Disappointing photos show a less glamorous side of visiting Iceland

With over 700,000 visitors every year, according to US News and World Report, the lagoon's mineral-rich waters draw tourists from all over the world.

The Blue Lagoon was my first stop upon landing in Iceland since it's located about a 20-minute drive from Keflavík Airport. 

My $93 ticket included a locker, a towel, a mineral face mask, and a drink from the bar inside the lagoon.

Once inside, I found long lines at the bar and face-mask stations. I wished they were less crowded, though the lines moved quickly.

Even with the crowds, sipping a smoothie and applying a face mask in the warm pool was the perfect pick-me-up after my long flight. I also found that I had more room to spread out — away from all the other visitors — in further corners of the milky blue pool.

The black sand comes from volcanic rocks formed from cooled lava.

If I had driven two-and-a-half hours from Reykjavík just to see a black-sand beach, I think I would have been disappointed. Thankfully, I had another activity planned in the area — attending a wedding in a secret ice cave.

While researching my trip to Iceland, I found that renting a car is widely regarded as the best way to see the country since there isn't much public transportation. 

According to Frommer's, only about one third of all roads in Iceland are paved.

While visiting the black-sand beach, I encountered a group of tourists whose car was stuck in the sand. I tried to help them push the vehicle out of the hole, but it just kept sinking deeper.

There was a one-lane gravel road that led to the beach, but it appeared that this group drove too close to the shore and ended up in the soft sand by mistake. I made a mental note to proceed with caution on unpaved roads and to make sure I had my rental company's phone number for roadside assistance saved in my contacts.

Because the Earth's Northern Hemisphere tilts towards the sun during the summer months, countries north of the Arctic Circle such as Sweden, Finland, and Iceland are continuously exposed to the light of the sun. 

This means the sun doesn't fully set in Iceland between May and August, with June being peak midnight sun season, according to Guide to Iceland.

Iceland's constant daylight tricked my body into thinking it wasn't as late as it actually was. Without a sunset or a dark night sky, I found myself accidentally staying up later than I normally would simply because I didn't feel tired at my usual bedtime. On top of my jet lag, the lack of sleep left me feeling exhausted in the morning.

Located between Bergstaðastræti and Laugavegur streets, the Rainbow Street was painted in honor of Reykjavík Pride in 2015 and has remained colorful since, according to Visit Reykjavík.

With dozens of shops lining the street and other travelers taking photos of the vibrant landmark, I couldn't avoid getting other people in my shot.

While driving two-and-a-half hours from Reykjavík to Vík, I followed Iceland's main highway, Route 1, for most of the trip. As I journeyed further along the south coast, I couldn't believe how so many gorgeous sites were located so close to the highway. Whenever I noticed a waterfall or scenic spot from the road, it was easy to pull over for a quick detour.

At the foot of Seljalandsfoss, there was a perfect little platform just off the footpath with a stunning view of the waterfall. But I wasn't the only one who wanted a photo there — when I arrived, there was a line of about 10 people.

I waited my turn for about 10 minutes, then asked the person behind me in line to take the photo.

It ended up being one of my favorite pictures from my trip.