What have your spa experiences been like? Have you ever been to a proper spa? Dad, I know you spoke often about the pools in Istanbul, and Mom, I know you always said you would like to have a real spa day but have you ever gotten one? Well, the spas in Tbilisi are special. The legend goes something like this:. During the expedition, his falcon flew from his arm and caught a pheasant in its talons. The pheasant fought for its life and amidst the struggle, both pheasant and falcon fell into a steaming hot pool.
Moments later, to the Kings astonishment, both birds emerged from the pool, their wounds completely healed! In the years since the reign of King Vakhtang Gorgasali, the baths have become deeply ingrained within the social fabric of Tbilisi. They have provided a space to gossip, and the public displays of nakedness were used by matchmakers to offer forbidden glimpses for future suitors. Evening was setting in on our last day in the city and the first few drops of rain fell as we stepped under the stained glass window into the bath house.
Inside, lights glowed along a hallway warming the stone walls and ceiling. Thick with dampness, the air made the space feel like a cozy cave. Through a door to our right was a small coffee shop and to our left, behind a window, sat a middle-aged woman.
Without looking up from her magazine, she inquired as to how we would like to be cleansed. Molly wanted only the scrub, but for an extra 10GEL 3. Another woman, younger than the first, emerged from behind the counter and led us down the hallway into the complex. Doors lined either side of the corridor and once we reached ours, we were ushered into a private bathing space. Strong sulfur. Once our noses had adjusted a bit to the stench, we dropped our belongings on two wicker chairs.
Metal lanterns sprouted from the walls and their glow reflected on white tiles. The woman told us we should change into our bathing suits and someone would be by shortly to scrub us down. In the meantime, we were invited to have a good soak in the sulfur bath. Rubber sandals were provided which squeaked like mice when we walked across the sleek checkered floors.
