mud is said to have healing powers for skin conditions like psoriasis, and we saw firsthand that this was true when one of my friends saw a vast improvement in the discoloration of his skin. The Blue Lagoon is fairly inexpensive - general admission is 1200 ISK, about $15. They also have towels, bathing suits, and other necessities for rent. In the spa area, treat yourself to a massage (done in the water). When you need a break, head into the snack bar - and don't forget to try a Blue Lagoon cocktail!