Delicious Fish Food

Ah, the culinary world of Thailand. And Southeast Asia for that matter. What a major draw for our travels.

And we have had our fish balls and seen our fair share of dried fish at the markets. I am still working on the courage (?) to try the dried shrimp over rice for the breakfast, but until then, I will settle on ‘pancakes with banana’ or what I have known as a crepe.

But the latest experience with fish was a role reversal. We were the fish food. Yes, Brooke and Michael. Being eaten by the fish. This relatively new phenomenon has supposedly swept across SE Asia, beginning in 2006. It is “fish therapy”. The fish, known as Garra Rufa, is about two inches long. You drop your feet in the fish tank, and hundreds swarm to nibble on your dead skin. It is supposed to increase circulation, give you some type of ‘pedicure’, and create better skin.

The feeling? Like a small electric current traveling throughout your feet. I did not find it particularly amusing (fascinating, yes), but the sensation was too much for my already ticklish feet.

Fine dining on Brooke's feet

Prime fish food real estate

While the fish searched for spots on Brooke’s feet, somehow years of soccer accumulated a nice depository of prime Garra Rufa fish food. And they pecked away for 15-20 minutes, but it could have probably been days.

And now, with all this trekking throughout the city, I am working on providing some more ‘fish food’ for my next indulgence. Or is it the Garra Rufa’s?