Atlantica - 01.07.2004, Qupperneq 72

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70 A T L A N T I C A BLUE LAGOON
Atlantica recently returned to the Blue Lagoon to check out some of
their new facilities. For those of you who have not yet been to the
Blue Lagoon, what follows is a short introduction. You arrive at the
Blue Lagoon by following a road toward Grindavík that leads from
the highway between the Leif Eriksson International Airport and the
city of Reykjavík. When you have parked your car and walked the
short distance to the building, you enter a space shared by a top-
notch restaurant, waiting area and café, and reception area for the
pool. A wall of picture windows gives you a view of the lagoon that
increases the excitement for your impending bathing experience.
Once inside the pool, you immediately feel a tingle as the mineral-
rich waters (said to have special healing qualities) heat your body.
The temperature of the pool is between 37 and 39 degrees Celsius,
with the temperature generally rising the further you go into the
lagoon. The temperature of the pool is monitored carefully by the
staff, so it’s very safe. You can stay in the pool for as long as it’s open
(generally until nine in the evening) and relax for a while before
heading into the city or back to the airport for your flight. Many peo-
ple have mentioned that when travelling long distances and stop-
ping over in Iceland, a swim in the Blue Lagoon helps them to adjust
to the time change difference.
The people who run the Blue Lagoon know they have a good thing
going, but they’re always searching for new ways to enhance the
experience. One of these new treatments is a Swedish-type mas-
sage that takes place completely in the pool. When the massage
begins, you are partially submerged in the lagoon on a comfortable
mat and kept warm by a towel. This encounter is extremely relaxing
and the creams and massage oils they use are all made from the
healing minerals in the lagoon. Of all the things to do when visiting
Iceland, this comes very highly recommended.
RETURNING TO THE BLUE LAGOON
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