As we were driving on the 91W, Isaac took the 15 S instead of heading towards the beach. We entered a desert area that welcomed us with palm trees and new track homes aligned side by side. I got out of the car and felt the “peace and relaxation” oozing out from our final destination: Glen Ivy. For those who have never visited before, Glen Ivy is a spa with an outdoor facility that has swimming pools, hot tubs, clay painting, mineral bathtubs, indoor roman baths, saunas. I guess its not your typical posh hotel spa, but more of a desert one day getaway relaxation center.
It was a perfect treat for me because I felt like I was always indoors this past month. I work in rooms without windows and that is very painful for me. I have missed looking at the mountains and nature. I have had no breaks in October, so my body was really tired. But- entering into tranquility was the experience I have been waiting for.
Furthermore, I was excited to find out Wednesdays were 2 for 1 entrance fees! (FYI: Weekdays are less expensive $35 than the weekends $48 entrance fee.) Its nice to go on the weekdays when there are less people. Also, I heard that if you come on your birthday, you get a free entrance pass to use within 6 months.
After changing in the locker rooms, my husband and I first soaked our bodies in the mineral baths. There are about 6 mineral tubs. Most of them are two seaters, and there is 1 tub that seats about 5 people. Of course, we sat in a two seater to be romantic, but you really can’t when you’re enhaling the smell of rotten eggs. I’m not sure how mineral baths are suppose to be therapeutic, but it definitely massaged my muscles.
There are numerous isolated coves with fountains, giant bamboo, and money trees to encircle you with privacy and tranquility. If you go when there are a lot of people, you might not have the same experience that I do. Moreover, if there are birds of paradise or hibiscus flowers blooming, you feel like you are visiting a tropical country. Our next stop was the best part of my day. We went to a little secluded hot tub, where Isaac read to me. In the calmness of our surrounding, the reading was just what I needed to hear: how God empowers us with our daily temptations and struggles. It was so nice to start my day off with my husband and reading such powerful message.
After the quiet time together, we decided it was time for fun! We headed to Club Mud, where we painted our bodies with red clay. (Your swimming suit gets clay on it so you don’t want to wear a nice or light suit.) There’s something childish and silly about playing in the clay, but its so much fun and soothing to the soul. Once you paint your body, you want to lay out till your skin is cracking dry with the clay. When its very dry, you can start rubbing the dry clay off. Basically, the clay is used as an exfoliator to remove dead cells. After an experience with the clay, I love to feel how soft my skin is.
Before lunch, Isaac went for his massage while I had my hour of solitude to myself. I swam, used the sauna, and painted mud again. I wondered if the people around me were as satisfied as I was. I did realize that I was enjoying this time a lot more because I have been indoors and working hard the past month.
Lunch was a little expensive, but the fresh tossed salads were pretty good. The best part about lunch was where we sat. We found an outdoor table that was seated away from the crowd and near a fountain. It was such a beautiful scene with the backdrop of mountains, hearing the waterfall and sitting in the warm rays of the sun. I felt like I was in Costa Rica, even though I never been. I have so much more to write, but Isaac says this post is getting too long. So basically I will end saying that my date with my hubby was fabulous.
