Ayurvedic Massage

So I decided to get one of the Ayurvedic massages from one of the Ayurvedic clinics here. Ayurveda is India's oldest medical science and probably pre-dates every other kind of medicine including the Chinese. The state Kerala in the south of India has become a very popular tourist destination just because of Ayurvedic treatments.

Anyway, it is quite an ordeal. The massage is extremely rigorous and tiring (not like the usual relaxing massages). They use heated medicated oils which they pour on different parts of the body depending on the treatment which is followed by a rigorous massage. This goes on for at least half an hour. Then they wipe you down steamed towels which smell like camphor.

However, it is very rejuvenating. Google for 'Kerala Ayurvedic Massage' for interesting articles and pictures on the subject. If you have not tried this, it is recommended at least once. Besides, a trip to Kerala, India can be very relaxing. Its all coastal with nice clean beaches and backwaters on which you can rent a two bedroom boat for 2-3 days with a personal chef.

Kerala is the only state in India that has achieved 100% literacy and people prefer to communicate in English, besides their local language Malayalam.