Instasoak

 

antai sore di kolam air panas ber-belerang sambil menikmati kopi kotakan,, #menikmati #hidup #epic #awesome #hotspring #mountain #gunungpeyek #parung #bogor #visitbogorn#explorebogor #explorejabar #instapic #instagram #iphonesia #iphone6s #landscape #selfie #weekdaytrip #backpackerjakarta #backpacker #instanusantarabogor #sunset #parapejalan #paradise #instagunung #visitindonesia #indonesia @Ciseeng, Parung Bogor, Indonesia 

 source

There's little newsworthy to add; more and more the internet is becoming just a pictural roll of all what sparkles and shines.

Fortunately hot springing seems a never ending experience of respect, pleasure and relaxation. So there's no dearth of photo's of soaking.

But beware for mainstreaming (i.e. is soaking becoming too popular?) lurking, waiting to pounce on the opportunity to literally sell itself and the soakers soul for a pittance.

What follows is just a brief insight into what's topical (and interesting) and too many photo-ops ...

Doubts

See also the section below on the Philippines. Why? Because it deals with social aspects of geothermal development. With some hope, this is a subject which will be dealt with at the forthcoming Iceland Geothermal Conference which goes out of it's way to highlight that besides all the normal hoopla, there needs to be social inclusion. Thinkgeoenergy (Mar. 29):

'So it is great to see the Iceland Geothermal Conference in Iceland in April this year, to dedicated a whole session and several presentation to this important topic. The session will feature experiences from a project in Ethiopia, a new project in the North of Iceland, a project in Hungary, as well as a view from the Iceland Geothermal Cluster. In an additional presentation, Marietta Sander from the International Geothermal Association will talk about the implications from the recent climate meetings and agreements of the COP21 meetings for the geothermal sector'. 

Whether excluding this theme to a byline to a big money / big science event will justify it's cause or give legitimacy to current geothermal development remains to be seen. Benefit of the doubt?

 

Bathing at Ardent Hot spring, Camiguin, Philippines

source

Totally

News.com.au has a report (Jan. 31) from a business person getting business through soaking at deep Creek hot spring, California. U.S.A.: 

'I never thought I’d strike a business deal while sitting in a hot spring, totally naked except for a pair of sunglasses, and sharing a plate of hummus and carrot sticks with a tech executive, a medical student and the CEO of an online shopping website'.

The  NZ Herald (Apr. 7) has a piece on using stickers to overcome tattoo problems in Japanese onsen.

'The Japan Tourism Agency has compiled measures to be taken by ryokan inns and bath facilities to reduce the number of cases in which foreign visitors are refused admittance to bath facilities because of their tattoos.

The guideline measures include distributing or selling stickers to cover tattoos, and allowing customers who have covered their tattoos with such stickers to enter bath facilities'.

Though the article refers to the Washington Post, there's a more original article from Japan Today (Apr. 3):

'For generations in Japan, it was almost exclusively yakuza who had tattoos. Recently, more young Japanese people than in the past have been showing an interest in tattoos from a fashion and personal style standpoint, but inked flesh is still far more common in Japan’s criminal underworld than the law-abiding sectors of its society. Because of this, hot springs in Japan commonly bar individuals with tattoos from entering their baths, since the relaxing atmosphere that draws onsen fans tends to be somewhat disrupted when sharing the tub with a mobster.

...

so an obvious foreign national with “Go Lakers!” tattooed across his bicep or a butterfly on her calf is unlikely to produce extreme uneasiness among the other bathers.

However, hot spring operators are understandably averse to the idea of putting up notices stating “Tattoos are OK…but only if you’re a foreigner!” Still, proponents of relaxing restrictions feel that even if tattooed people of any nationality are allowed to use the onsen, inked Japanese will refrain from doing so, out of consideration to existing cultural attitudes, and thus a change in policy will not result in an increased yakuza presence in the baths'.

Enjoying the silence
 And then the Southeast Asian focus

• Burma

After a lengthy bike ride we arrived at the hot springs #worthit #khaungdaing #naturalhotsprings #myanmar #Burma 

On the Inle lake (right), source

I acabar el #trekking dutxant-te com si fossis birmà! [bikini] [sun_with_face] And finish the trekking taking a local shower! [bikini] [sun_with_face] #Integració100perCent! #Lipotímiques #Vacances #Vida #HotSpringWater #NaturalHotSpring #HotSpring #Hsipaw #HsipawTrek #Kyankhin #Integration100percent #NearFainting #Holidays #Life #FollowTheRixi #LreneAndLainMyanmarTrip #Birmania #Myanmar

Shan state (left), source 

 

• Indonesia

Bathing at hidden hot spring kawangkoan #bathing #hidden #hotspring #kawangkoan #streetphoto #streetphotograpy #travelgram #airpanas #like4like #likeforlike #nature #green 

Sulawesi,  source

Natural hot springs in Jatiluwih, Bali. [hotsprings] #hotsprings #ubud #jatiluwih #bali #natural #hot #water #gopro #nonletture #yumiswanderlust #enjoythesilent #jungle #nature #enjoylife #wanderlust #amazing #chillout

source

•  Laos

 

มึ่นี้ขี้นป้ายไห่มหมานแต่ฟัรงแช่วชะ 

Hot springs, near Kasi town, Vientiane province, Lao P.D.R.. Source: Facebook page of Vieng Laty

• Malaysia

A local Malaysian government wants to upgrade hot springs (New Strait Times, Apr. 13):

'The Tourism and Culture Ministry is upgrading several infrastructures at the Lubuk Timah Hotspring recreational centre, Simpang Pulai here, towards making it a first class tourism centre'.

What was once (decade ago) a very natural hot spring will now naturally not be so anymore ...

A visit to Paku Hot Spring by aaronng88 (Feb. 27): 

'According to Sarawak Tourism and Sarawak Vacation Destinations .com (HERE), Paku Hot Spring is also another Bau attraction. So, on a day when I was craving a little lazing and relaxation in a hot spring, I decided to drop by. Not directly in town, Paku Hot Springs is not the easiest location to find, however, you do get several sign boards on the highway showing where to turn. You will have to turn to a kampung (village) called Pekan Paku, and keep going. Paku Hot Springs (Air Panas Paku), is not a building or a sheltered area. Just an open air, natural spring. Which at first glance looked abandoned. All it had was a sign board. And on closer examination, it wreaks of pollution and floating potato chip bags. The water is murky, with a greenish greyish hue, with colloid-ish bubbles. I was disgusted and disappointed. I did put my foot in for a few seconds at the 'cleaner' area. The water is warm and comforting, but the gross water is just too much of a turn off for me. Sucks cause I wanted to take a nice long dip and be all wrinkled when I come out~ Meh~ '

Walk out
Continuing ... 

 

Hot spring in Hapao rice terraces [clap] [skin-tone-2] #45minswalk #hotspring #banaue #hapaoriceterraces #march2016

Luzon, source

• Philippines

How to play the press. The Philstar (Apr. 13) notes how opposition to a new geothermal plant near the town of Valencia (Cebu) has disappeared. Or has it?

'The mayor further recognized the concerns raised by certain groups but during consultations and a public hearing, which was widely disseminated to all the barangays in Valencia, and other stakeholders through his office, thus mitigating measures were recommended to address any negative effects of the expansion'. 

The town would receive extra taxes and royalties.

But it seems that money enough, is not that's what's requested. 350.org has a look at the flip side of this (Mar. 10):

'We [= environment groups] walked out to raise our opposition to the unjust process of the public hearing and the deliberate expansion project of EDC (Energy Development Corporation) at the Mount Talinis Range [= expansion of Southern Negros Geothermal Power Project]'.

The old tricks were used in what was supposed to be a public hearing. Opposing voices were silenced (literally, their microphones were turned off!). The Environment Impact Assessment presentation was poor / brief. 

'The Public Hearing held today is sadly a failure– reflective of the tragedy it can bring to this generation and the future generations. They may turn off the microphone to silence us, but they can never stop the collective voices resounding at the ranges of Mount Talinis [where the project is planned]'.

More problems and opposition. Businessmirror.com.ph (Mar. 5): 

'The popular hot spring of Pampanga, found in the hinterlands of Mount Pinatubo, is under fire from businessmen and 4×4 vehicle enthusiasts. .... Romero [Rene Romero of the Land Rover Club of the Philippines (LRCP)] said he was informed recently that residents living near Puning are “barred from touring their own relatives, friends and visitors at the portion of Sacobia River near the resort.” “As far as I know, the river is owned by the government. I can’t believe that our own province mates are not allowed to enjoy what belongs to the community,” Romero said. 

.... 

Tourism Regional Director Ronnie Tiotuico said on Thursday the Puning Hot Spring “cannot claim ownership of a property in its vicinity, much less prohibit people from using the same as entry point to certain places and beyond.”

#dumaquete #hotspring #philipinnes

Negros, source

• Thailand

The Tourism and Culture Ministry is upgrading several infrastructures at the Lubuk Timah Hotspring recreational centre, Simpang Pulai here, towards making it a first class tourism centre.

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/04/137038/lubuk-timah-hotspring-upgraded-first-class-tourism-centre

The Tourism and Culture Ministry is upgrading several infrastructures at the Lubuk Timah Hotspring recreational centre, Simpang Pulai here, towards making it a first class tourism centre.

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/04/137038/lubuk-timah-hotspring-upgraded-first-class-tourism-centre

The Tourism and Culture Ministry is upgrading several infrastructures at the Lubuk Timah Hotspring recreational centre, Simpang Pulai here, towards making it a first class tourism centre.

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/04/137038/lubuk-timah-hotspring-upgraded-first-class-tourism-centre

Taking a hotspring bath when the temperature outside is 33 degrees celcius feels blessed:) #backpacking #hitchhiking #ranong #thailand #hotsprings  

Raksawarin, Ranong source

• Timor

 

Maliana #hotsprings in Timor-Leste #laswim  

source

• Vietnam

No pictures (!) but Vietnam's hot top 5 (paolionthemove) it seems:
1. Kim Boi Hot Spring in Hoa Binh, 
2. Bang Hot Mineral Spring in Quang Binh, 
3. Kenh Ga Hot Spring in Ninh Binh, 
4. Tay Vien Hot Spring in Quang Nam and 
5. Dam Rong Hot Spring in Lam Dong.

And to finish a picca from Indonesia instead:

 

#hotspring #bogor #ciapus #indonesia #indotravellers #rushpackers #traveling #wisataindonesia (at Ciapus, Indonesia)  

source

Dip

Can't get enough of the nature. [leaves]

Panchor hot spring, Sarawak, Malaysia source.

Time for a another photographic tour of the region, starting off with Malaysia above and the Philippines below.

Dip for 20 minutes in this #hotspring and get a full body #massage at #bladespa straight across from the pool. #mambucal #amazing #negros #itsmorefuninthephilipines #beach #islandlife #lifeisgood #pinas #bakasyon #goproph #gopro #goprous #goprouniverse #goproworldwide #goprophotography #goproeverything #island #travel #beachlife #harrisadventures #travelph 

source

  

#ofatheexplorer #backpacker #igers #whenincebu #wanderer #wanderlust #goprohero4 #mytravelgram #hotsprings #yolo

Mainit hot spring, Cebu, Philippines,  source. 

Explore

#onsen ? Nope. It's just another typical of #hotsprings .

Somewhere on Java (left)?  source

  

#hotspring #northsumatra #exploresumatra #adventure #sibayak

source

   

{ Natural hot springs in Khaung Daing. } #eauxthermales #eauxchaudes #thermal #waters #hotsprings #myanmar #inlay #inle #burma #birmanie #travel #chill 

source 

  

#hotsprings #pai #thailand #ophelia

Pai's geothermal heaven, Mae Hong Son province, source

 Namtok Ron Hot spring waterfall 

Krabi, source Kent Wang

Channeling

 Annah Rais Hot Spring is a few minutes' drive away from Annah Raid Longhouse, a Bidayuh settlement about 100km south of Kuching, at the foothill of Borneo Highlands near the mountains marking the border to Kalimantan. The invigorating hot water is about 40°C degree (sometimes reaching 70°C) and it appears in the middle of a cooling jungle stream surrounded by singing birds and chirping crickets. A truly unique experience. #annahraishotspring #annahrais #hotspring #bidayuhvillage #bidayuhlonghouse #longhouse #bidayuh #tropicalrainforest #rainforest #jungle #catcitykuching #beautifulkuching #junglestream #stream #kuching #sarawak #borneo 

source

Modern poverty
It's no doubt that progress and development are the main driving forces of the loss of natural hot springs. 
In Southeast Asia and in the wider world. 
Whereas in Southeast Asia money seems to be at the heart of this loss, a recent article blames social media. The article's author, Christine Adele, on diyphotography.net (Nov. 18) proclaims that social media is stimulating unwise use of protected natural lands, in her case specifically in the north of the United States.

'To them [as opposed to the author], the only purpose nature serves is to provide them with the shot that they can pump up in photoshop to gain more followers and impress their friends and family. They think about outdoing the shot the last person who visited got. They think about the now, and not about how their actions might affect these parks in the future. These actions continue to snowball as people do increasingly ridiculous things to outshine others'.

In this one can easily substitute the wider use of the definition of nature with hot springs. 
The plethora of social media and especially facebook and instagram (both with their culture of lookatme) are increasingly providing a stage for risk-takers to avenge on nature as well as letting better known secrets become famous. 
It's irrespective of where we are, be it Iceland (Hrunulaug), France (St Thomas), Italy (Viterbo), Thailand (Sai Ngam), Indonesia (Rinjani), New Zealand (Kerosene creek) or the U.S.A. (Umpqua / Skinnydipper), the lure of a natural soak in a natural surroundings with little or no visitor management and advertised on social media is encouraging more visitors to do likewise. Or to abuse the natural conditions or stretch the capacity of nature to cope with those visitors.

Or is it?

Social media can also capture the beauty of an area, it can also educate the visitor, it can also promote the opportunity to be at one with nature. Sites being overrun are more often than not zero-managed (and thus open to (ab)use not seen elsewhere) or as in Southeast Asia open to exploitation by touring companies.

Christine continues:

'It’s hopping fences, going into closed areas, feeding wildlife, picking flowers, camping illegally, using drones, using sparklers for light painting, swimming in protected waters, bringing our pets into protected backcountry.

It can be hard for some to understand how just one person doing these things could possibly be a big deal. The problem is, its not just one person- its hundreds of people influencing thousands of people influencing millions of people'. 

Nevertheless, her solutions are a call to ignore abuse. Hardly a solution.
Better would be to use social media to initiate change, to create affirmative action and to highlight the creative forces behind nature.

Comments on this article:

'There have always been knuckleheads in National parks. Social Media just makes them more visible'.

'Let's be clear: social media is not making people commit these acts, they make the decisions themselves. As someone stated, social media may be exacerbating the problem, but it is not the root of the issue. People are making very poor decisions, unfortunately, and it's important to remember that we're all responsible for our own actions'.

Continuing, giving locals a say, as a way to create a collective responsibility. The U.S. Forest Service has been gaining info on the future of Lower Breitenbush Hot Springs (Statesmanjournal, Nov. 5):

'The most popular ideas for the future of the site — as indicated in the survey results — show a preference for stone soaking pools, a network of trails and a small campground.
Other popular ideas include keeping the site low-impact and natural while including amenities such as a pit toilet, picnic tables and bridge across the river. The response also showed an openness to paying a small fee if the funds were used to keep the area clean and safe'. 

It does seem to be at odds with other initiatives from the same service making public access to soaking sites elsewhere in the U.S.A. more difficult ...

Co-existence

Over on soakersforum a discussion on the (de-)merits of geothermal exploration. If feasible, will geothermal exploitation lead to the loss of hot spring soaking opportunities?

The discussion seems to think not: all what is happening is a pumping around of water. 

Then there are arguments from Japan:

'In fact, there are 27,405 identified hot spring wells and over 21,000 combined hot spring spas and inns, according to 2014 data published by the nation’s Ministry of Environment.

Over 126 million people visit Onsens annually, spending considerable amount of money at spas, hotels, restaurants, and shops at hot springs. Because of the significant economic activities related to tourism, local communities didn’t think that Onsen business and geothermal power plants could co-exist'.

Several examples are given from the U.S.A. of hot springs drying up / dried up.

Then the crux which seems to follow the lead of this posting:

'We have lost far more soaks to irresponsible users and lack of respect than we have to geothermal power'. 

And the use of binary geothermal systems will probably not affect the springs themselves.

Read more below in the Philippines section on how pumping hot water for soaking is affecting soaking ...

Sticky

Japanese owners of onsen are apparently hoping that their lowering of standards concerning visitors with tattoos will reap more money courtesy of foreign tourists paying a visit. 
Well, actually the national tourism organisation is hoping this will happen and is nudging the owners in that direction. So reports the South China Morning Post (Nov. 5):

'With visitor numbers soaring but mindful of not upsetting the company’s Japanese guests, Hoshino Resorts has taken a more proactive approach to the problem.

“For small tattoos, we provide guests with a sticking plaster that they can use to conceal it before they go into the hot spring,” said the company official, who declined to be named.

“We do understand that tattoos have become fashionable in other countries and we really did want to do something that would be acceptable to everyone,” she said. “We believe this will mean that everyone will be able to enjoy our onsen.”

Not all of Japan’s operators have been as quick to keep up with modern realities, however, which has caused confusion among foreign visitors who had no idea that they would be refused access to an onsen if they had a tattoo.

A study carried out recently by the Japan Tourism Agency revealed that 56 per cent of hotels and inns across the country do not permit anyone with a tattoo to use their communal bathing facilities and have no provisions to help bathers conceal a tattoo.

Just over 30 per cent said they will not turn someone with a tattoo away, while a further 13 per cent say they will grant someone with a tattoo access under certain conditions, such as having it covered up".

While on the subject of soaking habits: the Shanghaiist (Oct 5) has this odd piece of news:

'Officials at the Huaqing Hot Springs in Shaanxi province have urged visitors to please, please kindly refrain from taking pictures of themselves feeling up a statue of an ancient Chinese beauty after it stopped being funny a long time ago'.

Thanks for the memories [heart_eyes] #vietnam #bath #hotsprings #piscine #nature #backpackers #explorers #landscape #beautifulday #morning #river #holidays #massage #instatravel #hmong #authenticity #ramenezmoilabas Crédit [camera] @guillaume_40

Afoul of the Vietnamese public scrutiny? Source

Vietnam also seems to be struggling with tourist antics. Apparently they are also awakening to the naked foreigner phenomena: posing in nature.

And Vietnam does not like. Thanhnien News (Dec. 29):

'A recent photo of three foreigners standing completely naked on Fansipan, Indochina's highest mountain in northern Vietnam, has received strong reactions on social media.

...

The foreigners were disrespectful to a Vietnamese location deemed by many as a national icon'.

However it was deemed less obscene by many of the comment contributors, which seems evidence of a more healthy attitude.

Carrying on. What might allude many, is how Thai tourists are increasingly visiting Japan and many seem OK with the onsen culture. Or even wanting to experience this traditional custom as authentic as possible. 

This is evidenced on instagram where I see many Thai language reactions / comments on onsen photo's. Take the example of the more famous onsen of Takaragawa, where bathing al fresco is the way to go:

Onsen Time ท่ามกลางหิมะ ☃ ☃ กับสาวน้อย @nene_nunoo #happytime #happytrip #tokyuagain #ของขวัญปีใหม่ #เรื่อยเปื่อยทัวร์

 source

Maybe it's just the snow and hot bath which elicits the need to photo one self. Very foreign to Thailand. Pretty picture btw and one of many examples.
 
Finally back to China. With temperatures dropping in China, it seems a bit contradictory for the Shanghaiist to report (Nov. 30): 

'But, in Chongqing, when conditions start to get a bit nippy, that's when the nude swimmers come out to play'.

Estimation

Taiwan lies on the border between Asian free for all and the Japanese art of onsening. Travelmomo notes Taiwans penchant for private hot springs in Yilan:

'In their hearts, Taiwanese are shy to go naked in front of other people. If possible, they prefer private bath (I think that's most people). That's why Hot! Spring Onion only offers private rooms of different sizes and designs for friends and families'. 

Not such a natural experience though ....

From Naked At Monuments: 

Lisong Hot Springs, Taiwan

The country is increasingly becoming a great hot spring destination. 
On a recent blog entry (Dec. 2015) My Taiwan tour highlighted Taiwan's soaking capital of Beitou:

'The entrance to Beitou Park (北投公園) is just across the street from the metro station. There are a number of small Beitou Stream waterfalls within the park. “Early on, before many facilities were developed, Japanese nationals would come here and soak in the pools below the falls – naked, in the Japanese fashion. This caused quite a stir with locals, and Japanese officials thought it best to stop the practice, to maintain Japanese dignity and esteem.” (Today only foot-soaking is allowed in the stream.) Small inns and baths began to pop up'.

A good site for more info on Taiwan's soak is a recent (Jan. 3) posting on rtaiwanr:

'Apart from night markets, hot springs in Taiwan are the must-see for many visitors. Hot springs are loved not only for their novelty, but also for their therapeutic benefits, as they provide relief to nervous, digestive, circulatory or organ disorders. This is because hot springs emerge from the very depths of the Earth, meaning that their waters carry a powerful mix of natural minerals and chemicals that are beneficial to our health. Today, many resort-style hot springs have taken advantage of this, creating luxury spa and health centres where customers can take advantage of hot spring hydrotherapy. However, many Taiwanese still prefer to go and have a good soak in the much untouched hot springs, as their ancestors once did'.

 Life in color. Stop racism! #pemandian #air #panas #angseri #tabanan #bali #stop #racism #nature #green #hotspring 

source

Lessons

How to learn from / about Japan and Japanese customs? From anime (artifice.com)? 
Concerning the onsen:

'does anime teach viewers about how to use bath houses? There is a very specific way to use an onsen and every one will have slightly different rules so it can be helpful to look for a sign'.

Not much assistance. 
A Japanese onsen (and anime) could also teach us about body acceptance and concepts of shame. 
Alas the author only notes that not wearing shoes inside is a rule one learns from onsen culture in anime!

Then something different, but also a wise lesson.
From Reuters (27 Oct.), a two minute feature video on how a man made disaster could possibly be less of a disaster. Named Lupindo after the company that caused the mud stream to start, there might be some way to gain from attracting tourists. 
Plausible, though the mud is noted as poisonous. 
And it could be another 100 years before the mud stops flowing (source). Check for a scientific based discussion on wikipedia.

Advisable
A quick ramble through the region:

• Burma

Finding a hot spring in Burma by guymaclaury (in photo above):

'At the end of the day, as the sun was getting ready to set, we found the hot spring. Our group dwindled from 6 to 4 because of sickness and the heat.

We were lost while searching for this hot spring when a local who didn't speak English guided us to it. Perfect way to end a long, arduous day on bicycles in the heat'.

Fear not, there are more sophisticated soaks in Burma than the puddle above. Example:

#Shvitzing in the #hotsprings #myanmar #inlelake #mountaintop

source

• Indonesia

Aroengbinang has a couple of recent blog entries on the hot springs of Tirta Sanita Ciseeng and Ciparay, both in the vicinity of Bogor, Java.
On the Tirta Sanita Ciseeng hot spring:

'One of the VIP soaking tubs at Tirta Sanita Ciseeng Hot Spring compound which can only be used by one person at a time. Please be advised that a couple is forbidden using the VIP soaking tubs at the same time, even though they are legitimate husband and wife. It is probably better that way to avoid any bad impression and abuse of the facility'.

Quite an interesting blogger he has other entries on the hot springs Kuningan Sangkanurip, Walini and Gunung Pancar.

An introduction to Guci hot water in Tegal regency.

 

#hotsprings #samosir #sumatra #indonesia

source

• Malaysia

A map of Malaysian hot springs. Misses half I think.
 
Here's another not included hot spring. Malaysian Traveller (Dec. 28) visits Dusun Tua hot spring, Selangor:

'There is no entrance charge at present but there is a donation box where visitors can contribute to the cost of maintaining the changing rooms, toilets and other facilities'.

Recent other vists include Kuala Kubu, Selayang and Hulu Tamu.

Di Malaysia pun ada Onsen la. Kalau agak agak jammed otw kerja tu singgah jap la kolam air panas , kasi buang toksin dalam badan biaq tak malas jaa, buang penyakit badan then buang semak kat kapla biaq tak serabut. Kalau nak buang penyakit hati lagi senang, zikir je, Masyallah. #onsen #kemalaysiakekita #jejakmalaysiamiyul #selayangkusayang #kolamairpanasmenggelegak #bolehmasaktelur #jgnminumnntmabukpiau #takpanaske #akuygmandikoygpanas #kodahkenapa #hdr 

Selayang, source

One of Malaysia's more well-known hot springs, is that of Bentong. It however is not a commercial for soaking. 

Azrin went there last October and was not bowled over by his stay at the newish Suria hot spring resort nor by the soaking opportunities at the hotel:

'Waterwise, kids pool, flipping cold. Not even bluish. Unchorinated I suppose. Hot pools had water fed in, piping hot and I do not recall the natural pool being this hot, about 60'c or so I figure they recycled the water. No natural sulphuric smell but of my old school longkang back in Rulang. Anyway, I got my cheap fix. Not so cheap. My eyes are itchy from the haze too. Reminder to oneself, go to the natural pool'.

 泡 溫泉之寧靜心靈，一切歸零。 [herb] [leaves] [fallen_leaf] [hotsprings] [high_brightness] #hotdippingpot #geothermalwater #relaxingtime #happyday #haveanicedayahead #happiness #happy #holiday #lovelife #natural #goodmood #hotsprings

Yes, you guessed correctly, it's Banjaran got spring. Source

• Philipines

Mainit Spring in Malabuyoc by outoftownblog:

'The entrance fee was only twenty pesos. The tourist spot consists of multiple springs of flowing water naturally heated by underground sulfuric rock. One mini-spring had the highest temperature of 42.6 degrees Celsius. Dipping my finger to test the temperature, the water was indeed very hot'.

 

2014 - 2015 Year Ender Mainit Hot Spring Photo Taken: April 12, 2015 #vscoph #vscocebu #vscocam #springs #hotsprings #nature #malabuyoc #cebusouth #cebu #igers #igerscebu #wanderlust #choosephilippines #igtravel #travelph #travel #pinasmuna #cebukeepsmegoing #ig_philippines #bestshots_ph #vscophilippines #iluvcebu #travel_philippines #mobilephotography

source

A scientific study ((Jago et al., 2015) Science Direct, Dec. 21) on pumping hot spring water in Calamba and Los Baños in the Philippines. Note they refer to both towns having together more than 500 (!) hot spring resorts / spa's. 
Part of their conclusion:

'Hot spring water resorts and spas in Calamba and Los Baños, Laguna are estimated to consume a large volume of groundwater which could result to over-extraction and decrease in groundwater quantity. However, monitoring of actual usage is difficult as most of these resorts do not have water use permits. The Water Code of the Philippines requires water users to register and apply for permits for water allocation, but still many resorts have not yet registered with the NWRB. If groundwater extraction is left unregulated, water availability for the resorts industry and for other uses in the future, will be negatively affected'.

• Singapore

Trying to recreate the real thing. From the ikeda spa site:

'As the hinoki wood comes in contact with hot water, it releases a unique type of skin-soothing oil that is widely used in Japanese skincare products. The spa waters are infused with interestingly-scented onsen (hot spring) bath salts to recreate the ultimate onsen experience'.

 

[heart_eyes] Who needs to go Japan when you can onsen like at @ikedaspa [bathtub] #throwback #filming #ikedaspa #onsen #relax #channelu #clarkequay #prestige #japan  

source

•  Thailand

 

Murky #onsen #hotspring water #ChiangDao, #ChiangMai, Northern #Thailand  

source

Note: 

Jago, K.A.B., F.P Sirignan, R. Balangue-Tarriela, M. Taniguchi, Y. K. Reyes, R. Lloren, M.A. Peña, E. Bagalihog (2015) Hot spring resort development in Laguna Province, Philippines: Challenges in water use regulation. Science direct: Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, Vol. 4, Part B. Elsevier, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Mediocrity at it's best

#poringhotspring

source

When compiling a Top 10 of Southeast Asian hot springs, it's always exciting to see which hot spring comes out on top. 
Well, it's not. 
Every year there's a slight change in how the list is compiled but the result remains the same.

As always, Poring hot spring located in Malaysia's Sabah state leads the pack. Since compiling began in 2009, the (bi-) annual overview has consistently favoured Poring hot spring.
Even though the experience itself is less appealing. Evidenced by for instance these recent reviews on tripadvisor:

• 'This is like a busy swimming pool area, not a relaxing romantic space',
• 'Hot spring area itself is rather mediocre, and unappealing'.
• 'The public bath in Poring hot springs gets overcrowded with locals therefore it is expected theres no privacy and the tubs could get dirty. Its a given - its up for the tourist to take the plunge'.

Just to show that this Top 10 has no value whatsoever!
 

If very much interested in change, one needs to look at what happens beyond the top.

Banjar hot spring on Bali hits the top three very much at the cost of Thailand's Pai hot spring. Otherwise it's the slow rise of Banjaran hot spring at no. 6 and the more spectacular rise of Puning which now sits at no. 7 even though this hot spring was yet to rank in 2014's top 20.

Another loser was Vietnam's Thap Ba hot spring which seems to have a lesser high profile in the many social media which now constitute a bigger ingredient of the list.

The Top 10 of Southeast Asia's highest profiled hot spring as of December 2015:

1. Poring, Sabah, Malaysia (2014:1)
2. Maquinit, Palawan, Philippines (2)
3. Banjar, Bali, Indonesia (6)
4. Ardent, Camiguin, Philippines (4)
5. Pai, Mae Hong Son, Thailand (2)
6. Banjaran, Perak, Malaysia (8)
7. Puning, Luzon, Philippines (-)
8. Thap Ba, Nha Trang, Vietnam (5)
9. Sari Ater, Java, Indonesia (7)
10. Mainit, Luzon , Philippines (12)

Just bubbling under the top 10 are the hot springs of Fang (Thailand, Toya Devasya, Moni (both Indonesia) an Tambun (Malaysia).

The more natural alternative in the top 10, from Pai, Thailand. Source. 

Oh Pai...you have been just beautiful! This was my first time in a natural hot spring. Or how I call it, "natural spring roll" #pai #thailand #asiatrip #asia #gopro #gopro4 #goprophotography #hero #hero4 #hotspring #secrethotspring