The day was really crummy. Rained all day, high winds and a bit chilly. So I won't have much to post. Had to break down and wash the undies and things. I was packing the new suitcase I bought from Amsterdam, that was to be used for gifts and souvenirs...it won't close. Guess I'm going to have to "getta bigger boat".
I was watching TV for the first time I've been here and half the channels are sports. But the selection was badminton, soccer (4 stations: English, African, Spanish and Italian Leagues), European PGA, Rugby reruns and my favorite (sic) cricket. So switched over to CNN International, great station because you get the whole world news, including US.
I did get a massage. The massage itself was pretty good, but the prep was not a customer friendly atmosphere. I came down 20 minutes before my time and the front desk lady said I was early. Well yeah, need locker, want to shower (I always do before treatment) and then let's go. She also wants to be paid first before I go in, that's a first. She asked if I was going to leave a tip. I said I usually do it after the treatment, harumph. I gave her the 15% discount voucher that the concierge gave me yesterday and she acted like she didn't know what to do. "Where did you get this?" "Upstairs from front desk" was my reply. She called upstairs and seem to be an argument with someone at the front desk. She slams the phone down and says, "I have to do a new ticket, why didn't you give it to me before?". I've about had it, I ask for her supervisor and she said he had gone home for the day. Okay I will call to front desk and ask for hotel manager. She panicked and started to backtrack immediately. Apology, apology, apology for the next 10 minutes. Okay the business part is now done. Out comes my masseuse, a lady that could have passed as one of the Amazon warriors I learned about in Brazil. I take a quick shower and come back to the waiting area for Ms. Amazon. She starts to walk out the front door which is a bit confusing because there is a business meeting break going on near the entrance. We literally walked through the meeting break area, should have grabbed a water along the way. We then proceeded to walk through a kitchen corridor and opened a temporary type door into a room that looked like an improvised linen closet. I ask if this is the actually massage area. Ms Amazon says they are renovating the massage rooms in the main area and this was what they were using for now. Really? Okay Ive come this far, I might as well get to it. Once we get started she is really good. Only problem there is noise all around me: people talking on their cell phones, metal carts on Mexican tile floors rolling by the door and someone is smoking. Plus there is no soothing music or aroma therapy. Okay, hold it, so I happened to bring my valuables with me (no lockers). I tell the masseuse to hand me my backpack where I pull out my iPhone and pick out about 12 songs for my playlist-SPA MUSIC. That helped. Massage is over and she did a great job. Now just let me get out of here. I go back to waiting area and a young man comes out and directs me to the locker room with a great steam room and sauna. Why didn't I get a locker when I first came in instead of having to drag my gear around with me. This area looks and feels like it just has been redecorated and equipped. I had a nice long steam and showered, which helped move my opinion from a 1 star to a 2 star. On my way out the miserable lady was all smiles and ask me to come over, "No Charge". HUH? She gave me the voided bill that I had signed earlier. I pulled out $1.000KS (about $12US) and gave to the Amazon lady, who did a good job. She gave me a big smile and said thank you...hey don't hug me or you will crush me.
Tomorrow I'm off to Bangkok.
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