Shaking off the crime beat with a Phuket spa treatment

PHUKET: As a hard news reporter, who witnesses the dirty side of Phuket daily, a good massage and spa treatment is essential after a week on the beat.

A spa is the one place where everyone, including me, can escape the stress of the outside world and enjoy an hour or two of being under the spell of a masseuse as she guides us into a deep sleep.

The mixture of smells of butterfly pea and lime rise up to me from the cold glass the receptionist of Angsana Spa Laguna Phuket hands me. A cold cloth, smelling of love tree oil, is delivered on a tray so I can begin to wipe away the worries of the week.

Relaxing back into my chair, I browse the treatment options: Aroma Thai, Ayurvedic Hot Stones, Deep Tissue Massage and Siam, just to name a few.

The Javanese treatment, which is 90 minutes of intense massaging followed by 30 minutes of peaceful reflection time complemented by refreshments, is exactly what my body and mind need. After hours of chasing stories and sitting in front of a computer typing them up, a strong massage focusing on my back, shoulders and scalp was going to be perfect.

The treatment is, in fact, Asian-inspired, as can be guessed from its name. It’s a combination of aromatherapy and wellness practices adopted from ancient Balinese techniques. The blend of natural aromas and deep-tissue massage relieves body tension and promotes better sleep patterns – something I desperately need. The kind of phone calls a crime reporter gets in the middle of the night would give most people nightmares.

The receptionist presents three aroma options for the treatment: orange, eucalyptus and pine.

I investigate the matter. A small description of the therapeutic qualities of each is written on the tops of the cute containers. Orange works as an anti-depressant and stimulates the body; eucalyptus invigorates the body and creates clarity of mind; and pine refreshes a person, inspires them and clears their mind – pine would do the trick.

The calmness of the tropical spa embraces my entire body as I walk into the treatment room. I change into a soft, loose robe and am led to the massage table.

Face down on the firm, comforting table, the scent of pine begins to break down the clutter of crime stories zipping through my mind. A deep breath in and my body starts to relax as my mind lets go.

Strong, firm hands begin on my neck and work their way down my back. It’s unbelievable how much tension you can develop in those areas after hours in front of the computer. I surrender myself to the scents and soft voice of the masseuse as every worry I walked in with dissipates.

The 90-minute session flies by. Afterward, a shower, hot tea, dried berries and cashews are waiting for me, rounding off the sensual experience.

I can see the Laguna lagoon through the enormous glass window as I sip my tea. With my body relaxed and mind at ease, a deep calmness takes hold of me.

It isn’t until I’m caught in traffic on the way home that I realize my mind is already back to buzzing with reports – at least I was able to escape crazy Phuket for a few hours.

For more information, visit: www.angsanaspa.com