East Eats West

Learn what is hip and happening in Bangkok

A webzine that keeps the pulse of Bangkok megapolis: Bangkok Recorder. Click and learn what is up and top: http://www.bangkokrecorder.com/ 

The bliss of massages and Spas in Asia

Picture: An intriguing Spa Sign in Siem Reap (Korean operated). I have not dared to try the massage yet.

Recently I got asked if I am a beach or spa type. Well, the answer is simple: a spa type. I just love the touch of professional hands, the relaxation that comes from a massage and the ever-more sophisticated designs of spas that let you dangle your mind. But the major reason why I am in love with Asian spas is the gentle and focused attitude of the Asian staff that let’s me feel at ease and pampered. Asian staff are rarely intrusive and their gentle demeanor is authentic, not like in some European places. But then again, there are spas and spas. Some spas are basic massage places with humble facilities and moderate prices (not to speak off the street-hawking massage facilities on Khao San Road in Bangkok and near the central market in Siem Reap, phew), like serene and tranquil The Garden Spa of my sister Peng in Luang Prabang. On the other hand there are massive spa complexes with highly professional service and all sorts of amenities ranging from steam rooms, to Jacuzzis and lounges, like the Andana Spa In Singapore or the Potalai Spa in Bangkok. Prices vary according to the location, amenities and treatments and can range from as low as 6$ an hour in Luang Prabang to over 45$ for an hour massage in the top spas in big cities. Whatever the size of the spa and the range of its services, I spa should be tranquil and the staff should avoid to make its presence heard. The Spa in Manila for example struck me as particularly hectic and the treatment brisk, not to speech about the rather awkward attendant in the changing room, handing towels. But then I was told that some male guests take advantage of the masseuse, this being the reason for a big common massage room without separations.

With the spa industry constantly evolving and attracting more and better-off clients, the services are expanding and so are the facilities. The new and apparently stunning Devarana Spa in Bangkok offers breath-taking facilities and the new Medical Spa, also in Bangkok, offers all sorts of cutting-edge treatments in fancy machines.

Whatever your budget and demands on the facilities, the good old Aromatherapy massage or a pressure-point Shiatsu massage done by trained hands is still pure bliss in an ever hectic life. And the recent Anti-Stress massage focusing on my head, shoulders and back at the Frangipani Spa in Siem Reap, was exactly what I needed after a hot and wet day in ever busy Siem Reap. PS: For lovers a couple-massage with soaking in the Jacuzzi in a private massage suite is hard to beat.

Here is a selection of Asian spas I can recommend:

• Potalai, Bangkok
• The Garden Spa, Luang Prabang
• Frangipani Spa, Siem Reap
• The Oasis, Chiang Mai
• Andana Spa , Singapore 
• The Spa, Manila
• Devrana Spa, Bangkok

The Spa Garden, Luang Prabang

My lovely and charming sister Peng operates two relaxing and tranquil spas in Luang Prabang, Laos, by the name The Spa Garden. Read my former blog entry here and check-out her new website here: http://www.spagardenlpb.com/

Revisiting Siem Reap, again

Picture: A newly developing quiet Siem Reap back-alley with shops, restaurants and two photo-galleries

Since my first visit to Siem Reap in 2001, only two years after the official fighting stopped, tourism was about to develop and things were still a bit rough, sometimes. Siem Reap has changed in some ways but not in others. I felt very much like in 2001 when I heard upon my arrival that a Cambodian’s arm was cut off in a bar-brawl at a night club the night before. And the roads are still dusty and the street lighting bad. But at the same time rampant growth in tourism has brought entrepreneurial activity to Siem Reap with travel agencies, shops, hotels, restaurants and taxi drivers mushrooming. Also has the Korean population sprung up with its own Little Korea on Road 6 and as in many other exotic places in Asia like Luang Prabang, gays have been moving in enjoying a peaceful undetected life. And there are tons of new banks offering ATM, credit card withdrawals and exchange services. What a relief from the days in 2001 without ATM and only two banks offering credit card withdrawals.

Siem Reap is also slowly moving up-market with at the moment the most stylish hotel being the Hotel de la Paix with its funky Art Deco feel and amazing lobby. And famous Pub Street has also geared up with new restaurants and a sound blasting war for attention. On the flip side traditional Khmer dancing as practiced at ceremonies and parties, is slowly disappearing according to an expat. And less and less women can be seen sitting sideways on the back of motorbikes. And last but not least the best Khmer Pepper Steak with spaghettis can still be found at established Barrio Restaurant right next door to Hotel de la Paix. And yes, do not forget to order the absolutely heavenly mousse-au-chocolate for desserts, yummy!

Picture: Funky Art Deco Hotel de la Paix in Siem Reap

Spiritual lunch-break in Georgetown, Penang

During lunch-time Chinese in Georgetown are giving offerings to the many Buddhist Gods in the temple.

The real reason why you are able to read this blog: my parents

Some diseases are incurable but still pleasant, one of them being the travel-fever caused by the travel-bug. And as you might already guess EastEatsWest has contracted this splendid disease a long time ago. Even though I cannot exactly recall when I first got the travel-bug I know who had a major hand in me getting it: my parents. Let me explain: My father took his family every now and then on his business trips and I still remember staying with my family at the legendary Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. I just adored the massive building with its intimidating dining-hall, the beach and a sommelier serving exclusive wine to my parents. Later on my dad sent me to a summer-camp to learn English in Bournemouth, in the south of England. And I still remember being initially terrified by the idea but quickly got to love it. My dad also sent me in 1995 to San Francisco for half-an-year to learn even more English and boy, did I love this town and the trip on a motorbike to the Grand Canyon. This was also when portable computers, called notebooks, became popular and I got my first Toshiba notebook. So slowly the travel-fever got hold of me and since 2001 I developed a particularly severe case of yellow-fever, visiting Asia at least once a year. Therefore I want to thank my parents to give me the inspiration to travel and the financial means when I was younger. I thank them for letting me explore and eventually love the world, for me feeling at home around the globe and what last but not least resulted in this EastEatsWest-blog. Thank you mummy and daddy! Thank you very much!
PS: Hey, and parents do not complain of me travelling for almost a year and intending to share my time in the future between Europe and Asia. It is your entire fault!

For the wealthy with a taste for heritage

Picture: The courtyard of the Peranakan Mansion in Georgetown

The recent stock-market boom or CEO-package has made you rich, or you got rich in an IPO? Now what, tired of Gucci-bags, Porsches, luxury spas and expensive condominiums? Realizing that buying expensive stuff just does not create lasting pleasure? A few rich Chinese investors with a sense for history and heritage have found a hobby that is expensive, discerning and at the same time helps to preserve history. In Georgetown on Penang Island (Malaysia) there are two outstandingly well restored ancient Baba-houses*: the former residence of the Chinese Rockefeller, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, and the Peranakan Mansion. Both houses are privately owned and beautifully restored with private funds, the CFTM even won a UNSECO-award for restoration. The two houses show the splendour of the golden times that came out of the spice-trade that went through Georgetown (a former British colony). Besides preserving history for coming generations, in restoring lavish houses like that, an affluent person can show connoisseur-ship and style. And last but not least, it is much harder to copy than just the newest yacht or sports-car. And there are still plenty dilapidated houses left waiting to be restored.

*Baba or Nyonya meaning Chinese who adapted to the local Malay lifestyle and mixed styles.

Check out my new pictures of heritage Georgetown

Picture. Entrance of the wonderful Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion in Georgetown, Penang

Here are a few new pictures of my favourite heritage B&B in Georgetown, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion and some more pictures from Georgetown (Malaysia) at night:

Swiss automatic watches with a 25% discount in Malaysia

In a recent blog-entry I wrote about that Swiss watches are the cheapest in Singapore and Malaysia. While window-shopping in a mall in Penang, Malaysia, I had a closer look at my favourite Audemars Piquet Royal Oak Offshore watch and learned upon demand that the official retail-price was 72’2000 Ringgit (20’000$). Upon further probing I was quickly given a 25 percent discount that brought the price to a still unaffordable 52’000 Ringgit (14’000$). Yes, some watches seem to be cheaper in Malaysia but some are also still beyond reach. And yes, Malaysians buy watches for 14’000$.

China copies everything, even whole companies

We are all used to fake goods from China but the apparently the Chinese now copy whole companies including point-of-sale displays, marketing, building with logo and production. This happened to NEC in China. NEC got suspicious when customers sent in products they did not sell in China and they started an investigation. Read the whole story in German on Neue Zürcher Zeitung: