Spa Day & Shopping

Our last day in this serene Town of Hoi An began with the breakfast buffet, I was excited as the Strawberry juice is back. Had the usual omelette, tried the morning noodle soup, Rach had her fresh Passion Fruit. We were off for such a treat at a luxurious Spa Day in Vietnam. Rachel had researched nicer Spas as she is not as into the corner foot massage type places Im used to exploring. I will say she has a good reason, I had left out her other ailments in yesterdays post because she was health wise much better. The newer issue is, the other night while we got foot massages, her lady pulled on her toe too hard, and it is badly sprained. She thought it may be broken, but Dr Laurie believes its a bad sprain. She limped her way all over this town today as she is on a mission to shop. Toes are taped together with some vietnamese cream and she is icing it now elevated. She is a trooper!! 😉

Back to Spa details…. The White Rose Spa is where we arrived at 9:30am, we did not leave there until 1:30 pm and I only spent $1.168,000, which is $50 USD for 4 incredible Spa treatments. The entrance to this place was over water on cement lily pads, you leave your shoes outside and enter the land of pampering. I opted for the package Renew your Whole-self; Choose from a list of Massage, Scrub, and Wrap. As you sit in a chair with your feet soaking in warm water in a bamboo bowl with lemongrass and fresh slices of lime you look through the spa menu with details that make it sound like your going to dreamy spa outer space. This place was sparkly clean and they were playing the most peaceful Asian spa music. After making selections, we were escorted into the Brown room which represented “grounding” we each got our own lady, mine was Bella. Bella was a tiny little thing with the strongest hands, WOW! I started with The Vietnamese coconut honey & sesame seed scrub, she lathered by entire body from head to toe with this nice smelling scrub filled with black sesame seeds. I was laying on banana leaves for this as she asked me to flip for all to be covered. Once complete you get in shower, rinse and go back for more- pure heaven. Next was the Signature Herbal Body Wrap. Mind you as we had driven around these past few days you see these tall trees with huge banana leaves in the distance……now I know what they use them for , lol This too took place on top of leaves which I was wrapped in after oil applied to my whole body. Besides that your wearing these paper cotton type underwear supplied by spa. The herbal oils were clove, ginger, ylang-ylang…hence it all smells so good and is warm. Seriously I felt like I has died and went to heaven floating in the clouds. We are seriously living our best charmed life today! Not a thought in my mind, total peace with the sounds of music and occasional traffic. Another shower/ rinse off before you get back on the bed for more, OMG! While they set up for massage we were served Fresh cold Passion Fruit Juice, carved watermelon slices, and coconut crackers. What was supposed to be last for me was the final home run, The Asian Blend massage; this was a combination of sensual long strong strokes, squeezing of your arms, legs and muscles, slowly and gently stretching you like a Gumby doll, insanely tops the charts as one of the best massages I have ever had. My travel partner had signed up for a Facial too, so she still had an hour left. When Bella whispered in my ear that it was over I requested one more treatment. I did not want her hands to stop touching me. Not part of my package so I had to pay ala carte. Don’t worry- I have already included that in the price quoted above, yes $50 USD for 4 treatments. Worth the plane ticket , lol . I ended with the 30 min Indian Head Massage. This was heaven for my neck and supposed to be good for the nervous system. She pressed hard on pressure points in my skull and massaged my ears, while turning my head so gently with ease. Steph, if your reading still, this compared to the Sedona Spa we went to in Bali, only thing missing was the bath tub with rose petals. Feeling blessed! 🙏🏻😇

We left glowing, skin has never felt softer, both floating with smiles and feeling totally rejuvenated. Skin is hydrated and body is happy. If you recall the dumpling place from the other night, it is next door and included in Rachels package, we enjoyed cold green tea with pork/Shrimp dumplings and wontons.

It is now a day for shopping. As you all know shopping is not totally my activity , but when traveling with my shopping friends I’m along for the ride. Rach was on a mission to get a tailored outfit in Vietnam. She has mastered the art of negotiating, got herself fitted for a casual everyday black jumpsuit. Its 3 pm and it should be ready by 6 pm. We strolled through the pedestrian only colorfully quaint side streets of Hoi An. There is outdoor music playing and it is a beautiful day out. We have gotten used to the fact that its just always damp in the air with humidity, sweaty times. I bought some earrings, magnets, and a statue type thing, I collect on trips for my house, this time of the basket ladies. We take a shopping break at a coffee place and people watched. All the hard working ladies walk by trying to sell us something. Rachel is buying gifts, and checking many items off her list. It is a productive day. 

We enter a store where they sell cashmeres, silk, and pashmina shawls/scarfs. The store owner is from Kashmir the country in between India and Pakistan. He is the second store owner we meet from this area who informs us of the genocide going on there right now. The fact that close to 8 million people are on lock down with no phones, internet, woman being raped, killed- scary times in his home country. He tells us Trump is trying to help, but also causing problems. He came to Hoi An 9 years ago via Dubai, after leaving his country. He said he found peace here. This guy was handsome, and a super kind hearted soul. His name is Sohail and his demeanor and style reminded me of my cousin Adam. I ended up buying a dress at his store for me. We shall see if I keep it or make it a gift for Jackie 🙂 Its a red print and very unique. None the less I of course inquired about his birthday, which he is a Capricorn, same birthday as Sophie and was born in 1988, a baby. We were intrigued by his story and all with his family still there. He sent me news stories to watch via WhatsApp as we live in a HUGE world and so much tragedy is everywhere, its nuts!! I love learning….

We continued the walk towards the river for an early dinner at Morning Glory, a restaurant someone had recommended. We sat outside on a balcony overlooking the river with lanterns. My meal was wonderful….a bowl of grilled eel over rice. It was like a huge order of Unagi from a japanese restaurant. Yummy……Rach had a crab won ton soup and a few bites of mine. We than jumped in our first bicycle tuk tuk, each rode by a separate guy but  side by side, her toe needs a break yet, the tailored jumpsuit is ready for pick up. A few corrections made and voila, she got her Vietnam desired souvenir. We walked back through all shops, made our way over the crowded bridge and through the Night Market. She is on fire and negotiating deals, buying more things….she got a great big bag for $7. Homeward bound…..we managed to get our suitcases packed back up and everything fits. Alarms are set for 5 am, driver arrives at 6 for next airport adventure to Ho Chi Minh City……

Saigon, here we come!

Love Laurie Sue XO