For some unknown reason it sounded like fun to Dave and I and after a week of cycling, climbing and boating in China on top of a couple of weeks of hard adventure travel in Fiji, we thought that a relaxing session of hot cupping would be an excellent way to work out the kinks from travel.

Traditional Hot Cups

Recommended by the Lonely Planet and our Intrepid Travel guide, we booked a session with Dr.  Lilly Li  For Y40, we were whisked into the massage room and immediately told to get on the table.

Dr. Li told Dave that it was fine to take photographs because she would be giving us two separate sessions so he stayed to record it all for you to see.  (We have no shame, anything for the blog)

I am glad that I went first because if I had to watch it happen, I probably would have chickened out.

Within seconds she popped the hot cups onto my back.  As she stuck them to my skin, I felt a constrictive feeling.  My muscles started to tighten up and I wondered if I would start to panic.  As I breathed through it and talked about how it felt, I started to relax and actually enjoy the sensation.

Once the final cup is put on, you have 10 minutes to relax and let them do work their magic.  I started to feel very calm and enjoyed the squeezing of my muscles as the tension melted away.

The cups came off with a sting, almost like having a band-aid ripped off in one swift motion and before I knew it, my session was over.

Marks will be there for at least 1 week

Hot Cupping originated in China.

It may be unpleasant, but when in China, one must sample everything.

Once the pain subsided, I felt completely chilled out and my back was very loose.  Dave however had to go next and he just finished watching it all.  To watch the process, hot cupping looks painful and he was a bit freaked out.

As she put the hot cups onto his back, I had the chance to see exactly what I had gone through. I had no idea what it looked like.

Dr. Li uses the traditional bamboo hot cups and lights each one with fire before setting them onto our backs.

Dave's turn for Hot Cupping

Dave commented on the tightening feeling he had on his, and I remembered mentioning it during my session because talking made me feel better.  The squeeze of the hot cups makes you almost feel a little claustrophobic.  But it quickly subsides as you breathe into the uneasiness.
It was quite a sight to see the 20 or so cups piled onto his back. It took Dave a little more time to relax than me and I think that it was because he just finished watching the process.  What you don’t know won’t hurt you and I had no idea what ordeal I was going through.

As our cups came off, we both had deeper and darker bruising around our shoulder areas.

Darker bruises on Shoulders from Carrying Packs

The cups draw out toxins from the body and muscles and we were probably darker around our shoulders because of carrying our packs day in and day out.  Karen, our Intrepid guide looked at our marks and laughed at how bruised we were.  We are obviously more toxic than others and carry a lot more tension.  She said that her bruises are never that bad.

A person can do two sessions of hot cupping per month.  It is not advisable to do more as you will stretch your skin and there is no need to detoxify too much.   We are quite toxic, so I think that we will be doing another Hot Cupping session.

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Fast Facts

• Dr Lilly Li is located on the canal near the Chinese Food Bazaar
• Look for the Lonely Planet Sign out front
• Costs are:
• Hot Cupping Y40
• Therapeutic Massage Y80  (50 minutes)
• Foot Reflexology Y90 (1 Hour)
• 1 CAD = Y6.8
• 1 USD =  Y 7
• 1 UK = Y10

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Note: This tour is sponsored by Intrepid Travel an excellent bridge between independent travel and group travel. With a 12 person maximum per group and a 1 person minimum, you are guaranteed departure and a real opportunity to experience local culture and lifestyle.  We are taking part in the Grand China Tour from Hong Kong to Beijing and sharing our experiences and observations on the differences between independent and group travel.-

So you’ve roughed it for the past two weeks trekking through the Himalayas. You went for days without a shower, you braved the cold and carried your heavy pack. Your legs burned as you climbed steep mountains and you suffered greatly at high altitudes.

I need a rest!

What better way to reward yourself when you get back to Kathmandu than to have a deep tissue massage and steam bath or sauna.
Dave and I love massages. When we travel, we pamper ourselves regularly after our adventures. We love to take part in strenuous activities, but we love recovering from an epic trek even more. Massages around the world are so cheap compared to Canada and we take advantage of the deals as much as we can.
We always say to each other “This is what it is like to be rich. Rich people must always have a massage and they probably have steam baths and sauna’s right in their house!” If I were rich, I would have a massage every other day.

Ah, to pretend to live life like the other half. I could get used to it.

The pollution was killing us!

We both were feeling pretty ill during our time in Kathmandu. The pollution is out of control and we couldn’t shake our coughs, our aches and our feelings of lethargy.
It was time for a pick me up and a message was just the ticket.
We saw signs advertising The Himalaya Retreat Spa everywhere and decided to check it out. A restaurant that we ate at the night before had a sign stating that a massage and sauna was on special for 1200 Rupees. Not a bad deal.

2 Hours of decadence for $16!

Other places were advertising 1600 Rupees. Unfortunately the restaurant had an old flyer and we found out that their rate was fixed at 1600. We hummed and hawed a bit after they informed us that 1200 Rupees was the old price, but we must have looked desperate because she decided to give us a discount. We ended up paying 1250 Rupees each.  Anything is negotiable in Asia.
We opted for a shiatsu massage and steam bath.

The waiting room was very comfortable!

This place offers Thai, Ayurveda and Shiatsu. We have tried the other two, so it was time for some deep muscle therapy with Shiatsu.
The spa is very clean and comfortable. The waiting area is elegant and tastefully decorated with leather sofa’s, dark coffee tables, water cooler and magazines.
We changed into the flip flops, t-shirts and fisherman pants provided and they led us upstairs where two gentlemen pressed and kneaded away our aches and pains.
The hour went by quickly and we felt totally rejuvenated and ready for our steam bath.
It was heaven to relax in the hot steam feeling our lungs and sinuses clear. We stayed in for as long as possible until our fingers started to prune.

Just coming out of the Steambath!

Nice hot Showers!

The great bonus at the Himalaya Retreat Spa is the hot showers. It was great to be able to rinse and wash after the bath in clean and comfort.  It is rare in countries like Nepal that you get the comforts of home, but we felt like we were at a spa that you would find in Canada.

There was even a scale in the dressing room where we could marvel at the weight we had lost on the Everest Base Camp trek.

We forgot where we were for a couple of hours and it was heavenly.

Once we finished, we stepped out into the bright sun and made our way to an overpriced coffee shop just to keep the decadence going.

It made us think about the other memorable massages that we have had around the world.  We love getting a massage, it is a luxury that we cannot afford to have regularly at home, so we take advantage of it whenever we travel.
Some experiences have been better than others and some stand our in our memories better than others.

Here is a list of our Top 5 most memorable massages

Reflexology: Penang Malaysia

In a back alley in the heritage city of Penang, Dave and I had our most painful experience while having a massage.  We thought it would be nice to have our aching feet massaged and tended too after traveling for about 4 months.  Well, this wasn’t your every day pamper me massage.  This foot therapy involved strong hands pushing on pressure points and not letting go until he was good and ready.  We squirmed in our seats and winced with pain while he prodded around our feet.  Our expert reflexologist told us exactly what was wrong with us and all of our ailments.  He was bang on about everything and even though it was painful, it was definitely an unforgettable massage for the feet.  Price: About $10

Back Bending Massage in Laos

We had been told my many that we had to get a massage in Laos.  We were in Vientiane when we had our first experience.  The two of us walked into a large room sectioned off with curtains and mats all over the floor. We had a massage side by side and these guys twisted our bodies in all directions.  They were pulling us back, sitting on top of us, pulling our arms.  It was a little scary at times, but we came out alive and feeling pretty limber to say the least.

About $5

Beach Massage in Vietnam

We were chilling out in Mui Ne after both experiencing about a week of illness.  A massage was just what the doctor ordered to make us feel better.  Two little unassuming women walked by as we lay on our lounges and asked us if we wanted a massage.  We decided to go for it and they put us through the wringer.  These little ladies had strength and they pounded and pressed on our muscles until we were literally black and blue.  Dave got the worst of it.  We assume since he was the man, the woman pushed even harder.  He had bruises all over his body for a week.

It was quite tender to touch as well. $3 bucks, you get what you pay for.

Heavenly Ethiopia Massage

We had just been riding our bicycles through Africa for nearly 2 months and by the time we reached Addis Ababa, we were in desperate need of some pampering.  We booked at room at the Ghion Hotel Resort a where they also had a spa.   Our muscles had been tight and sore since we left Cairo, so a massage was must.  We were led to separate rooms where we received our individual massages.  It was very sanitary and hospital like. But the massage was great.  Just the right amount of pressure to work out the knots, but not to hard that we were black and blue.  After the session was over, we were free to spend time in the steam room and  jacuzzi tub that they had just filled specifically for us.  We hopped in and out of the steam room from the cold water shower to the hot therapudic steam.  After a couple of hours there, we were ready for bed.  Luckily we had two rest days in Addis Ababa.

About $12

Bali Floral Bath and Massage

Ubud Bali is one of the most tranquil places on the Island.  It is a beautiful town set in the interior and it was a perfect place to book a massage.  We each booked individually, but they took us in together.  We walked into the office and were sent to a room where there were two tables side by side.  They closed the hospital like curtains then told us to take off our clothes and lay down.  We didn’t know how much we were supposed to take off so we stripped down to our birthday suits unsure if we were supposed to or not.  I guess that everything was O.K. Because they didn’t bat an eyelash when they came into the room.  It was a very soothing and professional massage.  They covered us with towels and worked on each section with expert hands.  After an hour, we were lead to another room where a floral bath was waiting for us both.  We hadn’t had a bath in months.  It was heavenly and we stayed in that tub until the water turned cool and our hands and feet pruned up.

About $10

Have you had some memorable rubdowns around the world? Let us know of a place where you had your best or most unique massage, we are always seeking out some pampering!

I learned how to shower like a true Indian today.

How you ask? Because I had a woman bathe me!
It all started when we arrived at Palmy Lake Resort after our houseboat tour. Once we settled into our spacious bamboo bungalow, Marcy the owner asked us if we would be interested in a massage.
Dave and I love massages, but it seemed way too early in our trip to have a massage.  We normally treat ourselves to one after we have been suffering for some time.

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No Pressure in Southern India

We said no thanks and she gladly said no problem.
You see, here in the south of India, we haven’t met with any hard sales pitches.  People ask if you want a taxi, you say no and they say O.K. Others ask if you want to buy some clothes, you say, no and they say O.K.
That was what the massage was like.  “No problem, just letting you know that it is available.”
As we lay on the bed wondering what we were going to do with the rest of our day, the thought of a massage was sounding more appealing.

Change of Heart
We didn’t feel like going to the beach, because we were just at a beach for a week.  We didn’t want to take a canoe through the backwaters, because we just spent 24 hours on a houseboat.
It is very hot and humid and we are having a difficult time adapting to the heat.  We feel drained every day.  After walking only 1 km from the boat jetty to our guest house, we were sweaty and sticky and tired. Mid day was approaching and it was only going to get hotter, we were happy to lay on the bed under the fan and chill out.
Laying there listening to the birds chirping mixed with the horns blowing, we slowly cooled off and started to think that a massage would be a great idea. What better way to detoxify our bodies and maybe help us feel ready to tackle the rest of India? (or at least the next few days)
We signed up and made an appointment for later that afternoon.
The Massage

We arrived at Sreekrishna Ayurvedic and Panchakarma Center after a 15 minute walk from Palmy Lake Resort.
A stoic man, told us to sit down where he continued to look at us and say nothing.  We didn’t really know what to do, so we sat there and said nothing also.
After a couple of minutes, he got up and left. Then he came back and sat back down and started talking to one of his staff members.  A little while later, he told us that they were cleaning the room and we would be right in.
That was a relief, we didn’t know if he was waiting for us to say something or not.
Dave and I were led into separate rooms.  I had a female masseur and Dave had a male.
My masseuse barely spoke a word of English. She motioned me to strip and then sit on a stool.  I didn’t know if I was supposed to strip naked or not, so I did.  While I was sitting on the stool, I felt quite silly thinking that I should have left something on.
She poured oil into her hands and massaged my hair and scalp.

I instantly relaxed.

She worked on massaging my scalp and face and then worked down my back and shoulders.  I didn’t realize that I had that much tension, but it has been awhile since I carried a pack, so my shoulders were definitely feeling it.
After she was finished with my upper body, I was motioned to lay on the table.  ?In Canada, we would have a towel covering our bodies to make us feel more comfortable, not in India.  You lay there in all your glory as they work away massaging the oil into your pours.

As Dave said during our walk back to our guest house, “That would be illegal in Canada” and then “I feel like I should have bought him a drink or something!” Yep, Dave is filled with the one liners.
The massage was heaven.  She applied just right amount of pressure mixed with the perfect blend of soothing motions to relax my mind and body.

This went on for one hour.

After she completed her work, she tapped around the center of my bellybutton several times, folded my arms over my chest and covered me with a towel.  She then told me to stay.
I couldn’t believe how relaxed and centred I was, I could never have lay on a vinyl table for 5 minutes without squirming had I not just received a relaxing treatment.
After she came back in, I thought that she would tell me that I was finished and send me to the shower to rinse off.
Nope.

The Bath

Instead she beckoned me into the bathroom, put shampoo in my hair and washed off the oil, with scoop after scoop of hot water.
It has only been a week, but I forgot how good hot water felt on the skin.
She gave me a bath from head to toe and cleaned me up good.  Working so very hard.  Scooping all of that water and scrubbing away the oils is a tough job.
As I said, she didn’t speak English, and I had no idea what was going, so I just went with the flow.
After walking home, we thought that we would go out for dinner, but after reading and catching up on a little writing, we felt the affects of the massage and an extreme feeling of fatigue came over us both.
We had the best nights sleep we had in weeks.

Information
Sreekrishna Ayurveda Panchakarma Centre – Recommended in the Lonely Planet India.
www.krishnayurveda.com
Located in Alleppey

Cost
For two people, we paid 1100 Rupees ($25 Canadian) for a full one hour body massage.
Includes, coconut oils and Ayurveeda medicinal oils
Shower, shampoo, soap and hot water.
Furthermore: an unintentional lesson in how to bathe with a bucket and scoop
We tipped masseuse 50 rupees each – 100 Rupees = $2.30 CAD

Tipping

I don’t know if we are supposed to be tipping.  It is hard to find information on tipping guides and masseurs, etc., but old habits die hard.  In Canada, tipping is widespread and we are conditioned to do so.
I also feel that the actual workers don’t see much of the money that we spend on activities such as this, so a 50 rupee tip will probably help to make the job worth their while.

The Famous BackPacker Ghetto of Kho San Road Bangkok

So you have been backpacking through South East Asia for a couple of months. You have travelled through several countries trekking over mountains, sleeping in dingy guest houses, wearing the same clothes for days and you haven’t had a decent shower in I don’t know how long.  Not the makings of a romantic travel situation for you and your partner.

Just like any other time in your life, couples that travel need to make the time to keep the relationship sizzling.  Backpacking is no exception. You can get so caught up in treks, seeing sights and partying, that you can loose sight of each other and simply turn into traveling buddies.  Well, here are some things you can do in South East Asia to chill out and bring a little romance back into your backpacking adeventure.

The romantic setting of Ubud brings back all romance to travels

1. Go for a massage and floral bath in Ubud, Bali – What better location than the centre of Bali surrounded by rice terraces, volcanoes, lush jungle and a feeling of what Bali must have felt like decades ago to take time for romance in your travels.  To the soft sound of traditional Balinese Music,  you can have your aching muscles worked on as you relax side by side.  It doesn’t end there. After you have completely relaxed, walk into the next room where a floral bath awaits.  When was the last time you had a bath during your travels in Asia?  You milk it for all its worth and sit in that tub until your skin prunes.  But you don’t care, you are rejuvenated, mellow and smelling a whole lot better.  Maybe a trip to the market is in order to spice up your travel clothes.  Top off the night with some wine and cheese at the Delicat restaurant.

A Pool in Paridise Makes Everyone Happy

A fine hotel will bring back any romance

2. Splurge on a hotel. We love Wotif.com to find an executive suite in Kuala Lumpur (or any big city for that matter).  We did this after months on the road, and it was heaven.  It cut into our budget a bit, but it was worth it.  For under $100 you can stay in a deluxe hotel at an extremely discounted rate.  We loved sitting in our white robes on our queen size bed so much that we went back to the Internet and booked another night.  It was worth every minute and we were ready to face the hassles of travel fresh and relaxed.  Yes, there was a pool too, but as many of you travelers know, a clean, comfortable and decadent bed is a luxury for any travel couple and we didn’t leave it for 2 days.

A Cruise Through Ha Long Bay to Bring Back Romance

3. Take a cruise on Ha Long Bay- Bring along some Vang Dalat, Vietnams cheap red wine and cruise through Vietnams most spectacular destination, the magnificent Ha Long Bay.  Lay on the top deck and watch the unique landscape pass you by.  You are surrounded by giant khart; thousands of limestone islands burst out of the South China Sea. The sky is blue and the breeze is cool and clam. You are fed a gourmet meal by an excellent cruise staff and will enjoy an evening under the stars in the most romantic place on earth.

Nha Trang Mud Baths to rekindle the Romance

4.Mud Baths of Nha Trang – So you have been fighting the touts of Vietnam for days, the pollution is taking its toll on your skin and that cracked heel that you developed just won’t go away.  You need a rest.  Just outside of Nha Trang there is a romantic little getaway, the theraputic mud baths.  Cover yourself in this cool goo and bake away your worries in the sun.  After rinsing off under the shower, pop into a hot tub and clear your mind.  The serenity and peace can lift your spirits back up to face the rigors of travel in Vietnam.  But wait, you can’t leave yet, you need to stretch this out for as long as possible.  Never fear, there is a warm pool that you can swim in and relax by.  Stay all day chatting with each other with no fear of being interrupted to buy a book or some flowers.  Just watch how you start to reconnect with each other and have those romantic feelings come surging back.

5. Meditate in Chang Mai – You can book a private 2 to 5 meditation course in Thailand’s Northern city of Chang Mai.  What better way to reconnect than to meditate together.  We had a private session where we learned how to meditate to music, did a laughing meditation and eventually worked our way into a full meditative silence.  Our teacher cooked us traditional vegetarian dishes, and we ended each day with learning some Tai Chi.  With both of us centered and relaxed, we could easily get through our travels in a more Zen Like state.  It is a wonderful thing to do together, you will both be feeling refreshed and optimistic at the same time.

Splurge on a nice meal for travel romance

Other Travel Romance Ideas

• Go on a dinner cruise-you are in a land that has water everywhere.  Splurge on a romantic night out feasting on the water.  Almost all destinations offer dinner cruises and nothing brings two people together more that fresh air, good food and gorgeous scenery.
• Take a traditional cooking course.  These are everywhere and can be a lot of fun. Fun is important in any relationship.
• Massage, Massage everywhere.  The thing that I love about South East Asia are the massages everywhere.  You can get a cheap traditional massage that does wonders for the backpackers body.  On the beach in Thailand, On the Beach in Vietnam,  In Lao, Indonesia.  In Cambodia, get the best massage at one the healing hands massage clinics where highly trained blind masseurs take care of every joint. In Malaysia, try something different and get a traditional reflexology foot massage. It can be painful, but they will fix you right up.
• Take the time to just be.  Too often we run around catching busses, seeing attractions, jumping on a trek and ticking things off of our list, that we don’t stop to just relax for a few days and do nothing. It is important to take the time to watch the sun go down and walk on  the beach with no plans for rushing off any time soon. Just Be.

Relaxing will Help you reconnect