spa

Sand Spa & Mudpack at Puning Hot Springs in Angeles, Pampanga

After a 4×4 off-road adventure from Puning Hot Springs, we proceeded to the next station where we were treated to a sand spa and mudpack therapy.

Sand Spa & Mudpack at Puning Hot Springs
Sitio Target, Sapang Bato
Angeles City, Pampanga

puning hot springs sand spa
pouring sand over Krishmel and James | my turn
photo by Lakwatsero

Sand Spa

I first heard about a volcanic ash spa when I read an article by a fellow blogger. I didn’t really know what to expect except for being buried alive in sand and volcanic ash. There’s also an oven below where they place coals to maintain the warm temperature. We were advised that the sand spa experience helps improve blood circulation. This only lasts for 20-30 minutes to avoid dehydration.

journeyingjames
JourneyingJames feeling the heat.

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A Relaxing Break after Backpacking

I’ve been carrying two bags with me that amounts to almost 20 kilos, and I’m lucky enough that I’m able to hand-carry them inside the aircraft. I don’t have to pay for luggage fees every time. The trick is not to look like you’re having a hard time with your bags and I’ve somehow perfected the act of being innocent so that the check-in counters wouldn’t mind me carrying another bag on the plane.

carry backpack
Changi Airport, Singapore

Anyway…

When I arrived in my room inside a cheap hostel in Bangkok, I suddenly felt my shoulders hurt. I took a break and tried to shrug it off. However, when I went out for a walk and brought my backpack, I could still feel pain.

Maybe it was the bad posture when I slept at the airport (to save on costs) or maybe my shoulders have grown weary because of how many hours of carrying bags in transit.

airport sleeping
Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok
Slept on this bench for more than 8 hours

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Cambodia Trip: Insightful Conversations Over a Fish Massage

Meet Suti, he wants to be tour guide when he grows up. He’s only 16 years old and yet he’s been working as a fish massage attendant for awhile. Working at night by taking care of the fishes, he also persuades customers to try out the massage service. He currently lives with his grandmother as his parents are no longer around. He does this in order to provide for her as well as support his studies.

Pub Street
Siem Reap, Cambodia

khmer boy
Suti, a Khmer kid making ends meet.

It was our last night in Cambodia. After a long day of walking and after a stressful experience of haggling with vendors at the Night Market, we decided to spend the remaining hours at the Pub Street looking for a massage service.

massage siem reap
fish tank

Massage parlors: foot massage, body massage, spa services. Cambodia has lots of them at ridiculously low rates. If Philippine massage spas are cheap, you haven’t visited Cambodia. You can get a body massage for a dollar but I’m not too sure with the quality. Still, there are so many services and shops available that everybody’s competing with each other to attract more customers.

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