Connected

zachifox at Muang La (Laos):

#hotsprings #laos #healthy#fun #nature #healing

Depressing little to report on. Maybe not the right words. But I believe that though there's more and more on our internet, there's less and less of substance.

Anyway, ever heard of World bathing Day (June 22)? 

Apparently in existence since last year, it managed to gain much more coverage this time round.

Worldbathingday.org:

'The day will draw attention to our connection with the environment and the state of the world’s water in which we all bathe, as well as drawing awareness to the plight of people for whom bathing is not yet an option and rallying actions to create a world where bathing is possible for all. Whether you run a business within the hot springs tourism and bathing industry or just love bathing, there’s many ways for you to get involved'.

The Global Wellness Institute chimes in and released a press release (Jun. 13):

'The Global Wellness Institute™ (GWI), a nonprofit research and educational resource for the global wellness industry, today released the top five trends in hot springs as identified by the GWI’s Hot Springs Initiative. The new forecast draws attention to World Bathing Day, a celebration of all the world’s water in which we bathe and a rallying cry to create a world where bathing is possible for all'.

The five:

'Multigenerational Features—and Accessibility—Make Hot Springs a Destination for All

Hot Springs Take Lead in Connecting Community

More Wellness Programming Increases Appeal and Revenues

Hot Springs Maximize Connection to Nature and Environment

Extreme Bathing = Extreme Wellness

Though picked up more than last year, World Bathing Day seems to have bypassed Southeast Asia without a ripple.

mariejo.bo (Indonesia):

Hot springs smelling like rotten eggs 💦 #sulphursprings#sumatra #berastagi #earlymorningdip#hotsprings #summer

The Guardian (Jun. 8) delves into the world of forest bathing.

'“Forest bathing is an opportunity for people to take time out, slow down and connect with nature. We think it could be part of the mix of activities for social prescription,” Stuart Dainton of the Woodland Trust told the Observer. “Evidence about its benefits is building.”

...

Gary Evans, who set up the Forest Bathing Institute in the UK last year, said: “People initially think they’ve been doing this all their lives: going for a walk in the woods. But it might be a brisk walk, or you might be worrying about where the dog has got to.

“A better way to frame forest bathing is mindful time spent under the canopy of trees for health and wellbeing purposes.”

A typical session might last three hours, and begin with an explanation of the history and science of shinrin-yoku. “Then it’s about sensory exercises,” said Evans. “We try to hold people’s attention in the present moment, to give their bodies and minds a chance to slow down. We move very slowly, touching the trees, looking at colours and patterns, and breathing deeply. We end up lying down under trees and looking up through the branches.”

janryroldan at Sibol hot spring, Luzon (Philippines):

There is a courtesy of the heart; it is allied to love. From its springs the purest coutesy in the outward behavior... #hotsprings #sibol#naturelover #nature #natural #enjoylife#enjoyyourlife #aftervote #swim

Better sweat

The Nikkei Asian Review (Apr. 21) looks at Japanese style bathing catching on in the region. Or not?

'Japanese-style hot springs or onsen are bubbling up across East and Southeast Asia as Japanese companies and others tout the wonders of a good soak.

The growing popularity of communal bathing is due in part to the growing number of people who have become familiar with Japan's furo (bath) culture after visiting the country.

According to the Global Wellness Institute, which conducts health-related research, the global hot spring market was worth $56 billion in 2017, up about 10% from 2013. That includes spending on accommodation, food and drink, and the like.

Asia, especially China, is driving growth in the market, which the institute expects to expand by nearly 40% to $77 billion by 2022. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for just over half that total. Competition is heating up among bathhouse operators in the region as local governments look to attract bathers.

...

Hotels featuring hot springs or large communal baths are said to have more guests in winter as temperatures drop [Taiwan]. But operators have also emerged in Southeast Asia despite the warm climate.

Siam Wellness Group, a listed Thai company that runs spas in Thailand, Cambodia and elsewhere, opened a hot spring facility with a bedrock bath and a tatami-mat lounge in Bangkok in 2016. In Singapore, a Japanese company opened Yunomori Onsen and Spa in 2016.

"Even in hot countries, people can sweat in a bath and feel better. It is popular, especially among the wealthy," said Tomonori Maruyama, a Japanese spa researcher'.

wansyueann on Taiwan:

最後一張了吶恥度最開一系列 就到這兒結束 呀呼從去年10月開始 就開始一連串的戶外運動這些上山下海沒有輔助沒有自以為練夠了就休息洗澡回家要適應各種天氣要撐到目的地為止於是幾乎每一天身上總有幾處淤青 總有傷 總是肌肉痠痛但我為此感到心滿意足因為又有新的戰績身材又將逼近我所期望所以借我炫耀一下吧 哈哈哈 — 📷 一男友兼攝影師兒 @kanonlong💕—#taiwan#taiwantravel#taoyuan#桃園#嘎拉賀#hotsprings#hotspring#water#hotspringsphotography#hotspringsparadise#waterfall#amazing#waterfallphotography#waterfallsfordays#waterfallselfie#girl#nature#nature_photo#naturephotography#naturelovers#naturediversity#awesome#naturelife#naturephotographer#natureloversgallery#beauty#wansdaywanslife

Over to Vietnam. And Japanese style bathing complexes. Vietnamnet.vn (May 14) announces:

'Le Huu Minh, director of Thua Thien-Hue Province Department of Tourism, and Hoang Viet Trung, deputy head of the provincial Department of Planning and Investment attended the Kawara-My An Onsen Resort project signing.

The USD25.7m project started last September. My An Tourism Company worked on construction with management by the Kawara Resort. The signing ceremony was held on May 13'.

So basically nothing has happened? The prospective website isn't clear either.

Following, a lesser developed soaking opportunity from northern Vietnam:

And then Whatsnewindonesia (Mar. 25) has a national natural hot springs Top 10:

'The many volcanic mountain ranges that are scattered throughout Indonesia are a natural source of hot springs. The existence of these springs is then transformed into tourist attractions. Here is the list of places where you can have a relaxing bath in a hot spring surrounded by lush nature'.

asrikarang at Angseri (Bali):

"Orang yg tahu cara besyukur adalah orang yg bisa menikmati keindahan dunia dan tau arti dari kebahagiaan hidup". Keindahan dunia satu ini terletak di Desa Angseri, Tabanan yg disebut Wisata Air Panas Angseri.Wisata ini memiliki keunikan tersendiri dari pemandian air panas alami di Bali yang lain. Keunikan dari kolam air panas Angseri, terlihat sangat jelas pada desain kebun yang tertata rapi dengan tanaman pohon kelapa, pohon pakis dan tatanan rumput hijau. Pemandangan areal sawah juga terlihat dari kolam air panas Angseri. ❤Kamu bisa relax seperti aku ini sambil nikmati air terjun yg telah disediakan, tapi kalau kamu mau privasi terjaga dan ga banyak orang kamu bisa berendam di dalam bilik yg muat utk 3-5 orang. Belum ada acara kemana kali ini? Langsung aja angetin badan sambil melepas kepenatan 1 minggu yg telah berakhir kemarin 😍 Enjoy ur life guys 📷AS #indonesia #bali #indonesiaparadise#sinijalan2 #maimelali #travellingBali#balibagus #jalankebali #melalikebali#Tourbali #baliholiday #ayodolanan#explorebali #balitrip #infotabanan#airpanas #wisataairpanas #melali#weekend #trip #couple'strip #couple#travel #travelling #world #dreamer#dream #45 #AS #balitravel#ilovetravelling