Nordik Spa, Chelsea Quebec
We got away for our anniversary spending time in Ottawa and Chelsea, Quebec. Chelsea is the gateway to Gatineau Park and home to a Nordik Spa. Quebec does a lot of things better than Ontario including local bakeries, cycling infrastructure and spas. I'm not really a spa guy but Ruth loves them and judging from the male/female ratio we saw of about 20/80 this isn't unusual. I'll admit that it takes work to get me to one yet our experience is always relaxing and enjoyable. This was the best one yet with a host of options and we were impressed by the way it is nestled into the surrounding rock and trees.
Did we have a quibble? Certainement...the silence, or lack thereof. The expectation is that guests go device-free, an excellent idea. And folk are encouraged to be respectfully quiet with an area where silence is required --big signs. Except that there is music playing constantly of the woo-woo variety, I imagine to create a zen-ish atmosphere, but it seemed loud and intrusive. Why ask patrons to observe the quiet when they don't, even in the Silence area? I regretted not bringing earplugs.
Here is the irony. While we were rambling about on a trail in Gatineau Park immediately after the spa there was a wonderful Spring chorus of birdsong amidst the emerging green.
We realized we saw very few birds at the spa and they be absent because they are establishing mating territory at this time of year and need to be heard.
Our walk took us to a waterfall and the streams along the trail were in full voice after so much rain a week ago. There were trilliums and hepatica and trout lilies, the Spring ephemerals. We were virtually alone as we walked so the atmosphere in Creation was contemplative and uplifting.
Yes, we got the best of both worlds and we thanked the Creator for it all, including the boulangerie just a few steps from our accommodation. Vive le croissant non libre!
Waterfall Trail, Gatineau Park Quebec (not a current photo!)
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