One of the good things about turning 29 is that I can now afford to buy myself presents, and not having to wait for people to give them to me. Besides, after a certain age nobody gives you presents anymore (except for your boyfriend, or else he'll be in deep shit), because you're a grown-up now, and only kids get presents.
I can also take a day off to pamper myself at a spa. Oh, Aurora Spa Retreat, how I love thee. My boy (who is not in deep shit btw) gave me a $150 gift card from Aurora for Valentine's Day (*grins*), and I've been waiting all year to use it.
Aurora is certainly not the cheapest day spa around. But it's supposed to be one of the more amazing ones. The last time I was there was a couple of years ago, where I dropped some $300 for a two-hour treatment. I had booked in for a similar treatment this time too - a one-hour Kitya Karnu Signature body treatment and a one-hour detox massage.
Upon check-in to the spa I am led to the change rooms and provided with a robe and slippers. I come out and there's a cup of herbal tea waiting in the lounge area. The lounge is all earthy tones and neutral colours, with self-help and new age tomes in the magazine racks. No clocks to hurry you along.
The Kitya Karnu is Aurora's award-winning treatment, and it's not hard to see why. I am taken to my own private steam and shower room, where Trent my therapist lets me choose a salt scrub to slather over my dull-looking skin. I pick one that smells like lavender, and he lets me sniff the accompanying oil.
Now one might think that it would be awkward and slightly uncomfortable to have a male therapist in the wet treatment room, but hey, equal opportunity for all, I say. If Trent wants to be a spa therapist, then more power to him. If spa patrons were to reject male therapists, they would be denying these guys an opportunity to do their job. And there would be less male therapists in the industry. Same deal with introducing more women to male-dominated industries - if no one gave these women a chance, then we are actively reducing their opportunities to prove themselves and make their mark.
Enough philosophising,back to the treatment. The oil is applied all over my skin, and when the salt is sprinkled over that, it creates a warming sensation. After letting it sit for a few minutes, the concoction is showered off. Repeat on the other side. I also get a hair masque put in, together with a soothing scalp massage and a nice little face clean. Trent has hands of magic.
After the treatment (who thought one hour could pass so quickly?) I shower off the remnants of the scrub and hair masque, before slipping back into my comfy robe and slippers. Trent shows me back to the lounge and to the shelf of creams where I could rehydrate my face with some moisturiser. He also had a glass of water with lemon to rehydrate my body before the next treatment.
Next, the detox massage. After a brief chat about what concerns I wanted to address, my therapist applied some warming balm to my shoulders and upper back before beginning the massage. She was a tiny little thing, but boy did she have arms of steel! Her touch was firm and therapeutic. At times it was a little *too* firm - I think she gave me bruises! Nevertheless, it was still quite enjoyable and the hour passed by quickly. I didn't doze off like the massage I got in Takayama, Japan but it was still pretty good.
Aurora is also not the type of spa to rush you out after your treatment. I had some time to sip more tea at my leisure, before popping into the change room for a proper shower. The spa provides everything - shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body oil/lotion, even a hair dryer.
I left the spa feeling relaxed, yet invigorated somehow. If only money weren't an issue. I could certainly make a habit out of this.
Now for dinner - but that's another entry.
Pamper yourself at:
Aurora Spa Retreat
The Prince Hotel
2 Acland Street
St Kilda
t: +61 3 9536 1130
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