Gone to the dogs and fishes!!!

I have gone to fish spa's before... namely one in Singapore. see HERE for previous post. I only recently discovered they already have them in Manila. Fish spa's are getting popular all over Asia and it finally landed here.

The fish spa are actually small  fishes (or sometimes big fishes) "eating" your dead skin away. They say it has health benefits. (who knows it it is really true) ....If it is your first time, this could turn out to be ticklish.

After participating in our fun run (5k and 21k), we headed out to TIENDESITA'S in pasig with the kids to have our dogs groomed. Beside our regular grooming shop, I noticed a newly opened spa. (this was very unusual because the area where it was located was all PET shops. So the girl handed me a brochure.... DR. fish spa.! and they said they have a promo (since they were newly opened)

The kids wanted to try it too-- so we left the dogs with the groomers (called ANIMALS AND THINGS --they have the same owner and are beside each other) and had lunch. Coming back, the dogs were still having their hair cut so we availed of the services. The fish spa costs 320 pesos ($7)- for  30 mins with free coffee or hot choco and 400 pesos ($9-) for 30 mins with 20 min foot massage. --- the foot massage part was great because after running, you really need a nice foot massage.

The said the fish in the fish spa are imported from Turkey -- the species of fish are very special.  The spa told me they are selling the fish too (they can set up the tank and the fish in your home so you can have a fish spa every day!!!)

The interiors were very CHIC. the chairs were colored purple and silver gray. The ceiling was raised and it added to the ambiance of the place. The glass walls also made it look a lot bigger.

Their services are for both people and dogs. They currently aren't servicing dogs (they are waiting for their permit) but for people, the services range from manicure, pedicure, paraffin hands and feet, acrylic nails, nail art, nail decals, and even air brushed nails. (the groomers are on the other side so you can have the dogs groomed there too)

my son relaxing in one of the chairs.

I don't use acrylic nails so I asked what the other services where- like UV gel, and solar nail... they told me its done for the acrylic nails. some are semipermanent color and some are services for attaching the acrylic nail. (wow.)

The brands they carry are OPI, CHINA GLAZE and ORLY. All very high end brands. These are just some samples of their nail art

I was told this is a full service spa. They have scrubs, whole body massage and even waxing. (I asked why there was stomach waxing listed.... they told me some people have a lot of hair.... even in their stomachs!!! REALLY??)-- they even have cheek waxing.... (for women???)

The room for the full body massage

We were seated on very high padded chairs for the fish spa, below us were the individual fish tanks where you lower you feet. Each person gets his own fish tank (there are currently 3 tanks) so you don't share your tank with anyone else. (except my husband since we were 4 people and he had to share with my daughter). In singapore, the tanks were like pools and you share with other people you don't know. so, in a sense these were better since you don't know where the feet of other people have been.

One interesting note was when I was doing the fish spa, I noticed a catalogue for hair color. I took it and it was actually a catalogue for hair color for DOGS.  They even have "before" and "after" photos of the dogs. It was like in a salon... revive graying hair! (some dogs' hair were dull with aging) and they made them blacker.... ahahahaha.... (I was contemplating dyeing my chowchow to look like a panda... )

they also manicure dogs. here is the color catalogue for color paws

I really like the concept of this spa. You can have a relaxing spa day with your family while waiting for your dogs to get pampered too. OR you can do the spa together. (I don't think colored nails will suit my chow chows though)

For those who like to pamper their dogs AND themselves... here is the perfect spa for you!

If you like to try-- they spa is called ME AND MY CUDDLE SPA-- tiendesitas pet village, pasig. tel: 470-9667, 0918-9173949

Something Fishy

Sentosa, Singapore

The purpose of this trip was to actually visit UNDERWATER WORLD. The aquarium inside Sentosa. My curiosity was piqued at a sign by the entrance that announced "fish reflexology"

I left my family waiting for the dolphin show and made my way to try the fish reflexology they offered

http://www.sentosa.com.sg/hotels_spas/spas/spas.html

Package B (50-min) - S$52* per session
Includes:
Spa Fish Pool Dip - 20 mins (preparation up to 5 mins)
Foot Reflexology- 20 mins
Head & Shoulder Massage - 10 mins




I chose the above package because I wanted the try the whole deal. I even got a 10% discount for using my American Express Credit Card. 


Before I entered the fish pool, they asked me to wash my feet at a common area and change into their house slippers. They then directed me to the pool area where a few people were already seated.  On both sides of the pool area were the couches like LAZYBOYS where they perform the foot massage.


The receptionist asked me if I preferred the small fish or the big fish. The small fish pool had 3 people already while the big fish pool had no one. Hmmm.... 


The girl added that you can feel the big fish more.. (more teeth???).. being the adventure gal that I am, I opted for the big fish pool. 

I slowly lowered my feet into the pool and the fish just attacked my feet. (maybe they were hungry). I had to keep myself from jumping because I could really feel their bites tickling my skin. The most ticklish was on the soles of my feet.  They even nibbled in between my toes! Their teeth felt like needles pricking my skin. I just kept wondering, Is this how it feels to be eaten alive?? I kept thinking what if they become like piranhas from the amazon....


They say fish reflexology helps in circulation and removes dead skin cells... I was glad to help feed the fish! hahaha.....  


After 20 minutes, I transferred to the couch and this old man (maybe 60ish) came over to give me a foot massage. It was my first time to have a man massage my feet (aside from my husband) and his massage was not as painful as the foot massages from Thailand that I have had. It felt weird at times though.. old man and my feet... hahaha 


The head and shoulder massage was not fantastic. I think if you plan to do this, skip the head/shoulder massage. I'd rather stay with the fish.

I got another opportunity to do the fish reflexology at a fish spa at a mall. It was a bit more expensive, the fish were smaller and I think they did not like me that much.. not so much fish nibbling at my feet... the pool was actually visible from the outside and people walking past could see our feet being nibbled at. There were several who stopped and took pictures..(Good thing I had a pedicure...)