Light

7ennifer_tl at Marobo (Timor):

🚗⛰🍾🎲🎼💃🏽👙♨️...#Patron #Moet #HappyPills #EDM#MaroboHotSprings #Bobonaro #DroneIsLife#TimorLeste #TimorLesteFromAbove#HiddenParadise #JtAerialPhotography#EditedToTheMax #ThroughJtLens#BirdsEyeView #WorldFromAbove#FromWhereIDrone #DiscoverDrone#DJIMavic711 #SkySupply #Droning#DroneGrids #DroneStagram #GoneDroning#ShotzFromAbove #DjiGlobal #VisualOfEarth#SkyPixel #DroneAddict #DroneJunkie21.1.18

It seems that what's topical in the wider Asian soaking society is the quirky, the cashing-in and the experiencing Japan. 

On the latter, the Philippines Sunstar (Feb. 10):

'I went to Nagoya last week to get naked with strangers. Now if you find this gross, stop now. Put the paper down. Close the window on your screen. But if you think this could be interesting, read on.
...
Yes, I’m talking about the dreaded onsen—the popular hot spring bathing facilities all over Japan that requires all bathers to bathe in the buff. I was determined to go—and not because I’m an exhibitionist. As a matter of fact, when the onsen was first introduced to me exactly a year ago in Hokkaido, I was horrified by the idea of going naked in public.
...
In a nutshell, all my apprehensions at the onsen were unwarranted. You get over the nudity in less than 30 seconds. Truth to tell, no one stares and no one cares—at least at the females only onsen'.

Star2 (Malaysia, Mar. 12):

'I used to be the kid in school that was too shy to even change in the toilet if there were other schoolmates around.
When colleagues learned that I was visiting Club Med Tomamu in Hokkaido, Japan, where guests have access to an onsen operated by the neighbouring Hoshino Resorts, they were adamant I put my inhibitions aside and give it a go.
...
Meanwhile, neck up, the air was cool and refreshing. There were even snowflakes falling on my cheeks! It was just magical'.

But it's not only the Southeastasian perspective that notes cold feet to the Japanese au naturel soaking. The Independent (Feb. 23):

'“Welcome to paradise!” says the naked, middle-aged woman sitting beside me, grinning as she sinks deeper into the almost-too-hot spring water pool at Hotel Shiragiku in the Japanese city of Beppu.
She has travelled from Hong Kong to visit the laid-back spa city famous for its 2,500 mineral-rich hot springs, which are said to soothe the skin and relax the body. I nod my head interestedly to feign comfort and hide the fact I am becoming increasingly anxious that she can see my nipples through the water.
A Londoner uninitiated with onsen culture, I’m seemingly the only one of the dozen naked women in this hot spring bath to feel even a modicum of awkwardness at being in the nude with strangers. Having endured in Japan for thousands of years, onsens are much older than swimsuits and such clothing is thought to contaminate the spring water heated by the Earth’s crust. Instead, bathers must wash thoroughly in a communal area before entering the pool.
I try to relax; it would be remiss to let a little awkwardness get in the way of a dip in an onsen, an integral part of experiencing Kyushu, Japan’s third largest island. And I quickly learn there is something cathartic and freeing about chatting and relaxing communally. This is the antithesis of being shut away in a massage therapy room'.

The Tampa Bay Times (Mar. 8):

'In the bitter February cold, the idea of soaking in an onsen sounds like heaven.
The catch: naked.
In Japan, bathing is an essential ritual of life, at home and in public, often at the end of the day. The tub isn’t for washing, but resting, a chance to soak in natural nutrients.
...
I’m a woman from small-town Madison, Fla., who takes quick showers and wears one-pieces to the beach. I dragged conservative dress like a safety blanket from middle school into my married late 20s. "You once wore tights to the beach," a longtime friend told me.
Could I enjoy this?
...
I feel lightheaded.
I think I like this'. 

yoghijuliansa somewhere on Sumatra (Bengkulu):

________________________________________#curup #ayokecurup #exploresini #rejanglebong #bengkulu #explore_rejang_lebong #hometown #hotspring #nature #mainkesini #vacation #holiday #destination #backpack #travelindo #travellers #dolansebentar #jalanjalanmen #alamnusantara #alamindonesia #like4like #photooftheday #pergiyuk

Stretching it

While we're discussing the onsen culture: Japan Today asks (Mar. 9) when are boys not welcome anymore in the female section of the onsen?

'While some Japanese hot springs operate under a konyoku policy, in which male and female bathers share the same tubs, for the most part bathing in Japan is gender-segregated, even when it’s communal. However, an exception is usually made for young kids.
...
In many people’s opinions, though, once a child starts the first year of elementary school (which usually occurs at the age of five), it’s probably about time for them to start using the bath for their gender.
...
The issue of how to handle young kids in the opposite gender’s bath is particularly tricky, because onsen/sento bathing facilities aren’t private like a public bathroom stall, nor is the goal to get in and out as quickly as possible, like with a changing room at a public pool. The whole point of Japan’s traditional bathhouses is to stretch out the bathing process and make it a relaxing ritual, so operators can’t dismiss out of hand complaints from customers who dislike having boys in the women’s baths. Nevertheless, with a far greater number of single mothers in Japan now than in the past, and the reinvigoration of the country’s love of onsen over the past decade and a half, it’s a topic that’s likely to continue being debated'.

Quite right, as the article generates quite a few comments.

Meanwhile in Taiwan, no such problems:

yidext

面朝大海 春暖花開#EDNAKED#♨️ #溫泉男孩.....#liveoutdoors #earthfocus#thegreatoutdoors #optoutside #welltraveled#passionpassport #stayandwander#beautifuldestinations #discoverearth#letsgosomewhere #natgeo #welivetoexplore#lifeofadventure #modernvoyage#liveauthentic #exploretocreate#whereveryougo #hotsprings #八煙野溪溫泉#八煙溫泉 #野溪溫泉 #溫泉 #泳褲痕 #美尻 #野外露出 #野裸 #🍑

Strange news: yfs figureshop have a complete set of a Japanese onsen:

yfs_figureshop

あ~温泉行きたい。職人が混浴露天風呂造っちゃいました。近日店頭にて展示予定です。#ミニチュア人形のyfs#nゲージ#nゲージジオラマ#nゲージで見る日常光景#露天風呂#混浴露天風呂#混浴温泉世界#ヌードフィギュア#ヌード人形#セクシーフィギュア#ミニチュアフィギュア#ミニチュア人形は演出です#ミニチュア写真#ミニチュアの世界#smallworlds #miniaturefigures#nakedfigures#nudefigures#hotspring#onsen♨️ #onsen♨️ #温泉旅行♨️#miniaturephotography#microworld #microphotography#diorama #ジオラマの世界

Australia's Kitchen Nine reports (Feb. 12) on another Japanese quirky hot spring feature:

'... we’ve recently stumbled on this glorious footage footage revealing a Valentine's Day special at Yunessun spa in Hakone; the chance to bathe in a melted chocolate hot spring. Yes, you heard that correctly. Chocolate all around your body'.

An impromptu hot spring from Taiwan, don't see this being the next big thing for 2018 ...

ian_hsien

夜戰多望野溪♨️貨卡真的是太ㄅㄧㄤˋ了 ！夏天可以是泳池 冬天可以是溫泉池#camping #hotsprings #4x4 #offroad4x4#offroadlife #jimny #amarok

Banyantree

The South China Morning Post (Mar. 12) looks at the Chinese soaking scene:

'The travel market for China’s hot springs is one of the fastest growing in the world. Revenues from hot springs trips, which follow the ancient custom of bathing in thermal waters for recuperative effect, more than quadrupled from 22.8 billion yuan (US$3.6 billion) in 2006 to 100 billion yuan in 2016, according to online travel agent Ma Feng Wo. Happily for resort owners, cold weather only makes the prospect of a warm bath more enticing.
...
According to Ctrip, China’s love of hot springs is fuelled by women, who booked 70 per cent of the website’s trips in 2017.
Carolyn Mu, 28, a primary schoolteacher living in Weihai in Shandong Province, began visiting hot springs resorts regularly after graduating in 2014. “I usually go to hot springs with my friends. After having a bath, we get together in the lobby and have fun, watching TV, having a meal and playing cards,” she says'.

It then goes on to list 6 luxury hot spring resorts.

What we prefer. For instance these rustic hot springs that still exist in China. Here at Mangshi, Yunnan.

ciliansun

Hot springsUnder the banyan #hotsprings #hotspring #amazing #wash#swimming

Laos wants to develop (read spoil) it's hot springs. From the Vientiane Times (Jan. 19):

'Bokeo provincial authorities have identified naturally warm and mineral-rich waters and plan to develop the sites as new tourism attractions for bathers during Visit Laos Year.
Director of Bokeo province Information, Culture and Tourism Department, Mr Bounsavath Keoduangta told Vientiane Times local authorities have surveyed three natural hot springs for sustainable development to increase the number of local and international visitors.
The first hot spring is located near Namkeung village, Tonpheung district, situated about 25 km from the north-western province’s capital and only a kilometre from an adjacent natural waterfall.
“Infrastructure at the location will include facilities such as a restaurant, guesthouse and designated bathing site. The project is in the design stage with construction to begin soon,” Mr Bounsavath said.
The second hot spring is located at Namfa-namter village, Tonpheung district, situated about 40km from the provincial capital.
“The two hot springs are warm but not too hot and considered quite fine for taking a bath, especially in the winter.”
According to provincial officials, the third hot spring in Pounglor village, Meung district has temperatures approaching 100 C and is about 60km from the urban centre with a 28 km section of road under construction to allow access for visitors.
The popularity of hot spring bathing among international guests is expected to attract more local and foreign visitors if suitably developed; therefore, authorities are welcoming investment proposals for facilities at the sites'. 

Following a photo of what the photographer attributes to as Xieng Khouan province, but I've done quite some searching but have yet to discover where exactly this new looking resort is located.

al_icanplay

#hotsprings

Cocks

blog.tripviss (Jul. 22) has 

'8 Relaxing Hot Springs & Baths in Southeast Asia'

Forbes (Mar. 13) notes 5 hot springs in Asia. It includes Fang (Thailand) and Binh Chau (Vietnam).

Vietnam.net (Jan. 30) has a photographic overview of Tram Tau hot springs. Must be quite new, as tripadvisor has no reviews ...

jzentran at Tram Tau

#real #hotspring in #springtime only 1 dollar charge/visitor can you believe? 😯😱😭😍• Check out Yên Bái - Việt Nam and feel #reborn • #travel #travelphotography#adventure #adventurer #adventuretime #mountains #traveler #lifestyle #culture#vietnam #original #inspiration #inspire#nature #naturephotography #landscape#naturelovers #zen #indie #indieartist #dreamer #harmony #balance #reflection#clearwater • #jzentran

Patrik Lord Travel Blog (Feb. 4) goes to Baslay, Negros (the Philippines):

'The area is quiet and peaceful and if you are resonable fit and are not dependent of shops and changing rooms this is the place for you!
...
Going down to the hot springs. Indeed we saw many people at the turnback, but they were there for cock fights not for the hot springs'.

Less better news, as always in the same vein. Philippines News Agency (Jan. 20):

'The local government here is eyeing a hot spring within a natural park as a new tourism destination in Eastern Visayas.Burauen town tourism officer, Carmela Corazon Crebillo, said Friday they had already drawn up plans to develop the Calor Hot Spring, but were awaiting further comments from concerned national government agencies'.

In all honesty the plans seem more natural while enhancing the forested area around the springs with very limited eco-impact.

Giggles

Malaysia's New Strait Times heads for Bentong's hot spring (Feb. 22): 

'Nature enthusiasts who are looking for a break not far from Kuala Lumpur may want to consider staying at Erya by Suria Hot Spring Resort.
Surrounded by a rainforest the resort in Bentong, which is only an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur and 20 minutes from Bentong town, is perfect for those in need of a rejuvenating and healing retreat soaking in the geothermal hot spring pool.
...
As it is a short getaway, my travel companion and I do not delay taking a therapeutic dip in the 40-degree Celsius sulphuric hot spring pool where the water is directly channelled from the hot springs to the pool. The pool is also open to the public with different rates for children, adults and senior citizens'.

Tripadvisor notes 3,5 stars for the experience, booking.com a 7.2, they could probably use the publicity.

Staystripzilla (Mar. 8) has 

'Top 5 Hot Spring Resorts in Malaysia'.

No. 2 is the just mentioned Suria at Bentong and also mentioned is KSL Hot Spring Resort which is yet to open in Johore.

The Smarter Way (Jan. 2018) has 

'6 Hot Springs in Malaysia to Sweat Your Worries Away'.

Very similar to aforementioned.

Ten things to do on Bali (There V Goes Again). Number 8:

'Skinny Dip in a Hot spring
Ok obviously, you should skinny dip at your own risk- side note: We ended up getting stalked basically by these young boys (maybe 10-12 years old). They definitely thought it was hilarious that we were stranded and naked while they all stood around giggling and pointing. Anyhow, it was peaceful and as cliche as it sounds, I truly felt "at one with nature" while here. The hot spring we visited was called Asri Hot Springs. What I liked about going to this one rather than one of the super touristy ones is that we were right there with the locals, doing what local people do. Apparently, this is a place where some may come to bathe. I also loved that they had several different"bath houses" in addition to the outdoor springs'.

Travelfish (Jan. 28) head for Cipinas hot spring (Java).

'Cipanas is a small atmospheric mountain resort town famed for its volcanic hot springs that seep from nearby active volcano, Gunung Guntur.
...
the resort itself has a somewhat tawdry, downmarket vibe.
The surrounding area however, offers beautiful mountain scenery, active volcanos, ancient ruins, traditional villages and some good hiking opportunities and thus makes a worthwhile stopover
...
The warm water is very relaxing and hard to resist, which makes it easy to forgive some of the below average facilities, and offers the perfect antidote to ease weary muscles after hiking one of the nearby volcanoes.
...
Public baths are a cheaper option, but the ones we checked out were pretty scruffy and lacking in cleanliness'.

qee_3060 at Desa Penen Kec. Sibiru-biru (North Sumatra):

Let's keep you warm 😀#hotspring #pool #nature #cave #cliff #stone #bluelagoon #trip #today