Traditional treatments from Java

At Tjantek Spa in Kuching, experienced therapists offer Javanese back-to-nature treatments as an antidote to stress

DE-STRESSING: The Javanese cream bath-hair spa helps relieve stress through an invigorating head massage while rich hair cream applied to the hair and scalp promotes hair growth.

For centuries, traditional Javanese treatments have been practised by Indonesians to preserve their beauty and physical well-being.

Once a closely guarded secret behind Javanese palace walls, these treatments can now be experienced at Tjantek Spa, a quaint, idyllic retreat offering the perfect antidote to stress.

“Today, spas have become synonymous with all that is vogue and chic, yet the origins of traditional spa treatments began in far more humble surroundings.

“For instance, the Indonesians have long used the gifts of Nature to administer the arts of healing, spiritual cleansing, massages and beauty rituals,” said spa founder Surainee Abdul Latif, who first set up Tjantek Spa in Miri before opening a second branch in Kuching in February this year.

“This is what we offer  our clients — traditional back-to-nature treatment that both men and women alike will thoroughly enjoy in a soothing and serene setting.”

At Tjantek (‘bea­utiful’ in old Indonesian spelling) Spa, all facial and massage treatments have been luxuriously created so that each person can thoroughly experience and enjoy the authentic Javanese ritual of relaxation and pampering.

“We believe in offering treatments whereby the skin feels warm from the nurturing touch of the therapists, muscles feel soothed and relaxed and all the senses stimulated from the aroma of therapeutic oils while the tranquil tune of Javanese music gently lulls you to sleep,” Surainee said, adding that clients would be well taken care of by the spa’s three experienced Javanese therapists.

The spa which exudes an exotic ambiance of fragrant aroma from therapeutic oils, offers a variety of holistic services, using traditional Javanese massage techniques incorporating thumb and palm pressure in an intense, medium to strong, deep-tissue massage.

For complete body relaxation, Surainee recommended the invigorating Javanese full body massage to stimulate blood circulation and improve energy flow, and body lulur, one of the signature treatments available.

“The body lulur is a whole body exfoliation treatment where lulur paste is applied to exfoliate the skin and slough away dead skin cells,” she explained.

“After the body has been exfoliated, home-made yoghurt is applied to maintain the pH balance of the skin. As a result, the skin will feel smooth and soft after the treatment.”

According to her, the lulur are made fresh by using only natural ingredients, and clients will be able to select from eight types such as Bali coffee, lavender and vanilla, floral sea salt, cocoa butter, mangir herbal, mocha spice, coconut honey and orange coconut — each highly beneficial in its own way.

On the other hand, the Javanese cream bath-hair spa can also help relieve stress as it incorporates a head massage while rich haircream, containing ginseng ingredients to promote hair growth, is applied to the hair and scalp followed by steaming for about 10 minutes.

Other treatments include the aromatherapy Javanese back facial, the first of its kind at the spa. It comprises a back wash, back scrub, full masking and a soothing back massage as well as Javanese totok facial, a full facial massage concentrating on the acupressure points of the face and is well known for improving blood circulation and promoting healthy facial glow.

“We pride ourselves in providing reputable Javanese treatments — so all treatments use a range of high quality spa products from Taman Sari Spa Mustika Ratu,” Surainee assured.

Mustika Ratu is a renowned global brand from Indonesia, offering a plethora of traditional herbal-based products, using natural ingredients such as cloves, cinnamon, potent leaf, roots and many others.

“For those who like to create spa treatments at home, we also sell the Dewi Sri Spa range of products from Martha Tilaar Indonesia,” she added.

The spa offers freshly brewed jamu for clients as well.

“This herbal drink concoction is famous in Indonesia for its health attributes and usually taken by women. We have six types of jamu — jamu sehat wanita, tolak angin, awet ayu, kuku bima, empot2 and rapet — each promoting attributes like improving blood circulation, skin complexion and so on,” Surainee said.

In line with the spa’s value-for-money proposition, Tjantek Spa has a variety of spa packages tailored to clients with price starting from only RM125. These include the Royal Essential Touch package that allows clients to choose Javanese body massage, Javanese facial, Javanese cream bath or Bolus herbal pack and body lulur.

Besides, the spa also provides post maternity spa treatment package for mummies looking for some quality ‘me’ time as well as bridal spa packages exclusively for women seeking the royal treatment before their big day.

Tjantek Spa is located on 1st Floor, Lot 421, Section 5 KTLD, Jalan Kulas and operates  daily from 9am to 7pm. The operator can be reached via 014-7090079     or www.tjantekspamiri. com.