Iceland > The Blue Lagoon of Iceland

Traveling during the time of corona is not easy. We have decided to go to Iceland. Iceland has relatively few infections and accepts travelers from the Netherlands if they are fully vaccinated. To be safe, we opted for a package deal. The flight, hotels, and rental car are arranged by BBI Travel. If, unexpectedly, the trip cannot proceed, we can cancel the entire trip and reschedule later. So far, so good. In the weeks before departure, the number of infections in the Netherlands rises rapidly. We even threaten to become the European leader in corona cases. On the European corona map, the Netherlands turns dark red. For Iceland, this is reason to tighten the entry criteria just before our departure. Besides the mandatory vaccination, every traveler must present a negative corona test. This means we have to take an extra test on the Friday before departure. The test makes me somewhat nervous. You hear about people testing positive even though they are fully vaccinated and have no symptoms. Fortunately, on Friday afternoon, an email arrives with a negative test result. We can travel! With flight tickets and all corona certificates in hand, we take the train to Schiphol on Sunday morning. At desk number 1, there is a long line to check in. Good thing we arrived three hours early. But it seems all other travelers thought so too. The line moves painfully slowly. I begin to doubt if those joining the end of the line will make it on time. At check-in, not only the tickets but also the vaccination and test certificates are checked. This causes problems for some travelers, who have to get tested at Schiphol quickly. For us, all papers are in order. The baggage check goes smoothly. Iceland is not part of the European Union but is in the Schengen Area. Therefore, there is no passport control. We still have some time to get a drink and a sandwich in the departure hall. No meal will be served on board. At two o’clock, flight FI 501 of Icelandair departs from the gate.

Iceland - Flight FI501 of Icelandair towards Iceland

The plane taxis for a while to the Zwanenburg runway. Soon after, we take off toward Iceland. Everyone on board wears a face mask. Only when drinking may the mask be briefly removed. I watch a movie on the in-flight video system. In Iceland, it is two hours earlier than in the Netherlands. Around half past three, we land at Keflavik International Airport. At five o’clock, we have tickets for the Blue Lagoon. According to the travel agency, this should be easily doable. We are not so sure. Fortunately, we are seated at the front of the plane, so we can get out quickly. Our luggage, however, comes out one of the last on the belt. While we wait, a huge queue forms behind us at customs. Where normally there is no check, corona certificates are now being checked. The line zigzags through the arrival hall. From baggage belt one, it winds along belts two and three. People seem to be everywhere in the hall. It takes some time before we are called. Our papers are in order. We are allowed into Iceland. We quickly head to the car rental. There is also a queue here. Today seems to be the day of long lines. Around half past five, we get into our Hyundai i30. We quickly leave the airport and head to the Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is an artificial lake between moss-covered lava fields. The lake is actually a byproduct of the Svartsengi geothermal power plant. The water of the Blue Lagoon is 39 degrees Celsius. It is rich in minerals, silicates, and blue-green algae, which give the water its characteristic light blue color. The man at the reception glances at the clock, which shows almost six o’clock, but lets us in without any problem.

Iceland - The blue mineral water of the Blue Lagoon

We get a wristband that allows us to enter the pool and activate a locker. Then we walk into the delightfully warm mineral water. Since my last visit in 2006, the pool has been greatly expanded. Because of this, you don’t notice how many tourists are in the water. After an hour, we get dressed again and head to the capital, Reykjavik. Our hotel is located in the city center on Laugavegur street. It turns out to be a pedestrian zone. We have to park the car in one of the side streets. On Sunday evening, parking is free, and it will also be free tomorrow because it is an Icelandic holiday. One street away, a car just leaves a spot. We quickly park there and walk with our luggage to the hotel. Below the hotel is a cozy restaurant. Since it is already late, we decide not to search too long and just eat here. We are quite tired from the travel day. Four Americans next to us are very enthusiastic about Iceland. This bodes well. They wish us a nice trip. They will return to New York tomorrow. We end the evening with a walk through the center of Reykjavik. It is drizzling slightly, giving the city a somewhat gloomy look. Despite it being half past ten at night, it is still not dark. A remarkable phenomenon.