Most Malaysian citizens treat hot springs as a place to spend leisure time with families and friends at the weekend. Yet, despite the beauty of an hot springs environment, many do not know that hot springs are believed to cure various ailments. Panchor hot springs in Serian, Sarawak, is one well-known place that can help cure a variety of diseases. Located 90 kilometers from Kuching City, this hot springs have been operating for more than 5 years and is one of the most famous destination in the city. Panchor hot springs are visited by locals from Kuching and by people from all over the world, especially from Korea and Japan. According to headman of the area Mr. Sirau Lungkis, during early times people were afraid to walk to the spring as it is located deep in the middle of a forest. But then a Chinese Tycoon discovered the place and started taking sick and impaired people there. Some of these people are since known to have recovered from their illnesses. After getting to know about these potential benefits, Mr. Sirau then discussed the issue with the villagers and they finally agreed to develop the area to the way you see it today. Japanese women reckon that clay and mud from these hot springs are good for the skin, especially to do facials. It is believed that women has used mud from hot springs for beauty purposes and for treating skin problems including acne and sensitive skin for centuries. This is thanks to the fact that mud contains a complex mixture of natural minerals, sulfur and salt, which can draw toxins out of the body and boost the immune system and the skin tone. In addition, apart from the benefits of mud, the hot spring water itself is also believed to cure various ailments including stress, nerve pain and blood circulation. Mr. Sirau agrees with these beliefs, adding that the water at the pools is extremely good for people with blood circulation, diabetes and body pain problems” “My advice is, if you suffer from chronic diseases like I mentioned earlier, you can come to this hot spring. I cant promise anything, but I have tried it and for me it works. Two gentleman who were having their bath in the hot spring also agree with Mr. Sirau: “At first, I did not know about the advantages to be had when you come to the hot spring, but I had heard about it from my friend. So many acquaintances who have had a stroke in their life, they recover after coming to this curative place day after day” said local visitor Mr Bong Yew Foh. “There have been many cases” he added; “ and I am witness to that. They come with chronic sicknesses, and stroke patients come here to recover. I know one of them from Matang Jaya whom already had two strokes, He decided to come here everyday and recovered fully after a few months of treatment”. Thanks to these news, a teacher from SMK Siburan, Sarawak, also started visiting this place at least 3 times a week during the school season and every day during the holiday season. At 51 years of age, he is confident the water from this hot spring is the best healing power for individuals who suffer from health problems but also for people who suffer from sleep problems. He has been coming regularly for 5 years and from that day, he stopped having health problems. Meanwhile a 68 years old Korean tourist, Mr. Chung Koo Hyuk, thought that visiting the hot springs not only gives you good health, but it can also help find friends: “I come here not only for taking baths, this place has lots of people and here I can build friendships”. If you are in the Kuching area, do not miss the opportunity to visit Panchor hot springs, for leisure and for proving the public allegations about the curative benefits of spring water. Panchor hot springs are open daily 7.00 am to 10.00 pm for a nominal fee of 4 Ringgit for adult and 1 Ringgit for children under 12 years of age.

The post Panchor hot springs – Sarawak appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Trovandomi recentemente in un tour della longhouse di Annah Rais, colsi l’occasione per visitare le vicine sorgenti calde di Annah Rais. Mi svegliai riposato dopo la mia seconda notte all’homestay di Karum Bidayuh. La colazione mi aspettava a tavola, la solita dose di frittata di due uova e riso, ed un’energizzante tazza di caffè del Sarawak, il tutto gentilmente preparato dal nostro anfitrione Miss Karum la quale, mentre noi ci cibavamo, si preparava per accompagnarci alle sorgenti calde. Il posto era completamente vuoto quando arrivammo all’entrata, alle 8 del mattino, l’orario perfetto per arrivarci. Mi sentii compiaciuto della decisione presa il giorno prima di svegliarmi presto e partire altrettanto presto. Gente del posto mi aveva accennato che si può avere il posto tutto per sé durante la settimana quando ben pocha gente visita le sorgenti, ma pur essendo domenica, a quell’ora potevo considerarmi l’unico visitatore. Il posto era completamente vuoto, la caffetteria situata al lato della biglietteria era ancora chiusa (anche se sembrava non attiva da tempo) e l’unica persona presente era un giardiniere impegnato a tagliare l’erba e a potare le numerose piante dei curati giardini ai due lati del sentiero che in 5 minuti porta dall’ingresso alle sorgenti. a quell’ora, sembrava non fosse stata attiva da tempo. Arrivati all’altipiano che sovrasta il fiume sottostante, constatammo che l’acqua ce scorreva lenta era molto pulita e cristallina. Una scala di cemento porta giù al torrente, e i visitatori devono guadare le sue fresche acque per raggiungere la sorgente calda situata sull’altra sponda, azione che può risultare difficile dal momento che le correnti a volte sono veloci. È necessario avere un passo sicuro al fine di non cedere alle acque ed alle pietre scivolose. Le doccie e spogliatoi al coperto sono praticamente incustoditi e un po’ malandati; consiglio di utilizzare le docce situate all’aperto quando avete bisogno di una sciaquata. Attraversai con attenzione l’acqua fredda che mi arrivava al ginocchio e raggiunsi una piscina artificiale sul lato opposto, completa di una piattaforma di legno che funge da zona prendisole. Il tempo era stupendo, mi misi il costume da bagno mentre osservavo preoccupato dove, da un paio di punti nella profondità delle acque della sorgente, piccoli fori rilasciavano bolle d’aria bollente. Finalmente mi decisi ad immergermi nella tonificante acqua calda, che calcolai essere a circa 40 gradi, e dopo pochi minuti il mio corpo si rilassò: mi sentivo come in un altro mondo. Chiusi gli occhi e mi concentrai a fondo per sopportare il leggero disagio provocato dall’acqua calda. La natura intorno a me era quieta e si sentivano solo i grilli e l’acqua del fiume che lentamente gorgogliava. Mi rilassai ulteriormente, apprezzando la tonificante acqua di sorgente che mi rinfrescava gli stanchi muscoli delle gambe. Aprii gli occhi di nuovo: un’enorme farfalla volava in cerchio attorno alla mia testa, mostrandomi le sue ali nere e vellutate completate da verdi fantasie. Se ne andò solo per lasciare spazio ad una coppia di libellule rosse che si fermarono in fase di stallo proprio davanti alla mia faccia, immobili a parte il battere veloce delle loro ali. I dintorni erano così belli e verdi che mi sono sentito veramente a contatto con la natura. Dopo dieci minuti d’immersione, uscii dalla sorgente calda per entrare nelle fresche acque del fiume sottostante; il mio corpo accolse con piacere questa iniziativa: mi sentivo sano e rinfrescato, rivitalizzato. Dopo altri due di questi cambi acqua calda/acqua fredda, mi portai alla piattaforma di legno per fare qualche round di saluto al sole. Lo yoga è un piacere in un ambiente così tranquillo. Alla vista di nuovi visitatori che arrivavano al sito, decisi di dirigermi verso la piccola sorgete più a valle, situata proprio nel bel mezzo del fiume e delimitata da pietre. L’acqua non era calda abbastanza per bollire un uovo, ma di certo abbastanza calda per bruciare la pelle, cosi abbiamo deciso di tornare alla zona spogliatoi. Laggiù c’erano già un sacco di persone ammollo nella sorgente, e questo confermò che arrivare presto è stata una buona idea! FATTI Le piscine attorno alle sorgenti sono state costruite dalla comunità locale e sono al servizio dei visitatori. Se si vuole fare un pic-nic nei dintroni bisogna portarsi il cibo da casa visto che il piú vicino negozio di alimentari è abbastanza lontano. L’addetto alla biglietteria all’ingresso vende bibite. Alle sorgenti calde di Annah Rais non forniscono nessuna informazione sulla temperatura dell’acqua, sui tempi di balneazione consigliati e sui benefici delle acque calde. Vi è invece una scheda che ti dice che si puo nuotare ma a proprio rischio e pericolo. È perciò necessario verificare la temperatura dell’acqua prima di immergercisi, e sapere che le sessioni di immersione possono durare un massimo di 10 minuti ciascuna, alternandole con un breve tuffo nelle acque fresche del fiume, o con una doccia fredda. Prima di andarsene dalle sorgenti calde di Annah Rais, si prega di tenere il posto pulito gettando i rifiuti nei cassonetti forniti. Situate nel distretto di Padawan, le sorgenti calde di Annah Rais sono ad un 1 ora di macchina dalla città di Kuching lungo la strada panoramica per il Borneo Highlands Resort, e a soli 3 km dal villaggio di Annah Rais, che le rende facilmente raggiungibili a piedi o in bicicletta. Il biglietto d’ingresso è di RM 5 a persona. Asian Itinerary ha soggiornato al Karum Bidayuh Homestay. Per informazioni e prenotazioni, contattare la signorina Karum o Jenny a Karum Bidayuh Homestay, tel. (+60) 0168981675, e-mail yeominghua@yahoo.com o t_weiyu86@hotmail.com, o consultare il loro sito web www.longhouseinborneo.com  

The post Sorgenti calde di Annah Rais appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Bliss Spa House # 29, Street 240, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Tel: +855 023 215 754 Email: bliss@online.com.kh www.blissspacambodia.com www.islandblissphuket.com Set in a beautiful French Colonial-style house with vintage decoration, old floor tiles and polished cement walls, a lovely setting on an otherwise typical city street, Bliss Spa welcomes you with an aura of Asian retreat from times past. I arrived at the Bliss Spa in a sunny afternoon and was welcomed by the manageress at their gorgeous Bliss Boutique shop selling amazingly good fashion clothes and house wares. I was accommodated in a comfortable sofa and offered a refreshing tea. The staff came back a few minutes later and invited me to follow them to an open and airy internal courtyard covered in lush vegetation, with huge frangipanis in bloom, stoned floors and walls, and a pond full of colourful flowers and lively fish. At the changing area I put on the provided bathrobe, feeling at ease and ready for my treatment. The staff then motioned me to the upstairs area where my masseuse was waiting for me in one of the spacious rooms complete with a bathtub, a sink corner, a nice massage bed, Buddhist elements of decoration and wooden furniture. The scent of burning essential oils permeated the air; I seated on a stool and the masseuse washed my feet in a bowl of warm water and flowers while I browsed the amazing menu with a unique range of treatments. I went for the “Essence of Bliss” massage since my body was aching from fatigue and heat (photo equipment can be quite heavy!), and asked for medium-strong touch. The therapist made me lie down on my belly in the extremely comfortable massage bed for the first part of my treatment, and started massaging my back exactly as I expected: not too strong, not too soft, guiding me through a fantastic, deep relaxation massage. This, and the soft ambient music played in the background made me fall asleep after only a few minutes, only to be awoken by the masseuse, who prompted me to turn around. By then I felt already a change in my general well-being, so I was determined to stay awake and feel the last part of the massage. This was a great thing to do since I could really feel the benefit of her hands’ gentle yet firm pressure over my body, right where it was needed. I was positively surprised by her capacity to feel where my body ached and change her hand pressure accordingly. The therapist stayed focused during the whole massage and the experience was extremely professional. I left Bliss Spa rejuvenated, hungry for food, feeling lighter and younger! BLISS SPA Bliss Spa is set in a beautiful old Colonial building in the heart of Phnom Penh behind the Royal Palace. The setting is beautiful and the service from the receptionists and therapists is great. I found the massage to be very high quality, and their prices affordable. Bliss Spa is definitely highly recommended if what you are after is an amazing Spa experience. Bliss Spa has great packages that include steam, scrub and massage. Bliss Escapes are combinations of spa treatments carefully selected to energize your body and soothe away stress. Bliss Spa opens 7 days a week, 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Download their treatments menu at http://www.blissspacambodia.com/Bliss_SpaMenu.pdf FACTS BEHIND BLISS BOUTIQUES Cassandra Harper created the ultimate fashion and home-wear range with Bliss, the epitome of bohemian sophistication, with style and understated elegance. Since the mid 1990s, this inspiring Australian designer has had the opportunity to showcase an exceptional mix of exotic fabrics with avant-garde design, to create collections that people remember. Her fashion pieces are cool and casual, feminine and timeless. Maxi dresses in sheer cottons complement floating kaftans and chic voile peasant tops. Silhouettes are elegant. Every print, pattern and style is unique to Bliss, a product of Harper’s constant travels and testament to her passion for colour and texture. For interiors, picture the French colonial style of Cambodia, the whitewashed walls and serenity of poolside Phuket and the eclectic chaos of India or Bali and you can glimpse the style that is Bliss. Natural fibers, a fiery rainbow of colour and cool, soothing textures add harmony to any space. This is a captivating lifestyle brand for travel and leisure, poolside and partying.

The post Bliss Spa appeared first on Asian Itinerary.