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A Siem Reap Backpacker’s Spa Night

July 9, 2013 6:23 am

There are probably some really nice spas in Siem Reap, Cambodia (entrance to the wonders of Angkor), but I’m on a budget, so I made my own spa experience while I was there.

First, I put on just the right amount of scent:

Eau de DEET

Eau de DEET

Then I went down to the classy tourist area of town:

Yes, that's a neon sign reading "Pub Street" not 10 miles from the majesty of Angkor Wat

Yes, that’s a neon sign reading “Pub Street” not 10 miles from the majesty of Angkor Wat

I didn’t want my skin to end up scaly like these guys:

Get these dudes some lotion

Get these dudes some lotion

So I went to this spa, where a hundred attentive employees went to work on my feet and calves, until I felt tingly and revitalized:

The sign on the tank reads, "Please feed our hungry fish your dead skin"

The sign on the tank reads, “Please feed our hungry fish your dead skin”

It was a little alarming to see just how much dead skin there was for them to eat

It was a little alarming to see just how much dead skin there was for them to eat

(I am totally aware that these fish tanks aren’t exactly the most hygienic things around, but I seem to still be standing, so I guess it turned out okay.)

After all that, it was time for a healthy drink or two with friends:

I've had too many close calls on St. Patrick's Day not wearing green and getting pinched for it--I wasn't going to risk it, even in Cambodia

I’ve had too many close calls on St. Patrick’s Day not wearing green and getting pinched for it–I wasn’t going to risk it, even in Cambodia

Out with Viv and Russ from Australia

Out with Viv and Russ from Australia

Total cost: about $8. You can make your own spa night too!

Posted by lisafindley

Categories: Cambodia

Tags: , , , , , , ,

9 Responses to “A Siem Reap Backpacker’s Spa Night”

  1. Those dead skin eating fish are used in Spas in this area…but they charge and arm and leg. Kinda skeeves me out but I also avoid swimming in lakes (or most non chlorinated water) because of fish.

    By trianakvetch on July 9, 2013 at 9:22 am

  2. wait, did it really work? could you tell the difference in your toesies?

    By Beth on July 9, 2013 at 12:12 pm

    1. My feet definitely tingled for a good ten minutes afterward. I don’t think I was in there long enough to see a difference in my calloused feet, though.

      By lisafindley on July 10, 2013 at 3:27 am

  3. So jealous, I’ve always wanted to do the microfishabrasion! Hope it lived up to its billing.

    By Meredith on July 9, 2013 at 10:30 pm

    1. It was fun! Weird feeling, especially as it was on the main street and a perfect stranger filmed me on his cameraphone while I squealed as the fish went to work.

      By lisafindley on July 10, 2013 at 3:30 am

  4. I love these photo-essay style posts! This one definitely made me laugh 🙂

    By Pam on July 10, 2013 at 7:17 am

    1. Hurrah!

      By lisafindley on July 11, 2013 at 3:34 pm

  5. Another delightful and informative (!) post, Lisa – thank you so very much – every day that I get to read or see a post from you is improved on contact.

    Irene

    By hockeyirene on July 10, 2013 at 3:47 pm

    1. Aw, I’m blushing!

      By lisafindley on July 11, 2013 at 3:35 pm

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