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Blue Lagoon geothermal spa in Iceland closes after series of earthquakes

theguardian.com

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Re: Blue Lagoon geothermal spa in Iceland closes after series of earthquakes

#41

Post by adrian_b »

dboreham wrote: post #27
kickaha wrote: post #24

If you've lived through even a tiny earthquake it's much like if you've experienced a solar eclipse: even when short and mild, they elicit an otherworldly body-terror. The people living on that peninsula right now are stressed out in a way most of us have never experienced.

Hmm. I've done both. Tiny earthquake is no big deal. A big one, different story.

Also, when you experience an earthquake at the top of a tall building that oscillates and it sounds like it is going to fall apart, this is far more scarier than experiencing a stronger earthquake, but outside, on flat ground.

I have experienced big earthquakes in the former circumstances, and the sensation was confusing, until the earthquakes stopped you were not sure whether your building level is still firmly attached to its base, or it has started to travel independently towards an unavoidable fall.

Re: Blue Lagoon geothermal spa in Iceland closes after series of earthquakes

#42

Post by walthamstow »

northwest65 wrote: post #15
jeofken wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What makes the Icelandic people not indigenous?

I think the implication is, that like the Maoris in New Zealand, they're only faux indigenous, as they arrived on boats. Probably doesn't matter much as there is no grift to be had.

You could kind-of say the same thing about the Anglo-Saxons, it's interesting where we choose to draw the line sometimes

Re: Blue Lagoon geothermal spa in Iceland closes after series of earthquakes

#43

Post by jpsouth »

silenced_trope wrote: post #29
resolutebat wrote: post #7

> The Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa south-west of Reykjavík, announced it would close its doors on Thursday for a week This is temporary, not permanent. Short of the whole thing being swallowed by a lava fissure there's no way they will close Iceland's most famous tourist trap.

I liked my time there, but yes it's a tourist trap. Is there a comparable experience elsewhere (in Iceland or not) that's not overpriced, overcrowded, or out of the way? (a lot to ask I know)

As a sibling commenter said, Sky Lagoon may be worth a look. It’s still a tourist destination, but my experience there was very quiet and tranquil. I think if people want to show off and take selfies, maybe party a little bit the Blue Lagoon might be the place, but for relaxation and an experience, sky lagoon really ticked the boxes for me.

You need to drive or get a bus there, but it wasn’t too far a journey from Reykjavik city centre.

There’s a in-spring bar there, which is practically the only time I was in close proximity to other people, except my party. The rest of the ritual and ‘journey’ space you go through was all really roomy, quiet and clean.

I think it was around £60, or ~$70 including the journey there and back, and a drink.

Re: Blue Lagoon geothermal spa in Iceland closes after series of earthquakes

#44

Post by kwk1 »

meheleventyone wrote: post #17
netsharc wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably because they're Vikings who came from Scandinavia around the 8th-9th century, whereas the Inuit/other indigenous people have lived in their region since the BC times. Iceland seems to have only been habitable with the "modern" technology. I also find it fascinating, it's a place where there's no "colonializers" and "colonized"...

Not strictly true as Iceland was ruled by Denmark for a long time and only became fully independent in 1944.

Not sure exactly which point you're refuting, but for a long time Vikings and Danes were synonymous, as preserved in terms like Danegeld or Danelaw.

Re: Blue Lagoon geothermal spa in Iceland closes after series of earthquakes

#45

Post by cyode »

resolutebat wrote: post #7

> The Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa south-west of Reykjavík, announced it would close its doors on Thursday for a week This is temporary, not permanent. Short of the whole thing being swallowed by a lava fissure there's no way they will close Iceland's most famous tourist trap.

> tourist trap

We visited Blue Lagoon on Monday. It’s definitely a tourist destination and slightly gimmicky, but overall we enjoyed it. It’s organized, relaxing, and a great photo op.

Maybe the term is fair if you’re expecting something “authentic locals” do, but it has none of the long lines, price gouging, or disgruntled staff of real “tourist traps” I’ve landed in.

Re: Blue Lagoon geothermal spa in Iceland closes after series of earthquakes

#46

Post by euroderf »

johnyzee wrote: post #10

I always found it interesting that Iceland has no indigenous population (like the inuit), prior to Scandinavian and British immigration. Like, what if it's because it is regularly buried in lava or something.

Not sure if it's cause & effect, but forests were mostly cut down. The largest "forest" nowadays is 740 hectares (7.4 km2) (2.86 mi2).

Re: Blue Lagoon geothermal spa in Iceland closes after series of earthquakes

#47

Post by euroderf »

paul7986 wrote: post #2

I was there in January the weather was hailing and of course it's Iceland, windy as all get out. Love Iceland yet the Blue Lagoon compared to the govt run bathhouses in Reykjavik (where I socialized & met locals/made friends) was lacking for me.

The city's bathhouses are great. During Airwaves you meet people from all over the world.

Re: Blue Lagoon geothermal spa in Iceland closes after series of earthquakes

#48

Post by meheleventyone »

kwk1 wrote: post #44
meheleventyone wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not strictly true as Iceland was ruled by Denmark for a long time and only became fully independent in 1944.

Not sure exactly which point you're refuting, but for a long time Vikings and Danes were synonymous, as preserved in terms like Danegeld or Danelaw.

That Denmark treated Iceland as a colony (and very poorly for a long time) isn’t exactly news despite there being common lineage all over Western Europe.

Re: Blue Lagoon geothermal spa in Iceland closes after series of earthquakes

#49

Post by meheleventyone »

bluedevil2k wrote: post #25
kickaha wrote: post #24

If you've lived through even a tiny earthquake it's much like if you've experienced a solar eclipse: even when short and mild, they elicit an otherworldly body-terror. The people living on that peninsula right now are stressed out in a way most of us have never experienced.

Disagree with this - I was in Iceland this summer when the volcano erupted (ironically at Blue Lagoon just 2 hours before it erupted) and people there just go about their daily business like nothing happened. There was a 5.2 earthquake the day before it erupted and kids kept playing in the street.

I live in downtown Reykjavik and unless you’re paying attention you miss most of them even the strong ones. Definitely more of a thing in Grindavík and I don’t envy the people living there although they’re probably used to it by now. The big earthquake a day or two ago did cause an exodus of tourists from the Blue Lagoon Hotel though.

Re: Blue Lagoon geothermal spa in Iceland closes after series of earthquakes

#50

Post by paul7986 »

euroderf wrote: post #47
paul7986 wrote: post #2

I was there in January the weather was hailing and of course it's Iceland, windy as all get out. Love Iceland yet the Blue Lagoon compared to the govt run bathhouses in Reykjavik (where I socialized & met locals/made friends) was lacking for me.

The city's bathhouses are great. During Airwaves you meet people from all over the world.

oh cool it happens in November and my friend I met during my visit just sent me Northern Light pics last night. Makes me to go hop on a plane for a visit and hopefully finally catch the lights.
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