Massage-o-rama!!

photo: Jason in Bliss. By: Kaishin Chu © 2008

One of the things that makes it great here, outside of food that is, and ohh is the food good (for those who had no idea how much I love food, you know now), is the availability of reasonably priced massages to be had. Our favorite perhaps is the foot massage, esp. after dinner. Both foot and body massages are usually the same price, so depending on what you feel like, you get to choose or go for both, two hours of bliss.

There are so many establishments to pick from, from small danky ones to spa like environments, with prices ranging as well. The trick is to try a few places, then try a few different masseuses, and once you pinpointed which ones you like or has better methods, remember their number. For the spa by our apartment, I like #37 and Jas #99. Here the technicians are a bit better trained and perform semi reflexology like massages, which actually help to better our health, esp. digestion related at the very least.

The massage session can be in a private room for more privacy and quietness, or in the main hall, where there are numerous lounging armchairs. We tend to like the main hall, it's more interesting. The technician first are assigned either by request or random, usually of the opposite sex, as Chinese medicine believes in balancing the ying and yang energy. They come and make sure you have water and if you would like some complimentary fruit, usually watermelon here. Then he/she brings a large basin of hot medicinal herb water for you to soak your feet in, while they give you a shoulder/back massage. After the back massage, they wash your feet, then proceed to lather up your legs up to the knee and feet with oil, and covers one, while starting with the other. The whole session is about 1 hour long, and is relaxing if you aren't afraid to tell them when to go light or go stronger. The first couple of times, being not used to the massage and what to do, it was darn painful or uselss wet noodle like. Some light pain is good, it means that there is a problem area with blockage of energy and the toxins are being worked out of the area. Too much pain defeats the massage which can lead to bruising or simply not being able to relax. At the end of the massage, they then wrap your legs in hot steamy towels, ahhhhh is this good. Then they wipe down your legs and feet to get rid of excess oils or creams and your feet are supple and soft. For those adventurous, some bigger spa places also have master pedicurists. Not the nail polish kind, but truly masters of buffing, shaving, and clipping. Jas tried it once, and loved it.

Had we gone for the body massage, we could also have gotten to use the shower and change room. If you asked for a private room, which costs more, there are also resting beds should you decide to stay the night and rest after your massage. People often choose this method if they haven't booked a hotel anywhere. And why not?! Shower, massage, and rest. Also room service for bevvies and food. Pretty darn convenient.

Prices we've experienced in Zhuhai ranged from 25RMB - 45RMB, from a locals sort of danky place to a big seaside spa. For the pedicure it was 30RMB. In Canadian dollars, that's about $3.50 to $7 for each service. In Shenzhen, a bigger city and a bigger establishment with more spa features, it was closer to 95RMB-195RMB, about $15-30CDN... still pretty good. Crazy wonderful isn't it?