While in Bintan, I bought this massage oil(SGD$19.90 for 100ml). It contains virgin coconut oil, essential oil of ginger, patchouli and lemon. The package says it energizes and revives. Unless you know about oils you can only guess how this concoction of oils can benefit you.

Virgin coconut oil- many health benefits for the skin. It it colourless and cold pressed to ensure that potent benefits remain intact.

Ginger- is a warming oil, good to ease muscle tension and discomfort.

Patchouli- Traditionally used in South East Asian countries as a moth repellent. Now mostlty used in aromatherapy, it can evoke a feeling of gentle clarity and harmonious flow of emotional energy. Patchouli is also an aphrodisiac oil.

Lemon - Uplifting and cleansing

Gave husband a massage with this oil to ease his knotted muscles. He slept like a baby afterwards.

Return to Martha Tilaar, Bintan

I was back in Bintan(Indonesia) last week for some R&R. Husband and I went back to Martha Tilaar straight from the ferry terminal. We wanted to be pampered and welcomed to the island immediately. Both of us went for the 1 hr traditional massage(olive oil) and additional 0.5 hr back massage. For two people it cost us SGD$111.

However, this time around, both of us felt that the massage was not as good as the previous experience. We were quite disappointed. We were thinking of going for massages for our 2 day stay there. However after that session, we decided to just enjoy the sea and the surrounding. From the therapist's touch, I think she is rather new as her movements are measured and not so smooth.

It is still better than some other massages I have had. But I wish there was a standard they keep by so that repeat clients like me won't be disappointed.

Martha Tilaar(Kuala Lumpur) Blissful massage

Yesterday I had a 2.5hrs spa session. BLissful....

After my wonderful experience at Martha Tilaar Bintan I wondered if there is a Martha Tilaar in Kuala Lumpur. I searched the net and was extremely excited when I found out the spa is just a 10 minute drive from my condo.

An initial visit to the spa, I found out they had a Mother's Day special for the whole month of May. A 2.5 hrs session of aromatherapy massage and facial for only RM 199(SGD$90). I was so excited!!!

So, I finally managed to spa out yesterday.

The ambience of the place is perfect. Aircon not too cold and music not too loud. No loud conversations and no inapproriate music for a spa. My therapist, Nursam whom I later found out is the supervisor has been at the spa for the last 5 years. She was attentive from the start asking me if the aircon temperature is right for me and if the massage pressure is perfect. She settled with sweeping movements and later added a little deep massage. Before long, I was in lullaby land.

Then we proceeded for the facial. I told her that I did not want too much extraction as experience has told me that the facial skin can be even worse after. She listened and told me that she would do a little extraction at the nose area. But if it is too painful, I should inform her. She is clearly good at what she does as I hardly feel any pain. After, I even requested her to do an extraction on my right cheek which she proceeded with skill.

I left the spa feeling refreshed and satisfied. Definitely come back for more. After all I was told they have monthly promotions. Yeah!!!

Cleanliness: 10/10

Treatment: 9.5/10

Staff: 9.5/10

Dewi Sri Spa by Martha Tilaar

No F-0-8, Plaza Damas. No.60

Jalan Sri Hartamas 1,

Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur

www. dewisrispa.com.my

Qaisara Spa, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia

I went to Qaisara spa at Damansara Perdana, PJ about a year ago. The staff is very helpful with information. I went there once to find out about the treatments they offer, they made me feel at home by offering me tea and looking at the brochures at my on time.

A few weeks later I returned and got a 1 hr 45 minutes massage. After countless disappointments from a few spas here, I braced myself this time.

I told the owner, I do not want any scrub or lulur, just give me a full on 1hr 45 massage.Anyway the therapist wanted to give me 15minutes sauna. I told her 10 minutes enough. I just wanted a good massage fast! I do not need the frills. Just improve my blood circulation, clear the knots and take off the air off my system. No time for lulur or scrub.

The lady, Rani from Jakarta, did not disappoint in the air department. The moment she began the deep massage, the burping started. NOt once, twice or three times. I think throughout the whole session she must have burped 20-30 times. Poor thing. Lucky she's rather a big person. (In Javanese or Balinese massage, it is believed that air is transmitted from the receiver to the giver like osmosis. Thus a good therapist is able to release this air from the receiver's body. The air is trapped in the muscles thus causes the knots).She delivered strong pressure. It felt good but I don't think I slept througout the treatment. But thus far, she has given me the best massage treatment in Malaysia. The massage cost me RM 140 then.

Cleanliness: 10/10
Treatment: 8/10
Staff: 9/10

Qaisara Spa and Beauty Salon is @
No 12-3, jalan PJU8/5C
Perdana Business Centre
Damansara Perdana
47820 Petaling Jaya
Selangor

http://www.qaisaraspa.com.my/

Green Earth Aromatherapy Spa(Malaysia, Desa Hartamas, KL)

I was quite curious about the name of this establishment. Green Earth.. hmmm? Sounds safe. It was on the second level of a 3 story building at Desa Hartamas in Kuala Lumpur. As I pressed the buzzer, a therapist opened the door unsmiling. I told her I wanted to see what treatments they offer. She could only speak Indonesian so another therapist showed me the list without explanation. I asked them what oil they used and they said they use lavender.

However as a customer I felt uneasy about the set-up as the therapists wore very tight t-shirts(rather revealing) and pants. There was a therapist with a big bosom. I felt like I might be the wrong gender to patronise the massage establishment. I excused myself. After checking 2 other places, one was fully booked and another looks very iffy, I decided to give Green Earth a try... hoping that mother earth would be kind to me.

From the very start I was holding on to a hope. First they wanted to put Leona Lewis CD, Bleeding Love in the machine and take out a previously more relaxing Indonesian track. I also asked them to lower the volume.

After about 45 minutes, the volume got louder and somebody changed the CD to Kris dayanti's life in concert. I was getting very edgy by then. Worse my therapist had very rough callus skin on her hands, I felt like my back was being sandpapered.... help!!!!

Then I told her to please bring down the volume, she shouted to somebody to reduce the volume and asked me if I wanted to sleep... omigod I told myself plse remember to not come to this place again.... EVER!!!

Anyway they did not use lavender oil. But plain baby oil.
There was no disposable underwear supplied either

Cleanliness: 6/10
Treatment: 3/10
Staff : 4/10

Aura Spa(Indonesia, Bintan)

While at Bintan, I also went to another spa just a few doors away from Martha Tilaar called Aura Spa. I had gone to this spa at Pasar Oleh Oleh previously. Now that the business has expanded they have a new venue. Upon entering the Spa, I was a little disappointed with the set up. The staff were not as professionally trained compared to Martha Tilaar. They do not know how to welcome guests properly, making me feel like I am another 'dollar sign' instead of making me feel like I was about to have a wonderful experience soon.

I had a 1.5 hour massage there. The therapist's touch was not as smooth as Martha Tilaar. I could not initially enjoy the massage as some staffs were talking loudly outside the treatment rooms.

After the treatment I went to the toilet. It was rundown although it was a new establishment.

Massage cost me $10 more than at Martha Tillar

Cleanliness: 7/10
Treatment: 8/10
Staff : 7/10

Martha Tilaar Bintan(Indonesia, Bintan)

Had a relaxing facial at Martha Tilaar at Bintan.

The staff were very courteous and helpful. Had a wonderful 1.5 hr anti ageing facial. While I had my face being scrutinised and treated, another therapist massaged my leg. Omigod! it was heavenly. The staff were very attentive.

After my 1.5 facial, another therapist gave me a back massage.
Must try! And it cost my SGD75 for the whole treatment.

Cleanliness: 10/10

Treatment: 9.5/10

Staff : 9.5/10

Bersih Sehat (Indonesia, Jakarta)

I was in Jakarta in Oct last year just to try out the massage. Dear husband has been raving about a massage chain which he said gave the best massage ever. If you like deep tissue massage, Indonesian massage is

for you.

So I flew in.

The chain is called BERSIH SEHAT. It has been operating since 1983 and is ISO certified.

Its a basic spa. If you want a good massage minus all the frills, this is the place. In Jakarta alone, there are 8 branches.

For a good 2 hour massage, it cost about US$30. If you want to add a scrub(lulur) with the massage, its about US$35.

I tried massages at 2 place, at Mayestic and Hotel Sahid Jaya. I like the latter establishment as it was quiet. This is quite funny, but after the massage you can leave with a Berseh Sihat comb which they leave at the vanity table for each client.

Mayestik,

Jl tebah II No2(behind Pasir Mayestik)

Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan 12120

Telp(62-21)726.1578, 726.1587, 722.1551

Fax(62-21)720.5534

Hotel Sahid Jaya

Lantai 3(swimming pool)

Jl. Jend. Sudirman No.86, Jakarta 10220

Telp(62-21) 570.4444 Ext 1840

Direct(62-21) 570.2371,570.2372

Fax. (62-21) 570.2372

I intend to highlight recommendations from people who are actual spa goers and spaholics to give their verdict of their spa experiences so that other spaholics and those desperate for massage are ensured of a heavenly experience.

If you wish to share your spa heaven or hell experiences, plse do drop me a line.

Let's share...

Just realised that I have not updated anything for sometime.

So now I am back with a vengence. New year, new dreams, new aspirations and new found vigour.

Last year, I attended a spa summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It had many reknown people in the industry. Though the speakers were good, the summit could have been better organised.

I left the summit feeling rejuvenated though.