It was the month of November and I was looking kind of tired (strange for me) when  I happened to bump into a young neighbour who was looking particularly spritely (strange for her).

“What’s up?” I asked her unused to seeing her so fresh and rarin’ to go.

“I’ve just come back from the most wonderful foot massage. In fact I’ve gifted my mom and my mom-in-law a massage too!” And she went on to tell me about this most wonderful massage place called Rewa Spa which was right by the sea side and made you feel you were in Langkawi…

Since Langkawi was far out my orbit and Rewa Spa wasn’t, I immediately began making plans of visiting the place, picturing myself in this frond kissed spa, my feet splashing about in an tub with rose petals, my frazzled nerves being soothed by music playing in the background, scented candles lighting up the room and  soft hands gently massaging away my aches and pains.

I immediately rang up Rewa Escapes, the spa by the bay situated in a bungalow by the sea just at the bottom of the hill and was told to call later when the manager came in. I called again and was told that I could go in by 11.15 since the spa opened at 11 and they needed time to get everything in place.

At 10.50 when I was about to turn into the lane to the Spa, I got a phone call informing me that the appointment had to be shifted or cancelled because the ‘people’ hadn’t come. So I changed it to three in the afternoon. Once again at 2.45 I got a call saying that the people still hadn’t come so I had to cancel the appointment for the day.

I was disappointed to say the least but soon forgot about it I quite forgot about the spa and till this Thursday when I found an unexpected free afternoon looming ahead of me. Once again I called the spa and was told that there were no free spots since it was Valentine’s day.

By this time I was beginning to doubt the spa existed at all (even though it had a website) so this evening, much like Nancy Drew, I thought I’d check out the place to see if it really exists and was shocked to find that it does! I went down a lane towards the sea and found myself in front of Rewa House. With no signage for the Spa, I followed my instinct and went to the back ( towards the coconut trees) and found myself inside the spa. It was empty save for two attendants who looked ready to close up and I asked if anyone was around.

“Yes, do you want some service?”

No I wanted to tell her, I want to conduct an IT raid.

“Yes. I there anyone I can talk to?”

“Yes, the manager. She is having lunch now and using the wash room.She will be out soon.”

I was kept waiting for five minutes at the very least before the manager showed up. Without so much as a smile or greeting, she came inside and asked me what I wanted.

“I want an appointment.”

“You will have to call up.”

“But I am here now. Can’t I make an appointment?”

“No you will have to call up on the day you want an appointment and then we will see.”

By this time someone had called up and she told the person, ” Sorry sir, we have no availability today” and she put the phone down. She didn’t even offer to fit him in  another time on  another day. I told her that her approach was horrible and didn’t she care about getting new clients ? She said, ” well that’s the way we operate. If you want an appointment , you will have to call.”

Foolishly I asked her if they had gift coupons. She said yes but didn’t even bother to show me the coupons. Nor did she bother to tell me about the different treatments they had etc etc. When I asked her if how the gift coupon could be redeemed she said they’d have to make an appointment and if they had a slot they’d fit them in.

In fact it was the worst sales pitch ever. It wasn’t even an attempt at a sale. I was trying to ask her if they could suggest free slots, if they could describe the treatments on offer, if they could improve their attitude towards potential clients and she just shrugged her shoulders and said quite predictably ” You will have to call and make an appointment”

Was this the wonderful luxurious spa that would leave me refreshed and rejuvenated? I wonder .


Should I make another attempt at trying to get an appointment or should I just abandon the idea of a relaxing foot massage in the spa by the bay?