The alarm went off at 7:30, rousing us from a deep sleep. We’d both woken in the middle of the night because we were either too warm or twisted in the clothes we went to bed in.
Once we’d rubbed the sleep from our eyes, we began calling the family back home, getting through a few before going to breakfast downstairs and then getting through to the rest afterwards.
Modern technology is a marvellous thing, being able to see people on the other side of the world. I miss mum though, particularly after seeing people wearing Christmas cracker hats.
We waited down in the lobby for the bus to come pick us up and I chatted to a family who was also waiting for the bus. I’m getting better at this talking for strangers thing.
The bus took us to the main terminal and then we jumped on a large bus, one of three, that was going to the Blue Lagoon. It’s a popular destination any day of the year but being Christmas it did a roaring trade.
The Blue Lagoon is a hot lagoon that was accidentally formed in 1976 during operation at the nearby geothermal power plant. People started bathing in it and so it was turned into a spa treatment place. Very popular here with the tourists.
The bus ride took about an hour, during which time the sun began to rise. We travelled through a dark and alien landscape. The rocks are black, being cooled lava, and they’re coated with snow. It’s quick an interesting effect, looking a bit like crumbled chocolate biscuits with icing sugar, as Glen called it.
Once at the blue lagoon, we queued to pay (it’s not cheap) and went and got changed. We paid for the option to have a robe and towel because we hadn’t brought one with us. Next time, if there is a next time, or if you’re going, take a towel and maybe some cheap flip-flops. You’ll save yourself about €30.
You’re given a wristband with an electronic device inside so you can open and close your locker, as well as order food and drink and any extras. You pay for anything extra at the end.
Despite there being probably a few hundred people there, the lagoon itself is big and you don’t feel crowded. The water is slightly blue and salty, and there are hot and cool patches. Glen and I made our weary around most of, finding the really hot spots.
There are also containers around the edge of the lagoon that are filled with silica mud so you can put on a mud face mask. Glen and I did it twice (once to try and once for the video camera) and left it on for a few minutes, after which time your face starts to freeze and you have to wash away the pain.
The sun doesn’t rise very far so it always looked like sunrise. It was a pretty nice way to spend Christmas Day. We bought some lunch at the cafe, got changed, took some photos and caught the 2:15 bus home.
Being Christmas Day not much is open so we did the slack-arse thing and stayed in the hotel room for a while, me going through photos and Glen updating his blog and writing postcards. We also got a phone call from reception to say that the Northern Lights tour was cancelled for the evening due to cloud cover.
It’s unfortunate but hopefully we get another shot at it while we’re here.
We went for dinner at Restaurant Reykjavik, this time having made a booking. We had the special Icelandic Christmas buffet. I think it was probably the best quality buffet we’ve ever been to – and for the price, you’d hope it would be.
There was a large selection of cold meats included hot smoke goose, three different types of salmon (smoked, cured and steamed), different types of herring, pork, lamb, shrimp and clams.
There was a delicious asparagus soup and then turkey, pork and lamb on the carvery, with a big serving of reindeer meat balls.
The reindeer meat balls had a sign next to them, saying what they were, which was a little off-putting because you could also read it as reindeer balls.
And for dessert there were different mousse-type things, an apple cake, a layered cake, and ginger cookie ice cream.
I ate about one mouthful too much and suddenly felt like my stomach was going to split. I was in pain on the walk home. We’ve now curled up on the bed watching TV. You get UK TV here so we’ve watched the end of the Dr Who Christmas Special, which was a bit confusing but there was a fun surprise at the end.
And now we’re watching Downton Abbey. I think it’s the Christmas Special too so I have no clue what’s going on. It’s after WWII. Nothing else makes much sense, particularly as I’ve only seen up to the middle of season 2.
Tomorrow we’re off on the Golden Circle tour. Looking forward to it. It’s been a lovely Christmas Day.
Travels with Dan 
What do you say, eh?