Last night, Yordie washed all her clothes and running shoes to get the filth off from the tuk-tuk experience. It was difficult winding down due to all the excitement. We were still laughing about the experience as we turned out the lights.
Oasis Spa
The van transported the six of us to the Oasis Spa (Sukhumvit 31) for a morning of pampering. This down-time is certainly welcome with the pace we have been going at.
Honestly, I have been a little anxious about this experience. I made the mistake of doing research on this massage style. Knowledge is not always your best friend. Have you seen a Thai massage and all that body stretching? Check out the link.
My body is not used to being contorted like that. I mean, I’ll stretch for the last spring roll or even go for an angled pickleball shot but some of those moves look pretty aggressive. We have been advised not to say “ouch” or groan as that is a signal to go harder. We are to say ‘bao-bao’ for softer.
The Oasis Spa is a serene gem nestled in this busy city like a secret garden. The anticipation is rising as we wash our faces with fragrant iced cloths and enjoy an iced cup of roselle tea. We are all having the same spa package.
Golden Sensation
- Body Scrub with Jasmine delight the senses. 50 mins
- Thai massage 30 mins
- Aromatherapy gold flakes Oil Massage 100 mins
Two massage specialists come and lead Yordie and I to a room with two tables.
Hang on a minute, I’m doing this in a room with Yordie?!! No way! There goes my relaxation. You might have read about my Turkish hammam experience with cousin Shannon. Talk about outside my comfort zone. Okay, I’m going to have to suck this up but I am disappointed that my zen moment had to be shared with anxiety.
We respect each other’s privacy as we have to shower and use toilet facilities outside and each of us politely take our turn to shower under the canopy of trees. All I can think of is get this over with fast and don’t slip on the tiles with my oil soaked body. I don’t wish to use my travel insurance.
The scrub is done and thankfully the Thai massage was not as violent as anticipated but I did get to use “bao-bao” a few times. Now is the time to relax – 100 minutes of massage which sends me into a blissful sleep-state only to awaken myself with a snort. Of course, I was worried I had disturbed Yordie. Later, I discovered she was having a nap herself.
A final awkward shower and dress and we were on our way with our bodies refreshed, covered in gold flecks, a perfect adornment for tonight’s dinner at Le Du.
Le Du
Meeting in the lobby, we head to Le Du, 15 minutes away from our hotel. This modern Thai eatery has a Michelin star and I can tell you they deserve it. In 2023, Le Du was voted #1 out of 50 of the top restaurants in all of Asia. We will be having the 6-course tasting menu with wine pairings.
The name Le Du derives from the Thai word ‘season’ and I can attest to the quality and freshness of the ingredients. The food is phenomenal, the servers are knowledgeable and the ambiance all provide an excellent dining experience. I actually found the wine pairings to be more complex than any of the restaurants I had visited and I enjoyed them all.
The attention to detail, such as the placement of each flower added a whimsical effect and made for a spectacular presentation. Each course delighted the senses and it was only surpassed by the terrific company and conversation.
Everything was delicious and the overall experience was stellar. I would definitely return to Le Du when I’m back in Bangkok again.
Outside the restaurant, while waiting for the van, I look up and comment on the telecommunications and wiring in Bangkok – crazy!
It will be an early morning, so best we hit the sack early tonight. Tomorrow Yordie and I are on our own with our guide, as we are heading to the Railway Market, a coconut farm and floating markets. We will be making our guide promise to get us back to the hotel by 2:00 pm so we can float in the beautiful pool.
Sweet dreams!
