We have moved on to Phuket – Karon Beach – from Bangkok, but I will talk more about that in another post.  For now I need to just wallow for a bit in a topic that is near and dear to my heart – massage!

I became quite enamored with the joy of a good massage last year when I was here with my brother and my parents.  I was a little cautious at first as the thought of a strange person touching me was out of my normal comfort zone, but I was convinced to give it a try – well after the first time it was like being addicted to crack, and became part of my daily ritual.  And at 300B (about $8 US) for an hour, who could refuse.

Well I would be lying if I did not admit that appeal of returning to Thailand for some of that oh so splendid self indulgence was not part of my motivation to return here, and now that I am back by the beach it was time to dive back in.

For those that have never experienced Thai massage, it shares very little with what we would think of when we get a massage at the Gene Juarez, or even those saucy moves you used back in college when trying to impress the ladies.  Thai massage can only be described as a woman half your size trying to teach you body how to become a pretzel.  The first time you experience it, you get part way in and think that you are really a punching bag at a Thai kick-boxing school, and wonder what on earth have you committed yourself to.  But by the time the massage is complete you fall into this gelatinous state of nirvana and wonder a) why it has taken you so long to find such a wonderful thing, and b) when can you sneak away for your next one.

As you lay there in your tiki-style hut and just let yourself relax while the masseuse works you over you very quickly tune out the world around you and let the gentle breeze just soothe and relax you.  My words here don’t do it justice, but if you ever get the chance to get a decent massage on a beach it is an experience you will not soon forget.

So 2 days in at our spot in Phuket, I am a couple of massages to the plus column, and getting down into a very zen-like spot.  Even the Great Adventurer herself tried one out yesterday and she is quickly realizing why I like it so much.  Oh yes, and much to my delight I find that the off-season has caused some contraction in the local economy, and the price for my 1 hour session has dropped to 200B (about $6) – ahh the life…