A day at sea: we did a whole lot of nothing today – and it was wonderful.
Disclaimer: I’m generally not very good at doing nothing while on vacation. If I travel halfway across the word, I want to see something. Do something. But a day at sea forces you to do . . . nothing.
Went to the spa this morning. Sat in something called a salt room. Literally a room made out of salt. There are these big salt rocks on heaters, somehow diffusing into the air. Many folks believe these salt rooms improve your skin, and help you breathe more easily. Heeaaavvvyy dose of skepticism here, but it was relaxing. Can confirm the walls are indeed made of salt. Ask Anna how she knows.
Got a massage. Freaking incredible. The “spa menu” they give you beforehand asks what kind of pressure you prefer – light, medium, or deep. I chose light to medium and struggled not to wince a couple of times. But when my masseuse wasn’t trying to tenderize my trapezius muscle, it was relaxing.
Took a nap. Also incredible.
Back to the spa for sauna (like a day in Tunisia) steam room (like a day in Costa Rica), and the hydrotherapy pool. The jets in the pool were set to “annihilate”. I imagine this is what it’s like to be attacked with a fire hose.
Sidebar
There was a group of four people from Spain (the lisping Español gives it away) in the hydrotherapy pool with us who were, um, on the rowdy side. Apparently, this kind of behavior is frowned upon in a spa – it destroys the serenity vibe. The spa cops came and asked them to shush or leave.
Read a book by the pool. Did some people watching. No one worships the sun like 75 year old Europeans worship the sun. It’s equal parts impressive and terrifying how long they can bake in the sun. 
I am allergic to the sun, so sat in the shade with my book.
Enjoyed a Negroni (and a weird olive) in the piano bar before dinner.
Mallorca tomorrow.
Cheers!
Travel date: June 14, 2025
Light massage? Spa jets too powerful? Allergic to the sun? Too hot. Too cold. Too something else. I’m starting to think you aren’t tough. I always thought you were rugged. You a softie?
You’ve traveled with me, G . . . you know I’m Goldilocks. No one will ever call me outdoorsy. I’m indoorsy. I can be rugged if I have to. But if I don’t have to, why? 😂😂
And did she lick something in the salt room? Eeeeewwwww! GROSS!
She gets it from her father. 😂
We just did the salt brick room thing in Bolivia. I can tell you that of all the properties salt may have, insulating a room on a freezing cold night is not one of them. All I can wish is that Anna’s tongue didn’t stick to the wall. Not a good look.
So salt, not a conductor of heat? Got it. So I’m guessing it wasn’t relaxing?? 😂
Coldest room we’ve ever stayed in. Ever. Anywhere.
For me, it was the Snow Hotel in Norway. https://theflaskhalffull.com/2023/02/17/the-snow-hotel-kirkenes-norway-🇳🇴/
Actually, you have described a perfect day . . . absolutely necessary for both body and mind . . I plan for such in a regular scale > pretend I am ‘away’ for the day 🙂 !
Absolutely – cheers!
I love sea days, do as little as possible, with the exception of a wine lunch or a tasting. Read a book somewhere quiet, maybe on the balcony and hope that the next day is a sea day as well…
I think I could really learn to appreciate them!