Update 2010- II

Followers may have noted that most of my effort has been directed towards the Hot soaks of the Himalaya blog, which has detailed listings of many (if not most) hot springs in or near the Himalaya. I am still to include more, but from regions further away.
It's also good to see that the number of visitors to that site is matching those to this site!
On this blog site coming are more entries from a recent journey to Central and East Java, which I liked a lot. Also to be included is a report from a visit to a wellness center in Germany.

Socialism
In actuality there's not much to be updated on. One of the premier spa resorts in Asia, the Banyan Tree gives some additional info concerning it's management culture. Ho Kwan Ping, the founder, reveals that challenging the authorities in the past has helped him shape the Banyan Tree now. He's a ‘Capitalist in his pocket and socialist in his heart’. A brand criterion: 'all swimming pools must be built in such a way that guests can skinny dip without being seen beyond the walls of the villa'. If the Banyan Tree got itself involved with hot springs, now there's a concept ... But despite the socialist talk, Banyan tree is totally focused on the free spending elite ...

Hot hippies?
A hot spring in pill form?

'You can re-create the hot springs in your own bath as I do'.

Suzy Cohen (who can be 'reached' at www.DearPharmacist.com) proposes adding all kinds of minerals to your bath, so as to gain the same benefits from a bath at home as you would from a soak in the 'wild'. Unfortunately it's not clear whether there is such a pill or that she proposes taking a whole bucketful of pills. Nonetheless I can imagine people being enticed by this. Does it already exist?
Elsewhere she has to answer a queries about her Facebook page which includes a photo of her soaking in a Utah, USA hot spring:

'Q: This maybe personal, but are you sick? What is in the water that is so healing? I'm curious because around here, hot springs are for hippies only [!]'.

'A: Hippies? I am an Aquarian, so perhaps I qualify. The mere thought of hot springs brings a rush of peace into my body and a deep breath. I prefer undeveloped hot springs that are nestled deep in the woods or amidst a waterfall.
...
The waters contain minerals and sulfur compounds which go right through your skin to soothe aching muscles, ease joint pain, improve circulation, relieve skin irritations, boost immunity and ease breathing difficulties. Sulfur-based compounds help unstick dangerous pollutants. The experience can create harmony, because you are soaking up healing nutrients from ancient waters bubbling up from the Earth's core, and you absorb energy from the fresh air, the Earth, the trees and the sun'.

Not sick thus.
This last mentioned aspects fall much in line with a thread on soakersforum.com concerning 'spiritual aspects of soaking'. Unfortunately I have yet to come across any spirituality in soaking here in Southeast Asia other than that awarded to water in general.

Malaysia
A previous link to a Malaysian language blog entry concerning Kunak hot spring has been changed. Apparently according to the new link the springs here are not only hot but salty as well.
Caution must be applied though to this as of yet undeveloped hot spring:

'Fredolin [Sabah state Mineral and Geoscience Department senior geologist] advised visitors not to simply taste the hot water in order to avoid untoward incidents. “We are concerned that the water could contain toxic susbstances such as mercury and arsenic”, he added'.

Elsewhere there is a 'mud volcano' closeby. Can't resist posting this picture from Semuakonak, even though it's not a hot spring:


Bhutan

• At the beginning of June it was reported that repairs to Bhutan's premier hot spring (required due to a flash flood) would involve the Japanese. Though in this more recent report, the Italians seem to have outbid the Japanese.

Philippines

• The Daclan soaking vs. geothermal energy production quandry has once more delayed geothermailty as the local government favours local sentiment (should they do otherwise?) against geothermal energy according to this press clipping.

Indonesia

• From the same source, more reports of favourite soaking haunts being developed to provide more energy.

China

• 'If a man swims naked in a pond and there are no women there to see him is he acting immorally? A group of men in Yuxi who use a local reservoir as a nude swimming social club say the answer is "no".'

  This shocking story (though not concerning a hot spring) uncovered by the blogoshere at the end of June. It concerns a small lake near Yuxi, Yunnan, where this tradition has just been found out. Apparently no outcry as of yet.

  'Pundits such as Southern Daily columnist Ao Tianma say that the legality of nude swimming is open to interpretation. The law stipulates that public exposure must be flagrant in order to be a crime, and it is unclear if that label applies to such a secluded area.
  ...
  For their part the One Hundred Birds [local swimming club] simply want the recent media attention to go away. A club member surnamed Yang was quoted as saying, "We just want to keep the place and go about our swimming quietly."
  

  A great story nonetheless which literally reveals that bathing practices even in China are diverse. But also how internetisation (or may we also add, a form of cultural globalisation) is threatening this diversity and conditioning all non-mainstream practices to fit in with just the single line of thought. So much for the internet being a tool of power!

Eagle cries

Volcanic or not?

Though one associates volcanoes with hot springs, in reality this is not always the case. On Java, Indonesia, there are many (distinct and active) volcanoes. This though hardly implies there are many hot springs.
That said the hot springs there are, are close to volcanoes, Java virtually being an island of volcanoes.
On the very distant slopes before the Lawu volcano mountain becomes part of the riverine plain surrounding Solo city, lies the hot spring of Bayanan. Coming from the northern plain city of Sragen (itself 30 km from northeast of Solo) after 15 km and just beyond the village of Sambirejo, the paddy fields give way to small hillocks covered in teak.

Past
Located in this area, the hot spring of Bayanan is located 2 km beyond the village of the same name on a recently laid asphalt road. With the parking area also covered with the same new surface, it’s a disappointment to see that whatever constituted the recreation area of this hot spring, it’s features are now clinging on to dear life. Private warungs (shop stalls selling everything and doubling as restaurants) seem ok, but the public facilities for which further up the road 2,000 INR was paid (~0,20 $US), are gradually deteriorating.
Despite this, on this Saturday morning, a number of youthful (and very silent, or were they just shy?) couples were occupying the few and far between seating areas. Two small kids were the only ones active; their efforts were focused on throwing bucketfuls of water to the encaged eagle which had little choice than to accept this fate as just one of those days. It was one of those places.

The soak?
Soaking might have taking place in earlier days in a larger swimming pool, but possibly as this was the drier season, the pool was empty.
Beyond the pool is a cemented enclosure which had to be the source. The small view of it’s interior revealed only a reflection, which has to be attributed to a water surface.
Continuing, thick water pipes lead to a number of bathing cubicles which in contrast to the rest of the area, have been maintained. Inside are a bath tub and enough space to change.
It looks clean, so a soak can be enjoyed, why else come here. After the soak, it’s another 2 hour journey to cover the 50 km back to Solo. In just two hours.

Other sources
The local government website of Sragen regency has extensive info on the Bayanan hot spring recreation zone. Which includes all info on how to get here and photo's from better times.

'Through scientific research was known that hot water and the substance that were contained inside it was suspected came from the touch magma (geothermal) that touched the source very deep ground water and to was felt in the surface as the source of hot water. Hot exact water in his source + 44 0 C, and after until the surface in the bath to + 36 0 C, in accordance with the temperature of the human body, so as to will be felt was glad and comfortable to bath. Investigation that was done by the Balai Penyelidikan Dan Pengembangan Teknologi Kegunungapian Yogyakarta showed the existence of many elements/the chemical compound that was contained in the Bayanan Hot Water Bathing Place including the sulphur (Sulphur)'.

Tourists are to be persuaded by this text. A selection:

'Bayanan hot spa is considered to have many advantages in curing many kinds of diseases, such as f rheumatism, itch, and so an. Many visitors coming to this place have proven that the hot spa in Bayanan is really curable. Besides curing several diseases mentioned above, this hot spa can also decrease cholesterol level in blood, revitalize our body and muscles, relieve the tiredness, and keep us young'.

A video perhaps?


Getting there: Sragen is closest major town, conveniently found on the main highway from Solo to Surabaya. Train also passes through here. Getting to Bayanan might mean finding some kind of deal with either a small microbus or an ojek (motorcycle). Bayanan is well known, not far from Sambirejo.
Soaking experience: The water was hot, but not too hot (see above). The bath was clean. The cubicle was dark.
Overall impression: Not really worth all the trouble to get out here. Cheap though.

Spa's and hot springs: a healthy read?

Seldom can one expect to find anything remotely describing worldwide soaking experiences, other than a number of websites. Let alone a full blown scientific publication.

However Patricia Erfurt-Cooper and Malcolm Cooper (both connected with Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Kyoto, Japan) are most probably the first and are putting down the stakes. Besides initiating soaking as a science, they are drawing on worldwide experiences of soaking, contrasting most current scientific literature on hot springs which never comment on the practices of soaking themselves other than the odd mention of bathing taking place. That said their focus is not solely on hot springs but the overall 'wellness tourism'. And though there are many similarities between soaking in hot springs and taking the waters in spa's, there are also the significant difference of naturalness of the source of water. Especially in Europe and increasingly elders hot springs are offering more 'products' (massage, beauty therapies, etc.) thereby blurring these differences.

Specifically the authors provide us with info on the global spa and wellness industry and it's historic roots, from ancient Pakistan to today. Other chapters look at the cultural and religious significance of water (and thus bathing), the geological background of springs, the tourism environment, economics, management, marketing and technology of wellness tourism, as well as the presentation of case studies.

Summarized the findings of the study are:

1. Springs are often located in active volcanic environments,
2. Despite geography hot springs worldwide have religious (and/or traditional) similarities',
3. Historically, development of hot springs has waxed and waned. This indicates their continuing significance.
4. Multiple use of hot springs for non-bathing purposes,
5. Hots springs are often synonymous with curative and therapeutic values. Information on both is lacking,
6. Especially in Europe springs have been part of the medical tradition,
7. Differences in hot spring use are often determined by local socio-cultural conditions, as well as factors such as access, temperature and development status of the hot spring and
   
8. No culture can claim first use.

It also pinpoints gaps and challenges, some of which concern information supply. Outside of North America and Japan, little information has been compiled (other than this site). Soaking need not be the only use. Increasingly development of hot spring sites include a trend to presenting them as waterparks. Within tourism literature there seems to be lacking researched demand.

In no doubt this book does provide extensive insight and manages to compile a backlog of literature references. That said the simple occurrence that this blog was not part of accessed websites despite the wealth of info, shows that there is still heaps of information to be compiled.

The blurring of the text with upcoming wellness tourism (though economic more significant) does not necessarily make this a must read publication for soakers. Yes, there are highly informative pieces but also less interesting chapters.

Wellness tourism as such derives from cultures where taking the hot waters has always been important.

Specifically the authors miss considerable information on Southeast Asia and manage to lop in Taiwan as well, while listing the Philippines in the Pacific. Indonesia gets a small paragraph despite it probably being one of the best places to find hot springs in the world. Thailand though does get more coverage, even though the places listed fail to attract specific soaking customers; hot springs in Thailand are used by locals for therapeutic reasons while tourists visit out of curiosity.

And though there may be similarities worldwide in soaking, the actual method (and tradition) of soaking is only briefly discussed. Much is made of the risk factor due to contaminating water (due to poor circulation), little of how for instance Japanese maintain absolute hygiene (with Iceland a close second) and the lack of hygienic bathing traditions in many lesser developing nations (for instance Southeast Asia ...). And though significance is given to Roman culture for the spread of ancient bathing traditions and embracing soaking, the role Japan played in developing many of Asia's hot soaks is neglected .

Other aspects which I thought might constitute more research are the fact that many of the bathing traditions stem from countries / regions where bathing in warm or hot water are a treat in colder months. How would this tradition translate itself to Southeast Asia, where most soaks are located in hot climates. Does the water loose it's value therapeutic / medical value when cooled? Is heat part of the therapeutic process?

Another aspect is the fact that it focuses on water as the corner stone of this aspect of wellness tourism. In the absence of hot water, cultures have used hot air (sauna's, steam baths) for much of the same aspects, combining social life with 'health' aspects.
Modern day wellness traditions seem to focus much more on non-social aspects, affording personal exclusivity as another selling point (four, six hands massage).
The presentation of case studies fails to back up the literature. The case study for instance includes two pages on what a hot spring in Australia might develop.

All-in-all despite the promise, slightly disappointing. A wealth of references and a stimulus for improvement nonetheless.

Reference
Erfurt-Cooper, P., Cooper, M. (2009) Health and Wellness Tourism: Spas and Hot Springs. Aspects of Tourism 40. Channel View Publications, Bristol, United Kingdom.

Available from Publisher and Amazon.

Updates March / April 2010

Yes, I agree it has been conspicuously silent on this site for the past 2 months. No that doesn't mean that a stream of blog entries is on it's way ... More probably the followers will have noticed that there has been lots of flesh added to the bones otherwise known as Hot springs of the Himalaya. This month (April) just 3 postings, March 4 postings. In all there are now specific links to 160+ hot springs. Research has been done on much more, all very time consuming, but the (temporary) end is near ... A Facebook page has been added. No, it's not even running lukewarm ... 

 Anyways, any other news? 

That's besides the World Geothermal Congress, see previous posting. Well, harking back on the geothermality is this article from Indonesia which was originally published in the Jakarta Globe (23 April, 2010). It of course deplores Indonesia's lack to provide power despite all that energty being available under their own noses, so to speak. Commenting on a project in Garut:

'“People I speak to think it’s related to Lapindo [the uncontained mud flow near Surabaya],” said Erfan Hutagaol, head of the Energy Ministry’s geothermal business effort section, referring to the mudflow disaster in East Java. “And there are those who are already using geothermal for tourism purposes, such as natural hot springs. And they’re afraid the hot springs will disappear if we develop geothermal energy.”'

So that's not the case? An aspect which seems to be waylayed:

'An estimated 42 percent of Indonesia’s potential geothermal reserves are located within protected or conservation forests, the latter of which is off limits to geothermal production according to 1999 forestry law'.

Dr Fish discussion on Khmer 440 forum concerning the antics of fish 'spa's' in Siem Reap, Cambodia. As Cambodia is another home of pirated goods it's no wonder that the fish in these fish spa's are not original ones, at least that's the allegations. But heh, where else can you get a 20 minute Dr Fish session for $3 complete with a free can of beer? (see photo's). Bangkok Post (25 March 2010) puts in it's 2 cents. They spoke with the owner of Cafe DeSpa ($8 for 30 min, no drinks included) who uses a Japanese system of drainage to ensure sanitary conditions, something less obvious in Siem Reap even though I've yet to hear complaints from there. The article concludes:

'It seems the fish spa business is now under a cloud of suspicion. Hygiene is of course a big problem, while some outlets don't use the right kind of fish, but Garra Rufa [nibbling fish from Turkey] lookalikes like the Chin Chin fish [fish from China, when not juvenile they have teeth!] which can wound customers. Only time will tell if fish spas are here to stay, or are just a trend that comes and goes'.

Blogs / news from Southeast Asia (sort of): Malaysia

• An entry on mysabah.com on 'sulphorous' hottish springs near Tawau, Sabah. Located in the forest just 3 hours walk (this link says 1 hour) from Tawau Hills Park. But reporter didn't find the springs. Walked back, talked with ranger and set out the next day to find the springs, which he estimates to be 25-30 degrees; in his words they are not hot. Great posting, including pictures.

Vietnam

• Five million $ set up aside to spruce up Giang Son hot spring.

Philippines

• We like to think that all Southeast Asians are adverse to any risky behavior in or near water, but that's not the case. For instance at Sadanga, Luzon. A nice blog entry by banayan on communal bathing:

  'Though there are other hot springs in Mountain province, like that in Mainit, Bontoc, Sadanga’s set-up is unique. Even before the cisterns were built and enclosed, the males were already separated from the females – each has their own place to take their baths though these places are near each other. Though it was a common sight to see naked person of the opposite sex taking a bath, no records of malice or rape was ever done. But, decency took place and the bathing cisterns were enclosed. Yet, inside the enclosed bathrooms, all young and old females, take their clothes off, sit down and start splashing themselves with the hot spring water – splashes which very soon become pours'.

  Even more un-Southeast Asian:

  'A proposal rejected by the local people was that this public bathing place be developed and enclosed so those who’ll come will enter for a fee. Such a proposal was taken as something absurd but the local people clearly understand that once that happens, they, the locals, cannot freely enter the place. And, so it was rejected'.

  Unbelievable? Hot from the press:

  'The renewable arm of Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) has secured a geothermal exploration contract to develop a 40-megawatt (MW) project for Luzon.According to Energy Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan the project would have an estimated US$120 million investment which would cover 20 MW for the Mainit-Sadanga and 20 MW Buguias-Tinoc geothermal projects'.

Thailand

• This blogger (adventuresofabeautyqueen) while visiting Pong Phra Bat, Chiang Rai takes a different cue:

  'If you are looking for luxury, beware. Pong Phrabat Natural Springs is run down and in dire need of an investor who can turn the place into a world-class destination for SPA fans all over the world'.

  Her score card:

  'Water: 10 Tiaras; Privacy: 8 Tiaras; Tubs: 4 Tiaras; Service: 2 Tiaras; Ambience/Design: 1 Tiara; Massage: 1 Tiara (based on the French lady’s review); Cost: 10 Tiaras'.

• A new hot spring resort in Krabi province? Natthawaree hot spring apparently.

Timor

• A sign of life, a recent picture of Marobo hot spring.

Bhutan

• I know, I know, that's not Southeast Asia, still worthwhile news. Last year the hot spring of Gasa experienced a wash up damaging the hot spring infrastructure. Now the Japanese are coming ... to give advice:

  '“We want to reconstruct the tsachu as soon as possible and we’d like to work together with Japan, considering the same culture of hot springs in Japan,” Lyonpo [Bhutanese Home Minister(!)] said, during his meeting with a team from Arima hot springs in Japan, who visited Gasa tsachu to explore the possibility of reconstruction'.

  Yes it's possible this is the good news, might cost a bit ...

Nepal

'People taking dip at hot-water spring in Singh VDC of Myagdi district. People believe that bath at the spring cures several illnesses'.

Photo by Ghanshyam Khadka published by eKantipur. More gawkers than soakers ...

World Geothermal Congress: soaked?

Prominent in the news is the World Geothermal Congress (WGC) currently being held in Bali, Indonesia. Though we would expect that soaking and tourism would function in this, it seems to be all about generating power (literally and figuratively?). No less than Indonesia's president has vowed to make the country the world's geothermal power leader by 2025. That's if other countries don't pre-empt him.

But what about making Indonesia the world's number 1 destination for soaking? Currently it are countries as diverse as Japan, Costa Rica, Hungary, New Zealand and Iceland (the Blue Lagoon, Iceland's no. 1 tourist destination?) who make soaking a priority in their intentions to draw foreign tourists. Not so in Southeast Asia.

And by the looks of the WGC programme not much seems to change. Tourism is just a small side session and even the day-programmes on offer for the participants fail to include at least 1 visit to a Balinese hot spring. Maybe the majority of the participants are only interested in wallowing in wealth in the prospect of the $$$ which will arrive once the geo is harnessed.

What is on offer are a number of presentations, three of the ten on Iceland. There is a paper on the Indian Himal by the Arya's:

'Need of the hour is to come up with simple but effective solutions to renovate these geothermal resources and judiciously use it in our day to day life'.

If you have following the Hot springs of the Himalaya blog it seems that management is lacking, especially in the face of a tourism onslaught in the better accessible area's of the Indian Himal.

Chow Weng Sum presents an overview of the hot springs in the Malaya Peninsula (Malaysia) which hardly delves into any soaking aspects. Interesting he and his co-authors mention after sampling mineral water:

'Only two of these hot springs [of a possible 60?] meet all the requirements for drinking and mineral water'.

Furthermore the call to harness the sites for power generation.

In the poster session a poster by Charles Davidson, an Australian with a passion for soaking. The poster focuses on himself and how taking a leaf from the Japanese soaking tradition has tried (and succeeded) to undertake the same on the Mornington Peninsula of the Australian state of Victoria, the undertaking aptly called Peninsula Hot Springs. In this Google Doc an extensive overview of how Charles became Australia's premier soaker (?).

Finally there is a presentation by Patricia Erfurt-Cooper who is becoming the soak guru in the scientific world. With co-authoring 2 books on geothermal tourism in the last 2 years she is certainly the person to lift tapping-the-thermal-waters to a more prominent position, the question is whether her message would intrigue participants. The abstract certainly intrigued and the order to Amazon is underway for 2009's

'Health and Wellness Tourism: Spas and hot springs'.

And then there is this years

'Volcano and Geothermal Tourism'

edited by Ms. Erfurt-Cooper, which draws on world wide experiences, though not exclusively focusing on soaking. Might have to save up some money before ordering this ...