The Splash on Ash
Mount Pinatubo’s volcanic explosion in 1991 was a huge natural catastrophe felt around the globe. It devastated the central plain of Luzon and wiped out towns and communities, especially those of the tribal Aetas. Over the past fifteen years, the vast desert lands left by the explosion became challenging volcanic lahar frontiers, best left to brave trekkers and explorers. But following a trend around the world, a Korean eco-tourism project is bringing the benefits of natural mud treatments to the foothills of Pinatubo mountain.
In 2005, a unique adventure tour was set up to introduce people to the newly-built Mount Pinatubo Spa Town. In this eco-tourism base station in Barangay Sant Juliana, Capas, Tarlac, trekkers begin a three-hour hike to and from the volcano crater lake high up the mountain slopes. They later return to base for rest and refreshments and a splash in the very ash they’ve been walking on. The Pinatubo Town Spa is a day spa facility where trekkers can get right down into the volcano’s sand and mud and benefit from a unique kind of natural wellness treatment.
Korean tour agent Pitt Won initiated the bright idea of packaging the Mount Pinatubo trek. He’d been a keen explore to the volcanic zone; departing from a base in Zambales until he found better access through Capas, Tarlac. He ascended Pinatubo’s crater-lake many times for research while putting together the idea for a full trek to be opened as an eco-tourism activity.
Ash as wellness treatment is a big business in South Korea and there is even a Boryeong Mud Festival at Daechon Beach near Yongsan in Korea, where people are encouraged to smother themselves in mud to feel the benefits of the treatment. The Mount Pinatubo package is marketed mainly to Koreans flying in for Philippine adventure and recreation. But it has become an eco-tourism base and a source of new livelihoods for various members of the community. n cooperation with the local mayor, the Koreans brought a new service and technology to the lahar zone with presently over a hundred staff, masseuses, sand boys, mud gatherers and guides service the facility. Guests are provided unique and private access to the mountain’s volcanic ash mud baths, sulphur sand pits and natural spring water pools. Tribal Aetas maintain the cleanliness of the trails and around the crater-lake; guiding the trekkers and laying the stepping stones across the river after a storm wipes out the path.
In the Spa Town there’s a four-step wellness program on offer among a series of open-air pavilions, oven- heated sand pits and mud or spring water pools. The use of raw volcanic ash and sand on the body originated in the ancient oriental practice. All is pure and natural, as Pinatubo’s volcanic material comes in its original form, mixed with only spring water. Korean labs tested the Pinatubo mud and gave the go-ahead for its use. Volcanic ash has a high percentage of sulphur and salt which is good for skin treatments. Spa Town’s unique sand treatment is called the Japanese Sand Shower. It’s an open-air, covered sand pit where wellness buffs lie down in a warm bed of volcanic sand for 20 minutes- buried from the neck down in the heavy volcanic sand which is heated from below. Charcoal and wood is burned on the side of the pit to heat the sand from underneath. While the guests are buried, the warmth opens all the pores, makes you sweat and lets the slt and sulphur work. The sand, gathered from Mount Pinatubo is crushed and sifted and mixed with voilcanic salt which is good for the skin and body. it heals wounds and eases arthritis pain.
There’s a more earthy and friendly volcvanic mud bath where guests wallow in the round pit of fresh mud suppied from Pinatubo’s hot springs. Mud-bathers slick the smooth grey mud over face and body, then sit in the sun for a few minutes; letting it dry to a pale white layer over the skin. The detoxifying of volcanic ash mud is apparent immediately; the mud absorbs body impurities as it dries. The clay content in the mud penetrates the skin layers and absorbs and draws out excess oils and toxins. Smoother skin and tighter pores are instantly visible.
A pan-Asian massage is available in Spa Town’s wide open central pavilion. A large team of well-trained masseuses render a vigorous body massage combining Japanese Shiatsu, Swedish and Thai massage theories.
After such a long Pinatubo day, the eco-tourist feels a special, all natural Pinatubo mountain high. So what part of the day would work wonders for you? There’s really only one way to find out.
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