Posted on 30 June 2015

After four days of self-driving around Iceland with my 13-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son, I was ready for a spot of relaxation. The ice-fields and ash-deserts of this country were spellbinding – the kids had never seen anything like it – but being on the move for so long does take its toll. The fact that it never really gets dark at this time of year was also doing odd things to my body clock.

I had been planning a trip to the Blue Lagoon long before we flew into Iceland. The kids were pretty excited when they saw the photos of this ‘massive bath tub full of hot water', as I put it, but, I suspect, not as excited as me.

Once we'd returned to the capital we checked in to the artsy 101 Hotel and chilled out. I would have liked to have relaxed in front of the hotel's big fireplace and finished Helen Fielding's latest, but the kids wanted to get out and explore Reykjavik; it's encouraging though, I suppose, that Iceland has the power to get them off their iPads!

After dining in the hotel we wrapped up and ventured out into the Icelandic capital. 12 degrees in June! But despite the cold, the kids were still enjoying this strange old Nordic city – although ‘city' is a bit of a stretch given its modest size. And yet it has a grandness, with snow-capped mountains as a backdrop, and plenty of art galleries and museums – giving it cultural offerings that befit a capital.

Videy Ferry Ride

But we weren't after art or history. On advice from the hotel staff we trudged down to the water's edge to get take the five-minute ferry ride to the island of Videy. Here we took in a short walk, although others on the boat were dressed for more vigorous activity – decked out as they were in proper hiking gear. For us, the abundant birdlife was entertainment enough, although the kids were less interested in the modern art pieces found here. After a visit to the cosy and well-patronised coffee house, we headed back out to the ferry.

As with most hotels in Iceland, our room had blinds fitted to keep out the near-constant light. The sun would rise by around three a.m., but thanks to those blinds we wouldn't do the same until nine.

Blue Lagoon

I had been delighted to find that 13-and-unders were admitted free to the Blue Lagoon – a modest comfort during quite a costly break! However, I simply ploughed these perceived savings into a Premium ticket! This 75 euro option included a visitor pass, entrance to the Lagoon, towel, a drink, a skin care trial pack, bathrobe and slippers. But the main advantage, as far as I saw, was a reserved table at the LAVA Restaurant – the only eatery at the lagoon.

The bus transfer took just over half an hour. The kids were in awe of the huge expanse of cloudy blueness that greeted them, fed by mineral-rich water from the Svartsengi geothermal power plant nearby. On entry I was given a wristband, to which any extras would be charged. But before we hurried off to get changed I was warned to take off my rings; if they slipped off into the milky waters they would never be seen again!

The contrast of the chilly air and the hot lagoon water was wonderful – just like a bath! And while it was certainly busy, there was plenty of space for the kids to splash about. After applying a face mask of healing white mud, I took advantage of my free drink in the lagoon bar. Perhaps quite sensibly, you're not allowed to order more than three!

We must have been in there for three hours before our wrinkly, shrivelled hands just got too odd-looking to stay!

The Lava Restaurant

All that aquatic activity had given us an appetite, and we were happy to take our table at the Lava Restaurant. It was busy, but like the lagoon, somehow spacious. I chose a lamb dish, which was among the most tender and delicious I had ever tasted – certainly matching any lamb I had tried in New Zealand.

Fittingly, the kids chose cod – and asked me why fish wasn't this tasty at home! The presentation was incredible and all the dishes were almost too beautiful to eat.

It was getting late, and it crossed my mind that it would have been nice to see the sun set over the lagoon. However, this being June, we would have to wait until midnight for such a magical moment. Besides, there was magic enough given the delightful food and the views over the vivid, other-worldly blueness of the lagoon.

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