Humans gravitate towards water. It's as natural as sunrise and sunset. Is it the weight of water, or just the fact that we humans are well over 90% of this wet stuff, ensuring a natural affinity with this basic element?
We feel at our best when we are near, or in bodies of water. It just is. I'm the first to admit this. I'm also the first to say that if there is a swimming pool, bath or beach, I'm the first one in and the last one out. I love walking in the rain. A water baby. Blame my natal chart with a Cancer Moon. I adore walking along the banks of the Yarra, or along the beach... or just being around water - I even loved walking along Darebin Creek on this morning's Parkrun. It's just me.
My favourite water experience is be found out of Melbourne, at the bottom of the Mornington Peninsula.
I picked up Jonella at 8.30 and we made our way down to the Peninsula Hot Springs. It's become a bit of a ritual. I have a bit of time off between jobs - I ask if she'd like to join me on this minor bunta trip** and she's normally up for this. Besides, when it comes to visiting the springs, we do things at about the same pace. She's my springs friend (Just as I also have gallery friends, movie friends and beach friends - I visit these places with specific people - just the way it is)
An hour's drive down the freeway, we arrived a little before our designated ticket time, and chancing it, went to the reception. We bought the Reset package which gave us free run of the whole complex. There is a ticket for about half the price which gives you access to the general area - this ticket let us into the Spa Dreaming Centre.The big difference with this is that this area, although smaller, but child free area. The higher price point tends to keep out those who want to splash about and make noise too. They also provide you with a bathrobe and towels and locker hire, which is included. It was worth it - especially as the school holidays are in full force.
So we removed our outer clothes - our bathers were already on, donned our bathrobes .slipped on our thongs, and waddled out into the wilderness. You have to waddle. Wet paths, the cold, hilly terrain. You take it all slowly, meditatively, in search of the perfect pool.
And remember - it's all of a about 10 degrees outside during the day at the moment.
Each of the thermal pools is a little different. Most of them let you know their temperature. 34-36 are the cooler pools. 36-38 - body temperature, are the medium pools. 38-40 are the warm pools, great for taking the grumblies out of your muscles and the hot pools, which you can't stay in for too long, at the hotter end of 40-42, make you feel like your alive.
We went and waddled to a warm pool first up - carefully making our way up the hill until we found a barrel pool. Leaving our gowns on a hook, we stepped in, enjoying the difference between the cool day and the warm tub.
And it is absolute bliss.
Over the three hours we were there, we gently wandered around the complex, spending time in different pools, taking in the view from the top of the hill (which I'm sure used to be hotter than it is now), going from the posh section into the general section, having a sauna, visiting the hammam, going into the "Fire and Ice" area, taking a sauna, then walking into the freezer, then back into the sauna and into the plunge pool, then walking over the reflexology walk - a stream with various sized stones at the bottom which massage the bottom of your feet... And yes, the smaller, Spa Dreaming section was quieter, but the whole experience is wonderful.
After a final soak in a hot pool, and a cool down in a cooler one, we dressed, keeping the minerals on our skin rather than shower, and we went and found some lunch at the amazing Blue Mini cafe.
It was an absolute cracker of a day.
Needless to say, I got home around 5 pm, completely exhausted, as all blissful days should leave you.
And it probably doesn't need to be said that I slept well last night too.
I just wish I did this more often.
** Bunta Trip - joy ride - day off which includes doing something you wouldn't normally do, preferably on a weekday, even better if you're playing hooky.
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