Diversion

zachary_chen_1125

新年必來的野溪溫泉行❤️

#芃芃溫泉

Hot spring info from the region.

So very little. Or maybe everything is becoming so non-informative.
Anyway we start from Taiwan, not even in the region.

TaipeiTimes (Oct. 21) on another natural soak set to disappear. Also the lead photo.

'The Fanfan wild hot spring (梵梵溫泉) in Yilan County is to be diverted to formal tourist facilities and closed to the public if approved by the local council, as overtourism is harming the area’s ecology and disturbing residents.

...

The Fanfan hot spring has become popular in recent years, with many visitors driving their vehicles directly onto the riverbank, barbecuing and leaving trash behind.

The situation has raised the ire of local residents, who have closed off the access road to try and stop people from coming to no avail'.

Hotspringjourneys (Feb. 4) lists 12 "best" Indonesian finds. Oddly no. 1 isn't even a hot spring, then there's also a duplication.

A report from the Philippines News Agency (Jan. 10), where apparently new hot springs are occuring:

"Reports of hot springs in Barangays Sinisian and Calawang in Lemery date back even before (the) 2020 eruption. The(re) are videos on YouTube as early as 2014," Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said in an interview.

A video posted recently by Facebook user Imman Supremo showed an apparent hot spring at Sinisian East Beach.

The video had 105,000 views as of writing'.

Plugging

A wider look at soaks and soaking.

From New Zealand (even outside the wider region) intriguing news concerning the fate of Waiwera hot spring (NZHerald, Mar. 9). The main points of the article:

• 'After decades of decline, Waiwera’s famed coastal artesian hot springs are showing signs of recovery.
• That recovery has come after the 2018 closure of the iconic Waiwera Thermal Resort, which was demolished altogether in 2023.
• Scientists say it’s possible the springs could again become a tourist draw if the remaining leaking boreholes are plugged'.

Further more, the prospect / potential nightmare:

'If the springs were to return through sustainable management of the system, Viskovic [ study lead author] said they could again become a major tourist attraction.

He noted the 700,000 visitors who flock to Coromandel’s Hot Water Beach each year.

“The community in Waiwera is not set up for those numbers of visitors, but these kinds of natural springs are hugely popular with international visitors, so [it] could have a positive economic effect on the economy of the local area,” Viskovic said'.

Further Magazine has a shout out (Dec. 24, 2024) to Greta Rybus's world tour of hot springs, in book form:

'Hot springs aren’t just great for unwinding. As Rybus demonstrates in the essays accompanying her photographs, their depths contain stories — and diverse ideas about wellness, environmentalism, and social life. For the book, she visited 23 hot springs on five continents over several years, a journey that sent her from the wind-whipped salt flats of Bolivia to the desert sands of South Africa and the fjords of Greenland. We talked to the Maine-based photojournalist about what she found'.

Snippets from the ensuing Q and A:

'You’re an American who spent part of her childhood in Japan. How did that affect your perspective?

I grew up going to hot springs as a kid in Idaho, where we did things like climbing and skiing, and where enjoying nature was almost this competitive or work relationship. But then my parents, who were schoolteachers, moved us to Japan to teach on a military base and I noticed this difference in the hot springs there.

How so?

I saw more families going. I have a very distinct memory of going to this onsen that was really popular with old ladies and having an elder tell me to clean more thoroughly. I wasn’t being admonished; I was being invited in. They’re using buckets of water, washing their hair, scrubbing under their nails, brushing their teeth. For most Americans, this whole process is not something we’re used to'.

So Japan then. Japan Times reports (Dec. 23) on how the town of Ginzan onsen is trying to limit the number of visitors:

'Many [visitors] share photos online of its old-fashioned buildings blanketed in snow and illuminated by lamplight that create a nostalgic atmosphere.

However, authorities in Ginzan Onsen, as in more famous destinations such as Kyoto and Mount Fuji, have become fed up with a rise in road problems, quarrels and other nuisances.

From Monday, only people staying at local hotels will be allowed to enter the town after 8 p.m., while those wishing to visit between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. will need a reservation'.

Knobbly

Over to soaking culture, we would like to share from the region, though it's mostly from Japan.

The Times (Feb. 28) for instance, comes with another one of those "how taking an onsen changed me; to the positive":

'Because, as I bore it all that day, unshaved legs and knobbly knees included, I joined a crowd of women who were comfortable with how they were. And it made me realise that my body hang-ups were the most insignificant thing in the world. Here were all kinds of bodies. Young. Old. Wrinkled. Smooth. Decrepit. Sexy. And no one cared. I had been so desperately worried about taking my kit off and — now that I had — I was just another bare arse in the crowd.

It was something quite beautiful to behold. A sea of security. A celebration of the female form and an acceptance that just to be, as you were, was good enough''.

But even this is slowly evolving. 

Hotspringaddict suggested (Jan. 28) bathing habits are changing in Japan, notably that's how he experiences it:

'Around three decades ago, my Japanese wife brought me to Suzume-no-yu, a traditional hot spring within the boundaries of Kyushu's Aso-Kujo National Park. It was my first time bathing naked or almost naked with men and women that I had never met before. But soaking unclothed in the hot mineral water of this konyoku, which means a mixed-sex bathing area, felt natural and relaxing.

...

So I was shocked when I recently returned and discovered all the bathers wearing swimming suits. Japan has changed considerably in the last thirty years.

...

The fear of being photographed while innocently bathing and having one's body exposed on the internet shows the pernicious influence of smartphones and SNS on bathing culture.

I predict the number of public baths where naked men and women can bathe together in a relaxed environment will continue to decrease'.

Chic

Then an article on the above (communal bathing dare we say?) from Sydney Morning Herald (Feb. 1) which likens this as the new fade in Australia (thus the neccesity to report on):

'But as they [the rest of the " older"? world] have done for millennia, public baths are evolving and driven by our ever-expanding interest in wellness. Now a new generation of bathhouses is rising in urban destinations, including Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

...

Chic design and easy accessibility for those living in and visiting cities are the hallmarks of these places. So too, bathing suits – unlike many of the traditional experiences where nudity is requisite. Dean says what also sets the new-style bathhouse apart from the traditional is connection.

“While traditional bathhouses focus on silence and introspection, we believe wellness is about conscious connection as much as self-care. Soak is a space where you can spend quality time and enjoy genuine in-person connection with friends, family, or even just yourself. We’ve also brought the healing powers of the natural world into the urban location, creating a serene environment where guests can reconnect with both themselves and the natural world around them.”

So just a notch above the swimming locale?

From Sense of Self (Jan. 22), a blog about well-being burnt-out:

'While the idea of ‘wellbeing’ is supposed to help us move away from destructive behaviours and move toward a healthier, happier version of ourselves – the commercialisation of what makes us well could be doing the opposite.

...

Recent reports show that the relentless pursuit for wellbeing is actually keeping us from being well. Misinformation on social media platforms is adding to societal pressure to ‘appear well’. This is obviously counter-intuitive to avoiding further stress, anxiety and burnout. To quieten the noise of wellbeing messaging, we now need to make a conscious choice to resist the clutter. To allow oneself to rest has become a radical act of self compassion.

One of the possible solutions:Instead of accumulating more things, invest in a visit to the bathhouse, taking yourself to a film or simply a day off to do nothing at all'.

Finally the sauna movement of Japan as reported by Japan Times (Nov. 25) is gaining ever more popularity in the country:

'According to a 2024 survey by the Japan Sauna Institute, the number of sauna enthusiasts — or “saunners” (pronounced saunā), as they’re called in Japan — has grown by an additional 1 million in the past year alone.

...

If you’re a budding saunner looking for a place to start your journey, why not start at the top? Mimicking the authority of Michelin’s gourmet rankings, sauna consulting collective TTNE confers its own prestigious Saunachelin Awards upon a handful of locations each year.

This year’s No. 1 spot went to Totopa, a gorgeous location in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward with several saunas, breathing rooms and other amenities. An hour there will only set you back just over ¥2,000 with tax. Coming in at second and third place were Tokyo Sauna and Treatment Sauna SteaMs, both in Minato Ward.

Concerning the popularity among younger generations:

'With pandemic restrictions over, saunas not only provide young people with a place to meet but a reprieve from electronic devices. As an escape from the relentless barrage of notifications, social media and surveillance, saunas have become spaces where patrons can savor meaningful bonds or find contemplative solitude.

An architect of sauna and sentō (public baths), Kentaro Imai notes that financial challenges also play a part in their popularity.

“One factor is that young people today don’t earn much,” he says. “In that context, I think many young people prefer to spend time with just a small group of close friends or like-minded individuals. For just a few thousand yen, it’s the perfect leisure activity.”

At the same time, amid broader trends of self-improvement, fitness and beauty in Japan, saunas also offer the tangible benefits of radiant skin and relief for tired muscles, making them an appealing choice for young people seeking both wellness and connection'.

anna_kozics

The forest birthed her soul in me, and I belonged to every tree. 🍃

Liberation

ren.flystory on Lombok:

Volcanic Hot Springs 🌋

#hotsprings #volcano #rinjani #mountains #góry #gorąceźródła #travel #podróże #podróżniczka #podrozemaleiduze #travellife #mustsee #365photochallenge #icanrelate #hotwater #vacation #wakacje

News - Taiwan - side shows. That's all to share this time round.

Some Taiwan experiences then.

Foreignersintaiwan (14 Aug.) heads to Fanfan hotspring, an undeveloped and wild spring in northern Taiwan. It's very much a photographic share. Nothing qualitative from this visit is noted, with this exception:

'I have been to Fanfan Hot Spring once in 2020. It was a nice experience, but there were a lot of people there. Because it is so easily accessible and well known, it attracts a lot of people'.

Nickkembel has an overview (Sep. 7) of hot springs on Taiwan:

'In this article, I’m going to introduce 20 of the best Taiwanese hot springs from north to south, including famous spas, hot spring villages, hot spring parks, and wild hot springs, most of which I’ve personally visited in my 10+ years of living in Taiwan'.

A very good article, with experienced samples as well as a map with the soaks highlighted. Most though developed, only a couple are referred to as 'wild'.

 Valerie (Jun. 21)

On OxfordStudent (Feb. 21) another experience of soaking on Taiwan.

'Thus, in true British fashion, when I was first informed that the hot springs in Taiwan offered both an indoor, nude pool and an outdoor, clothed option, I assumed I would always be sticking to the latter.

My year abroad in Taiwan thus far had been stuffed with new experiences and going out of my comfort zone, but the Brit deep down inside of me still recoiled at the thought of stripping down and sitting in a pool alongside twenty odd other unclothed women. Eating cured jellyfish I could just about manage but being naked – God forbid!

...

People often say that nudity can be liberating, but I had always thought that required a bold gesture leading to a grand, sudden rush of freedom and empowerment. This, however, was no I Capture the Castle moment. Instead, it was a slow process – as I sunk into the steaming pool, I also sunk into the comfort of not feeling self-conscious about my body. For most of my life, nudity has been sexualised, yet here, it was amazingly normal.

Not to mention, it is very hard to find nudity sexual when surrounded by ten or so butt-naked elderly Taiwanese women arguing over water temperature'.

Stars

News from the region.

Soakers on Singapore are afraid that their Sembawang springs may fall victim to a geo-energy project (Mothership, Sep. 6):

'Singaporeans will not lose their access to Sembawang Hot Spring Park after the Energy Market Authority (EMA) issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for an islandwide geophysical study to assess the country's geothermal potential for power generation, said Ong Ye Kung in a Facebook post on Sep. 6, 2023.

Ong was responding to queries from residents.

He is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC)'.

In Vietnam soaking possibilities seem more secure (Vietnamplus, Sep. 20) :

'Boasting hot springs and unique historical and cultural relics, Thanh Thuy district in the northern midland province of Phu Tho is striving to turn tourism into one of its spearhead economic sectors, raising income for local residents.

...

There are 45 tourist accommodation establishments in the district with more than 3,900 rooms, including 3,388 ones that meet three-star standards. A five-star resort, the Wyndham Thanh Thuy Mineral Hot Spring Resort, has been put into operation recently, creating a highlight to attract tourists to Phu Tho'.

minhbi9205 at Le Champ Tu Le Resort Hot Spring & Spa (Yen Bai, North Vietnam)

Sống chậm lại...xả stress

Deepen

Heading further afield, both topically as well as regionally.

Global Wellness Institute notes (Mar. 28) a new developement: the trend to note how wellness experiences are at a premium (and pricing them thus). Such that wellness enjoyment will tend to be something for the very few privileged and fortunate enough. And access to wellness experiences to broader sections of the population will be excluded. 

They do note that nature is the only thing that can not be premiumized. Though seeing where the market is heading (money) there's no doubt that this will also happen some time in the future (the optimist).

Spoon & Tamago report (Mar. 30) on a bus serving as a mobile sauna (btw we're now in Japan):

'Saunas have been picking up steam in Japan for the last several years. From immersive art saunas to in-home saunas, the cottage industry has seen numerous innovations to make the hot and steamy experience accessible to all. One of the latest initiatives combines sustainability with saunas by refurbishing out-of-service public buses and transforming them into mobile saunas that can travel Japan.

The Sabus, as it’s called, is a project launched by Sauna Ikitai, a start-up focused on promoting saunas and all their health benefits. The company teamed up with Tokyo and Osaka-based architecture firm OSTR to renovate and retrofit old buses so that they function as saunas.

Rather than reviving the bus to a shiny, new state, the architects focused on retaining much of the old-school charm that the bus had. And by making small updates to the seating and handles, they managed to create a unique experience that feels somewhere in between a bus ride and a visit to the sauna.

SaunaTimes (Jun. 17) has an interview with Marishi Mochida of Japan Sauna-Institute. On Japanese sauna culture:

'In Japan, saunas are a major form of entertainment, regardless of gender or age. Public saunas are everywhere, and you just invite your friends, co-workers, or family members to go together. Let’s be naked, enjoy the sauna and drink good sake or beer, that’s how we deepen the connection with people.

Another thing is silence. In Japan, you’re expected to be quiet in the sauna, and in many spas you can actually see posters that say you have to refrain from talking'.

The interview comes complete with the latest Japan Sauna Survey (2023) in pdf reader format.

The Sydney Morning Herald (Jun. 9) lists 6 of Japan's best hot spring towns. 

BBC Travel (May 17) has an overview of their five best sento's in Tokyo:

'Yet, these days, nearly every neighbourhood in the capital still has at least one sento, and with a new generation of sento owners updating their bathhouses with saunas and other facilities, sento are currently enjoying a revival among both young and old'.

Tohuku reports (Jan. 10) on efforts to re-popularize traditional mixed bathing in onsen. There's a catch. Translated:

'Sukayu Onsen is a famous hot spring that has been around since the Edo period, and is famous for its 1,000-person bath, which is made entirely of cypress and has four different spring qualities in one bath. Today, it is popular not only for hot spring treatments but also for climbers as a base for climbing Hakkoda. Some people may be hesitant to use the Senninburo because it is a mixed bathing facility. It's a shame that even if you come all the way, you won't be able to enjoy the real pleasure of Sukayu Onsen. Therefore, we are trying to get as many people as possible to use the 1000-year-old bath, called ``Yuami Arari Day.'' Originally, Senninburo had women-only hours, but they were for one hour each in the morning and evening. On ``Yuami Wear Day'', you can take a day trip bath from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, and all people are welcome to come wearing bathing clothes, so you can use the bath with family and friends without any hesitation.

Also reported by Kyoko Kitade on Facebook (Apr. 17). So the future is to adapt to foreign cultues?

queenniniwidit

I’m not salty, I just have resting beach face 😌

📸— @swghhiirl_ 🥸

#philippines #coron #palawan #beach #travelphotography #travel #itsmorefuninthephilippines #rbfproblems #hotsprings #islandhopping

#adidassponsorme

Finally Korean spa culture in the US. Salon (May 6):

'I'm not alone. Studies show women face overwhelming pressure to be thin — exacerbated by social media — which can lead to distorted body image and even disordered eating. As a daughter born into Indian culture, this pressure started when I was a young girl. My mother and her peers were groomed by society to be hypercritical of themselves and later, of their daughters. Early on I was talked to about weight — how I couldn't gain it the way my brother could, how my arms weren't meant to be muscular and thick, how noticeable it was when I gained or lost a pound or two.

...

Finally, at 40 years old, I found a potential antidote: a visit to the Korean spa.

...

Sitting in the aromatherapy sauna at Olympic Spa, I realized how normal I suddenly looked: somewhere between one breast size and another, with some cellulite and scar tissue matched by some and not others. Baring it all felt like leveling the playing field. And for the first time in my life as an Indian-American woman, I felt blissfully anonymous. Nudity among strangers can boost self-esteem and improve body image. When there are no barriers left between us, it's much harder to find points of comparison to envy'.

80bathes

There's maaaany reasons to love Northern Thailand but the hot springs are right up there at the top ♨️ This was taken on new year's day; start as you mean to go on and all that. The drive to get to Mueang Paeng Hot Spring was absolutely crazy beautiful too, highly recommend it ✨

Convenience

biancakyburz

Little known fact, Hsipaw's hot springs are conveniently located next to the local motorcycle wash.

Much is to be said about what will happen once the Corona crisis abates. The same also applies to the world of wellness & travel.

Starting off with Global wellness trends for 2021. A bit late, but nonetheless as much of the world is still locked up, pretty much a prediction for what the hordes (read ourselves) will do / go when cut loose.

Little newsworthy trends, basically same same as always just described differently. If anything it will be still very much elitist. 

No. 9 on the list with some relevance:

'The coronavirus pandemic acted as a near complete brake on travel in 2020 and consumers and suppliers looked to rebooting travel for the better. The next trend? Look for all travel to become wellness travel as manic getaways are replaced by slower, closer and more mindful experiences. The over tourism epidemic will be challenged, tentative travel will become a new buzzword, and people will strive to leave a place better off than they found it'.

As said, when we are all set loose again, slow travel will not survive. The pressure we exert on each other for new experiences, for greener pastures will trump the slower travelling and experiencing trends. The time we missed, the eventuality that something so weird may well happen again will mean that we have lesser time to see (and experience) whatever landmark still on one's bucket list.

I suspect home wellness will become more and more important. Why rely on seeking commercial facilities located further away when you have virtually the same experience at home? And you determine your own times and rules!

The Sydney Morning Herald (Jan. 5) has its own list of wellness trends:

'With the coronavirus pandemic shaping our entire world in 2020, it's no surprise that we'll see its influence extend into 2021 lifestyle and wellness trends.

- Comfort crafting

In terms of mental wellness and self-care, Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy's trend expert, says "little luxuries" and "wellness-focused rituals" are going to be popular. This includes things as simple as reinvigorated fitness routines and long baths. Another trend that Johnson predicts will "really stick out" is comfort crafting.

"It's really a time to craft, to learn a new skill and it can certainly serve as a form of self-care and grounding," she said.

...

- Friluftsliv, which translates to English as "free air life," is an appreciation of being outdoors and incorporating outdoor activities into your life.

...

- Trampolines

...

- Slow travel'.

No news. 

A more regional look. 

The current (Covid-19 induced) crisis is one in which national tourism agencies seem to be trying to reinvent themselves. 

Here, Couchfish (Feb. 26) discusses how Thailand hopes to move ahead, basically by focussing on the high end of clientèle:

'At least within a Southeast Asian context, much of the focus is on “high value” tourism rather than backpackers. By high value, what tourism boards really mean is “high–spending”. This is a mistake—budget travellers are the biggest spenders of all.

...

I’m not arguing that high end tourism should be consigned to the scrap heap—tourism comes in many flavours, and each has pros and cons. Backpackers though punch above their weight and it is folly by tourism boards to (at best) ignore them or (at worst) tell them to stay away'.

It doesn't seem that the local Southeastern Asian governments are grasping reality. 

faisarj1 near Banda Aceh:

Terakhir ke sini tahun 2009. Not bad!

Soothing
Talking about reality, TravelandLeisure (Dec. 12) presents 

'The worlds most instagrammable hot springs'. 

Europe gathers most hashtags (f.i. Blue Lagoon), closerby NZ gets 2 mentions, Oz 1 and Japan 2. None in Southeast Asia. 

It actually refers to an article put together by Parkdean Resorts which has a more extensive top 25 (again nothing from SeA!) and describes the methodology which compiled data on November 2020. 

No doubt the method has its limitations, as it not really incorporating other languages / scripts. But probably the less biased, though it would have been great to compare to a year before. 

Several mentions should have been non-starters: 

- Mammoth hot springs (US) refers to an area with a fair number of hot springs, 

- Aquadome and Termebucuresti are not really natural, 

- Cascate del Mulino made it to 20, but the same place but referred to as Termi di Saturnia made it to no. 6,

- Jigokudani, gets the numbers of Jigokudani monkey park whereas 

- Sawtooth National Forest actually may have a hot spring but the expansive name includes many, many non-soakers.

So a good effort but needs improvements ...

The NZHerald (Jan. 7) has a national list of (only!) 5 geothermal hotspots.

JapanToday (Dec. 23) has a ranking of Japans most popular hot springs:

'Travel company Jalan surveyed 13,342 users and asked them about their favorite onsen areas, the ones they liked so much that they want to go back, and they all seem to offer much more than just soothing hot waters and Japanese ryokan inns.

...

For the 15th year in a row in Jalan’s annual survey, Hakone, just an hour and a half outside of Tokyo by express train, was voted to be the best onsen resort area in the country. There are a lot of reasons why Hakone is a popular tourist destination, not least among them the startlingly beautiful proximity to Mt Fuji. And with plenty of things to do there–ferry boat rides, a cable car over a volcanic mountain, a scenic railway, shrines temples, and museums, just to name a few, there’re lots of reasons to love Hakone enough to keep coming back over and over again.

That Hakone made the top spot once again isn’t entirely surprising, though it is interesting that the top 10 remains largely unchanged since last year, except for Kurokawa Onsen, which jumped up two spots. Perhaps that’s because travel was limited due to the coronavirus, or perhaps that’s because these places are just too good to pass up. Either way, if you’re looking for an authentic, fun, and memorable onsen resort experience, look no further than one of these top places'.

Locally, 8 best hot springs near Manila (by viatravelers (Dec. 19)), though the definition of 'near' may need some explanation.

Traverse-blog (Mar. 1) on how to experience your first time at a Japanese onsen. Nothing surprising though.

Desperate times? The Mainichi reports (Oct. 30) on the slowing business of onsen hosting:

'NISHIWAGA, Iwate -- The local government of this northeastern Japan town, known for its hot spring resorts, put seven of its 10 municipal spa facilities on sale following falls in visitor numbers, but as of Oct. 29 -- the day before the deadline to register interest -- it had yet to receive a single application.

...

Conditions also apply: for at least five years the buyer must operate the hot spring facility and cannot resell the property in the period.

Nishiwaga's local government started to build municipal hot spring facilities in the mountain town from the 1980s, and it has aimed to develop the town as a spa resort location. But the town has been hit by serious depopulation in recent years, and the number of visitors has continued to decrease'.

NZHerald again (Jan. 25), hopes yet another article on the (n)on-goings at Waiwera Thermal Resort (not so long ago one of NZ's bigger waterparks):

'The iconic Waiwera hot pool complex closed its doors for a $3 million renovation in February 2018 and has never reopened.

Instead, the past two years has seen court battles over rent and trademarks, liquidations, cancelled leases, and a realisation that the damage to the infrastructure of the 50-year-old water park (and its more recent bottling plant) is so bad almost nothing is salvageable.

...

But there's a potentially happy ending to the tale: the present owners in September 2020 made preliminary decisions on a $250m masterplan.

....

They say the whole project could take as long as 10 years'.

Blessed

alx_alex_forever

Friday. Pool day 🐟🐟

Ready for water game 🐰🐰

#alxforever #holiday #holidays #2020 #travelblogger #travelphotography #asia #laos

A new Laotian soaking opportunity (photo above)? A new swish resort in Xieng Khouang. There's not much to find, it's managed /owned by Asa Power company and only has a Facebook page. There's also very few reviews as of now.

FindingHotsprings notes (Jan. 16) Wareerak (Krabi) as its best soaking spot in Siam:

'... you’ll be able to soak in five hot spring fed pools found on the property, of varying temperatures. To determine the healing properties of their springs, Wareerak had the waters tested by the Institute Fresenius in Germany in 2017, and it was found that the waters met the German standard for “Natural Medicinal Water”. Additionally, the waters do not contain any strong sulphur smell. With a PH of 7, the waters are very good for the skin and may be used for drinking as well. A signature of the property is its hot springs waterfall, a true natural wonder'.

A complete guide (Feb. 14) to Sai Ngam hot spring, Pai (Mae Hong Son province - Thailand) by Jonny Melon. Though excessive, by no means complete. And why whine about national park entrance fee?

where_is_jon

This was such a happy day for me. It was one of the last days of swimming for me in Thailand because I was getting my feet tattooed the next day. By the time they healed, I would have left the country. So we decided to drive about an hour or so past all of these small villages and into the heart of the mountains. Protruding from the ground was this huge bubbly rock that was spewing boiling hot water from the Earth. The local people built a system to let some of it travel through to two pools for soaking, while the rest just merged with a nearby cold river. It was surrounded by mountains and beautiful nature. We spent hours here, soaking up every last minute. I truly remember being so happy about this decision. Sometimes you have to go out of the way to see some new things that speak to your heart. Was blessed to swim at these hot springs.

The same Jonny also has a recent (Jan. 16) posting on Ardent (Camiguin, Philippines):

'As I mentioned earlier, these hot springs sit at the foot of Mt. Hibok Hibok volcano which is where the thermal water is derived from. The water temperature is around 40°C that is slightly cooled on the way down to the lower pools.

Ardent Hot Springs are man-made pools surrounded by lush rainforest and the water is transparent with a tinge of blue. For a man-made structure, they’ve done well to make this place a tranquil experience for visitors.

The water cascades from the top of the valley and divided into four separate pools. The two larger pools at the bottom are the most inviting and there is an arched footbridge between them'.

GettingStamped (Feb. 20) introduces everything you need to know concerning Maquinit hot spring.

'Looking for the perfect place to end a fun-filled day in Coron? Consider a visit to the tranquil Maquinit Hot Springs. As the only saltwater spring in the Philippines, Maquinit Hot Springs is fueled by an active, underwater volcano.

However, you don’t have to worry about any dangerous eruption. The hot springs are entirely safe. Not to mention, soaking your aching muscles in the warm waters is the perfect way to unwind after a long day of island hopping and outdoor adventure'.

NikkeiAsia (Jan. 9) on a slice of Japan in north Vietnam:

'Yoko Onsen resort lies nestled deep in lush mountain forests in Vietnam's Quang Ninh Province. It has all the trappings a traditional upscale Japanese resort needs, from luxurious ryokan-style buildings to baths bubbling with mineral-rich hot-spring water.

Since it opened in June, the new leisure complex has become a hot topic among trend-conscious Vietnamese. It may help spread the Japanese onsen culture of bathing nude for relaxation and wellness in the country, where the closest thing to an onsen is a hot-spring pool to take a dip in while wearing a bathing suit.

Yoko Onsen, the first Japanese-style hot spring resort in Vietnam, is a three-hour drive from Hanoi, the capital. It is located off the beaten track and in a beautiful tranquil setting overlooking forests and hills in the karst landscape stretching from Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

...

All baths are outdoors. The complex is divided into three zones: separate areas for men and women, and one for both men and women to bathe together in swimsuits.

Besides 25 bathtubs, the complex also has bedrock bathing facilities and saunas. The water is rich in sodium and chloride ions, and the temperature of the spring's source is 42 degrees Celsius. The spring water is diluted with no other water.

Unlike Japanese, Vietnamese do not bathe or soak with strangers completely naked. When this reporter visited Yoko Onsen, young guests were making a lot of noise in the mixed bathing area. A manager at the resort said it will try to help Vietnamese learn how to enjoy onsens in the Japanese style'.

thylaan at Yoko onsen:

Sun in my eyes, navy blue skies

These are the reasons I can survive ☺️

#sunset #13degrees

Not often, but a scientific article (pdf, Oct. 9, 2020) on one of the regions hot springs, which for a change does not look at geothermal potential (read how to make money easily), but looks at how the environs of Annah Rais hot spring (Sarawak, Malaysia) can be monetized. !!!

'The Hot Springs has potential to become a tourism destination that can contribute to Malaysian Economy'.

And non-Malaysians were prepared nearly three times as much as locals, suggesting the need for more local education. ?

Innerpeace

1egendaryl at Red Rock, Philippines:

🍀🍁🍂☘️ 

__

#hotsprings #spring #green #nature #sulfur #mountains #hike #trek #live #love #travel #philippines #stayandwander #rain #landscape #fujifilm #xt20 #bikini #innerpeace #peace

Away from the region, let's see if there are any developments worth reporting.

An issue becoming more prominent this year: shall well explain where this secret hot spring is located? 

It's increasingly more hush-hush, as keeping the secret is seen as a way in ensuring that the ultimate (and inevitable?) destruction of our places of pleasure and peace by the hordes and vandals will be kept at bay.

Anyway, Travel and Leisure with slightly older article (Mar. 22, 2019) concerning geotagging photo's, a practice sharing your location with the wider world on social media:

'Undoubtedly, the advent of social media changed the way we travel. Take one look through your Instagram or Facebook feed and you’ll likely come across at least a post or two that gives you just a touch of jealousy or inspires your wanderlust.

While all that posting certainly has its perks — like getting more people to get out and see the globe — it can also bring unexpected downsides that are becoming more and more critical to understand. Especially the issues brought on by geotagging.

...

“Poachers are now using unsuspecting tourists to hunt their prey,” Sherwin Banda, president of Africa Travel Inc., shared with Travel + Leisure. “While on safari, tourists post photos of animals to social media sites, not realizing that embedded within the post or the photo is a geo-tag containing the GPS location of the photo. This allows poachers to track animals of value.”

Of course, it’s not just animals who are harmed by geotags. Landscapes and natural areas are suffering thanks to too many people trampling the land just to get the same shot as a social media influencer.

The New York Times reported in 2018 that Delta Lake, a remote area in the Grand Tetons, became one such place after influencers discovered its beauty.

“Influencers started posting from the top of the lake. Then it started racing through social media,” Brian Modena, a tourism-board member from Jackson Hole, told The Times. Modena noted that just a few years ago perhaps just one or two hikers would make the nine-mile journey to Delta Lake each day. Now, however, he said as many as 145 people hike it just to get the same exact photo. Because of this, smaller trails are now heavily trafficked, leading to erosion of precious land'.

It's a brave call, but will it heed? Like I said, it's becoming more fashionable, but there's nothing better than social organisation of protection. That's one reason we have governments, though governments often have differing agenda's.

On a more positive note, Think GeoEnergy (Jun. 22) takes time to celebrate. Celebrate World Bathing Day:

'What better thing to do than sitting in a hot pot somewhere in nature or one of the many hot geothermal water fuelled spas around the world? So let's celebrate World Bathing Day.

kitkatchocs at Mainit hot spring:

Ate Joy 🌼 #hotsprings #travel #philippines #mindanao

I belatedly looked up the wellness trends for this year (Global Wellness Institute). Climate Change, Spirituality? No it's:

'Trend 1: Developing the Understanding, Emphasis and Use of the Term ‘Regenerative Economy'.

Trend 2 concerns benefits: 

'... pursuing higher levels of benefit at an individual, corporate, social and environmental level, to be a catalyst of change for “the better”.

Wonder if the trends have changed during the past year? Corporate survival? Inner-health? Positivity?

Heading into the wider region.

The Asian Times looks (Jul. 24) at the situation of Japan's soaks:

'Hot springs, justifiably, are a major tourism resource for Japan. The 27,000 hot springs dotted around the country generated US$11.8 billion in revenue in 2013, representing more than one-fifth of the $50 billion global hot-springs market.

Japanese hot springs were set for a further boom as analyses noted that the rapid growth in global “wellness tourism” would provide the industry with an additional boost in the coming years.

Certainly, as the number of foreign tourist arrivals in Japan jumped from 3.3 million in 1995 to 31.9 million in 2019, the country’s hot springs have also seen a proportional rise in the number of foreign visitors.

That was, of course, before Covid-19 struck. To say that the Japanese tourism market has been derailed is an understatement.

...

Hot springs are expected to face a disproportionate decline as Covid-19 lays waste to the Japanese tourism industry.

Not only are the signature communal baths that define hot-spring resorts completely inadequate in the age of “social distancing,” but cautious tourists are also keen to avoid the process of getting to remote hot-spring towns, densely built up with inns and hotels amidst narrow streets, often reachable only through normally packed trains and buses.

In an era when tourists prefer to avoid crowds, the essentially crowded nature of hot-spring resorts almost seems anachronistic.

However, even beyond the ongoing crisis caused by Covid-19, hot springs face a long-term threat as tourists shift to other destinations. Media analyses have noted that especially among the Japanese youth, travel has become more about taking in new experiences rather than particular sights, consistent with the global trend toward experiential travel.

The focus on new experience places hot springs at a disadvantage, as the communal baths they offer cannot be considered novel for millions of Japanese who habitually soak up in hot tubs at home and communal baths (sento) in their local neighborhoods.

Some hot springs have faced particular difficulties in adjusting to such shifting tastes in travel. Successful hot springs have either adapted to the need to be Instagram-friendly, like Ginzan, or diversified into other tourist-friendly activities, like Hakone. But those unable to add further value for tourists beyond hot springs, like Kinugawa and Higashiyama, have seen formerly popular resorts shuttered, further driving away visitors as their rotting structures become eyesores.

...

With more than 40 resorts filing for bankruptcy due to Covid-19, the epidemic presents unprecedented pressure and opportunity for the hot-spring industry as a whole to reform how it does business and weed out resorts that are unable to change'.

The situation seems a bit similar to Europe's sauna set up.

Not hindered by geographical needs (i.e. no source required) nor communal locked ins, sauna's are increasingly a bit player to other attractions or are an attraction in their own right. 

Possibly in Japan, tying in the onsen with its surroundings and/or enhancing the (natural) surroundings might help. Or establishing niches. Japan is very much a one size fits all social setting, so stepping outside the main fit might be guaranteed success.

It's odd that the soaking culture in Japan fails to empress younger generations. In Taiwan I observe the opposite. Still wild hot springs to be discovered, these attract a much younger internet savvy crowd.

hgw_9 [insta account n.a. anymore ...) at Taigang (泰崗野溪溫泉) hot springs:

#野溪 #溫泉 #臺灣 #Creek #hotsprings #Taiwan

Klook.com (Jul. 5) on a side note invites its readers to head off into nature: 

'It's a well-known fact that Taiwan is full of hot springs! In addition to popular hot spring areas, there are also scenic outdoor spots across the island where you can have a relaxing dip while enjoying some outdoor activities.

From the north to the south of Taiwan, here are 14 hot spring spots where you can enjoy the best of nature while enjoying both hot and cold springs!'

A good and varied overview. 

Back to Japan. Newscision (Jun. 2) also reports on the apparent downward trajectory of onsen business nowadays:

Among the oldest businesses in the world, Japan’s onsens are national treasures where guests come to enjoy the spa facilities centered around natural hot springs. There are more than 3,000 onsen inns in Japan, some of which date back more than a thousand years and have been in the same families for generations. Yet many are now being forced to close their doors.

Decades of economic recession have forced many onsen owners into bankruptcy. Last year one inn closed after having operated continuously since 704, and this year the sudden decline of Chinese tourists due to the COVID-19 has caused still others to shutter. But what if the onsens could stay open by capitalizing on their hot water resources in another way?

More than just an onsen

On June 1, 2020, Baseload Power Japan commissioned its second power plant in Japan, at an onsen in Gifu. “We first got the idea when we were driving around Japan and started noticing signs for closed onsens,” says Baseload Capital COO Pernilla Wihlborg. “we started asking onsen owners if they might be interested in making money by creating power from their hot water and in parallel, we established our local subsidiary. Eventually we came into contact with onsen owner Ms. Midori Mizunami.”

Midori’s spa has been in operation for 14 years, but the ups and downs of the tourism business can be challenging. “For business owners, it is a relief to have income from two different sources,” says Midori. “Now, when the tourist business is down, I will still have money coming in from the power being generated from the Climeon heat power plant.”

At many onsens the water coming out of the spring is so hot that it must be cooled before guests can bathe in it. “That’s one extra benefit we can offer onsen owners,” says Masahiro Ito, Representative Director of Baseload Power Japan K.K. “The power plant can lower their costs by cooling the water at the same time that it creates electricity.”

So another opportunity to be had. And if the scale of operation is such, it need not affect the onsen business; it could even enhance it. 

Other issues from the wider region. Matt Sykes on instagram teams up (Sep. 9) with the Australian venture Great Vic Bathing trail: 

'matt__sykes__

The Australian Wellness Tourism Summit is cultivating seeds of regeneration today through a virtual gathering titled 'Wellness Travel Opportunities in a Changing World'.

♨️

It was a pleasure to join one of the panels with other industry leaders and share the vision for the 900km @greatvicbathingtrail which will link up hot springs, bathing and wellness experience right across our southern coastline. Regeneration is about communities, nature, culture, trade and transformational stories. Success can't be measured through money alone.

🌱

Excited by the opportunities for collaboration that lay ahead. Thank you and well done to @katherinedroga

and the team @wellnesstourismsummit'.

Another interesting venture to report on, Hamam magazine:

'HAMAM in a new quarterly bathing magazine launching in summer 2020. It will feature essays, artist projects, photography, and interviews from contributors from all over the world. We think of bathing as a practice of letting go. We will explore many practices, but there’s no denying: we’re bathing obsessed. We’re launching HAMAM because there isn’t a magazine already out there that cares this much about a good soak. 

Creeps

Heading over to the region proper, starting off with Vietnam.

Nashaplaneta (Feb. 10) heads for one of the hot springs near Sapa (Ban Ho) and reports on the practicalities:

'The fact that this is not the sources of healing hot water from the earth, but just a pool in the private house of one of the locals, who for a nominal fee let anyone wanting to swim here. The owner of the house says the water comes from a natural deep well, and has healing properties, but in fact is no way to test, and given that it is a bit warm, doubt creeps in. Of course, no facilities there.

That is why we do not recommend a special trip here from the city, they are not worth it, but to swim in them in the evening after a long walk before bedtime in Ban Ho you can. Besides, nearby is a river where you can swim in cold water, and then plunge into the warm water'.

kimthu92 at Alba Wellness near Hue, central Vietnam:

Onsen 🧖🏻‍♀️♨️

#vacay #vacayvibes #onsen #hotsprings #japanesestyle

Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh is the name given to a new hot spring resort near Halong Bay. Timtravel (Jun. 10) is just one of those reporting on this happening:

'Located just 10 kilometers from Ha Long and 15 kilometers from Cam Pha’s downtown area, Yoko Onsen is the first Japan-standard onsen resort in Viet Nam so far.

Surrounded by the green of the mountains, Yoko Onsen looks like a small Japanese village, peaceful and quiet. The wooden villas featuring traditional Japanese architecture, Japanese gardens with rare pine core bonsais, stone lanterns, bridges and ornaments… have brought about the feeling of tranquility and serenity. Entering this space is absolutely an escape from the hustle and bustle outside.

The resort has 27 mineral bathtubs, equipped with the continuous filtration system to remove impurities that are harmful to the skin and ensure water quality even when many customers used at the same time, together with the sauna area and the food court.

Research by French experts since the French colonial period showed that Quang Hanh hot spring was one of the most valuable sources of minerals. Quang Hanh mineral water samples were also sent to Tokyo, Japan for analysis and the finding showed that the spring was rich in healthy minerals, with the content of Ion Na+ and Cl-, boric acid and bromine (up to 40ml per litre). These minerals are effective in eliminating toxins, relieving pain, promoting blood circulation, enhancing immunity and supporting the treatment of skin diseases as well as reducing stress.

Quang Hanh High-class Mineral Hot Spring Resort has been invested by SunGroup with a total investment of 3.5 trillion VND. It covers an area of 43.6 ha in Quang Hanh Ward, Cam Pha City. The project is aiming to expand with a luxury hot-spring resort adjacent to Ha Long Bay of 536,4ha and a nature reservation of 150ha'.

It's actually located further along from Halong City, heading northwards. 

There are a lot of recent reviews on google, a bit iffy possibly? It seems a lot has been done in creating the place, but most visitors (and reviewers) are nationals, who have an unrealistic expectation that one would have been transponded to Japan!

Though there are private facilities, the Japanese naked bathing hasn't been an aspect copied. Didn't see any complaints about this.

thanhtungbn1988 at Quang Hahn / Yoko onsen:

Cảm giác tắm suối nước nóng giữa núi rừng..phê phết.

[Translation: The feeling of hot spring bath in the middle of the mountains]

#yokoonsenquanghanh #yokoonsen #quanghanh #quangninh #vietnam #vietnamdeplam

The Broadlife (Sep. 19, 2019) reports on Nha Trang's 4 (yes 4) mud baths.

Lush

A primer by Thailand Magazine (Jun. 29) for Pai's (Mae Hong Son) premier pool; that of Sai Ngam:

'With a water temperature between 30 and 40 degrees, the Sai Ngam Hot Spring is really lovely to stay in. When we were there it started raining very hard, which made the difference between temperature above and underwater even bigger. A crazy experience! The area is lush and feels more like a forest than a jungle. You can relax here and enjoy the ambient sounds like birds, cicadas and other insects'.

From the Vientiane Times (Jun. 4):

'A Singaporean firm joint-venturing with a Lao partner has agreed with the Lao government to conduct a feasibility study on the development of a clean thermal power plant in the southern province of Xekong.

...

Under the MOU, EPIC and KMX will be permitted to conduct a feasibility study on the economic, social, and environmental viability of a 1,000MW clean thermal technology power plant project in Dakcheung district, Xekong province.

The project is estimated to cost US$1.7 billion and expected to be commissioned by 2027, producing reliable year-round electricity for export to neighbouring Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Domestic distribution is also likely'.

It seems rather odd, Sekong isn't really well-known for its geothermalality, so how is it possible that such a scale of project can take off?

chuckoyvicuna (I'm thinking Negros (?)):

cinnamon buns with hot tea... at the Moringa Farm Hot Springs 🙈 MAAYONG BUNTAG! 

#moringafarm #hotsprings #localboy #natibo #exotic #brown #cinnamon 

#chocolate #native #local #exportquality #highgrade 

#internationalquality #worldclass #filipino #pinoy #philippines

Malaysia then. Freemalaysiatoday (Sep. 29) heads over to Selayang:

'But some people might find it off-putting to think that a few of the bathers might be suffering from skin diseases and other complaints, some of which might be infectious.

Yes, the water is hot, but is it hot enough to kill all the bugs? Is it possible to return from the hot springs with an itch that was not there before?

...

Judging by the crowd, most people do not share these concerns and many come here to enjoy the relaxing natural hot spa treatment at zero cost. There are four pools at temperatures ranging from hot to very hot'.

Worldofbuzz (Dec. 17, 2019) has an overview of 11 Malaysian soaks. Nothing new. Nor any very natural (other than the waters).

Havehalalwilltravel (?) shares a post (Sep. 18) on 

'5 relaxing hot springs in Malaysia". 

Felda, Poring, Banjaran, Sunway and eRYAbySURIA. Note that Felda, Poring and Sunway are not entitled to let you relax (=quite busy).

renalinkbali

Natural Hot spring

North Bali

#bali #hotsprings #banjarhotspring #balinature #balidaily

Bargains

Travelvids4you has an entry (May 20) on Pangururan (north Sumatra), a place not yet changed in the last decade or so:

'After a freezing cold shower at the Efrata Waterfall and nowhere to swim I attempted to save my day by driving to Aek Rangat, an area of the Samosir region that is famous for its hot springs. It’s easy to find as you can see from a distance the white-grey rocks that stand out from the lush green landscape.

My mission was hot water and a swim. I got that and since I had a pool to myself, I got to experience it in the nude. Always a special experience.

Use of the hot springs is free as long as you buy something to eat or drink at one of the restaurants. So for a couple of bucks you can enjoy a meal and a soak in the volcanic heated water. A true bargain in my opinion'.

coconuts (Jun. 12) on Bali and Covid-19 closures / openings:

A popular hot spring water park in Bangli regency’s Kintamani district announced plans to reopen next Monday, despite officials saying that tourist attractions across Bali are still prohibited from doing so amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

...

Under the tagline “New Normal, New Happening,” the resort emphasized how they will be prioritizing cleanliness, health, and safety for visitors by applying a standard health protocol. One promotional video shows the resort staff wearing masks and gloves, and highlights how visitors will be subject to temperature checks, social distancing, and hand-washing within the premises. 

Officials from Bangli regency earlier today said they had been trying to coordinate with Toya Devasya to stop them from reopening the resort, which has been temporarily closed along with other tourist attractions across Bali since late March to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Their website mentions no closing (or any other additional concern concerning Covid-19).

Understandably there are very few reviews nowadays, though this from Tripadvisor with reference July 2020:

'I was there one hour and probably half the time an announcement about wearing masks placed in Indonesian, followed by a couple sentences in English with such a think indo accent I couldn’t understand completely. There was also a water feature that filled up with water and splashed down like a water slide load slash every minute. Not peaceful.

No signage was in English while this was marketed as a tourist destination. There were 3 Indonesian couples, and that was it. I felt very out of place as a solo traveler

This is extremely grossly over priced'.

More Taiwan, alas the final photo of this posting:

nanum_tattoo at / on Orchid island: 

A special spot that I can skinny dip. Love being in my birthday suit in nature.