The reasons:
1. I'm too cheapskate to pamper myself with a massage.
2. I didn't really like the idea of strangers feeling all over me.
3. What for?
But I did have a massage in Yogyakarta the day before flying back. I wasn't keen initially. However, later I decided that I could support a little social enterprise.
You see, the masseurs were blind people.
One of my friend were looking for a massage and there were actually a few spas around where we stayed. Then we saw a interesting tour offered by the Via Via Cafe. It was a tour to the local markets with explanation on how to make traditional jamu & face mask and ends with a massage by a few blind masseurs. (http://www.viaviacafe.com/) We weren't really keen on the jamu stuff. But my friend Sheung thought we could support the blind masseurs.
The staff at Via Via Cafe were kind enough to give us the directions to the massage house even though we did not sign up with them for the package. The girl explained that the massage was run by a old blind lady who taught the other blind people how to massage so that they can be independent and earn an honest living.
So after exploring the Kraton (the Sultan's palace), the bird market and Tamansari (the water palace), we started to look for the massage house.
When finally found the place, it was not quite what I expected. I mean, I am not expecting a nice spa. But it turned out to be just a village house. There were no signage. We had to asked around before someone guided us to the house. Facilities inside was basic. (There was only one toilet/shower room. Someone was showering. So we had to pee in the bushes behind the house)
There were four blind masseurs. They spoke minimal English, but enough for you to know if they want you to turn of sit up.
The rooms where small and a little stuffy. There was only a fan. I was perspiring at first but once I relaxed and settled enough, it was ok.
I don't know much about massage. So I can't comment much except that it was painful alright, but my tired and sore legs did feel good after it.
After my massage, while waiting for my friend, I explored the area around the house a little. There was church behind the house. A bit of farm land and a pond. A cow was grazing lazily in the evening cool. A man was prodding around the pond with a strange gadget. It went zap, zap. I thought he was stunning fishes with electric shocks. As we approached him, he showed us what he was catching: frogs.
In any case, I found it a nice side trip -- wandering into a village area of Yogya looking for the massage house. I did not initially wanted a massage. But I decided it was nice to support these blind people who are trying to make an honest living.
The price for the full body massage which was about 45 mins cost Rp35,000 per person. We added a little tip and gave Rp40,000. (It's only about SGD$6 only!).
I felt good not only because it was an interesting experience in itself, but also we also supported in a small way a social enterprise for some disadvantaged people.
It is something I learned from Sheung. When travelling, I do watch out for little things like this. If I could, I would support some of these local projects and enterprises that benefit the local people more directly, especially the the disadvantaged people.
Here's the directions to the massage house for those who might be interested. Be warned, this is no spa. There is no nice air conditioned rooms with candles burning and nice scent of essential oils in the air. Definitely not a place for tai tai's.
The massage house is called Pisat Ibu Wiji (it simply means Mother Wiji's massage). But that's immaterial because there are no signs pointing to it any way.
It's only a little south of the city walls. From Taman Sari (water castle), it's about 15 mins walk (provided you find your way out of the city walls. It can be frustrating walk around the alleys and not able to find your way out). It's in a side road called Jalan Pugeran Barat which runs parallel to the main road Jalan Bantul.
We exited from the West gate of the old city walls, walked south along the main road. Turn east into Haryono road at the busy junction between Haryono and Bantul. Keep to the south side of the road. About 200m to 300m from the junction, turn right into the road Jalan Pugeran Barat (there is road sign with its name). Walk down the lane until you reach the cemetry. Pisat Ibu Wiji is the house on the right.
Jalan Purgeran Barat is an interesting walk itself because turning into it, you will suddenly find yourself in a kampong within the city.
If you are coming from Prawirotaman (one of the backpackers area in Yogya, and Via Via is located there), just keep walking west from Prawirotaman I. From Prawirotaman, the street name changes to Tirtodipuran after you cross the N-S running Parangtritis road. The street name changed to Suryodiningratan after you cross Panjaitan. Watch out for the small Pugeran Barat street on your right as you approach Bantul street. Just follow the Pugeran Barat street until you get past the cemetry.
Have a good massage!
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