Relaxation day!
Yes, we had to cancel the Bali leg of our trip, but we went to hot springs instead. When I mentioned this to locals they were surprised to learn there are hot springs just over an hour outside of the city.
We booked another tour with Viator, this time using points we acquired from past trips, to Peninsula Hot Springs. I left my phone in a locker, so Don was the photographer.
In addition to these natural hot springs, the area is known for golfing, wine, and surfing. The beaches are considered to be "Melbourne's playground."
The hot springs emerge from 637 meters below ground with temperatures ranging from 56-135 degrees Fahrenheit, so from cold to extremely hot. Most of the pools are between 40 and 45 degrees Celsius (104-114), plus cold plunges, a Turkish steam bath with excellent acoustics, and a sauna. For an extra fee they offer the fire and ice experience alternating between sauna and very cold pools. Evidently that has health benefits. Over all they have over 70 "globally inspired wellness and bathing experiences," at least so it says on their website.
For a small upcharge you can rent bathrooms, towels, and a locker. As I was wearing a bikini and it wasn't super warm out, I opted for the combo pack. Don went with just the towel and sharing my locker. If we ever visit another natural spa I think we'll bring our own bathrobes and towels so they don't get mixed up with the others.
We were due back on the bus by 1:15, and in Melbourne by 2:45, right after check in takes place at our new hotel.
The weather was a little chilly, and cloudy -- ideal for the hot springs.
As we walked around the resort we heard many different languages. German. French. Asian languages. The one accent we did not hear was American. As the day continued I wanted to hear the birds and not hear other voices. I was relaxing into the experience and did not want to be distracted by mindless conversations.
We saw a French family with three kids under five. They were on a two month vacation. Their children were very well behaved. Then there was a mom with tweens. They kept bouncing in and out of hot springs. Felt like they were following us. When we finally slowed down, the passed us and it was a better experience.
Set in the middle of nowhere with rolling green fields, hills, birds, streams, ponds, and much wildlife it was hard to believe we were only 90 minutes away from Melbourne. We started with the hilltop tub that has 360-degree views of Mornington Peninsula. As it is one of their more popular spots, they set a 10-minute time limit so others can also enjoy the spot. That turned out to be one of the warmer pools at 41.2 degrees (105F). The rest seemed to be between 36 and 40 (98.6 to 104F), akin to bathwater.
Paul, our driver, was relaxing in one of the hot tubs so we struck up a conversation with him. As a 64-year old pale white man all by himself, he seemed a bit out of place. The serene expression on his face showed he was exactly where he wanted to be. He likes this schedule. He picks people up starting at 6:30 am (our pick up was 7:15 am), hangs out at the sauna, eats lunch, then drives us back. Other than getting sick a lot ("as a bus driver, the world's germs come [his] way"), he is enjoying his job.
On the other side of the world we met a woman who used to work in the telecom industry in New Jersey in the 1990s. It would not have surprised me if she and Don had met. We didn't recognize the name of the company. Her role was writing the internet rules for Australia. Fresh out of college at the time, she recognized faster than the higher ups that the internet was going to be big. Unlike EDS, Don's company at the time, this company embraced the changes that would come with the internet and thrived.
We tried the Turkish Spa. Lovel paintings made out of Turkish ties on the inside. Even with the stations filled with cool water for your hands to dip inside to help regulate your body temperature, it felt too hot to enjoy.
Inside the sauna I found a journal and sunglasses. The woman left them inside. when she returned she started chatting. I felt she did not understand the concept -- this was not her personal sauna and we did not have to talk to her.
Our favorite was a cave with a hole on top, and windows to let in light. Even with the entire place feeling like we were in the middle of nowhere, that particular spot seemed like the epicenter of nowhere. the cave fit about 10 people. When it was just us, it was as if the rest of the planet faded away. With nine friends, it could feel like a party scene. It was several degrees warmer in there than it was in the pool leading into it. Reminded me of the feeling of driving on a cold day in a car with the sunroof open and the heat cranked up.
We skipped the relaxation domes, the clay therapy, and the massage chairs. With more time, I would have tried both. I did enjoy the reflexology foot bath where we walked over different shaped rocks. Don's hurt foot did not enjoy it, so he left as soon as possible. Slow-pause-return.
I waited for Don in the footbath near the exit. I saw it when we walked it, but quickly bypassed it for more exciting options. Once changed into dry clothes, and waiting for Don, it was the most relaxing option. He took longer to get dressed because his foot swelled up in the spas.
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| Yes, a selfie station |
There were two main rooms. The upstairs one had mostly kittens, and the downstairs one had adult cats. In-between there were a few who wanted some "me" time. The rule was, you had to let the cats come to you. The demographic was clearly more Ashley's age than ours, but no one said anything. A couple of the 20-somethings shared their food with me so I could see all the cat attention up close. I can see the appeal to that.
With Christmas music playing, and Christmas decorations around the rooms, I felt I was transported to another universe, one filled with happiness and calm.
For the most part, the cats got along with each other, and with the humans. Ther was a cat door they could use to get away from the hubbub. Don bonded with a big light orange cat, he has always had a fondness for Garfield-like cats. I found a few that let me pet them. We stayed until closing.
We did leave for dinner on Hardware Lane. Should have returned to Max's for another meal as the place across the alley was not nearly as good. Next time, we told ourselves. One last gelato, this time rosemary and dark chocolate.
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