| I Fell in Love in a Korean Bathhouse | |
I will never forget Nicholas. I have done it with men. I have done it with women. But no one does it as wonderfully as Nicholas.
The Korean
Bathhouse is located in the adult-focused section of Sydney in the Crest
Hotel. And nudity is required. When they called to confirm my appointment, I
innocently asked if I should bring a bathing suit for the baths. “No”, the
caller said in a loud voice as if talking to a child who might not understand,
“Everyone is nude.”
When you enter, you pay for your services in advance and then are given a
number. That number is on your new identity. Your number is on your key. Next
you find the matching locker, and later you will have a matching hanger with
that number. Just call me Miss 103.
While the services are not very personal, they are highly professional. And
the staff is very good at instructing bathhouse virgins on the proper
etiquette. Remove you clothes and put them in the locker with your towel and
robe. Then a quick tour of the toilets, sleeping room (for relaxing after
massage) the showers for bathing before you enter the baths, and finally, the
baths. The 3 baths: Ginseng, hot and cold.
You are advised to come a half hour before your treatment time for skin and
muscle preparation. The centuries old tradition of a bathhouse is an intrinsic
feature of Asian culture as a center for relaxation, health and business.
Although I did not see anyone conducting business on my visit, I did see a
mother and son and two teenage girlfriends enjoying themselves. I am ready for
bathhouse. But I am not quite up to nude business deals.
The relaxation Center at the Crest Hotel gives you the opportunity to escape
the stress of city living, cleanse your body of toxins, relax your mind, and
leave you feeling wonderfully refreshed and rejuvenated
It is the perfect place to rub-a-dub all your cares away.
Treatments
SKIN SCRUB
This is a complete body exfoliation. Masseurs wear special mitts which remove
dead skin cells from all over your body and finish off the treatments with a
thorough water and spa cleansing treatment. The process leaves your skin
looking younger, smoother and softer.
BODY MASSAGE AND FACIAL
Masseurs use special techniques on the body, face and scalp in conjunction
with hot towels and water cleansing. They also use oils on women. These
massages assist with circulation. The facial massage uses natural products
like honey, milk baths, oils and a chilled cucumber mask. It is so healthy you
can eat it and it leaves you with a natural glow.
SHIATSU MASSAGE
In this totally nude place, they give you special shorts and T-shirts to wear.
That got me all confused because I was getting really comfortable being nude.
Most places you take your clothes off for a massage, here you put them on.
Shiatsu massage is a highly specialized Asian massage technique, utilizing
finger pressure to relieve all muscular tension and stress in the body. It
aids posture and the brochure says that even after one treatment your well
being will improve. I believe that is true. Especially if you are lucky enough
to get Nicholas.
Essential Information
Open Monday
to Friday 10am to 10pm
Saturday and Sunday 9am to 10pm
Last entrance is 9pm
Last treatment starts at 8:30 pm
You do need reservations for treatments
Entrance to the Bathhouse is $13 US
And are in addition to treatment costs (which are very, very reasonable)
Entry and a 30 minute Shiatsu massage is only $35
The best value is the entry, skin scrub, massage and facial plus a 30 minute
shiatsu for $65 US
They will do treatments on children as young as five years old
In
addition to About's Spa Site, Madelyn
Miller, the "TravelLady," also writes for
Meeting Professional, Best Fares Magazine, Bestfares.com, ehospitality.com,
and mycookbook.com.
