Latest news with #Icelanders
Straits Times
18-07-2025
- Straits Times
Global Design: Soak in Iceland's bathing culture
REYKJAVIK – Iceland's most famous thermal hot spring is undoubtedly Blue Lagoon, known for its milky blue waters. But Iceland's bathing culture goes beyond this hot spot, with more than 100 hot springs and heated pools dotted around the country. Icelanders have been soaking in hot springs for almost 1,000 years – and they are still at it today. Even the tiniest towns have a sundlaug (swimming pool in Icelandic) with all the works: hot tubs, cold plunges, saunas and waterslides, at entry fees as low as 1,000 Icelandic krona (S$10.46). In fact, Iceland's bathing culture has been nominated for Unesco's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which, if successful, is set to be awarded in December. While Icelanders have their favourite watering holes, there are also dedicated facilities which attract travellers keen to experience outdoor bathing. The best known of these is the Blue Lagoon, which became famed for its therapeutic waters in the 1980s. Located 45 minutes by car from Reykjavik city centre, it attracts over a million visitors a year. If you have visited an onsen in Japan , you will find the pre-bath routine familiar: Scrub down until you are squeaky clean before even thinking about dipping your toes in the water. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump diagnosed with vein condition causing leg swelling: White House World Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency. What is it? 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While food is not allowed, you can enjoy a cold beverage, including beer and cocktails, while you luxuriate in the warm water. Cold drinking water is free for when you feel dehydrated. You can refuel with soup, sandwiches and snacks at the end, after you get dressed and exit the pools. The greatest pleasure of the Icelandic bath experience is the delicious contrast between hot and cold, especially if you brave the sub-zero winter. Imagine gazing out on an all-white landscape, your body submerged in balmy waters while snowflakes land on your face. Steam rooms and saunas further heat up the body, while cold mist rooms and icy plunge pools provide an invigorating shock to the system. I am too chicken to dip more than a toe into the cold pools, but I witness brave souls taking the plunge and emerging looking almost victorious. Taking a selfie of your blissed-out face is also not frowned upon. In fact, you will spot many bathers with their phones in rented waterproof casing, casually snapping photos of themselves half-naked against the gorgeous scenery. Compared with onsen waters, which can go up to 42 deg C, Icelandic springs are a few degrees cooler – which means longer, more luxurious lounging. As a huge fan of simmering myself until I turn into a prune, I take the chance while on a recent driving holiday around Iceland to soak my travel-weary bones at three very different baths – from the utilitarian to the luxurious. Myvatn Nature Baths Myvatn Nature Baths is filled with mineral-rich geothermal water. PHOTO: MYVATN NATURE BATHS/FACEBOOK After hiking around a volcano for two hours, we pull up at Myvatn Nature Baths (7,400 Icelandic krona for one adult; ) in the north with sore calves and zero expectations – and, after a good soak, float out in a state of bliss. Surrounded by the stunning Lake Myvatn, this man-made lagoon is rich in minerals and boasts the same milky blue water as Blue Lagoon. It attracts far fewer tourists due to its remote location, though a busload of them were dropped off while we were there. The water at Myvatn Nature Baths contains more sulphur than other thermal springs. PHOTO: MYVATN NATURE BATHS/FACEBOOK There is the characteristic stink of rotten eggs in the air, as the water here contains more sulphur than other thermal springs. The mineral is said to be beneficial for skin, due to its anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and exfoliating properties. This is the only place where we are advised to remove jewellery, which may turn black due to a chemical reaction with the water. Though the utilitarian facilities are a little tired – a new building is due to be ready in 2026 – the steamy spring is exactly what we need to rejuvenate us. We drink in the peaceful views over the lake, as well as a well-deserved icy adult beverage. Vok Baths The Icelandic blend of nature and modernity is seen in the interiors of Vok Baths, with warm wood, smooth concrete and geometric shapes. PHOTO: VOK BATHS/FACEBOOK The day before we arrive at Vok Baths (7,490 Icelandic krona for one adult; ) in the eastern part of Iceland, we just about wreck our knees on a four-hour hike up and down a glacier. A steaming hot bath is the perfect remedy. From the outside, all that can be seen is a grass-covered roof which merges seamlessly into the landscape, and discreet glass doors which lead to the lobby. This Icelandic blend of nature and modernity is seen in the interiors as well, with warm wood, smooth concrete and geometric shapes being a large part of the minimalist design. Wood planks surround its three floating pools of varying temperatures up to 41 deg C, where bathers – both local and tourist – mingle while taking in the panoramic views over Lake Urrioavatn, arguably even more stunning than Lake Myvatn. Vok Baths has three floating pools, where bathers mingle while taking in the panoramic views. PHOTO: VOK BATHS/FACEBOOK When it gets too hot, we nip into the rain mist tunnel, where it is a refreshing 10 deg C. But I draw the line at submerging my entire body in the lake, where the water temperature goes down from 18 deg C in summer to 0 deg C in winter. Sky Lagoon Possibly the most luxe hot spring – with an admission price to match – Sky Lagoon (from 15,990 Icelandic krona for one adult; ) is also the most accessible from capital Reykjavik, just 10 minutes away by car, making it the most tourist-friendly of the three hot springs we visit. Seemingly carved out of rugged black rocks, the man-made pool is sleek yet simple, once again embodying the Icelandic design ethos that embraces nature. Seemingly carved out of rugged black rocks, Sky Lagoon boasts stunning sauna facilities and a rain mist room. PHOTO: SKY LAGOON ICELAND/FACEBOOK Do not skip the meditative seven-step ritual, which starts with soaking in the natural warmth of the geothermal water, followed by an invigorating cold plunge into a 5 deg C pool. Next is the most impressive sauna I have ever sizzled in, with a huge pane of floor-to-ceiling glass facing the water. Sky Lagoon's sauna has a huge pane of floor-to-ceiling glass facing the water. PHOTO: SKY LAGOON ICELAND/FACEBOOK On a good day, you can admire the cone-shaped Keilir mountain, a 700,000-year-old glacier and even the Northern Lights, while the heat opens every pore on the body. Cool down after that with the minus 5 deg C rain mist – an almost religious experience, with sleek bodies standing silently under the fine drizzle, faces turned to the sky. After a sauna session at Sky Lagoon, guests can cool down with a minus 5 deg C rain mist. PHOTO: SKY LAGOON ICELAND/FACEBOOK Following that, I slough off a layer of dead skin with a salt scrub before entering the dark, womb-like steam room to once again embrace the heat. The final step is a shot of an Icelandic elixir, made with tart crowberries from the lava fields. I emerge from this sanctuary relaxed and radiant. And the lingering sniffles I have been nursing for days are miraculously gone.
See - Sada Elbalad
17-07-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Iceland Signals Public Support for Renewed EU Membership Talks
Israa Farhan Iceland's Foreign Minister Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir has confirmed that a growing number of Icelanders now support resuming negotiations to join the European Union. In an interview with Politico, she noted that there is clear public backing for restarting accession talks that were suspended more than a decade ago. Gylfadóttir emphasized that renewed dialogue with the EU has become strategically important, especially in light of shifting global geopolitical dynamics. She also pointed out that Iceland made considerable progress during the previous negotiation phase, which lasted from 2010 to 2013 before being halted by a former conservative government. While acknowledging that some complex issues remain, particularly concerning fisheries, agriculture, and energy, she expressed optimism that the Icelandic people would vote in favor of reopening talks. The current coalition government has pledged to hold a referendum on restarting EU negotiations by 2027. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream
Straits Times
17-07-2025
- Straits Times
Why do Iceland's volcanoes keep erupting, and how dangerous are they?
Lava and smoke erupting from a volcano near Grindavik on the Icelandic peninsula of Reykjanes on July 16. Repeated volcanic eruptions have rocked south-western Iceland since December 2023, and the island's inhabitants are getting used to the sight of lava spewing near populated areas. For the wider world, the eruptions have rekindled memories of the Eyjafjallajokull explosion of 2010, when vast volcanic ash clouds grounded air traffic across Europe for weeks. Scientists say the recent bout of heightened volcanic activity in the country known as 'the land of fire and ice' may go on for centuries. Is this normal for Iceland? Yes and no. While the country experiences a volcanic eruption every five years on average – of varying nature, size and scope – the current series of eruptions is something even Icelanders aren't used to. The ground has ripped open 12 times since 2021 in the Reykjanes Peninsula. Hardly any of the previous eruptions had taken place in or near inhabited areas. This time around, the fishing community of Grindavik, which was home to almost 3,700 people, has been devastated. The glow in the sky from lava gushing out of the ground is now sometimes visible to residents of the capital, Reykjavik. How did events unfold? The Reykjanes region had seen little volcanic activity for about 800 years, until magma rose to the surface in 2021. It's emerged 12 times since then from relatively small fissures. In a fissure eruption, liquid lava runs out and ash is not spewed into the atmosphere. While the first three eruptions happened in remote areas and posed little risk to people or infrastructure, some of the latter ones have resulted in the worst volcanic damage in the country in 50 years. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail Singapore Man charged over manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home; first such case in Singapore Singapore HSA launches anti-vaping checks near 5 institutes of higher learning Singapore $7,000 fine for eatery chain involved in ByteDance food poisoning case Singapore Bicycle wheel-inspired care model used to improve trauma outcomes in central S'pore Life 11 new entries on Singapore's Bib Gourmand list, including three re-entries at Old Airport Road Singapore NEA monitoring E. coli at Sentosa beaches after elevated bacteria levels delay World Aquatics events Singapore 15 under police probe for sharing Singpass credentials used in scams While deaths are uncommon, one person is presumed to have fallen into a crack in the ground near Grindavik and died. In one of the eruptions, lava destroyed three homes on the northern edge of Grindavik. Earth barriers built to protect the houses have diverted most of the flow numerous times, but large and treacherous cracks have formed in the town, and most of its inhabitants have abandoned their homes. Pipes that carry hot water from a power station to serve towns along the peninsula have been damaged repeatedly after lava flowed over them. Could the latest eruption lead to wider disruption? Probably not. A big ash cloud is very unlikely, as the magma keeps emerging on land rather than in water, where it can generate an explosive event and shoot ash up into the atmosphere. That's what happened in the eruption of Eyjafjallajokull, when molten lava surged up and collided with melting glacier ice. None of the nine eruptions since 2023 have had an impact on air traffic. Aviation regulations have also changed since 2010. Back then, the International Civil Aviation Organisation prohibited flying though airspace that contained, or was forecast to contain, ash particles. The concern was that abrasive, silica-based material from volcanoes could clog engines and scar windshields. Those rules were changed in 2014, leaving the decision on whether to fly down to the airlines themselves. For Iceland, the need to rehouse 1 per cent of the population impacted by the eruptions has worsened an existing housing crisis, fueling inflation and slowing the start of interest-rate cuts by the central bank. Is Iceland's capital Reykjavik safe? Reykjavik is located 40km north-east of the eruption site and isn't considered to be in danger, although its inhabitants could experience reduced air quality. Still, planners are reconsidering development patterns in the Reykjavik region, so the capital's civic leaders could take new volcanic activity into account when they think about expanding the city. Why are there so many volcanic eruptions in Iceland? Iceland is one of the most geologically active places on Earth due to its position on the mid-Atlantic ridge between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. It has about 30 volcanic systems and more than 600 hot springs. The ash plume from Eyjafjallajokull, situated under a glacier on the south coast of the island, was so vast that it led to the cancellation of 100,000 flights and affected over 10 million people. Other notable incidents include the Westman Islands eruption in 1973, which buried part of a fishing town home to 5,000 people under lava. The biggest eruption in Iceland's inhabited history happened in 1783 to 1784, when a row of craters in Laki, west of Europe's biggest glacier, Vatnajokull, erupted and sparked the worst natural disaster since the country was settled. In the aftermath, the poisonous fumes, which locals called 'mist hardships,' disrupted the climate, crops and the livelihoods of people around the world. BLOOMBERG
Bloomberg
17-07-2025
- Bloomberg
Why Do Iceland's Volcanoes Keep Erupting, and How Dangerous Are They?
Repeated volcanic eruptions have rocked southwestern Iceland since December 2023, and the island's inhabitants are getting used to the sight of lava spewing near populated areas. For the wider world, the eruptions have rekindled memories of the Eyjafjallajokull explosion of 2010, when vast volcanic ash clouds grounded air traffic across Europe for weeks. Scientists say the recent bout of heightened volcanic activity in the country known as 'the land of fire and ice' may go on for centuries. Yes and no. While the country experiences a volcanic eruption every five years on average — of varying nature, size and scope — the current series of eruptions is something even Icelanders aren't used to. The ground has ripped open 12 times since 2021 in the Reykjanes Peninsula. Hardly any of the previous eruptions had taken place in or near inhabited areas. This time around, the fishing community of Grindavik, which was home to almost 3,700 people, has been devastated. The glow in the sky from lava gushing out of the ground is now sometimes visible to residents of the capital, Reykjavik.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
Icelandic volcano erupts, forcing tourists to evacuate famous geothermal spa
A volcanic eruption in Iceland forced tourists to evacuate the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa on Wednesday as images captured lava flowing through a fissure in the Earth's surface. The eruption began around 4 a.m. following an intense seismic swarm on the Reykjanes Peninsula, southwest of the capital, Reykjavik, Iceland's Met Office said. "In an abundance of caution, the town of Grindavík and the Blue Lagoon were successfully evacuated," Iceland's government said. "Travelers in the area are advised to monitor air quality, as gas pollution from the eruption site may occur." Lava from the eruption is flowing southeast from a fissure in the barren landscape that is 2,296 to 3,280 feet wide, according to the Met Office. Scientists Predict Underwater Volcano Eruption 300 Miles Off Oregon Grindavik has been repeatedly affected by volcanic activity since November 2023 when a volcano in the area came to life after lying dormant for some 800 years. Read On The Fox News App "Air traffic to and from Iceland is unaffected, and Iceland remains open and safe for tourists. This volcanic activity is highly localized and has no impact on infrastructure or attractions across the rest of Iceland," the country's government said. It described volcanic activity as a "fact of life in Iceland, and Icelanders have learned to live with its drawbacks and considerable advantages, such as geothermal energy." Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano Erupts With 1,000-Foot 'Lava Fountaining' "The Icelandic Meteorological Office, The Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management, and a team of scientists from the University of Iceland closely monitor and analyze developments relating [to] seismic activities," it also said. Officials said there have been a dozen volcanic eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula dating back to 2021. "There is no way of accurately predicting whether, where, or when seismic activity may result in a volcanic eruption or the possible size of such an eruption, but they are closely monitored and constantly evaluated based on the best scientific data available," Iceland's government said. "Iceland is situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates diverge, making it one of the most active volcanic regions in the world. Regular seismic events are a characteristic feature of Icelandic geology, ranging from minor tremors to significant earthquakes," it added. "Seismic activity in Iceland is often due to magma movement beneath the earth's crust. It may sometimes result in magma seeking the easiest path to the surface and becoming a volcanic eruption." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: Icelandic volcano erupts, forcing tourists to evacuate famous geothermal spa Solve the daily Crossword
