And They Say the West is Decadent!

I experienced an afternoon of pure bliss yesterday at the Aston Bali spa. For the equivalent of $40 US, I luxuriated with a pedicure followed by an amazing one hour and forty-five minute Boreh massage. Designed to alleviate stress and increase circulation, this massage was much more vigorous than the therapeutic massages I've enjoyed from my sister, Ricky, and my friend, Sarah Jane. At first, I wasn't sure if I liked it. I normally fall asleep during a massage but this was more like being pummeled than being caressed. She did one head massage movement where she was actually pulling my hair near the roots.

For one thing, massages in the US seem much more discreet with the towel demurely shielding your privates during the treatment. Here nudity is less of an issue and, except for the disposable spa panties, one is naked. Sorry if this is too much information for some of you! : )

First, they give you some sort of herbal tea concoction to relax you. After the massage, she rubbed me down with an intriguing mixture of herbs including cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. I smelled like pumpkin pie! This mixture is supposed to detoxify and exfoliate your skin. After it dries, they draw a flower bath filled with frangipani flowers and other flower petals and a scented oil. The ginger and honey tea afterwards make me melt even more.  Then you shower and she dries you off and applies lotion. It was heavenly and my skin feels awesome.

I heartily recommend this experience and Bali as a whole. More later!