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I will never forget Nicholas. I have done it with men. I have done it with women. But no one does it as wonderfully as Nicholas.

He does a Shiatsu massage that I will remember for the rest of my life.

The Ginseng Bathhouse is located in the adult-focused section of Sydney in the Crest Hotel. And nudity is required. When they called to confirm my appointment, I innocently asked if I should bring a bathing suit for the baths. “No”, the caller said in a loud voice as if talking to a child who might not understand, “Everyone is nude.”

When you enter, you pay for your services in advance and then are given a number. That number is on your new identity. Your number is on your key. Next you find the matching locker, and later you will have a matching hanger with that number. Just call me Miss 103.

While the services are not very personal, they are highly professional. And the staff is very good at instructing bathhouse virgins on the proper etiquette. Remove you clothes and put them in the locker with your towel and robe. Then a quick tour of the toilets, sleeping room (for relaxing after massage) the showers for bathing before you enter the baths, and finally, the baths. The 3 baths: Ginseng, hot and cold.

You are advised to come a half hour before your treatment time for skin and muscle preparation. The centuries old tradition of a bathhouse is an intrinsic feature of Asian culture as a center for relaxation, health and business. Although I did not see anyone conducting business on my visit, I did see a mother and son and two teenage girlfriends enjoying themselves. I am ready for bathhouse. But I am not quite up to nude business deals.

The relaxation Center at the Crest Hotel gives you the opportunity to escape the stress of city living, cleanse your body of toxins, relax your mind, and leave you feeling wonderfully refreshed and rejuvenated

It is the perfect place to rub-a-dub all your cares away.

TREATMENTS

SKIN SCRUB is a complete body exfoliation. Masseurs wear special mitts which remove dead skin cells from all over your body and finish off the treatments with a thorough water and spa cleansing treatment. The process leaves your skin looking younger, smoother and softer.

BODY MASSAGE AND FACIAL
Masseurs use special technique on the body, face and scalp in conjunction with hot towels and water cleansing. They also use oils on women. This massages assist with circulation, The facial massage uses natural products like honey, milk baths, oils and a chilled cucumber mask. It is so healthy you can eat it and it leaves you with a natural glow.

SHIATSU MASSAGE
In this totally nude place, they give you special shorts and T-shirts to wear. That got me all confused because I was getting really comfortable being nude. Most places you take your clothes off for a massage, here you put them on.

This massage is a highly specialized Asian massage technique, utilizing finger pressure to relieve all muscular tension and stress in the body. It aids posture and the brochure says that even after one treatment your well being will improve. I believe that is true. Especially if you are lucky enough to get Nicholas.

MORE INFORMATION

Open Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm
Saturday and Sunday 9am to 10pm
Last entrance is 9pm
Last treatment starts at 8:30 pm

You do need reservations for treatments

Entrance to the Bathhouse is $13 US
And are in addition to treatment costs (which are very, very reasonable)

Entry and a 30 minute Shiatsu massage is only $35

The best value is the entry, skin scrub, massage and facial plus a 30 minute shiatsu for $65 US

They will do treatments on children as young as five years old

The Ginseng Bathhouse
111Darlinghurst Road
Kings Cross NSW 2011
02-9368-1442
02-9368-0818
FAX 02-9356-2348
www.cresthotel.com.au

BEST WAY TO GET TO AUSTRALIA

QANTAS
(800) 227-4500
www.qantas.com

BEST WAY TO FIND OUT ABOUT SYDNEY AND NEW SOUTH WALES

Tourism New South Wales
www.sydneyaustralia.com

The Sydney Convention & Visitors Bureau www.scvb.com.au

Sydney Visitors Center
www.sydneyvisitorcentre.com

City of Sydney
www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

GREAT GUIDEBOOKS

INSIGHT GUIDE TO SYDNEY
Insight Guides

MUST-SEE SYDNEY
New South Wales and Canberra
Thomas Cook Publishing

Lonely Planet Sydney
www.lonelyplanet.com

The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2002
The Sydney Morning Herald
By Matthew Evans and Lisa Hudson

OUT TO EAT SYDNEY

Lonely Planet
www.lonelyplanet.com

Shopping Secrets Sydney
By Michelle Matthews
www.shoppingsecrets.com

SENSUAL SYDNEY

Lonely Planet Australia
www.lonelyplent.com

Fodor’s Australia
www.fodors.com

Independent Traveler’s Austalia 2001
Budget Travel Guide
Globe Pequot Press

Aboriginal Australia & the Torres Strait Islands
Guide to Indigenous Australia
www.lonelyplanet.com

Must-See Australia
Thomas Cook Publishing

Australia Handbook
By Marael Johnson and Andrew Hempstead
Moon Travel Handbooks
www.moon.com

Maverick Guide to Australia
Edited by Len Rutledge
Pelican Publications

Australia Signpost Guides
Driving guide for the independent traveler
Globe Pequot Press

Traveler's Tales Australia
Edited by Larry Habegger
www.travelerstales.com

WHERE TO STAY

The Observatory Hotel
89 -113 Kent Street
The Rocks SYDNEY 2000
Tel 61 2 9256 2222
www.orient-expresshotels.com

REGENT SYDNEY a Four Seasons Hotel
199 George Street
Sydney 2000 NSW
Tel 61 2 9238 0000
Fax 02 9252 4745
www.fourseasons.com

WESTIN
No. 1 Martin Place
Sydney NSW 2000
6 12 8223 1111
fax 61 8223 1222
www.westin.com.au

RESTAURANTS (Some of Madelyn’s favorites)

TETSUYA’S
ROCKPOOL
Restaurant VII
AQUA DINING
ARIA
BANC
MG GARAGE
GALILEO
PRIME
BEL MONDO
CADMUS
BILLS
POST

BEST SPAS

The Observatory Hotel Day Spa—Grand dame of pampering and unique treatments
The Observatory Hotel
89 -113 Kent Street
The Rocks SYDNEY 2000
Tel 61 2 9256 2222
www.orient-expresshotels.com

Regent Hotel—try the jetlag recovery treatment
The REGENT SYDNEY a Four Seasons Hotel
199 George Street
Sydney 2000 NSW
Tel 61 2 9238 0000
Fax 61 2 9251 4745
Email: regent.sydney@fourseasons.com
www.fourseasons.com

Jurlique Wellness Sanctuary Day Spa
Chatswood
(02) 9415 1738
Chatswood@jurlique.com.au
www.jurlique.com.au

Joh Bailey
Joh Bailey Hair & Day Spa
The Westin, Sydney
phone (02) 9231 4411
E-mail johbailey@johbailey.com.au

The Ginseng Bathhouse
111Darlinghurst Road
Kings Cross NSW 2011
02-9368-1442
02-9368-0818
FAX 02-9356-2348
www.cresthotel.com.au

If you have a few extra days Consider trips to:

Blue Mountains
www.bluemountainstourism.org.au

I toured with Australian Wild Escapes. Ask for Marcus to be your guide.

Australian Wild Escapes
Phone(02) 9980 8799
Fax (02) 9980 9616
www.australianwildescapes.com

Great Private Guide

“A Sydney Day”
Jane Strang
02 9929 3201
mobile 0414 506 124
j.strang@bigpond.com
www.asydneyday.com.au

MUST SEE

Sydney Opera House www.sydneyoperahouse.com
If you can’t get there right away, take a virtual tour of one of the five most recognizable buildings in the world.

WEATHER

Climate (Winter)NSW : Days can be cool, with average maximum temperature of around 59°F. Night minimum is around 41°F. Note that in the Snowy Mountains region daytime temperatures can be around 46°F with a high wind chill factor.

Clothing (Winter) NSW: Warmer clothing and enclosed walking shoes/boots are recommended for outdoor activities and sightseeing.  Very warm waterproof and windproof clothing and footwear is advisable for the Snowy Mountains region.

Climate (Summer) NSW: Summer months have daily temperatures of between 77°F and 95°F. Night temperatures are mild at around 68°F.

Clothing (Summer) NSW : Light, comfortable summerweight clothing should be worn, including a sunhat and sun protection cream for daytime. (Swimwear too of course!). A lightweight jumper or jacket can be necessary in the evenings and for the Blue Mountains. Good walking shoes or boots should be brought if you are bushwalking. Note that Sydney is subtropical; summer might bring occasional afternoon storms, so lightweight wet weather protection is advisable.