This Icelandic Lagoon Has an Infinitely Pool, Shuttle Service, and If You’re Fortunate, Northern Lights Views

I flung my arms over the sting of the infinity pool and stared out into the ocean forward of me. This wasn’t alleged to be how the day went. Proper this second, I ought to have had my head craned up on the sky, awestruck by a colourful celestial sensation filling the sky for the primary time. As an alternative, I had woken up on this late February day final 12 months in Reykjavik, Iceland, to a message that my Northern Lights bus tour was canceled due to poor viewing circumstances. I spent the morning getting turned away by each ferry operator, who stated they weren’t working their regular excursions as a result of the aurora forecasts pointed to that night time’s visibility being zilch.

So right here I used to be as a substitute, having woven by a maze of lava-stone canyon partitions that opened up into this 230-foot geothermal pool at Sky Lagoon, in Kópavogur, lower than a 15-minute cab journey from The Reykjavik Version the place I used to be staying within the capital’s central. 

Certainly not ought to this gorgeous setting be anybody’s second selection. I shook myself out of my funk of what might have been. The Northern Lights merely weren’t within the playing cards anyplace within the island nation that night time, and it was time to deliver myself again into the second. 

Letting go of the nerve-racking day up to now, I let the nice and cozy waters embrace me, feeling clean and mild on my fingertips as my arms tread under the floor. It had nearly been too simple to modify plans and veer right here to the lagoon simply outdoors city. I had splurged on essentially the most luxurious of the three choices: Sky. This included lagoon entry, non-public altering amenities, and the Seven-Step Ritual.

Additionally provided have been Pure (lagoon entry and the Ritual) and Pure Lite (only a lagoon dip). Every package deal can also be obtainable with a switch from town heart, making entry to the location simply that easy.

I spun round, taking within the scene round me. I had been to Iceland’s famed Blue Lagoon seven years prior — lengthy earlier than Sky Lagoon opened in 2021. Its silky blue waters and white steam have been soothing on the eyes and soul, however I used to be overwhelmed by the crowds of individuals on the common vacation spot. (Although, the Blue Lagoon has The Retreat Spa for a extra non-public expertise.)

The temper was distinctly totally different throughout my go to to Sky Lagoon. Positive it was nonetheless filled with a wholesome group of tourists, however there was a calmness about it. In some way the darkish lava stones surrounding us all created extra restful vitality, whereas the extensive 180-degree view of the Kàrsnes Harbour waters and Mount Keilir within the distance, double-downed on that peacefulness. 

I wound my approach by the corners of the lagoon, having fun with drinks from the in-water bar, splashing below the waterfall, after which coming out of the far facet to interact within the Ritual. Centered on alternating temperatures, the method guided me from the nice and cozy lagoon into a chilly dip after which to a sauna, adopted by a chilly mist, sky scrub, steam room, and eventually a bathe. I milked my time with every step, sinking into each scent and sensation that got here together with it, consciously exhaling.

After that final step, I emerged feeling like I had been wrapped in a comfy cocoon and freshly launched into the world once more. I dipped myself again into the primary lagoon, lounging round, someway feeling lighter on my toes.

As dinnertime got here, I popped into the primary facility, grabbing a fireplace seat on the Smakk Bar. There, I loved essentially the most hygge-inducing cheese plate with a facet of smoked salmon, plus a heat bowl of the minestrone-like each day soup, which stuffed me each actually and figuratively.

I set down my spoon with intention. This will likely not have been how I pictured my solo journey day in Iceland happening this mid-winter day, nevertheless it turned out to be fairly spectacular. 

Not fairly able to name it an evening, I headed again into the lagoon for a nightcap, and to absorb the after-dark expertise. Bobbing lanterns now lit up the waters, creating an much more soothing scorching spring setting. Slowly, I took within the visuals of each layer earlier than me, from the ocean to the sky. The watercolor chased the lava cliffs upwards to the sky so seamlessly, it was laborious to see the place one started and the opposite ended. 

There was no approach my digital camera telephone might seize the wonder, nevertheless it was value a attempt. I traced the identical skyward path and appeared on the picture on my telephone — and audibly gasped. There was a tint of inexperienced within the sky in my picture. 

Simply as I observed this, two different ladies behind me began pointing upward too. Might or not it’s? On at the present time when there was zero probability of aurora visibility, might we’ve defied the percentages?

Positive sufficient, we had struck gold. Delicate splashes of colours poked out of the sky from each side, simply sufficient for these of us who occurred to be wanting upward to note. We squealed and pointed. We exchanged cameras and posed for images. We immortalized the second.

Not solely have been we experiencing the colourful skies we weren’t forecasted to see on at the present time, however we have been seeing all of it from the heat of a scorching spring lagoon — two iconic Icelandic experiences, merged into one.

I requested the Sky Lagoon to hail me a cab and was again to the lodge in a snap. Upon coming into the foyer with a smile on my face, I caught the receptionist’s eye. The following factor I knew, I used to be giddily recounting to this complete stranger how my day of aurora planning gone awry had led to the Sky Lagoon fulfilling my want as a substitute.

Taken by my enthusiasm, he handed me a full-sized Icelandic chocolate bar for no cause. Overwhelmed by that sort gesture, I lastly revealed the key I had held onto all day — it was my birthday.  

Indulging in a day of solo journey had been a present to me, and the poor climate forecast had felt like an ominous omen for the approaching 12 months. However as a substitute what I realized is that by letting your plans go off the rails, you simply would possibly discover an much more spectacular approach to absorb the magic of journey.