Rocky safari treks set us for Siyara’s soothing spa

The rocky drive through the expedition tracks of Amboseli National Park, close to Kenya’s border with Tanzania, left the body yearning for something soothing. ‘Africa massage’ as it is called, is definition of a truly bumpy ride and will leave you with a layer of dust.
Adventure and exploration are just about that. After two days in the wild, the itinerary had Naivasha as our next stop in Magical Kenya, the country’s promotion tagline under its promotion body, Kenya Tourism Board (KTB).
As a guest to the tourism destination for about a week, a seven-hour drive to Naivasha was all well-received because, as a fan of road trips, this was another opportunity to sightsee.

Sights
The landscapes with sprawling hills and valleys, country homes that are home to the country’s poor, some architectural marvels, mega power stations, a smooth road network, massive flower farms and the cool breeze are hard to miss.
The brief stopover in Nairobi, to pick lunch take-away from Kentucky Fried Chicken allowed time for us to stretch and tap some free Wi-Fi to check on our social media.
And off we continued our sojourn to the northwest, where attributes of country are alive, with less motor vehicle traffic, farmers are busy on plantations and in green houses tending to flower gardens.

Ambience
Tradition and modernity have a common ground as the catch line of the resort where I stayed for a night, makes sense in the Naivasha context.
Simply put, it makes sense because with Erishapia Resort & Spa, warm, priceless smiles welcome you into the luxurious facility. A hello here and there as you walk the paved walkways lined with colourful flowers and plant variety.
Nature extends its portion in well-tamed green grass that adds colour between the footpaths and the leafy hedges. After a two-hour drive from Nairobi, going shirtless into a crystal blue swimming pool was a deserved treat.
More options awaited us at Naivasha’s exclusive five-star facility located along the shores of Lake Naivasha in the breezy countryside north of Nairobi city. I could steam my body, heat it up in a sauna, take a spa experience to relax and rejuvenate and calm my spirit.

In bliss
Now, there are spas and there is Siyara Spa which aptly describes blissful experience that starts before any of the masseuses touch your body. There is water spouting from golden coloured fountains whose appeal is enhanced by the sun’s evening kiss amidst the greenery of grass, hedges and trees that provide shade and serenity.
The waters flow from the more active cascades to trenches that run along tracks that lead you to the reception area. Three steps away from the doorway, an aromatic scent welcomes me in.
A colourful candle burns in a bowl half filled with multicoloured dry flowers. The vessel is placed on top of a coffee brown stool in the middle of the reception area.
On both sides are different essential oils and salts on display inside closets and at the reception counter, golden, purple, crystal blue and green overhead lights illuminate the flower petals on the stand.

Diverse experiences
The counter bears flyers and other promotional material. A waiting tray with a water jar containing slices of lemon shares space on the counter. From it, the receptionist hands over one as she welcomes me to Siyara, two floors dedicated to the rejuvenation of the body, mind and soul.
Feng Shui, a Chinese way of living, is appreciated in and out of the spa. They say it allows the co-existence of nature and people.
I did not get an experience of a massage but testimonies from my peers, courtesy of KTB, were assuring of the most relaxing spa treatments in Siyara, which, by the way means nature.
The oils used are natural and therapeutic complimented by the general environment of cool scents, soft piped music and professional staff that know and deliver on their hospitality craft.