Experiencing how locals spend their time has always been high on my priority list when visiting different cities and countries. As it was mid-winter, the many natural outdoor spas that abound throughout South Korea were out of the question for this little wood duck. I wanted to relax and enjoy every drop of what that mineral water would do for my skin. I wanted to relish the pampering, albeit naked.
Aerial view of Shinsegae at Centrum City in Busan. There was no turning back now. The naked bit was going to be getting in and out of the spa baths, right?
On arrival, the lengthy line of couples at the Spa Land desk got me worried. Surely, we are not all naked together? All these couples canoodling and little lonely me β what had I signed up for? This was the weekend rate. Their 13 themed saunas, 22 spas and open-air foot spas fed by two different natural springs cater to a maximum of 1, people at any one time.
The entrance to the Spa Land lockers area. At the top of the escalator, there are lockers for your shoes. My first mistake while looking for the number on my electronic wristband key was to turn right β the male locker side. I was quickly corrected that the female side was left by those hovering around. In my defence, there was no defining signage and the lockers all blended into one line. I was beginning to wonder if I should cut and run now, but soldiered on. After scanning my wristband at the turnstile, I was handed a most unflattering set of unisex shorts and t-shirt along with a minuscule hand towel and told to turn right.
Obeying the command and following the corridor, I was confronted with multi-rows of lockers with women in various states of dress and undress between the rows. Mistake number two β I headed towards the bathing area. Thankfully a couple of younger Korean women took pity on me and explained where the saunas and other rooms were before I managed to bolt back to my locker.
