A Visit to the Hot Springs Spa

May 21 -- Written by Sara Watson (Social Work)

On May 20^th a group of us decided to go to the Hot Springs on the day we were free.  It was kind of like a water park only the pools and tubs were filled with warm and hot water.  There were many pools you could go into.  There was a larger pool that had a water slide, a lazy river where you could just float in and travel around in a circle, there were caves you could go into that held many small hot tubs (at about 37 Celsius, which is 98 degrees Fahrenheit) and a large sauna.  There were also beds within the pool you could float on top of and little water jets shot up onto your back, giving you a message while you’re lying in the pool.  One pool in particular had our group very intrigued.  There are these little fish in the pool that if you dip in your foot (or your whole body, as our group liked to do) then the fish will swim to you and eat your dead skin.  Hot spots for the fish were feet, especially heels; knees and elbows.  I thought this was so fascinating.  The fish felt like little tiny lips nibbling on your skin, it just tickled.  We all had different opinions about this interesting experience with the fish.  For example, Jackie and Caitlin would dip their entire body in and have the fish nibble on their lower lips, whereas Rebecca and I were hesitant to just put our feet in.  But it was a lot fun to watch!  There was a buffet that was available, so we decided to eat lunch there.  We found out that the food is on the second floor and as we’re walking trying to find the buffet, we’re told that we have to go into the bathrooms, shower, and change into clothes that are given to us.  We had fun taking pictures in the clothes.  We were given long brown shorts with baggy brown shirts.  They looked like Chinese traditional clothing.  After we were dressed we were then able to head to the buffet.  The food there was really good.  They had fried rice, noodles that were similar to lo mein, shrimp, duck meat, and of course watermelon! The deserts were very tasty as well.  For our group, the egg tarts were a big hit.

 

The Hot Springs was such a relaxing place to go to.  They were playing nice, calm, music at various pools around the park.  There were hot tubs with incense in them with flowers floating on the top for a nice fragrance.  The incense in the hot tubs has different purposes.  We think the hot tub that had rose petals floating on top softened your skin.  It was a very peaceful day and we were all so glad that we went.  It was an experience that added to all the other great experiences that is making this trip one to remember.

Sara at the hot springs spa

Jackie and her little friends

Ooh. . . they tickle