Wallowing in the Mud

Woke up at 5:30 am this morning to board a ferry to the Westmann Islands. Unfortunately, the powers that be decided to cancel the last ferry the night before and this morning's shuttle. That left us with a few hours to fill before our afternoon appointment at the HNLFI Health Clinic and Spa in Hveragerdi.

We decided to drive east, past Vik to Vatnajokull and Jokulsargljufur. There we went, the siblings and three backpackers from Canada and Finland. Before we knew it, our windy and stormy morning turned bright and sunny. Literally. We were able to see the mighty and largest European glacier all her glory, as well as her stunning last 'breaths' of ice chunks strewn across a black sand beach.

Speaking of black earth. We closed our day by wallowing in the geothermal mud baths in Hvero. The clinic specializes in treatment for those who are in need of rehabilitation, regaining their strength or simply in need of rest. I Being the oldest clinic in Iceland of this nature, they sure do know what they are doing. Siggi, our personal MD, attended us. He ensured that we laid in our mud bath for 15 minutes and then wrapped us up like hot tamales in layers of Icelandic woolen blankets to stay cuddly warm for 40 minutes. Our regimen ended by soaking in a hot jacuzzi and emerging refreshed after a few dips in a cool pool. If this is what the doctor orders, let me be the first to volunteer!