Read any tourist guide about Iceland and the Blue Lagoon is sure to feature in their top ten things to do. Having spoken to several people who had been, I wasn’t sure about whether or not it was somewhere I wanted to go, after all, how glamorous can a swimming pool made out of waste power plant water be?

Despite my misgivings, and the cost, 2 days before our flight to Iceland, we decided to book entrance to the Blue Lagoon. Interestingly, it turns out that 2 days is pretty short notice for the Blue Lagoon, (top tip, book in advance), the only times that were available were 6pm or 8am. Flying in the night before we booked for the 8am option.

On arriving, all was dark, save for the spotlights casting a mythical glow across the water. Heading in, there was no queue, no fight for the showers (you have to shower before you go in), all was smooth and easy; arriving at this time was paying off! Going outside was pretty cold, but once you are in the water you soon forget about it (in places the water is too hot to stay in).

By far the best thing about arriving at 8am is that you are at the Blue Lagoon for the sunrise, it is amazing. If you are going to the Blue Lagoon, go early, watch the sun rise over the mountains, the clouds turn pink. Once in, there is no time limit, so get there early, relax and enjoy the view.

Top tip: there is free conditioner available, use loads of it before you go in and leave it on your hair. I piled it on, then tied my hair up, I didn’t bother too much about not getting it wet in the water, then washed my hair three times when I got out. It made a big difference, my hair was fine, others say it takes up to a week for their hair to get back to normal.