Horses

Icelandic horses are a special breed. Not as small as a pony, they are smaller than most breeds and they have few diseases. They are very hardy.  Icelandic law prevents horses to be imported into the country.  I was amazed at how friendly they were.

Geothermal Wonder, Soaking in the Blue Lagoon

We passed these geothermal plants on the way. Five major geothermal plants exist in Iceland. Geothermal heats the air and water supply for 87% of Iceland's buildings.  Our hot water in the shower smelled like roasted eggs.  The cold water is fresh spring water from the tap and tasted great!

                          

Visiting the Blue Lagoon was a three hour event.  There were massages and other therapies available.  Drinks of all kinds could be charged to an electronic bracelet.  We had blueberry and strawberry fruit smoothies.  We were craving egg salad sandwiches but had chef salads in one of the two restaurants.  The changing rooms and lockers were top notch and spotless. We left feeling totally rejuvenated and as relaxed as a wet noodle.

Massage therapists float clients around this smaller pool

  

Dipping out the free silica mud body massage. 

 People let it dry on their faces which provided a carnival mood.

Blue Lagoon

The drive to the Blue Lagoon took 45 minutes from Reykjavik. In the distance clouds of steam could be seen. We had purchased tickets on line back home before we left.

passed lots of open land which reminded us of Arizona.

The water was filed with silica and other minerals which made it anti bacterial.  People use it for all kinds of therapeutic reasons.  The silica coated the black volcanic rocks with a smooth white surface.

Land of the Midnight Sun

Not quite sun shine, but at 11:30 pm when I took these photos, the sky was very bright

twilight.

There are 170 swimming pools in Iceland. The population of Iceland is321,000.

I went swimming in a heated pool 2 blocks away.  It had a sauna, two heated out door tubs for soaking and a huge pool with olympic diving boards.  The map in the lobby shows the pool & swimming philosophy of Iceland: "The pools are a source of health and healthy exercise, outdoor recreation and pleasant socializing the year round.  The majority of these pools are heated with geothermal water.  Other swimming pools are heated with electricity or the energy provided by waste incineration.  Some pools utilize geothermal water by letting it flow through heat exchangers..."

Poster showing geothermal hot spots.

Poster of famous swimmers, I guess.

The pool building was designed by the architect of the Cathedral.

Pristine Land / Almost Everyone Lives on the Coast

Driving on the interior roads we see sheep on the roadside.

Clouds on the Mountains & Mystery Rocks

On the way to Pingvellir we noticed the clouds rolling down the mountain tops.  It was mesmerizing to see them dissipate as the wind blew.  The people here are fond of stacking rocks.