Massage?

With all the countries we’re visiting surely this has got to become a bit of a regular on the blog. After an ayurvedic shirodhara in India (for those not not up to date on their ayurvedic this involves special oil being poured slowly onto your forehead) we are well on our way to sampling Asia’s finest. If you’re wondering why we didn’t consider our first foray into Asian massage blog-worthy it’s because although briefly relaxing, once the smell of cooking oil took hold it took a turn for the worse. Three hairwashes later with a still-greasy mop and the smell permanently embedded in our nostrils we didn’t really want to relive the experience here.

Although so far between Bangkok and Laos the communal beds, neon signs and 20 girls sitting on a step shouting ‘massage’ hasn’t got us in the mood, we decided this had to change. So at 8pm whilst roaming the streets of Vientiane with not much to do, we found a nice looking place to try the traditional Laos massage. We were shown immediately to wash our feet (a fragrant yet unusual start). We’d both just showered but took no offence and allowed our feet to be scrubbed. Fran had a sweet looking Laos girl, Gem had a sweet looking Laos girl with a few extra parts (if you know what I mean!)

We got taken upstairs and given a set of pyjamas. Let’s just reiterate here, we were walking into the unknown. We’d heard that you get thrown about and clicked back into shape with not a drop of oil in sight. So we were mildly apprehensive to say the least when we were offered a set of inmate garbs and pointed to a bed on the floor. Comfort and relaxation were not our overwhelming feelings!

An hour later though we are walking tall (and waiting for the bruises to appear).

A few things we have learnt (and probably should have told the girls before we began to save on the embarrassment mid-pummelling):
– Gem is not flexible AT ALL and attempts to bend her in half will fail
– Fran enjoys someone punching the bottom of her feet
– Gem is ticklish on her thighs and is not afraid to burst out laughing during treatment
– Fran has the capacity to have a small Lao woman walk on her back and may be partial to it being repeated

Conclusion – Lao traditional massages are THE ONE and for 5 whole British pounds, we wish we’d started earlier

Lots of love
Gem and Fran xx

Massage
LV City – we’ve never had a Traditional Laos massage before but we’d definitely have another one from this place

Food
Fuji – best spicy tuna maki we’ve EVER had (incidentally we’ve looked on tripadvisor and people seem to disagree, maybe we’ll go back for seconds just to check) try and sit at the bar and watch the chefs at work.
Makphet – good morals, good food and most importantly a great happy hour
Joma bakery – bagels and cinnamon buns are a must.
Le Banneton – a baguette with anything in it (we plumped for ham and mustard) crusty on the outside and fluffy inside, it was as if we’d wandered down to the boulangerie ourselves.

To Do
Hire a bike – the city is tiny so pedal power is the way forward. It can be a little hairy at times but the spatial awareness of the Lao people still continues to amaze us.
COPE visitor centre – we were pretty oblivious to the problems Laos is facing from unexploded ordinance dropped by the Americans during the Vietnam war (and incidentally any of Laos’ history – see museum reference below) and this place really opened our eyes. They’re doing amazing work in really challenging circumstances so get down there, have a look around, watch the films and most importantly donate.
Laos national museum – as mentioned we knew less than nothing about the history of this place and I’m not sure this museum enlightened us, but it’s worth a quick walk round all the same.