Like one would imagine, or at least I would, any best thing to happen to your feet has to have its roots in Thailand, be it shoes or a foot massage! Though I am not sure where the discovery of the 'Doctor Fish' took place, we sure did go to a Thai place in Malaysia ( let me remind you) to have my first fish spa experience. Oh wait, I must tell you who the 'V' r. I was accompanying friends, a couple. This fish spa thingie was a part of the Thai festival taking place at Genting at our holiday in Malaysia.
And now for the XPERIENCE !
Our feet were cleaned with a hot towel and then we were asked to immerse them into a rectangular box which had continuously flowing water from a pipe outlet. That was meant to filter and recycle the water. I put my feet into the box which the three of us shared and suddenly being the last of the three, the friendly fish rushed towards my feet. Tickle Tickle...Giggle Giggle.. that was my first reaction. Just imagine a school of fish moving to feast on your feet. Oh my my !
Ooooh .. Aaah... I had the squirms and I quickly raised my feet but I instantaneously missed that happy feeling, the next moment I put my feet back in... And again they all rushed and that feeling was all over my body again but this time I let in seep in.. I savored it... It was good... really good... I closed my eyes and I was feeling really relaxed. The fish continued to nibble and I continued to giggle. It took me a while to settle down with all the little laughter peals I went through.
The doctor fish were doing a good job, I could tell, they were attacking all the places where i had dead skin on my feet and where it was the thickest. I also realised it is important that you lift your leg and not keep it firmly stuck to the ground ( bottom of the box) which was evenly covered with pebbles. Then with my raised legs, the fish started swimming in between my toes and tickled me all along the soles of my feet. The fish knew we had three pairs of feet in this box and they were distributing their chores well or should I say, sourcing their food well. Another tip, one must not move your feet too often as they get disturbed and then tend to move away.
The fish slowly find their way eating all dead skin around your feet, be it the soles, in between your toes, around your toe nails and if you always though that pedicure was the only way to clean your feet, then you may want to visit a fish spa once.
Time passed and I now I feel like talking to the fish and guiding them to the places I think I have dead skin on my feet, but my efficient friends are gradually hitting all the right notes. I have forgotten how much time I have spent there and suddenly a friendly Thai person comes to tell us that our time is up.
My friends get their feet off and in a moment's rush all the fish swiftly move towards mine. Suddenly the bites feel aggressive ( they do not hurt at all) and there are soooo many fish tugging at my feet... I do not want to get my feet off.. Oh please I wanna stay here.. Let me stay... But I guess I gotta go... I say good bye to the fish and thank our doctor friends really loud and then get my feet off.
Vow .. All dead skin gone... I touch my feet.. so smooth.. And again I do that..Are these really my feet.. I hardly savor the moment when I am handed a dry towel to wipe my feet and I still can't stop staring at my feet.
My girl friend claims that this is much better than a pedicure she normally gets and her husband says, u know why it is total paisaa vasool... Well our pockets did get lighter by 18 ringgits ( do the Indian conversion yourself;) but our feet felt even lighter... In the words of my friend, "My feet are feeling brand new!"
