Volcanic Ash Spa

Before the addictive potion of Mt. Pinatubo’s crater guzzled my sanity, gaining courage was a must for me to drag my feet down to our truck-service an hour after my stomach digested the protein-food I just took in to keep me going on the impending 3-hour trek. My drizzle-soaked shirt and shorts mixed with constant sweating that flowed down my groins, lack of sleep, and tired legs that made me feel uncomfortable and yearn for a shower continuously clashed with my mind while I was convincing myself that going back would be easy — a  mind-over-matter thing that I pinched inside my skull to make the walk lighter. From the crater, it only took me 2 hours and a quarter to reach our 4×4 truck. It was a breeze-walk because my focus lingered through the reward waiting for me at the Tourism Office of Capas, Tarlac.

One of my companions woke me up when we arrived in Pinatubo Spa Town. Catching 40 minutes of sleep while passing along the jerky grounds of the volcano’s foot just manifested how exhausted I was and in need of relaxation that day. It is incontestable. I was dead tired so a spa shall not be neglected.

My hefty meal

I jumped out of the truck, walked a bit, looked for the tourism officer, and paid P500 bucks for the Volcanic Ash Spa. Oh wait, before that, my stirring stomach demanded that I had to keep it full first so I decided to dine at the restaurant in the vicinity. I can’t believe they served me a very hefty meal for only P250 — a plate of rice (looked like a serving for 2), chicken leg and thigh, chopsuey, pancit, potato salad, kangkong (swamp cabbage), and soup. Since I can’t consume it all no matter how hungry I was, 3 people shared the food.

Volcanic ash they use for spa

From the dining area, I walked 30 steps, changed to proper attire, and got ready to be grilled by the ash. How do you think that feels like?

This is where they put wood logs that heat the ash

The moment I laid my back, I started to feel the warmth underneath. And when the ash covered my whole body where my head was the only part of me exposed, an attendant put a hot towel on my forehead to complete the whole process of relaxation. I was then drifted by the comforting ash and heat to a nap. After a few minutes, I was back to my consciousness.

Before the spa

I also had a little conversation with the attendant that wipes my face whenever I perspire badly due to the heat coming from the sulfuric ash. According to him, the spa will last for only 30 minutes to avoid dehydration and they change the ash thrice yearly to maintain its therapeutic power. This treatment believes to lessen body cholesterol and refreshes and relaxes tired body. That alone, for me, is therapeutic.

During the volcanic ash spa

It works like a combination of human massage and sauna bath that will make you relax and secrete body liquids like there’s no tomorrow. Though I’m not really sure if it converts fats to sweat that someone releases during the process, I would like to believe it did because when I finally emerged from it, I turned red even if I looked tan and my whole body was wet. It made miracle to me when it brought me to life after regaining my lost strength during the climb. I felt rejuvenated and ready to trace my way back to Manila. I enjoyed it the same way when I saw Pinatubo’s crater-lake.

Capas Shrine

We also dropped by at Capas Shrine when we were on our way back to Manila. And after 4 hours, I was back in my room and capped my adventure with a good rest.

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Pinatubo Spa Town’s other services:

Mud Pool- P500

Combination of Thai and Shiatsu Massage- P500/ 1hr and 20mins