A PLUNGE IN NATURE’S BIGGEST HOT TUB

Iceland, the land of Fire and Ice, is a country filled with extremes.  Some of the world’s largest glaciers rest here atop dormant and not so dormant volcanoes that once formed the island.   Evidence of past and present volcanic activity is everywhere, from powerful waterfalls spilling over black rocky cliffs carved by lava flows, to geothermal pools and hot springs punctuating the landscape with steam rising steadily from the ground.

The waters here are a source of health and wellness for Icelanders and the thousands of international tourists who visit each year seeking the water’s therapeutic benefits.  The most popular destination is the Blue Lagoon, a steamy pool of frosty blue-colored geothermal seawater sourced from 6,000 feet below sea level.

The water in this 31-million gallon “hot tub” is piped up from underground at temperatures of 98-102?F, and constantly replenished with new water.  The bright blue color comes from a unique mineral combination of silica, sodium, potassium, magnesium, sulfate and blue green algae.   The lagoon is also filled with a grayish-white silica mud valued for deep cleaning and exfoliating the skin, stimulating blood circulation, and easing the discomfort of psoriasis.  To get the full benefit, soak in the steamy waters of the lagoon, scoop up a handful of the mud, smear over your face and body and let air dry before rinsing off under the al fresco showers or indoor ladies’ locker room.  The end result?  Baby soft, smooth skin!