But while the previous post was centred around the incredible experience of seeing the Northern Lights, this post is about ticking off an entirely separate life list item: swimming in the Blue Lagoon!

The Blue Lagoon is one of the best tourist destinations in all of Iceland, so much so that as soon as we landed in the airport, I saw tons of huge billboards advertising the experience!

You have to pre-book to visit the Blue Lagoon, and you get to pick the type of package you want – ranging from the cheapest which is simply access to the lagoon for a pre-determined amount of time, all the way to being able to select different spa options.

We booked the Retreat Spa option, which includes 5 hours of access to the luxurious Retreat Spa, the public Blue Lagoon areas and the private Retreat Lagoon areas, a private changing area for us to use for the whole 5 hours, and a complimentary drink and spa treatment. It was really exciting to be able to pick this option because it provided more privacy and exclusivity, compared to some of the other options where you were only able to visit the more public Lagoon areas.

On our day of visit, we were booked in from 14.30 to 19.30. We had a complimentary shuttle from our hotel to the spa, and we got dropped off at this very unique entrance – a small pathway flanked either side by huge volcanic rocks.

Once inside, it was really cool to see the Blue Lagoon almost immediately! The areas we could see were the public areas so we still had no idea what to expect in terms of the spa. Here are some pics of the public areas:

The cool thing about the public areas is that they weren’t even very full! I had thought it might be heaving with people, but it was really cool to see that they were very intentional about how many people were allowed into the lagoon at any one time.

We checked in to our experience and were escorted through the complex to the Retreat Spa, which is actually part of the adjoining hotel, and which had a super cool entranceway.

Upon entering, we were escorted to our own private changing room, which we had exclusive use of during the entire 5 hours.

This was an incredible space where we could change, shower, freshen up, and store our belongings. We got a bracelet that also doubled as the key to the changing room and could be submerged into water, so it was super easy.

Outside of this room, the spa was GIGANTIC! Aside from the lagoon, there were multiple treatment rooms, as well as specific themed rooms for relaxation. For example, there was a fireplace room with a huge crackling fireplace and comfy divan beds to rest in. There was also a water room where the roof was glass and you could see and hear water droplets dripping into the pool above you, as you lay down and watched the ceiling.

Our guide told us that while we could use our phones in our own changing area, in the communal areas of the spa, phones were not allowed to preserve the privacy and relaxation for all guests. So, aside from these photos I don’t have photos of the rest of the interior of the spa rooms.

But I did take some of the spa exterior – including the private lagoon areas, and some of the outdoor decor.

Now, to talk about the spa experience itself. The spa was beautiful, with amazing service and attention to detail. The complimentary treatment was amazing (a full body exfoliating, moisturising and firming treatment) and the variety of different rooms made the 5 hours go so quickly.

But, the highlight was definitely the lagoon itself. While the air temperature was freezing, the lagoon was HOT. And I’m saying hot, not warm. My glasses were steaming up, and after 30-45 minutes in the water, you really do start to feel like a quick trip out into the freezing cold would be amazing, ha!

The water itself felt super soothing and restorative and the private lagoon areas were basically deserted, so it felt like you were really getting an exclusive, private experience.

There were also a couple of really nice touches – there were freezing cold drinking taps everywhere so you could keep hydrated, and there were also hooks everywhere for your complimentary fluffy bathrobes. There were also tables inside the water in particular places where you could stop to relax and have a drink – and we actually did! I had a beautiful mug of hot chocolate and Lu had some champagne.

The five hours went by SO QUICKLY. We had a great time both in and out of the lagoon, and I would definitely go back again!

So, when we decided to go to Iceland for 24 hours, I immediately got excited that this was potentially the best chance I have had yet to see the lights. Why? Well, where we were staying was not in a city, it was kind of remote, and I was banking on the fact that being more ‘in the middle of nowhere’, the Aurora would simply just show up more.

But, what wasn’t on our side was the fact that we were literally there for one night! I have heard many stories from people who visit for multiple nights, and simply because of unfavourable weather conditions (too much cloud, for example), they weren’t able to see the Northern Lights at all. So, it definitely felt risky.

With that in mind, it was probably for the best, because we ended up having zero expectations that we would actually get to see them.

When we turned up at our hotel, there was a sign-up sheet where you could ask for a wake up call post 12am if the night staff spotted the Aurora. Of course we signed up! I thought this was a great service!

So, after our day out at the Blue Lagoon and our yummy dinner, we retired to bed. We had a glimmer of hope that it seemed like a super clear night (check out this photo of the sky before we went to bed), but honestly, I think we both had resigned ourselves to having ZERO expectations for actually getting a wake-up call.

Anyway, I was in the deepest sleep when suddenly, a phone rang out of the darkness. When I tell you I had the biggest heart attack and for some reason my brain was screaming at me that the phone call was because it was morning and we had missed our flight home..!!

After a few seconds, and Lu shouting “GET YOUR CLOTHES ON”, I remembered that this was the Aurora wake up call!

We quickly rushed to put some clothes on to deal with the freezing outdoor temperatures (though in our haste both of us forgot coats and I had to come back in to get them later!) and ran outside.

I will share now completely unfiltered pictures of the Northern Lights that we saw…

Okay! So a couple of things:

• We didn’t see the strongest, most dynamic Northern Lights in the world! In terms of the display, it was definitely more on the underwhelming side to what I had somehow been expecting.
• HOWEVER! That does not take away from the fact that I have absolutely witnessed the Northern Lights with my own eyes, and it truly is an astonishing phenomenon to see IRL. Simply seeing the colours in the sky is absolutely fascinating and does feel very ethereal.
• (But I would also love to get to see a stronger display in a round two at some point, pretty please )

So, we stood outside for about 30 minutes marvelling at the Aurora, and there were also a bunch of other guests outside which added to the vibe. However, after that we absolutely had to go inside as it was FREEZING! Even getting my fingers out to take photos or videos was a real struggle!

We went back to bed, absolutely satisfied at what we had experienced, and so thankful!