Iceland Day 9 (Hraunfossar, Blue Lagoon, Reykjanesbaer Peninsula)

By BoomerNShannon - January 30, 2017

This was Ryan's lucky day! He stopped in to the 66 station for a cup of coffee...and scored a free coffee! He's drank a lot less coffee than normal on this trip - a combination of the highway robbery for a cup of Joe and his being sick. Typically these 8-10oz cups ran from $3.50-5. -Shannon

Was I happy for that coffee! -Ryan

We stopped for breakfast at a bakery in Grindavik and shared a chocolate covered cinnamon roll.

Maybe they forget the year with how time moves? -Ryan

The first hint of an accident we saw on the entire island. -Ryan

The lagoon is a very odd whitish-blue and almost iridescent with a strong sulfur smell. This is a very expensive place and by far a tourist trap attached to a high-end hotel I was happy to see it and move on with out leaving any money. We did learn about a hot river that is free, and if we ever go back, we'll hike in there and do it freestyle! -Ryan

The first stop sign we saw the entire trip was leaving Blue Lagoon area.

There was only one timeslot available for today - 7pm for 6800 ISK. This would give us 1hr in the lagoon for about $60 each. We chose to pass. That price does not include a towel - just entry. While it would have been a neat experience, it was not worth it to us. Blue Lagoon requires reservations and has entry tickets from 6800 - 25000 ISK. ($aprox. 60-$250 USD) They are expanding the lagoon to keep up with demand. It is the most visited destination in Iceland despite the heavy sulfur smell

This coaster is very true. Blue Lagoon's exit is in true "tourist trap" fashion - through the gift shop.

The above photo captures the Blue Lagoon. Before going, we read that Blue Lagoon is not all natural. The water pumped into the lagoon is from the geothermal plant next door. The lava rock is natural and the water is natural - just not together.

They must have brought in the Ghostbusters to investigate the northern lights!! lol Sometimes it looks like the original movies in the sky with "ghost-like" lights! lol

Completely was not expecting a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Iceland.

Found a MAN in Iceland! They were everywhere!

A random rock outside a gym had what appeared to be a bunch of coins or other shiny materials in the rock.

Looks like the Happy Hippie Bus may be on winter break.

Since I saw two swans swimming yesterday, I wanted a picture of two. Lo and behold we found 2 more together in the midst of a bunch of other birds. The birds apparently didn't like the sound of the car approaching so they bolted...

We found this neat church built out of lava rock from the local fields - Ryan

Only in Iceland can you walk from North America to Europe. During the summer, you can even get a certificate to certify the "trip". This bridge cross between the North American and European plate. The "gorge" in between is the rift between the two.