Puffins and I was told there were whales

 

The third and final tour we took was to go to see the puffins and whales.

There are two types of tours. One you go on a boat and the other one on an inflatable raft. Obviously, Hailey wanted to go on the raft. So, we went, US$ 372.50.

We embarked and sat on the raft as it bounced and jumped over the waters until we reached puffin’s island. Of course, the island is full of puffins, sitting on the rocks, flying around and swimming. There are so cute and seeing them so close was great.

From there we went bouncing once again to find whales. And this was a little disappointing to me. I thought we were going to see big whales jumping out of the water, however, what we saw were just parts of little whales while they come out for air. They came out and go back in so fast, that you hardly have time to see them, much less take a picture.

The views were great, the ride was nice and we had a good time, however, it was not fulfilling to me. Hailey loved it, so I guess it is me. 

Needless to say, I am happy anyway, because she had a good time, and that is what’s important.

The whale was where the seagulls are flying

Puffin Island

The raft

The Blue Lagoon, a no so natural lagoon.

The smoke on the background is the geothermic plant

The second tour we did was to the famous Blue Lagoon geothermic natural hot spring, to find out that it is not natural. It is formed from the surplus waters from the geothermal power plant Svartsengi, located next door which was established in 1976. This runoff is what heats the water in the pool, and it renews itself every 48 hours.

The first public bathing facilities opened in 1987, and was aimed for people with skin problems as the seawater is rich in silica, chloride, natron, calcium, sulfur, carbonate, magnesium, and a blue-green alga which combined with the minerals is great for the skin and it is supposed to do wonder for Psoriasis. The algae are what gives the blue color to the water. Due to the popularity of the place, it was refurbished in 1999, adding a spa, hotel, restaurants, and a retreat center.

We took a tour, and it takes about 45-minute drive from Reykjavik to the blue lagoon, US $ 290. Once you arrive you need, once again, to take a shower while naked in a common shower room, or in one of the private showers, as there is no chlorine here either. Many signs are saying to use plenty of conditioners and to leave it on your hair, then you can put on your bathing suit and proceed to the lagoon.

The lava that shapes the pool and the surrounding is natural and the pool is excellent. There is a mud bar, where you can get a silica mud mask for your face which is included on the entry price. They also have Algae Masks that you can purchase. Anyway, you put the mud mask on your face, and once is dry you rinse it off. I did it by submerging myself in the waters, and it worked great.

The average temperature of the water is 39°C = 102°F all year round; however, it did not feel that hot to me. You can walk around the pool or sit at the cave and relax while listening to music or taking with the other people sitting there.
There is also an in-water bar, and an in-water massage too, which I don't know how comfortable would be.

After relaxing for couple hours in those invigorating waters, it was time to shower and leave.
And we felt great, our bodies were soft and smooth; however, our hair was not. A week later my hair still felt like straw. My granddaughter’s hair was terrible for over two weeks. We put what I thought was plenty of conditioners, needless to say, it wasn’t. They have conditioner in all the rooms and showers; however, I don’t think it matters how much of it you put on, the minerals in the water will dry your hair immensely, and our hair got about 10 shades lighter.
I know I submerged myself in the waters a few times, but my granddaughter did not, so that wasn’t it. We saw couple ladies with shower caps, and at the time we thought it was funny, but it is not. I would recommend everybody to wear a shower cap, it is better to look ridiculous for a couple of hours, than for a couple weeks.

All in all, the place was fantastic; however, there are many natural hot springs that you can visit for a fraction of the cost.

Needless to say, to me being in Iceland and not going to the blue lagoon was inconceivable, so, I pay, and we went.

And I am glad we did.

Iceland landscape consists of lava formation cover in moss