Well, the sun is out today so we decided to take a drive to north of Reykjavik to check out the town called Akranes, then return on a different road back to Reykjavik for a self paced walking tour, then for 4pm, going to the surprise that I had booked which was the Sky Lagoon experience (similar to the Blue Lagoon but smaller and more accessible). So off we drove and got to Reykjavik and then started the next “segment” of the drive in Google Maps to Akranes and we got there really fast which confused me. We went over a small bridge, saw some houses being built and we were there – it was not the hour long trip that I was expecting! Then I realized my mistake – somehow the town of Alftanes had been selected in Google Maps instead – which is near to Reykjavik (see the maps below)! Oh well, now we do not have enough time to go to Akranes so we decided to just go into Reykjavik and and find parking and do the audio tour instead. However when we were driving back into town there were A LOT of police, mainly on motorcycles, on the highway which we thought was kind of strange due to the number – perhaps they were looking for someone? Then we got off the highway in order to get to the church where the self tour started and a motorcycle policeman blocked our lane and in the other direction, a police van was blocking that lane of traffic. Obviously something was going on! So I looked up on my friend Google if someone important was in town and there sure was – the Ukrainian President (Volodymyr Zelenskyy) was here for 2 days of meetings. Very soon after this we saw a motorcade of about 10 vehicles/limos pass by and then the roads were open again!
We got parked in the hospital parking lot which is just behind this church – which you can see the church from almost anywhere in downtown Reykjavik. It was below freezing at this point with the wind, however we started out on the walking tour that was supposed to take us about 90 minutes. Please notice the weather in the church picture…. We then walked down to the waterfront (about 6 blocks) and by the time we got there, in the 6th picture, the skies opened up and SOAKED us with a torrential rain storm! With no where to go all we could do is walk towards the closest building which happened to be the Harpa Building – which is their conference centre like the Conference Centre West in Vancouver, and also where the meetings were going on with the Ukrainian President! Looking like drowned rats, we were able to go to the cafe in the building, however due to security issues, all the washrooms were closed! So we had some warm drinks and a creme brulee and waited out the rain storm! It was interesting that one of the Marriott Hotels that I looked at staying at was right next to the Harpa building – it was also one of the more expensive hotels for points redemptions! Then we continued our self guided tour until we were both too cold and tired. At that time we went back to the church and retrieved our car and drove to the Sky Lagoon.
Now back at the car, we decided to warm up and drive to the Sky Lagoon. I am not sure that Andrew knows what he is getting himself into however it should be a fun experience despite the spitting rain and slight wind! We arrived about 20 minutes later and as we were about 40 minutes early and we could see 2 small tours entering, we decided to sit in the car for a while until our entrance time that was booked for 4pm. I was having fun knitting and watching people! Finally the time came to go to the Sky Lagoon so we proceeded inside after taking some pictures.
The Sky Lagoon is an oceanside geothermal lagoon that is like a huge infinity pool surrounded by rock structures. In the lagoon there are lots of places to hang out in the various “channels” and there also is a swim up bar and the entrance to the Skjól Bathing Ritual hut which melds into the scenery with a grass covered roof. The capacity of the Sky Lagoon is only 350 people where the more famous, Blue Lagoon is triple that. The other reason why I picked the Sky Lagoon was it is more modern and thus has better accessibility standards. Lastly, it has AWESOME ocean views which are not present at the Blue Lagoon.
So once we arrived, they gave us each two wristbands – reminded me of Disneyland – one black so we could get into the Skjól Bathing Ritual hut and the other one had my credit card attached so if we wanted something at the bar, we could order something and put it on our account along with the magnet in the band opened and closed our lockers for our clothes. We were then escorted to the “Accessibility Suite” which I was AMAZED at the facility. I have seen around the world (less in Canada/USA) accessible accommodations in airports/pools etc however this one had thought of EVERYTHING a person with a variety of challenges might need. If we had not needed the “Accessibility Suite” there were private changing rooms for each person to use that contained a chair, sink, shower, shelves and mirror. Back to the Accessible Suite that they had set aside for Andrew and I – it had an adult sized bed that could be raised or lowered. It also had a lift system (if you brought your sling which is normal). A wheelchair accessible toilet, a commode, a shower chair, an accessible shower stall, an accessible sink and then various other items at the proper level like hair dryer, paper towels, plastic bags for ones bathing suit and a water wheelchair. So Andrew and I got changed and put our clothes into the lockers in the suite, took the towels they provided and I took the wheelchair, as I left my walker in the suite, out to the lagoon area. They also had a wheelchair lift into the lagoon (instead of the seat swing so many pools have) which I could have used, however I chose to go down the 4 stairs instead. Oh was the water LOVELY! It went up to my shoulders if I slightly swatted and walked that way. The water was also very buoyant! So we made our way from the entrance which is like in a cave, to the front of the lagoon where the infinity edge of the pool was.
Once at the edge of the pool, there were rocks in the water (man made type) where there was a bench that you could sit on instead of constantly floating (well Andrew did not float but I sure did) and trying to keep ones feet on the bottom of the pool. We were quite enjoying our seats until it started the pour! Nice being up to your neck in warm water however rain on your head is COLD especially if your name is Andrew who does not have a lot of hair up there! So we went over to the bar area which had an overhang and hung out under there. The bar was doing a VERY good business – which I found very strange as mixing being in water and drinking usually is a no no. There were lifeguards watching pretty carefully everyone in the lagoon area – especially around the bar. Once the shower stopped, we decided to go to the Skjól Bathing Ritual hut. I had been told to find a lifeguard and they would help me. My legs were acting like rubber at that point due to the warmth so they brought a wheelchair out (it was cold to sit on as it was plastic) and I climbed the stairs out of the lagoon and got into the wheelchair. Thank goodness the lifeguard brought me two towels so I could cover up a bit as it was SO COLD being outside of the lagoon! Andrew then pushed me into the hut and through the different treatment areas. They are as follows:
- Laug – which is being in the lagoon and the geothermic waters
- Kuldi – the “cold plunge” I SKIPPED THIS – they have a hot tub like structure before the door where you can take the plunge – just getting out of the water and into the wheelchair was enough cold for me!
- Kulr – the dry sauna overlooking the Atlantic through Iceland’s largest single window
- Suld – cold mist – again, Andrew and I skipped this!
- Mykt – an invigorating sea salt scrub which also contains almond and sesame oils
- Gufa – back into the steam again so one’s skin can absorb the elements of the sea salt scrub
- Saft – which is an elixir made with the crowberries from the lava fields that embodies that is the essence of krækiber – the spirit of our land. I had 2 shots of this as it was SO GOOD! It was like a cold tea.
After this, we got back into the lagoon – another cold experience being outside and getting into the lagoon was like a warm blanket! We hung out on one of the “arms” of the lagoon out of the wind until we were raisins basically and then, as it was dark, we decided to depart. It was a VERY relaxing, calming experience! I would do it again in a heartbeat! As I did not want to take my cell phone in the pool (it was not allowed in the treatment hut) here are pictures that I took in the facility and pictures from the lagoon that I have gotten off the internet that represent our time there.
After leaving the Sky Lagoon, we had a very relaxing drive back to the hotel and I fell asleep on Andrew pretty early! Oops! Oh well, I was pretty relaxed and warm like a candle! Tomorrow again, we will decide what we will do – we have two planned drives to do – one to Vik and the black sand beach and the other the Golden Circle. It depends on the weather which one will will take on – if the weather looks to be nice – we will be doing the longer one along the south coast of Ireland to the Black Sand Beach and Vik (town) with a couple of stops on the way there. If not, we will be doing the Golden Circle which is a shorter drive to some well known tourist areas. It will be a mystery of what we do until tomorrow! Here is our route from today:
