You Better Pack a Swimsuit
Before I embarked on this trip to Iceland, I was preparing for wind, rain, and cold. I did pack a swimsuit because I knew we’d be visiting hot spots like the Blue Lagoon, but I was surprised by how much swimming I’ve done on this trip.
While during my time here the sun never seems to leave, in the winter Iceland is mostly dark with just a few hours of sunlight. Most Scandinavian countries that go through the same sort of weather embrace a concept called “hygge.” Oxofrd Dictionaries defines hygge as “a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” So rather than getting down during the darker months, Iceland is well-equipped by providing spaces for activity and recreation.
Because of this concept, almost every town in Iceland has a swimming pool and fitness center. Each of our campsites has been within walking distance of a pool and we have definitely taken advantage of it. After a long hike, there’s few things more relaxing than going for a swim to cool off and soak your sore muscles. Most pools typically have water slides, too, which is a blast.
One of my favorite aspects of Icelandic pools that’s not usually found in American pools is the ice bath. I watched from afar in shock and awe as Icelanders young and old climbed in without even flinching and soaked for a few minutes. Then they’d hop right in the hot tub! My first attempt lasted about 15 seconds before I ran out shivering and I thought these people were crazy. I gave it another try but forced myself to stay in longer. It was still cold, but after about a minute I found that it wasn’t so bad. Then I took it to the next level by getting in the hot tub immediately after. Lemme just say the Icelandic people know what they’re doing. The heat was a little much at first, but it soon subsided into one of the most relaxing soaks of my life.
We’ve also been taking advantage of the natural opportunities to swim. We went to the Blue Lagoon during our first week here, and it was lovely. We ran in through the cold air towards the warm water and donned our complementary face masks. We also visited the Myvatn Nature Baths which had a stunning view overlooking some volcanic structures. During our free time at various campsites, we searched for nearby hot springs to visit. Some of my crazier friends took a dip in a hot spring that was a fifteen minute walk from our campsite in the highlands. The water was warm, but some of them had regrets when they walked back shivering in the thirty degree weather. The Myvatn campsite was also a great place for swimming and exploring. We set up right next to a lake (it was a bit mucky, but the cold was nice when we were dealing with unseasonal 70 degree weather), and across the street was a fissure called Grjótagjá that led to a cave with a warm water pool. It did have a ladder–and a rope for the more daring–but it definitely wasn’t being maintained by anyone so getting down there was an adventure. We called Grjótagjá the secret fissure, but there is another fissure called Vogagjá that’s more hidden–it was aptly named the secret secret fissure. This water was steaming hot and the climb was definitely more of a challenge. Still, it was definitely worth the excursion to find it.
So if you’re considering this dialogue, be prepared to swim. There’s a nice juxtaposition in our days that begin with climbing a glacier and end with soaking in a hot tub. It feels a little luxurious, which I definitely diddn’t expect when living out of a tent for a month.
