Iceland XIV: Black Beach, Black Church, and Blue Lagoon

We were just two hours from Reykyavik, on August 24, 2022, but in a different world.  Snaefellsnes Peninsula is iconic Iceland--volcanic formations and beaches, waterfalls, and stark cliffs--but within a few miles of the country's capital.  We spent the morning visiting nature, and we then dashed into Reykyavik to meet Mike and Heidi's appointment for Viking photographs.  In the evening, Mike, Dave, and I did the most touristy thing in Iceland--soak and get mud masks at the Blue Lagoon.

Same pigtails, same pink coat, new dandelions.  Audrey collected her favorite, bright yellow flowers everywhere we went!  That was just great--it kept her happy and excited about traveling, as she gathered flowers at one stop after another, for two long weeks!

The black volcanic beach of Djupalonssandur was a highlight.  We descended from the cliffs above the beach, down a rock path, past rock arches.

There were weird formations of volcanic rocks along the coast.

We lingered on the black sand beach, where the volcanic rocks had been pulverized into sand.

Audrey played happily in the sand.

Bits of iron were strewn about the beach.  A sign told us that these were the remains of a British trawler which had sunk near the beach in a 1948 storm.  Only five of the 19 crewmen survived.  As we savored the beauty of Iceland, it was easy to forget that Iceland is surrounded by a sea that can be ferocious, volcanos that can erupt, glaciers that can melt and flood, and storms that can turn all those waterfalls into raging torrents.

We also stopped at the black church which is a staple of calendars about Iceland.  The church had all the requirements for a great photo--striking black-and-white contrast against the blue sky and green fields; simple, angular shape; and multiple vantage points from which to catch different perspectives. 

Mike accompanied Dave and me to the Blue Lagoon, just south of Reykavik, on the evening of August 24.  Heidi put Audrey and Calder Burke to bed early, in preparation for their 4 a.m dash to the airport on August 25, to fly to Ireland for a two-week stay.  

The Blue Lagoon is a huge, warm thermal pool in which hundreds of tourists lounge.  Catching a photo without tourists was a feat!  The $100 ticket included a towel, locker, and two treats while bathing in the pool--drink and mud mask.  

These stock photos capture the hedonistic experience of the Blue Lagoon, although our fruit smoothies looked a bit different from the glass of amber-colored fluid shown here!