Been to Nuovo Spa recently. The spa is located at the 9F of Torre Venezia located along Timog in Quezon City. The place is ok, quiet and not so small. Interior design reminds me of Bangkok or Cambodia with wood carvings and Buddha-like figures in corners. The place has separate areas for male and female. They only have two shower rooms and one comfort room in the female area. They also have a dry sauna, which, to my frustration is not working. The attendant said that the sauna in the female section takes time to heat up. At first I said it was ok since I would still need to shower. I thought maybe after my shower the sauna would be ready. But it did not. I tried sitting there for 5 minutes and no heat at all. It's like sitting on a bench in a park with a wrapped body towel. So, I just got out of it and proceeded to my massage room. I really don't like massage beds with curtains. When I first inquired at Nuovo if they have individual rooms or beds with curtains, I clearly recalled that the lady attendant answered me they have rooms. Only to find out that, yes, they have rooms but with 5-6 beds inside with curtains as divider. Good thing there were only few of us that day. Massage is ok. I only opted for Swedish. The oil used is similar to virgin coconut oil with tamed scent. Nuovo Spa is quite expensive. An hour of massage costs Php600 to a thousand. There's nothing special about the spa except that it's quite clean (maybe because it had just opened when I got there) and quiet. I like their towels which, I think, is quite expensive because it's thick, fluffy and soft (or maybe I got a new one that day). Nuovo Spa opens daily at around 10am - 2am.
I wanted a break this month, preferably before Lenten week sets in and at a lesser cost. Looks like an angel was on my side when I made that wish. The other day, I opened my yahoo account and received an update from PAL Mabuhay Miles. I have 10,000+ miles to spend before March 31. Perfect! So I called up PAL Mabuhay customer service and inquired about it. I only have to pay the taxes and, of course, the airport terminal fee.
I can travel anywhere in Luzon and Visayas (round trip) with my miles, the customer service said. However, If I want to travel to Mindanao my miles can only cover for a one way ticket. If I choose to travel anywhere in Luzon and Visayas (only where PAL has route service), I can choose between economy seat worth 8,000 miles for a round trip ticket or a business class for 10,000.
I immediately checked the web for best tourist spots and a place where I have never been. Ahh, Culion in Palawan, a former lepers colony. I heard it is being developed as a tourist destination. I checked the web and found that there are only two lodging houses there: one is run by Ateneo students and the other a simple lodging house which costs around Php300-400 for overnight stay. Read too that electricity in the place is only from mid-afternoon to midnight. The place has some interesting spots to visit and, best of all, Culion is still considered an "off-the-beaten-track" place. This looks like the best place for me to relax and de-stress.
