Buzz
Travelers will lie in a steaming cauldron, surrounded by billowing smoke, underneath the flickering flames.
Experience the thrill of 'boiling oil bath' when visiting the Philippines
Tourists on a Philippines trip to Antique province will encounter one of the most unique forms of celestial bathing in the world. This method is likened to medieval torture 'boiling oil bath' with a hot cauldron, beneath which flames flicker. Travelers will immerse themselves in the smoky 'oil bath'. Many Philippines travelers admit that, at first glance, they lacked the courage to step into the hot cauldron, as if wanting to 'boil' anyone. However, after experiencing it, most tourists feel comfortable and joyful.
The 'boiling oil bath' is called Kawa and is only found in the tropical tourist area of Tibiao in Antique province. This large cauldron was previously used in the processing of sugarcane - a traditional industry in this region. Currently, they are used as baths for both locals and tourists. Unlike the imagination that the cauldron contains hot oil, in reality, it only contains herbal bathwater, with many beneficial herbs for health such as flowers, guava leaves... creating a pleasant, natural scent and helping the body detoxify.
Being a makeshift tool, the cauldron does not have uniform size, they are placed on rocks, with a firewood pile underneath. The special thing is that they are always placed in exposed positions like by the riverbank, under the shade of trees. When tourists request, the staff will prepare the bathwater, invite guests to step into the cauldron, and then ignite the fire. Contrary to the terrifying image of scalding hot oil in the cauldron, the water inside is just warm enough and can be adjusted according to the guest's preference. However, with this quite primitive form, not everyone can overcome the initial fear to immerse themselves in the warm water.
Each bathing session lasts a maximum of 45-60 minutes to ensure health. If you exceed this time, you will surely be reminded by the staff. The most suitable time to indulge in a Kawa bath is early in the morning, with the cool weather. Immersing yourself in the hot herbal tub will make you feel more comfortable to start the new day. The cost of this service is quite affordable, around 250 PHP (equivalent to more than 100,000 VND) per person. In addition to the 'boiling oil bath' service, tourists traveling to the Philippines can also rent overnight rooms. Most of the rooms are built in the style of traditional stilt houses, located by the stream or in the forest, bringing a close connection to nature.
There are several ways to reach this place. There are 4 main airports near Antique province such as Roxas, Iloilo, Caticlan, Kalibo, with Caticlan Airport being the closest to Tibiao. From these 4 airports, you can take a bus to the Tibiao tourist area.
According to Ngôi sao
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Reference: Travel guide Mytour
MytourFebruary 6, 2018
