Relax in the Warm Waters of Green Power

The real Blue Lagoon is not in Fiji and doesn't come with a teenage Brooke Shields, but this killer geothermal spa is one of the most popular spots in all of Iceland. It was cold in America last week so imagine what it was like in Reykjavik! It was the perfect time for me to visit the Blue Lagoon.

Located in a lava field about 30 minutes from Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon features a giant pool rich with minerals like silica and sulfur and heated to about 104 degrees. The water is said to contain healing properties for people suffering from skin diseases, and the complex also features in-pool massages and separate steam rooms and saunas.

Interestingly, the warm waters are actually used to provide green energy before making their way to the Lagoon. The nearby Svartsengi geothermal power plant draws crazy-hot water from a lava flow area and uses the heat to run energy-producing turbines. The steam and water are then used to heat the municipal water system before being pumped into the Blue Lagoon. Sure, I like the view of the turbines on the road from L.A. to Las Vegas, but America could sure use a few green-powered spas like this!

There are actually several hot pools and springs throughout Iceland, but this is definitely the most famous due in part to the beautiful mountain scenery. Plus, while the pool has nothing to do with the '80s movie of the same name, the Blue Lagoon did grace the big screen recently in Hostel: Part II. That's right, I did say it was a killer spa.

Photo courtesy of Lipton Scale courtesy of Wikipedia.