Tagged

yannoschnitzel

Late night hot spring action by the river. Wine and Baileys was had 🍷 Lucas (bro) looking good 💪
#travel#onsen#hotspring#river#taiwan#modelshot

I would like to start this blog entry with highlighting the following: that of soaking secrets.

Especially on social media, I've seen a lot of "ssst, don't tell anyone where we are". But nonetheless, let's share the photo.

On the one hand, keeping something secret increases it's sacredness, on the other ultimately in a social world, if you believe that the soak setting is being sacked, the only real answer is social organisation. But that seems to entail a rash with many fellow soakers. Too many of us are only interested in what nature has on offer to us rather than the other way round.

falsesummitco

Seriously! And leave the fucking glass bottles at home. This is why we can’t have nice things. #falsesummit #hotsprings #stopgeotagginghiddenlocations

In the Southeastern Asia context, there's an additional threat. 

As public ownership is very poorly protected, any (pristine / primitive / undeveloped) hot springs gaining popularity is bound to be ensnared by private interests. 

Privatising cuts local use, cuts social organisation / cohesion and often leaves the locals themselves as bit players in the profit seekers set-up; where the wealth created is transferred to the local capitals.

And what is the role of this blog itself? 
I like to say that opposing developing hot springs is not highlighted enough. What is highlighted is often the beauty of the dwindling number of natural soaks. But with the (global) population ever increasing, spending and free time becoming more and more readily available (= good thing), the plight of many natural soaks is to be developed; the question is often only when?

Luckily as above in Taiwan, there might still be locations in Southeast Asia, rugged and rough and still far away from roads which might survive. Let's hope more soaks can hold out for longer.

Ironically the next subject concerns developing more and private soaking facilities.
ThinkGeoenergy (Oct. 7) highlights a recent report on the state of Victoria (Australia) and it's potential to encourage more investment in soaking.

'The report called “The Great Victorian Bathing Trail” can be downloaded here (pdf).
...
The report might as well be a blueprint for hot spring development beyond the state of Victoria in Australia'.

I similarly agree, it's an excellent report, showing how experiencing hot spring baths elsewhere on this globe can be copied and enhanced in creating more soaking opportunities in Victoria itself. But such is the inspiration from the report that using it for soaking developments elsewhere is a must.

Note that the developments in Victoria concern pumping-up geothermal water, as there are no naturally occurring soaks there. 

Dilemma
Some wackier news, all from Japan.

The Japan Today (Nov. 4):

'Although famous throughout the country for their baths, Beppu still feels that more people ought to be visiting. However, the dilemma is that people can’t truly see how good the baths are without first actually going there. So they developed a way to instead bring the bath to the people. These Genso no Yu or “Visionary Baths” are inflatable, easy to transport anywhere in the country, and can fit four to five adults in each of the two 450-liter baths. Of course, they use 100 percent Beppu sourced water, transported in specially-designed heated tankers to keep it at a piping 40 to 42 degrees'.

Great for a winter garden party? Can't see it taking off myself, but who knows?

The Nextshark (Aug. 7) notes some controversy:

A temple in Niigata Prefecture, Japan is causing quite the stir for its decision to use erotic art depicting historical and mythical men bathing together while in the nude.

source

More odd initiatives from Beppu. The Asashi Shibun (Oct. 18) kicks off with an article on ordering hot spring water, undiluted (it's quite common to order hot spring minerals to dissolve on location):

'Beppu city-affiliated B-biz Link started a service to deliver spa water from the municipality famous for its numerous hot springs to households and facilities across Japan.
Under the Beppu Onsen Omiya initiative, the company sends anywhere from 200 liters to 4,000 liters of hot water. A household bathtub typically requires 200 to 300 liters of water'.

Costs though seem prohibitive.

Everywhere

jojo9154

Vietnam’s hidden treasure! 💎 #banho #sapa #laocai #vietnam #nature #hotsprings #travel #wander #explore #turisteando

Heading into the region proper.

Worldthermalsprings, according to it's instagram account, is currently in Vietnam, notably Krong Pha hot spring, Thap Ba and Binh Chau.

The instagram account is actually of better known thermalsprings.ru, this is their page on Vietnam. 
They link to maps-vietnam.ru where I found this comment from the thermalsprings backers:

'Your site is excellent, but I hoped that I could easily find on the map all the hot springs mentioned here, but I found about 30%. I’ll fly to Nha Trang tomorrow and travel to the hot springs. If you have the opportunity to urgently send me the coordinates of all these sources, I will be very grateful. I created the site "thermal springs of the world" and travel everywhere to hot springs. This is my hobby. Finishing all my trips at my expense. And the information is available to everyone. On November 9, I plan to visit 3 hot complexes near Nha Trang, and there is no plan further. Your map shows 3 sources to the NW from Hanoi, but there are simply no two pages. Really looking forward to help'. 

No answer forthcoming?

Life on the soaking search road looks like this:

'Traveling to the thermal springs of Vietnam: it is difficult to travel to Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, almost no English is spoken, only spa representatives from the marketing department can speak. In hotels at the reception and ticket offices (if any) knowledge of English is minimal. So it’s impossible to plan something in advance. You go out onto the track knowing that there will be buses. Everything else is unknown. The third day of the trip, November 11, reached the main highway at 5:15, caught slipping bass, then two local buses and a motorbike to the Bin Chau resort. Another motobike and bus transfer to Mui Ne and a visit to the Mui Ne Hot Spring Center resort. I take a local bus to Fantieja, a neighboring city, walk to the highway and, after eating wonderful noodle soup, start catching a long-distance bus. They write on the Internet that they go twice a day. In fact, they drove here every 2 minutes. After 20 minutes the bus stopped, in which there were places. Agreed on a price, knowing the price from the Internet for this distance. She took her berth. Very comfortable to sleep. The blanket is thin, so you can hide with your head so that the light along the road does not interfere. At 18:45, the bus ride started and at 4:00 the next day ended. I drove 622 km during the night. At this time, motorbikes do not interfere with the bus and it flies at an average speed of 75 km / h. I had to skip one source, since I would have arrived there at one in the morning. To be continued'.

Somewhere in northern Vietnam. In better (= less developed) times? source

itourvn (Oct. 30) has a list of best of soaks to visit in Vietnam. These being Kim Boi (Hoa Binh) , Bang (Quang Binh), Dam Rong (Lamdong), Bin Chau (Vungtau) and I-Resort (Nha Trang). Mostly (very) developed.

Impact

tiahnijade

Marobo Natural Hot Springs with this special little forest nymph. Oh the people you meet ☺️ so grateful to meet and travel with you @ishtar.raven 🌞🦋🌻✨🌱

Thailand's Nation reports (Oct. 16) on sustainable tourism initiatives from concerned business on Phuket:

'Sustainability has become the key word to their survival in the face of mass tourism for many in the tourist and hospitality industry, including Phuket’s myriad of hotels and resorts. Thus, the Phuket Hotels for Island Sustaining Tourism (PHIST) forum was born.
...
While the issue of plastic usage dominated the forum, other topics relating to sustainability were also discussed.
Eric Ricaurte, founder of Singapore-based sustainability firm Greenview, outlined three main issues in mass tourism; displaced tourists, overcrowding and the backlash from the impacts caused by tourists
“First is tourists entering neighborhoods where they shouldn’t be, in residential neighborhoods and residential buildings. I’m a resident and we have too many AirBnB places in my building, and that also drives up rent,” Ricaurte said.
“Second, [there are] too many tourists. You see this in Phuket, Japan and Korea. The third is the backlash from the impacts caused. This is what we saw in Boracay, too many tourists in small destinations without the resident’s input.”
According to Ricaurte, the issues can come down to a single problem, in that “destination stakeholders not realizing the broader impacts of the individual activities of the business and private sector and the public sector”.

Though not solely hot spring related, it does inform you more on how tourism development is taking place and how to try to counter the negatives; a good initiative, if slightly belated.

Pai Hot Springs

Mae Hong Son province by Clairemrphy

Back to Taiwan. The Taiwan News (Nov. 10) reports on a local festival:

'Hot spring season has kicked off at Sichongxi Hot Springs Park in Pingtung County's Checheng Township and will last from now until Feb. 9, 2020.
The Pingtung County Government, which organized the event, has decorated Sichongxi Hot Springs Park with red maple leaves and maple leaf-shaped lights, CNA reported on Saturday. Pingtung County Commissioner Pan Men-an (潘孟安) said that the park boasts a Japanese atmosphere, with popular traditional Japanese ballads being played on the PA system'.

Not on the festival menu:

marianarittenhouse

R E B I R T H
I’ve officially spent 31 years on this beautiful planet. No profound insights this year…just an intention to spend the next one skinny dipping in all the waters as much as possible 🥰
Happiest day to all my birthday twins out there!! 👯‍♀️
marianarittenhouse#taiwan#tarokogorge #nationalpark#skinnydipping #river #nature#motherearth #birthday#naturelovers #swimming

Travel and Leisure (Nov. 13) reports on an onsen in Taiwan: 

'Nothing but a tiny cotton towel protects my modesty at the steaming pool I’m about to enter. I may be in Taiwan, where hot-spring outings are usually swimwear-friendly family affairs, but here in the baths of Hoshinoya Guguan, tradition dictates I onsen the Japanese way: in my birthday suit.  

My initial awkwardness melts away the moment I submerge into the cypress-fringed outdoor bath. Fed by streams flowing down the craggy peak of Xueshan, East Asia’s second-highest mountain, its water is slightly alkaline and on the pleasant side of piping hot, making it the perfect introductory onsen for a novice like me.  

Opened in June, Hoshinoya Guguan (hoshinoya.com; doubles from NT$7,560) is the luxury resort chain’s first foray into Taiwan, and only its second resort outside of Japan, where founder Kuniji Hoshino opened his first ryokan in Nagano Prefecture in 1914. Its setting on a forested plateau in Guguan, a tiny hot-spring enclave in the island’s mountainous heartland 90 minutes west of Taichung, taps directly into the liquid treasure.

...

The focal point is an indoor-outdoor stone bath endlessly fed by Xueshan’s hot springs, and refreshed by a forest breeze'.

Fresh
Over to Singapore.
The poorly developed hot spring of Sembawang is getting a face lift. Importantly, access will still be free. Question mark.

Yahoo news sg (Sep. 2):

'The only natural hot spring on Singapore’s mainland has been closed for redevelopment works since August 2018, but we’ve only got a few months to go before the place reopens with a fresh new look.

Sembawang Hot Spring Park’s actual construction will be completed in October, but seeing as how it’ll take a couple months to finish paving the roads leading to the park, it’ll only officially open in January 2020, the National Parks Board (NParks) told The Straits Times last Friday'.

Mothership.sg (Aug. 31) adds a photo of how the soak might pan out (minus the soaking spirits I suppose (?)):

From the Philippines the obligatory lists. Here a couple of references. 

Taraletsanywhere (Oct. 15) gets to Laguna for some soaking:

'The province of Laguna is blessed to have natural hot springs. The water from these springs flows down from Mount Makiling, which is an inactive volcanic. Over the years, more and more hot spring resorts have opened up, catering to people who want to relax, unwind and soothe their tired muscles. Here are the best hot spring resorts in Laguna — for your family or barkada outing, team building or personal vacation'.

Viatravelers (Sep. 6) stays closer to the nation's capital:

'If you’re sapped of inspiration and just need a break, here are 8 hot springs in Manila to spur your relaxation. This list includes a lot of hot spring resorts from Laguna, a city dubbed the “Resort Capital of the Philippines”, and a select few from other cities near Manila'.

sheenamiyay at Balite Hot Spring, Baganga

wala akong tasa at kape😄🥵☕️

Xinhua (Sep.1) comes with what might be peculiar info, hot-spring related. But it's ultimately very tragic:

'A private plane with six passengers, including a patient and two pilots on board crashed into a private pool resort in Laguna province south of Manila on Sunday afternoon, police said.

Police said the injured victims and casualties will be determined as the investigation continues.

Police said two caretakers of the resort inside a subdivision in Pansol, a village in Calamba City, were injured in the accident that happened around 3 p.m. local time. They were rushed to a local hospital for treatment, police said.

Pansol is famous for private hot spring resorts.

trtworld (Sep. 1) adds:

'All nine people on board a small medical evacuation plane were killed on Sunday when the aircraft crashed into a resort area south of the Philippine capital and exploded in flames, officials said.

The light plane crashed into a resort compound in Pansol village in Laguna province near the foothills of Mount Makiling'.

Unwind

Malaysia then.
The Star (Jun. 6) looks at the popular Poring hot spring:

'Visitors to Sabah are often in search of beautiful beaches and islands such as Sipadan, Mabul and Mataking, where you can go swimming, diving or snorkelling. There are also those who seek out adventurous activities like climbing Mount Kinabalu.

And then there is the Poring Hot Spring'.

charlenekhor

Hot pool hopping 🤣 #banjaranhotsprings #retreat #hotpool #travel #hotsprings #trip #airbnb #pool

Hypeandstuff (Sep. 13) mentions the trend of Japanese onsen soaking outside of Japan has reached Malaysia:

'Being able to relax and recuperate in a Japanese hot spring bath, onsen, seems like one of the best ways to unwind after a hectic day. This traditional Japanese hot spring bath is now available in Kuala Lumpur as the first onsen spa in Malaysia, just a few hours away from Singapore. Way cheaper than flying to Japan.

Urban Retreat Onsen Spa is the first of its kind in Malaysia to offer this authentic onsen service

....

Using mineral-rich crystalline powders extracted directly from Japan’s renowned onsen springs, you will be energized with the elements from this famed Japanese tradition. You even get to choose your very own onsen mineral for your bath. Thereafter, get to relax in your own cosy personal onsen hot tub that is traditionally enjoyed in Japanese homes, unlike the public baths'.

Tripadvisor reviewers rave about the place, but I read only reviews of the massages.

Sun Daily (Sep. 6) reports on upgrading taking place in Gadek:

'Gadek Hot Spring will be given a RM17 million makeover and named Gadek Wellness and Spa Resort, Malacca Chief Minister, Adly Zahari, told reporters today.

It is expected to be ready in early 2021 and will come with a 25-room hotel, chalets with a private hot spring pool, traditional treatment room and more.

“The rebranding and uniqueness of this place will turn it into an iconic tourist spot for Alor Gajah, while offering job and business opportunities in Gadek'.

Purified

travellingsumut

Sangat asik mandi air panas alami (belerang), sambil menikmati sejuknya udara pagi hari di Sidebu-debu, BERASTAGIKonon menurut mitos mandi di air belerang ini bisa menyembuhkan segala macam penyakit loh guyss...Lokasi: Hot spring pesona Sibayak view Pemandian air panas sidebu debu, BerastagiRepost: adventurewith_ashley.#sidebudebu #hotspring #sibayak #travel #traveler #travellingsumut #exploresumut #berastagi #exploreindonesia #wonderfulindonesia

Several issues on Indonesian soaking.
Starting off with Java and this unexpected news. The Jakarta Post (Oct. 3):

'A rare jaladwara (waterway segment) made of stone that resembles a Garuda and believed to date back to before the Majapahit era was found during an excavation of the ancient petirtaan (hot spring) in Sumberbeji village, Ngoro district, Jombang regency, East Java'.

It's a bit unclear whether it is really a hot spring; the  term petirtaan refers to a bath, mostly for nobility (source), though with a spring.  A jaladwara is a spout.

Majapahit refers to an era of more than 500 years ago when the eastern part of Java was the center of a in size differing Hindu (-Bhudist?) empire which in it's heyday ruled much of the Southeast Asian archipelago's (source).

More from Java. Indonesia.tripcanvas (Oct. 25):

'Here’s an overview of our guide to hot springs around Bandung and Garut area (tap to scroll to the relevant section)':

All presented as resorts, nothing natural.
Then Bali. Traveltriangle (Jul. 26) with another list:

'Hot springs are very calming to the body and the soul. Check out our list of the best hot springs in Bali which will be a relaxing getaway on your next trip to Bali'.

Amazingly, all but a few of the presented photo's are of the incorrect location. Disregard this article.

The Traveller.com.au (Aug. 19) looks at the broader implications of the tourist industry on the island:

'Badly behaved visitors to Bali will be sent home or face "purification rituals" for disrespecting sacred sites, officials said yesterday.

The warning came after a Czech couple filmed themselves splashing each other with holy water at a temple on the Indonesian holiday island'.

Apparently without underwear. They apologized, so all is forgiven. 

It's a prelude to the next snippet, sacredness. ThinkGeoenergy (Sep. 20) reports on a Bahasa article in which is mentioned that the Balinese local government will not approve geothermal power systems: 

'... the regional governor Wayan Koster has confirmed that the geothermal power plant project in Bedugul, Tabanan, will be stopped. Koster claimed to have spoken with the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Ignasius Jonan.
“In addition, related to sensitive issues related to geothermal steam power plants in Bedugul. The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources was willing to continue, I ask him not to continue,” said Koster in his one-year remarks at an event in Bali earlier this month.
...
The concerns mention continue to center around the sacredness of the project site'.

ThinkGeoenergy comments:

'This continues the endless story about this project, which is not quite understandable for outsiders. With the economic growth of Bali, mostly through tourism, the energy demand has increased and makes the power supply by cable from Java a factor of increasing instability for Bali. Burning palm oil essentially also creates challenges, not only in the constant supply of the oil, but also emissions that would surely be an issue for the experience of Bali for tourists and the local population. Geothermal energy provides a great opportunity tapping local resources for power generation, and a clean one. Naturally, the religious implications and approach to stakeholder engagement locally is important, but it is sad to see that no consensus can be found on this project'.

More.

ThinkGeoenergy has a report (Nov. 8) on a recent IBRD / World Bank publication titled Rapid Environmental and Social Assessment of Geothermal Development in Conservation Forest Areas in Indonesia.

'Most geothermal potential in Indonesia is in or close to forest areas. This has raised societal concerns about environmental and social impacts, especially in forests that play an important role in supplying fresh water, harbour endangered wildlife, or have high cultural or religious values. Environmental and social impacts and risks associated with geothermal power development are complex and significant and the degree to which these risks and impacts vary between geothermal power projects is not well understood.
...
The key finding is that project access roads are the major cause of social and environmental risks and impacts associated with geothermal power development in forest areas.
...
To get about 10 km of project access roads, 30 hectares of forest clearing is needed, while about 10 km2 of forest is indirectly impacted through the effects of road-facilitated hunting, illegal logging, use of fire, and other detrimental activities'.

Finally to Burma. Instagrammer hide_onsen_packer has two posts on hot spring visits in Myanmar: Khaung Daing Natural Hot Spring and Taunggyi:

hide_onsen_packer (google translated):

Inle Lake near Hot Springs Tour ♨️④

② Birisshu hot spring 

bathing charge 500 chat

open-air bath man 3 F 2, there is a water storage tank for bathing 

there was a heat Me and lukewarm There, Netsume local people have not entered

in about 38 ℃ and 46 ℃ Japanese would be a good Me heat 

put cleaning is a feeling that is not in good condition but without Well problem 

where is the source putamen not seems to have been caught a hot spring 

there was also the way private bath not in a state to put have crazy dirty

now are using instead dressing room 

good shopkeeper is a friendly person! English is not ... through

COSPA nice open-air bath 👍 

Directions 💨

entering the village to mark the red sign from Taunggyi

go straight green sign, there is the entrance you see a blue sign on the left

Traditionz

mrboiiii at Lake Agco (Mindanao, Philippines):

One with nature! #gopro

Japan and onsen seem inseparable. 

Taking an onsen is much more than just a soak. It revolves around traditions. Following traditions. And it's also about purity: pureness of water combined with pureness of human bodies and human souls. And spirituality.

But that was then.

Now, in order to attract more guests (no, no, no, it's about making more profits) we read that bath wear is allowed. 

Reported on quite a few websites in the region, I'll cite traveller.com.au (Nov. 14), though the original article is attributed to the Washington Post:

'The inn [Sui Suwako] is among an increasing number of hot spring resorts that allow guests to wear a garment while bathing, not only because more and more Japanese find it embarrassing to be naked when men and women can use the same bathing space, but also because of the growing number of foreign visitors who are not used to the traditional requirement that bathers be naked at these facilities.
...
The Japan Tourism Agency in March last year compiled guidelines - for onsen inns and other bathing facilities
...
[The agency] calls for operators to allow guests to use bathing wear.
...
According to Ishikawa [Michio Ishikawa, an onsen critic and chair of the Regional Science Association of Spa, Japan], some operators do not allow users to wear their own garments while bathing for hygienic reasons and instead have them use items they sell or lend'.

Allowing bath wear allows the sanctity of pureness to be dropped as well as allowing aspects such as class, social standing, religion and even politics to enter the onsen bathing process. 

It may not be the end of the world, but it does bring this closer. Ummm, sort of.

laygroundtokyo

♨️Onsen rules series♨️ #onsen #温泉 #newrules #japan #illustration#sofreshsoclean #onsenszn #hotsprings

Giving in to foreigners rudeness may be one way to go, refinery29.uk (Nov. 14) looks at it differently:

'Elsewhere in the world, gendered communal baths are a cornerstone of how you hang out with friends. One country where this happens is Japan, where natural hot springs known as "onsen" are a big part of life. As Shino, a Kyoto resident who has been visiting the baths since she was four, explains: “Onsen are for relaxing and healing, as the waters are often high in minerals. As well as aches and pains, they’re supposed to be good for the skin, which is why a lot of women go.”
...
Pochi, from Tokyo, has her own bath at home (not necessarily a given in a city where space is at a premium) but still goes to the sentō two or three times per month to relax with friends or family. It’s like going to the pub, only wetter.
...
With women in Japan enjoying the longest life expectancy in the world, communal activities such as these play a vital role in maintaining the health and happiness of an ageing population.
...
Naturally, supply and demand plays a big part in the price structure: While the Romans and Victorians were big fans of a bathhouse, many have now been closed down. Plus the UK's level of geothermal activity means hot springs are never going to be – erm – springing up all over the place. But if communal bathing were as ubiquitous and budget-friendly as it is elsewhere, would we be ready to take the plunge?'

Discover

More. On soaking in general.

An article (Adventure.com, Nov. 8) on how internet is killing discovery.

'The internet has made many things, including travel, easier, safer and more accessible. But does too much information risk destroying the most rewarding aspects of travel?
...
And paradoxically—instead of always hunting out the highly-rated sights, hotels, cafes, restaurants and bars—we have to try harder to stop seeking the best experiences, and let them come to us. There might not be many corners of this world yet to be discovered by humankind, but there are plenty yet to be discovered by you.
So if you do manage to find somewhere extra-special and all on your own, perhaps don’t tell us about it via TripAdvisor or Instagram. Don’t even tell us about it when we ask you how your trip was. Save a few spots for the rest of us to ‘discover’'.

Discover what? tripviss.blogs (Jul. 22) has 

'8 Relaxing Hot Springs & Baths in Southeast Asia'.

A couple each from the major nations (in size).

A geothermal musical? ThinkGeoenergy (Nov. 20) reports on a geothermal themed musical, staged in Belgium.

Nikkei.com (Nov. 17) notes a number of new methods to breathe fresh air into older bathing establishments:

'Dwindling customers force public baths to try new ways to get them into hot water
...
Another sento attracting foreign visitors is Showayu in the Awaji district. Teruo Morikawa, who runs the facility, has teamed up with his brother, Masatsugu, to allow free, unlimited bathing for customers who stay at Masatsugu's guesthouse nearby. The service attracts many backpackers from Western countries, Morikawa said.
...
Irifune Onsen near Nishitanabe station specifically targets after-work joggers
..
One sento has turned itself into a venue for an entirely different use. Masataka Tamaru hosts live music performances at his Asahi Onsen
A shortage of successors for traditional family-run operations is also being blamed for sento closures. Some sento owners are handing over operations to people outside the family.
Hideaki Katsura began running Chidori Onsen in Konohana Ward in October, after the owner retired but had no one in the family to take over. The 51-year-old former company employee has a plan to attract a new type of customers -- he said he wants to turn the facility into a place where avid cyclists can gather'.

More soaking business. The Asia Times (Nov. 1) reports:

'Russian and Japanese investors have begun work on the first hot-springs spa resort in Russia to use geothermal mineral water and follow the traditional Japanese bathing style. The bathing complex, known in Japan as an “onsen,” is due to open in 2019 on Sakhalin island in the North Pacific, and will, it is hoped, attract tourists from various parts of the Asia Pacific region'.

Benefits

Time to explore the Southeast Asian region in topical bites, starting off in Indonesia.

A new concept? The onsenresort, Malang (Java). Opened from October last year:

'The one and the only natural hot spring resort and Japanese restaurant in Batu, Malang of East Java. It is ideally located in the amidst of lush pine trees scenery of the mountainous background in Batu, Malang. This is the ideal place for relaxing your mind and body .Our 24 hour friendly staff will welcome you with fresh welcoming drink, and will lead you to the true Japanese villas and also the Japanese bathing culture and experience: ‘Onsen’. It is believed that enjoying onsen will be beneficial for your well being'.

Facebook reviews count 2.5 stars from 14 reviews; quite a few were very negative. 

The Japanese bathing culture and experience? It seems that what is meant, is that it's more attuned to the Indonesian traditional (?) full clothing soaks.

endahwahyuratri

Berendam hot spring di Giri tirta resort dengan air mineral supaya awet muda... yuuks.....#hotsprings#giritirtaresort#happyladies

Five most recommended hot spring destinations near the Toba lake on Sumatra (Laketoba.com, Sep. 17). 

Interesting. And surprising. To see yourself from a selfie. They could have asked ...

Then, the hot spring of Kasi (Vientiane province, Laos) announces on Facebook (Dec. 25) it's new pool has been completed. It looks like a new pool has been constructed in the old pool. 

How it was:

mairawa

A tip for northern Laos - Kasi Hot Spring. We stayed two nights in one of those small huts on the hill and spent at least half of the time floating (jumping) around in the hot pool. #laos #kasihotspring #biketour

Basic
The (Malaysian) Star (Dec. 2):

'Far from being just a simple scenic spot by a river and waterfall, the Lubuk Timah Hotsprings and Recreational Centre has more than Mother Nature’s wonders to offer to visitors today.
...
Just a few years back though, the popular weekend destination had yet to be properly developed and it lacked many basic amenities.
After several upgrading projects started in 2015, thanks to the Tourism and Culture Ministry, it is now on its way to becoming an outstanding destination'.

The New Strait Times (Dec. 14) on the Setapak soak in KL:

'If you are new to Kuala Lumpur, chances are you probably don’t know that there is a hot springs spot in the city.
...
The pool lies in the compound of the Resource Springs apartment but it is still open to public, daily from 7am to 8pm. For a small fee of RM2 you can have a hot bath here. There is a bathroom with cubicles for men and women. The management has also provided a number of foot-baths around the pool and there is even a small kiddy pool fed by hot water from the main pool'.

nadz_ruslan

Panchor Hot Spring Serian#photooftheday #travelgram #websta #samsungs7edge #portrait #perspective #photography #panchorhotspring#hotspring #sarawak #borneo

Philippinesnow (Sep. 13) has:

'8 Timeless springs in the Philippines'.

Note: hot and cold.

jed1433

Pampainit ng katawan#byaheNiJed #summer #laagan #lakwatsero #instravel #instagram #IG #wanderer #view #PilipinasDestination #nature #naturelover #naturePhotography #Philippines #promotePH #pinas #chasingwondersph #spring #Dauin #NegrosOriental #hotspring #baslay

Singapore's Strait Times (Nov. 25) reports on Sembawang soaking developments:

'The country's only natural hot spring on the mainland, the Sembawang Hot Spring, will soon be developed into a park 10 times its current size and feature a cafe, toilets and a floral walk.
Construction work will start in early 2018 and be completed by 2019, the National Parks Board (NParks) said on Saturday (Nov 25).
...
News that the site was to be developed into a park was met with mixed reviews in April, with some wanting to keep its rustic character while others open to having facilities such as washrooms and basins'.

To round off this post, just the single picture from northern Thailand:

alks.hnn

The Naked Man.#thailand #pai #nature #naturephotography #natureporn #naked #man #ass #nude #allnatural #hotsprings #mountains #landscape #clouds #summer #ink #river #asia #travel #travelphotography #instatravel #igtravel #travelgram #picoftheday #pictureoftheday

Addiction

icangdio at Gunung Ciremai national park, West Java:

Feels like a prince 👑 lol

#nature #hot #hotsprings #westjava #jawabarat #kuningan #ciremai #adventure

Well overdue, let's just check some photographic evidence of what's hot in Southeast Asia!

Starting off with Vietnam. Below what resembles a natural soaking environment, in fact it's part of a whirlwind tourist attraction.

alin_ov at Yangbay, Nha Trang:

😻😻😻

professionaltourists 

Bunch of buddies, some fun local kids, a natural hot spring in the remote forest Venilale in East Timor... sounds like a great moment for us.

#weekend #trip #friends #mates #kids #local #hotsprings #nature #mothernature #jungle #moment #love #share #travelblogger #traveladdict #travel #traveldiaries #travelphotography #picoftheday #photooftheday #travelgram #instatravel #couple #expatlife #islandlife #roadtrip

Less tourists (above) in Timor, looks very soothing. Below the ubiquitous northern Thai soak at Pai.

sarahf49 at Sai Ngam, Mae Hong Son province:

Mud masks and hot springs #pai #hotsprings

Phenomena

mundanebabble 

Sembawang Hot Spring in Singapore

It was my first time here but the place gave me a nostalgic feel.

The families gathered there were enjoying themselves soaking their feet in the hot spring water, the kids were playing with the water and also waiting for their eggs to get cooked.

It had that familiar Kampong feeling which I haven't felt in a long time. Maybe it's time to slow down my pace of life and not get caught in the hustle and bustle of life.

Singapore's only hot spring which may or may not change if recent developments are to be believed.

But below, the Philippines still apparently having soaking secrets.

faithpatayon_1 not saying where:

 Immersed ourselves in this natural hot spring that lies beneath these volcanic boulders by the sea. Again; no tourist, no entrance fee! I could say that this is the most spectacular place I have known all my life! Lowtide was just in time for sunset which made the experience more phenomenal! Even the word "AMAZING" is an understatement!

Indeed, The best things in life are free!☝

Let's take care of Mother Nature the best way we can, it's the only way we can pay her back

#blessedbeyondimagination #naturalhotspring #hotspring #mindanao #philippines #wheretonext #philspots #pinas #sunset #cannon #love #leavenotrace #explore #secretspot

Inside SoutheastAsia, Abra (Luzon) Philippines

Kili hot spring 

Crocs

ayaqjagung 

Suria Hot Springs Resort, Bentong, Pahang.

GPS Coordinates : 3.409379, 101.891356

I had a lovely stay at the Suria Hot Springs Resort. The hotel staff were all so welcoming and accommodating. Parking was easily accessed and secure.

Check-in was quick and friendly. Breakfast was fresh and delicious. I was upgraded to a lovely spacious villa with a hot springs pool and mountain views.

The only 'downsides' were the mobile network coverage namely Celcom, Maxis and webe (I'm using only these 3 telcos for my cellphones so please don't ask about DiGi and Umobile) are very very poor at the resort area. I can't connect to the hotel's Wi-Fi network at the villa at all. But the Wi-Fi was good in the lobby and restaurant. #suria #hotsprings #pool #Bentong #Pahang #instapic #travel #travelingram #traveller #travelbugs #travelling #visitpahang2017 #resort #eryabysuria #eryabysuriahotspringbentong #oneplus3t

Alas, not the natural soak we crave for (above, Malaysia), but that's what commercialism gives you.

Below northern Lao: less money, more nature.

arne_duehr at Xam Neua:

Hot Pool 🔥

#laos #hotsprings #hotpools #nationalpark #happyeaster #muanghiam #swimwithcrocs #travel

Pixies

antaurpe at Yeh Panes, Bali:

Right here.

Right now.

It's all coming true.

✨

#infinitesourceyoga #spiritledtt #hotsprings #bali #indonesia #followyourheart #trust #goddess #pixiedust

Finishing this photographic addition, Indonesia. Above you guessed the private pools on Bali, below under the volcano near Sumatra's Brastagi.

 

monicasilaban at Lau Side Bukbu, Sumatra Utera:

jadi manusia yg berprilaku kemanusian jangan berperilaku kehewanan 😆😆