Today’s plan was to visit Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon, a geothermal marvel that tops most must-see lists. I woke up late, around noon, to find the dorm empty once again. Despite being fully booked every night, the hostel seemed to attract travelers who didn’t stick around for long. Clara, the German girl I met yesterday, was one of the rare exceptions—she was staying in Iceland until the upcoming Sunday, making her one of the few who planned a longer visit like me.
MH-17
I began my day with a simple breakfast-turned-lunch in the kitchen, using up the last of my bread and cheese. While eating, I connected to the Wi-Fi and caught up on the news. What I read left me stunned—a Malaysian Airlines flight had been shot down, reportedly by a rocket. The story was unfolding, and it quickly became apparent that many Dutch nationals were on board. I was glued to the updates as the gravity of the situation sank in. Later, I learned that 283 people had lost their lives. It was utterly heartbreaking.
In the afternoon, I remembered the two postcards I’d bought at Niagara Falls that still needed to be mailed. I had planned to buy stamps in the U.S. since they were expensive in Canada, but of course, I’d forgotten. Now, I had to take care of it in Iceland. The hostel had provided me with a map, and I double-checked with the receptionist. She suggested a post office in the city center but mentioned another one closer by when I pointed it out on the map. She seemed a bit confused but agreed it was a better option.
Gifted Post Stamps
So, I set off for this “post office,” about 5-7 blocks from the hostel, only to find it wasn’t a post office at all. It was a small, bleak mall with no postal services in sight. I asked for directions and eventually spotted a mailbox. Nearby was a shop selling beautiful Icelandic art, so I decided to go inside and ask.
The girl at the counter confirmed there was a post office in the center but listened to my situation and looked at my postcards. She called her manager, who suggested they might have stamps somewhere. After rummaging through drawers, they found four stamps but weren’t sure of their value.
I checked the mailbox outside: postage to the Netherlands required 230 Krona per postcard. Back inside, the girl called the postal company to confirm the stamps’ worth—they were only 120 Krona each. Despite the shortfall, they kindly gave me the stamps and refused to take any payment. I thanked them sincerely and promised to come back and buy something from their store one day. Such kind and generous locals—they really made my day.
The Journey to the Spa
In the late afternoon, Reykjavik Tours picked me up for an evening visit to the Blue Lagoon, which I had booked the day before. The package cost me €70 and included a towel, bathrobe, soap, a complimentary drink, and the entrance fee. It was pricey, but I was eager to experience the famous Blue Lagoon and enjoy some well-deserved relaxation.




The drive from Reykjavik to the Blue Lagoon took about 30 minutes, as it’s located along the route to the airport. When I spotted the rising steam, I knew we’d arrived. The Blue Lagoon is a popular tourist destination—a large geothermal pool famous for its striking blue water, tinted by cyanobacteria through photosynthesis. The slightly salty water is also a draw for visitors with psoriasis due to its soothing properties. My eczema had already cleared up after a few days in Singapore’s humid climate, so my primary goal here was simply to unwind and relax.








Mesmerizing Blue Waters
Before stepping into the building, I wandered to the left, where the lagoon’s edge was already visible. A few tourists had gathered there, and I took the opportunity to snap some photos. The water was absolutely stunning—mesmerizing, really. Unfortunately, the overcast skies didn’t do my camera any favors, so the photos didn’t turn out as vibrant as I’d hoped. The final image captures the color of the water best, offering a glimpse of its true brilliance.
After about 15 minutes, I made my way into the building. Many visitors were heading out, which was a pleasant surprise, though the pool itself was still fairly busy. At check-in, I received a robe, a towel, and some soap. Before entering the pool, I followed the protocol and took a quick shower to rinse off.












The Pool
The water was warm and incredibly soothing, holding steady at a comforting 39 degrees Celsius. It didn’t take long for my body to adjust, especially with the sharp contrast to the freezing air outside. I let myself unwind, enjoying the tranquil atmosphere. After about 30 minutes, I claimed my complimentary drink and sipped it while floating in the milky blue water. As I drifted, my thoughts wandered to the days ahead. Tomorrow promised rain, and I couldn’t help but wish I’d been able to reschedule the tour for today—but the company hadn’t responded to my request.
After about an hour, I stepped out of the pool and took a few photos to capture the experience. The lagoon was much larger than I had expected, its size even more impressive under the soft evening light. I was grateful for my decision to visit later in the day—it was so peaceful and serene with the smaller crowds. Absolutely lovely.
After spending another hour, including some time reading my book indoors, I decided it was time to leave. Two hours at the Blue Lagoon felt just right. Unfortunately, I had to wait a while for the bus, which was a bit frustrating, but overall, it had been a relaxing visit.
Back at the Hostel
I returned to the hostel around 10 pm and picked up some food for the next day’s tour. After settling in and relaxing with my laptop, I decided to head to bed around 11:30 pm. I needed to wake up at 8 am, as the bus would leave at 9 and my pick-up was scheduled for 8:30 am.
I was excited, yet a bit anxious about the weather. Google was forecasting rain, and unfortunately, it seemed accurate. Tomorrow’s weather didn’t look promising at all.