Showing posts with label asia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label asia. Show all posts

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Asia: Bhutan

I remember the sights of Bhutan
Vibrant red poinsettias
Endless green mountainsides
Stair stepped rice terraces
Sacred golden temples and majestic Dzongs
108 white prayer flags scattered on a hill
And homes adorned with bright colorful artwork- Showing the joy and culture of this land.

I remember the sounds of Bhutan.
Quiet, Blessed Quiet.
Roosters crowing at dawn
Schoolchildren yelling “Bye, Bye!”
A Granny calling us to her temple
Chants- which open the heart
And the frantic yet harmonic music
At the Temple of the Divine Madman.

I remember the tastes of Bhutan
Spicy pumpkin curry soup
Nutty, robust red rice
Sweet apples- just picked that morning
Surprise chocolates at Tigers Nest
And mostly- chilies, red fiery chilies
Hot, hot, hot.

I remember the smells of Bhutan
Pure, fresh air
Incense in the Temples
Smoky fires ready to make tea
Sweet wildflowers sprinkled along our path
And the pungent smell of chilies
Baking on the hot tin roofs.

But Mostly…
I remember the people of Bhutan
The sweetness of the young monks
The joy in the children’s faces
The smiles and helping hands from Ongdi, Tsetn and Ugen
Sangay’s great love and knowledge of his country.
And my Bhutanese Guardian Angel- Kinley.
Showing me the heart and soul of this land
While making me feel safe every step of the way.

I remember Bhutan
With gratitude and joy.

Poet: S. Enderle

Friday, February 5, 2010

Bali: I'm Gonna Wash That Funk Right Off Of My Body

I’m gonna wash that funk right off of my body
I’m gonna wash that funk right off of my body
I’m gonna wash that funk right off of my body
And sent it on its way

Whenever I travel there are certain activities I like to experience around the world. They are (in no order of preference) horseback riding, wine tasting and spa indulgences. Bali is known for its spa remedies. Mind you, I travel on a budget and with a curious mind so I opted out of spa treatments at the more luxurious hotels; I wanted a more authentic experience. By chance, strolling down the street from my hotel I happened upon Body Works, a true Balinese Spa. They are an independent spa just up from Jl. Dhyana Pura.

The day before my flight out of Bali I decided to treat myself to a true Balinese spa treatment and popped in to enquire about their services. One treatment sounded particularly enticing to me, the ‘Javenese Lulur.’ The treatment begins with an hour long Balinese massage. Then, the entire body is painted in a brown, granular paste (the traditional Javanese lulur), containing turmeric, sandalwood, cinnamon, ground nuts and rice. The paste is then gently rubbed to exfoliate the skin. After a quick shower, cool, fresh, yoghurt is splashed, then smoothed over the skin. The yoghurt’s enzymes stimulate cell activity and restore PH balance of the skin, which feels as soft as silk as soon as the yoghurt is washed away. The final step involves luxuriating in a fragrant, warm, flower filled bath. For $25 USD? George Washington rocks! I walked in to Body Works and found them to be friendly and laid back. They asked me if I wanted a massage. I said “Tidak saya glee.” (No, I’m not ticklish). Body Works has a reception area at the front and 9 small private rooms located behind. Each room has a bed with a bath.

A young, very young, masseuse, guided me to one of their rooms and in a language I clearly don’t’ understand, instructed me to take it all off (she couldn’t have been older than age 19.) Take it ALL off, right in front of her (no private dressing rooms, no towel to cover up). Memories of a young girl came back to me; undressing in the girls locker room in Jr. High flooded me where I escaped to the girl’s locker room to change in to my gym shorts flooded me. I was a modest young woman growing up but I had to (and did) get over it! She wasn’t going anywhere. “When in Rome Erika…when in Rome,” so I undressed completely in front of her eyes. Completely undressed I was ready to go. “Get over yourself” I thought and I did and it was Heaven.

Body Works spas services are divided into Massages, (which include Full Body Massage, Exfoliation Massage, Thai Massage, Shiatzu Massage, Aromatherapy Massage, Back Massage, Foot Massage), Hair Treatments (which include Creambath, L'oreal Spa Creambath, Hair Coloring, Highlighting, Eyelash / Eyebrow tinting, Shaving), Facial (which includes Sari Ayu Facial, Biokos Seaweed Facial, Biokos Aloe Vera Facial, New-Bio-Lifting Facial), Waxing (which includes Bikini, Brazilian, Half Leg, Full Leg, Lip & Eyebrow, Underarm, Back Waxing, Chest Waxing), Natural Nail Care (which includes Bodyworks Manicure, French Manicure, Flower Manicure, Sports Manicure, Polish Manicure, Polish Change, Bodyworks Pedicure, French Pedicure, Flower Predicure, Sports Pedicure

A sample selection of prices are as follows: Full Body Massage (1 hour) 139,000rp), Highlighting (short hair) 309,000rp, Biokos Seaweed Facial (1 hour) 115,000rp, Bikini Waxing 55,000rp, Sports Manicure 60,000rp.

Body Works has another location on Jl. Kayu Jati, the small lane that runs between Jl. Oberoi and Jl. Petitenget. They open from 9am-10pm.

Bodyworks Jl. Seminyak (0361) 730454Bodyworks Jl. Kayu Jati (0361) 733317
Jl. Raya Seminyak No. 63, Seminyak
Kuta, Bali
Tel/Fax: (0361) 730454

Jl. Kayu Jati No. 2, Petitenget
Kuta, Bali
Tel/Fax: (0361) 733317

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Inspiration: Bhutan - Remember

Remember

I remember the sights of Bhutan
Vibrant red poinsettias
Endless green mountainsides
Stair stepped rice terraces
Sacred golden temples and majestic Dzongs
108 white prayer flags scattered on a hill
And homes adorned with bright colorful artwork- Showing the joy and culture of this land.

I remember the sounds of Bhutan.
Quiet, Blessed Quiet.
Roosters crowing at dawn
Schoolchildren yelling “Bye, Bye!”
A Granny calling us to her temple
Chants- which open the heart
And the frantic yet harmonic music
At the Temple of the Divine Madman.

I remember the tastes of Bhutan
Spicy pumpkin curry soup
Nutty, robust red rice
Sweet apples- just picked that morning
Surprise chocolates at Tigers Nest
And mostly- chilies, red fiery chilies
Hot, hot, hot.

I remember the smells of Bhutan
Pure, fresh air
Incense in the Temples
Smoky fires ready to make tea
Sweet wildflowers sprinkled along our path
And the pungent smell of chilies
Baking on the hot tin roofs.

But Mostly…
I remember the people of Bhutan
The sweetness of the young monks
The joy in the children’s faces
The smiles and helping hands from Ongdi, Tsetn and Ugen
Sangay’s great love and knowledge of his country.
And my Bhutanese Guardian Angel- Kinley.
Showing me the heart and soul of this land
While making me feel safe every step of the way.

I remember Bhutan
With gratitude and joy.

Poet: S. Enderle

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Bali, Indonesia - Cleanliness, Purity, Sanity is Next to Godliness



story in development...stay tuned
















Photo: Bali, Indonesia