The reason we travel is to take e break, and there is nothing better than a »spa« treatment. And as countries and cultures differ so do the ways pampering oneself. Let's take a look at some typical Asian ways.
Massage
There are many different massage, but I dare to say that the most known is the Thai massage. It is a massage based on stretching and pulling. It is supposed to originate from a mixture of Indian ayurveda massage and Chinese massage. Therapists press with their hands, elbows and feet press certain parts of our bodies and improving the flow of »prana«-life energy.
My opinion: Every time I visit Thailand I indulge in a Thai massage on the beach, in a salon or even at a night market. The prices are very acceptable, around 200-300 baths per hour. I highly recommend.
I have to highlight the possibility to do something good with a massage. The first opportunity is in Chiang Mai-Thailand where you can have a massage at the women's prison. You will be masaged by female inmates who are to be released shortly and can earn some money for an easier start.
The second option is in Phnom Penh (Cambodia). Look for »seeing hands massage«. You will be massaged by blind people who are trying to earn some money, because it is difficult to get any other work for them. I experienced both and absolutely loved it.
The ayurveda massage originates from India and is a massage of body and spirit. We are healthy when we achieve the balance between three »doshas« (vata, pita, kapha) and the balance between body, mind and soul. This is exactly what the ayurveda massage does.
My opinion: I had the opportunity to try this kind of massage, but thought the price was to high (1500 rupees) so I didn't decide for it. You probably all know the notebooks with recommendations in them-needless to say, all opinions were positive.
Burmese massage is a traditional massage done in Burma. One of the many places where you can try it is Nyaungshwe on the shores of Lake Inle. It is similar to the Thai massage, because it includes stretching, massage with hands and feet (including walking on you) and in the end there is homemade oil which the masseur rubs on you. After the massage you also get tea and an advice: “Don’t shower tonight!”
My opinion: A very interesting experience. The price for Myanmar is quite high (5000 kjats per hour), but acceptable. The massage itself is pretty rough and you could also hear some cracking during stretching, but the feeling afterwards is great.
Fish massage is special type of massage where you are “massaged” by fishes. You put your feet in ankle-deep water full of small fishes which eat of your dead skin from your feet, toes. It is common throughout Southeast Asia. Beware. Not for the ticklish! My fellow traveller stuck only a toe into the water and didn’t last 10 seconds.
Baths
Turkish bath or a hammam is a steam sauna build from marble. There can be found all over Turkey and elsewhere. They also offer a special treatment; you can lie down on the marble plate. First he or she (for women) scrubs you with a rough mitten and peals of all the dead skin and dirt from your body. After that comes a massage with an olive foam extract. After another flush the masseur washes your hair. In the actual bath you can stay for as long as you want.
My opinion: I visited two hamams-traditional and a newer, build for tourists. The traditional one is divided into two parts: men and women. Because it was more than 500 years old it has seen better days. The touristic hammam is for the westerners taste-a joint sauna for men and women, masseurs singing during the massage (in the men section of the traditional hammam my fellow traveller also experienced singing), bathrobe after sauna, tea, deckchairs. Prices? Very different. The entrance itself is fairly cheap, about 20 Turkish lira. In the traditional hammams with scrubbing and a massage the prices are from 50 Liras up. In hammams for tourist this cost from 70 Liras up.
Of course there is a whole variety of different treatments that I didn’t describe, but would suffice for now. Enjoy your travels and spoil yourself with different treatments.
