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Sep 17-19, 2016
Massage, Sauna and Ear Candling at Holiday Gym and Spa
GPS waypoint: 7°03'51.7"N 125°36'27.8"E
Location: Holiday Gym and Spa, F. Torres St., 8000 Davao City, Philippines
The Bone
With very limited resources, I travel as a nomadic guerilla - prepared both physically and mentally to hurdle the hard-knocks life throws at me. Eat live worms, sleep on a sidewalk, ride on a bus bumper in the driving rain, marooned on an island - done it. I default to a lifestyle of endurance, concentration and intensity. But every once in a while, my benevolent universe throws me a bone - pampered luxury in an upscale spa, the Holiday Gym and Spa. Hey, you only live once. I won't say no to that.
The Spa
It is interesting to note that at Holiday Gym and Spa, they conduct their own in-house training for the therapists. This way, consistency and standards are kept to their benchmark. The staff are competent and courteous. The facilities are well maintained.
 my body lay limp as my therapist did her Shiatsu Massage on me
Sauna Bath
I would suggest that after a workout and before the massage, you go for the sauna. The sauna room is lined with wood paneling with hot stones to pour water into for added heat. They also provide iced water with a face towel in case you need to cool down. I tried meditating inside the sauna...observing the body sensation as heat and humidity were working its way to my system. It was a good exercise in awareness, breathing and non-reaction.
Swedish Massage
In our popular culture, Swedish massage seems to be the default modality when the 'massage' word is mentioned. It's not surprising. Swedish massage detoxifies the muscles, increases blood circulation, boosts the immune system and eases tension in the body. It was Isay who performed the massage on me. She kneaded my oiled muscles with long gliding strokes, tapped my body parts like a percussion, pressed her palms into firm circular motion...leaving my body limp like a rag doll into full relaxation.
Shiatsu Massage
Two days later, it was time for Shiatsu Massage with Janet as my therapist. There are pressure points in the body according to Chinese medicine. Shiatsu Massage, translated to "finger pressure" in Japanese, applies pressure on these points using thumbs, hands, elbows, knees and even feet to clear the blocked energy paths, balance the flow of chi (aka ki, prana, ki, qi), and instill body equilibrium. Additionally, Janet rotated and stretched my joints and limbs, even lifting me up for a soothing back bend. I came out of the session totally blissed-out.
Ear Candling
Ear Candling is an alternative therapy for ear cleaning. It's not as mainstream yet as the traditional wooden or metal scooper or the cotton swab, but this is by far the least invasive and equally as effective. The tapered end of a hollow candle is placed inside the ear as the other end is lit, facing up. The heat travels down the candle to melt the ear wax, and the ensuing vacuum sucks the melted wax back to the candle. When the candle was extinguished (as the burning was getting close to my ear already), I unwrapped the remaining candle to see if there is really accumulated wax inside. My jaw dropped! All that gunk came from my ear? Enough said.
Ending Thoughts
Whoa! It's not everyday I get such pampered treatment. After months of traveling non-stop, my mind continuously racing 24/7, with my body optimized from working out, I could really use the massage and all that pampering. When I get back on the road, I wouldn't know when such pampering happens again.
I am grateful for the abundance. Thank you Holiday Gym and Spa, thank you Isay and Janet.
--- TheLoneRider
ps - If you want me to write about your massage/spa treatment, email me.
Sep 17-19, 2016
 Davao City, Philippines
 tourist attractions
 - hotel
 Bahay ni Tuding - central Poblacion location, wifi, hands-on owner
160 San Pedro Street, 8000 Davao City
0947 361 3544 | 7°03'57.6"N 125°36'28.3"E The Pinnacle Hotel and Suites - central location, new management, newly renovated
Sta. Ana Avenue, Davao City 8000, Philippines
(+63) 932-8708621 | 906-3185885 | 7°04'34.2"N 125°36'54.2"E The Apo View Hotel - Davao's iconic hotel, old world charm, casino
150 J. Camus Street, Davao City Philippines 8000
+63 (82) 221-6430 to 40 | 7°04'09.2"N 125°36'27.4"E North Zen Basic Spaces - great rooms at affordable prices
Sobrecarey St. (corner Lapu-Lapu St.), Davao City, 8000
(082) 295.3997 | 7°04'43.0"N 125°37'04.3"E Urban Living Zen Hotel - newly opened - all NEW!
F.s. Dizon Bacaca, 8000 Davao City
(082) 287 3133 | 7°05'28.4"N 125°36'22.3"E The Royal Mandaya Hotel - heart of downtown Davao City
J. Palma Gil Street, Davao City, 8000
(+63 82) 225.8888 | 7°04'09.4"N 125°36'36.8"E Alu Hotel Davao - central downtown location
M. Roxas Avenue corner Padre Faura Street, Davao
+63 82 227 5232 | 7°04'07.7"N 125°36'51.7"E One Oasis Davao - hotel accommodation in a condo unit
Eco-west Drive, Ecoland, Davao City
suki_tac@yahoo.com | 0925.500.3211 | 7°02'49.2"N 125°35'19.1"E
 van rental
 Apollo Van Rental - Davao City tour, Samal Island tour, airport transfer
0925.500.3211 | suki_tac@yahoo.com
 yoga | health | fitness
 tour
 resto |  cafe
 advocacy
- one of the cleanest potable water in the country
- smoking is banned from commercial establishments
- pineapple samurais are endemic here and nowhere else in the country (pineapple vendors who cut-up whole pineapples into chunks with just a few strokes of their carving knives)
- public utility drivers conspicuously display their IDs
- durian Mecca of the Philippines (not to mention Marang, Mangosteen and Sweet Pomelo)
- you want to add some more? please submit on the form below
- the weighing scale of fruit vendors specially the durian push cart vendors are a blatant cheat - showing almost twice the actual weight
- Revisiting Davao Aug 22-Oct 31, 2016
- A Roof Over my Head in Davao Aug 22-Oct 31, 2016
- Davao Yoga Scene Oct 31, 2016
- Pranayama Oct 24, 2016
- Yoga Beyond the Mat Oct 21, 2016
- Grilled Tuna Overload in Davao Oct 13, 2016
- Duterte Mania in Davao Oct 12, 2016
- Sirsasana, Sarvangasana - Yoga Makaranda II Oct 7, 2016
- Tirumalai Krishnamacharya Oct 5, 2016
- Ashtanga Yoga with James Fritz Freire at Holiday Gym and Spa Oct 1, 2016
- There was a Bomb Explosion? Sep 30, 2016
- Jin in Davao Sep 29, 2016
- Scrubs and Hilot at Holiday Gym and Spa Sep 22-29, 2016
- The Fabulous Dabawenyos Aug 22-Sep 26, 2016
- Nirvana Breathing Fitness with Lita C. Quisumbing Sep 21, 2016
- Massage, Sauna and Ear Candling at Holiday Spa and Gym Sep 17-19, 2016
- Downpour in Davao Sep 18, 2016
- Lounge One Yoga Sequence by May Bel Le at North Zen Hotel Sep 16, 2016
- Celebrating Davao's King of Fruits - Durian! Sep 11, 2016
- The Blast that Rocked Davao Sep 2, 2016
- Hatha Flow Yoga with Joanna Lizares Co at Holiday Spa and Gym Aug. 31, 2016
- Conducting a Power Yoga Class at Yoga Davao Aug 29, 2016
- Good Eats with Mel Pangan's Davao Food Tour Aug 26, 2016
- Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Aug 25, 2016
- A Gifted Dell Laptop from the Usual Suspect Aug. 24, 2016
- The Duterte Phenomenon Oct 21, 2015
- 20 Days in Davao City July 4- 24, 2014
- Goodbye Davao...Again! Sep 28, 2013
- Wine and Cheese at Malagos Farm House Sep 27, 2013
- Custom-made Peanut Butter at Davao City's Bankerohan Market Sep 27, 2013
- Yoga in Davao Sep 26, 2013
- Celebrating 25 Years of Habitat for Humanity Philippines Sep 18, 2013
- Clobbered in a Vicious Karate Match Sep 17, 2013
- Back Into the Black Sep 1, 2013
- No Reply Aug 30, 2013
- Full Body-Cavity Search without the Latex Aug 25, 2013
- Fun Day with Crocodile Sonny and Sports Unlimited Dynamic Duo, Dyan Castillejo and Marc Nelson Aug 15, 2013
- Fun! Fun! at Maxima AquaFun, Samal Island Aug 11, 2013
- Goodbye Davao Jan 22, 2013
- Davao City's Peace and Order Jan 21, 2013
- Holiday Spa Yoga, Davao City Jan 20, 2013
- Free Yoga at People's Park Jan 12, 2013
- Davao City: Family Ties Dec 15-22, 2012
- Breakup Diaries: Chance Encounter in Davao City Dec 19, 2012
- Davao City June 20-23, 2009
- Davao City March 18-20, 2008
- Mount Apo March 15-18, 2008
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