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Today we also had a fun time to go on a river rafting trip on the Hvita Glacial river. We donned wet suites, helmets, waterproof shoes, and life vests and on inflatable rafts and we paddled down stream.. At one point I jumped off a 50 foot precipice into the freezing glacial water and when I bobbed up in the water I had frozen water in my nose. That was some experience. Unfortunately we had no cameras on the trip out of safety while paddling. I had my favorite spot, front left in the raft. What a blast.

Our transportation throughout Iceland and our same driver too who was great.

The views in southwestern Iceland. Beautiful in every direction.

Today we visited the Geothermal power plant at Hellisheidi that together with four other plants provides 30% of the electricity needed for Iceland.

The Hellisheiði Power Station is the third-largest geothermal power station in the world.

The plant is equipped with six high-pressure steam turbines and a low-pressure steam turbine to generate power.

The steam output from the turbines is used to heat fresh ground water to a temperature of 127 F and then reheating by heat exchange up to 193 F..

During the tour we learned of Iceland's progressive approach to sustainable resources as we toured the plant.

The interior and the exterior is very modern with sleek lines with lots of glass.

Front entrance

Back in 1974, the Svartsengi Geothermal power plant began harnessing geothermal energy. The process created a reservoir of hot, blue seawater near the plant. People were naturally attracted to this unique looking water and began to bathe in it. Those with skin conditions noticed that the water and the silica, algae, and minerals had a positive impact on their skin.

The Blue Lagoon Iceland is a geothermal spa that’s situated on an 800-year-old lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula – a UNESCO geopark. It’s situated around 25 miles from Reykjavik, in south-western Iceland.

The Blue Lagoon is a spa in Iceland and is open all year round. ... The warm seawater is rich with minerals such as silica that do wonders for your skin. The Blue Lagoon offers Psoriasis treatments. The water in the Blue Lagoon completely renews itself every 48 hours.

You literally just pick up the white mud in the bottom of the lagoon and rub it on your face and body. I did...but when I looked in the mirror later in the day I saw the exact same face...was not younger or better looking. Ok just kidding. It must take more than one visit.

The number of visitors increased, and public bathing facilities were created. The lagoon was then relocated from the shadows of the power plant to its current location - a lava field on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Since then, the lagoon has continued to be enhanced for visitors with secluded areas, in-water bars, a restaurant built into a lava wall having been added, and an underground spa and viewing points of the volcanic landscape due for completion in 2017.

There are dressing rooms, showers, restaurants, and a hotel on premises.

The Geothermal plants are literally located next door.

The water literally comes from the depths of the earth. The Blue Lagoon Iceland’s water is known as geothermal seawater. It originates 2,000 meters below the surface of the earth. Here, seawater and groundwater meet to create geothermal seawater. Pressure causes this water to flow to the earth’s surface, taking with it substances that it passes through – like silica, algae, and minerals. These are what give the Blue Lagoon its rejuvenating powers.

The Blue Lagoon holds 9 million liters of geothermal seawater. The lagoon itself covers an area of 8,700 square meters and has a depth of around 1.2 meters on average. The deepest parts are 1.6 meters deep. It refills itself every 40 hours. However, nothing is wasted. The lagoon is based upon a geothermal eco cycle so that it has no impact on the environment.

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