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The Tirta Spa Difference

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What is the difference between a P250 Massage on the white sands beach of Bora and a P4,000 Massage in Tirta Spa in Boracay?

This debate went on and on in my mind. But the practical side of my brain is already losing the debate to the adventurous part who is yearning for a new spa experience in Boracay. Unfortunately, the debate happened when I was already in the main reception of Tirta Spa. At that time, all of my senses are now excited with the serenity and peacefulness of the place. Meeting the lovely owner, En Calvert, just fueled my desire to experience the unique spa packages that I have not seen even in Mandala Spa. It is the irrational side of me that won finally in the end because I can't resist how awesome this place is.

My Mandala Spa Experience

Let me share with you the Tirta Spa difference in Boracay...

Wensha Spa in Manila: My running days will never be the same again...

I'm happy that Wensha Spa has opened its second branch in Manila. I'm excited because it is the first 24 hours Spa in the CCP area. When I was training for the marathon, my usual route was from the DLSU area to SM Mall of Asia and back. As I finish my 10k run, I thought of going to a spa to rest and have a foot massage after. Problem is, most of the spa in Manila and Pasay Area opens at around 11am.

My running days won't ever be the same again because of Wensha spa. I'm now looking forward to the days I would run my 10k, because I can justify the P500 foot massage after each run. Care to join me in one of my weekend runs...

I like the overall concept as it introduce new ways to enjoy your spa experience. First, all the massage treatments includes a buffet and unlimited servings of soup and drinks. But don't expect too much on the food because it 's nothing to rave about (hmm, I should complain once I get to be a regular there). Second, you can stay for as long as 12 hours. In fact, you can decide to sleep after the massage and no one would wake you up. Third, it uses a unique sensor type locking mechanism to ensure security of your belongings in the locker. The prices are quite reasonable and I love the P800 body and foot combination for one hour where two therapist would massage you at the same time. Isn't it just great?

It is a legit spa and there is no "happy endings" in this place or else, I'll be banned from going to this place by you know who.... I do hope it gets a better reputation from its Timog counterpart where they say that people who work in the nightclubs are their usual customer in the early mornings after their "night" shift. Since they just opened, the crowd is in their late 20s / early 30s and I do hope it will maintain a friendly atmosphere.

Technorati Tags: Wensha

Bing Chua's 4 Hours Massage Therapy

I was not feeling well after the WPO grand finale last Saturday. If you left immediately after the show, you can go home as early as 1am. As for me, we hang around MOA and was able to be home at 3am+ -- and I felt kinda sick after that. I'm tired of all the medicines that I took when I was sick last Christmas season so I called Bing Chua and enjoyed an almost 5 hours massage therapy at home. The therapy is a combination of swedish, shiatsu, accupressure, and reflexology from this Taiwan and Canada trained therapist. If I say it was great, this would be an understatement. It was simply an Awesome Massage!! 4+ hours of home service massage for only P600. I'm glad that he is still in town providing the service.

I featured him way back in October 2005: The Best Therapeutic Massage in Town! P500 ($10) for 4 hours of Reflexology Massage! If you plan to get a 4 hours massage, it is best that you have it at the comforts of your home and just rest. Take the day off!

Bing Chua ( 0916-293.0534. 0919-592.5585)

Sanctuario Spa, Tagaytay

Philippines, Spa, tagaytay

My Mandala Spa Experience [ The Bora Life #2 ]

This scene welcomes you as you step out the tricycle from the main street walk along a stone road full of trees and withered vines. This exact photo was described by Marc Macapagal on his Praising Prana article as:

"The open air reception, with its wooden teak floors, lounge chairs and glass tables draped with colorful woven silk fabric, and surrounded with lush tropical plans is a calming sight. You feel like you've arrived in someone's hacienda home."

Mandala prides itself for being a sanctuary for the soul, a place where you experience yourself and go for presence walks. For me, I just came from a Bora night party and stepping into Mandala Spa, I felt like it transported me not into the past or the future, but into another dimension of the present. I felt at home where the staff is friendly, the food is healthy, the air is fresh, and where I felt like the nature and the trees are hugging me as a walk around the spa. Many articles and press releases have been written about this award winning, world class Mandala Spa in Boracay. This is not a press release article but this was my Mandala Spa experience...

Beach, Boracay, Philippines, Restaurants

Fun Hydrotheraphy @ Ace Water Spa :)

Ace Water Spa has been on my list of things to blog about and yesterday, me and my brobo went out to check out the place. They were on a buy 1 take 1 until Dec. 31, so we took the chance for only P240, entrance fee, you get to enjoy 25 massage systems, 9 heated pools, and 1 cold pool (really too cold). It took us 2 hours to fully enjoy the place and the crowd is mostly family with children playing in the big jacuzzi and occasionally some tourists. We actually felt like a child again and I spend my time playing with my brother. Except for the aching body after that enjoyable hydrotherapy, I would definitely go back. I'll give you a rundown on what to expect and to bring to have a fun experience @ Ace Water Spa since you cannot read anything on this except the advertisements in magazines and newspaper.

The Neo Spa Experience

The Neo Spa Experience, originally uploaded by antondiaz.

Finally, we were able to try out Neo Spa in their original place in Greenhills -- Thanks to Jay and Portia :) This is our first time in Neo Spa, and we tried out the Zen Bodywork -- Neo Spa's signature massage. For the first time, my wife and I was able to have a spa together and a massage for 90 minutes. If you have a 10 month old son, you know how hard it is to schedule a spa massage together because this would be the last thing on your mind. Here is our experience...

The Mt. Pinatubo Spa Experience

There are only a few write ups about this 7 month old spa owned by a Korean and mostly ad or press releases. I'll give you the real score on what this is and what this is not. I have a few learnings that I want to share with you so that if you consider to visit this place, you are more prepared on what to expect.