Seeking The Essence Of Life

“It doesn’t matter where I’m going but who I’m going with that matters.”

 

In less than a year, the world has gone from a place we knew to a place of uncertainty. Countries have closed their borders to outsiders, cities have been placed under strict lockdowns, businesses have shuttered and billions of people have suffered great losses. These are the agonising consequences of coronavirus.

 

Since the “new normal” began in the spring of 2020, it has become necessary for people to adjust their work and life plans. To say our world has been turned upside down in every respect would be the understatement of the century. I’ve been asking myself: ‘If this situation continues for another year will my priorities change?’ All I require is to be healthy and live in a happy relationship. Those are my values: simple but precious to me.

 

It’s impossible not to be affected by the present situation and the stress that comes with living in an era where a pandemic is wreaking havoc around the world. Therefore, any opportunity to escape Bangkok and kick back on the idyllic Koh Samui sounded like the perfect tonic for my tired mind and body. After all, like many millions of other people in Thailand, we have been restricted in our travel to other provinces since spring.

 

 

One of Koh Samui’s best kept secrets, Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa, had just launched its latest wellness programme Beauty and Glow and to help relieve my feeling of doom and gloom my husband had booked me a five-day course. Kamalaya, winner of the Worldwide Health & Wellness Destination of the Year at the World Spa & Wellness Awards 2020, has built up a global reputation for its approach to therapeutic treatments and detox programmes.

 

As we boarded the Bangkok Airways plane at Suvarnabhumi Airport, I began to feel the tension starting to lift. We were about to experience five days of Kamalaya calming, living in paradise, dining on fresh, healthy foods and being pampered. Obviously, I wanted to fill my days with wellness treatments and holistic therapies, but I also need some ‘me’ time, so with a little careful thought I decided to stick to just two treatments each day. That would give me plenty of time to relax in the beautiful gardens at the edge of the quiet, private beach.

 

 

To be totally honest, although business had slowed due to the coronavirus, I still felt emotionally and physically exhausted managing multiple projects. Furthermore, I was becoming something of an insomniac as I was having trouble sleeping most nights. So, as the flight touched down in Koh Samui and we made our way to our waiting transfer to Kamalaya, I found myself running three words through my head; “Relax, Release, Realise.”

 

Relaxing would be easy as Kamalaya is located on a remote hillside in a tropical jungle landscape. Apart from the sounds of nature, you rarely hear any other noise which really helps the brain relax and gives the mind a chance to think. Then, of course, you have three delicious menus to choose quality cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And finally, to really allow the entire nervous system to rebalance, Kamalaya’s accommodation is the perfect tonic.

 

 

Our villa consisted a large rest area with a huge sofa and throw pillows. To one side was an elevated section where our super comfortable double bed was located while to the other side was a large outdoor deck with day beds and small table and chairs. There was also a spacious work desk with Wi-Fi modem and a separate area with kettle for hot drinks and a mini fridge. The large bathroom included a hand basin, makeup area and Kamalaya branded amenities. A glass window led to the outdoor rain and power shower. It was a godsend to have everything I needed and nothing I wanted such as a television, radio or music sound system.

 

In terms of release, I would leave that in the capable hands of Kamalaya’s professional therapists. Kamalaya encourages its staff to enrol in its academy to study different ancient massage techniques and therapies and they can advance through multiple levels, each bringing its own rewards. The open air Wellness Reception is where the magic begins; you are initially teased with glorious views of treetops that gradually descend to the azure waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Off in the distance are other tropical islands. Pure enchantment.

 

 

We began our holistic adventure with a Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, full body dimensions as well as height and weight measurements. We then met our charming consultant who interpreted our data and offered advice on how to address items such as Body Mass Index, Intra and Extracellular Body Water and Nutrition Index among others things. We then got down to the nitty-gritty; what were we suffering from, what did we want resolved and how did we want to look and feel by the time we left?

 

Given that Kamalaya was fairly quiet due to the closure of Thailand’s international borders – it normally runs at over 90% occupancy during the winter months – we were able to spend almost an hour with our consultant. This additional time allowed us to really spend quality time answering the short health questionnaire, discussing each section and being recommended a treatment to address our area of concern. While my husband stuck to the Detox Program, I opted for the Beauty and Glow program, Kamalaya’s newest treatment.

 

 

Over the course of five days I would enjoy the following treatments, massages and therapies (treatment times differ): Traditional Asian Foot Massage with Herbal Soak; Pure Radiance Facial; Traditional Chinese Medicine Rejuvenation Acupuncture; Oriental Detoxifying Body Scrub & Wrap; Chi Nei Tsang with Ruby Treasure (Internal Organ Massage); Lymphatic Drainage Therapy; Pranayama Breathing; Far Infrared Sauna; Wellness Program Exit & Review; Nutritional Guidance with Home Care Procedure; and Holistic Acupressure Facial Massage.

 

My final goal was to realise. On our fourth day, I was happily surprised that I could already see improvements. My body skin and face were brighter and clearer. I felt lighter and had a spring in my step. It was clear to see the combined diet and therapies were delivering the desired results. I’d previously heard Karina Stewart, Co-founder and Chief Wellness Director of Kamalaya, talk about how guests could identify newcomers to the resort simply by looking at their skin. Now, it was my turn to be a believer, and my husband too, as his skin had lost its puffiness and redness.

 

 

And there you have it, with an easy-going treatment schedule, total peace and quiet, delicious cuisine, healthy detox drinks and refreshing juices, I felt – and looked – years younger. On our final day, as we sat in Soma Restaurant having breakfast, I mentally digested a little food for thought. It’s important to remember who we are and where we come from. Our busy city lives are not aligned to keeping us grounded, we must make time to take care of our self. Now, with an abundance of important lessons from Kamalaya tuck away mentally, my mind was ready to grow and flow with new ideas. I had discovered my essence of life.

 

For more information on Kamalaya and its amazing wellness programs, click here.

 

Cuisine

 

Kamalaya prides itself on its top-notch vegetarian gastronomy and it is no surprise guests can see results after just a few days. Kamalaya chefs adhere to the strict rules of no microwaved or processed foods, no additives, preservatives, artificial flavourings or colourings, no MSG or foods that contain trans-fats. Some menu items do contain gluten, dairy and lectin, while the grill section offers meat eaters a choice of tuna, king fish, prawns, white snapper, chicken, ostrich and lamb. There is also a choice of alcoholic drinks, which are listed on a separate menu.

 

 

While our meals consisted of the following dishes, Kamalaya’s chefs change the menus every month to balance available produce and present guests with a constant choice.

 

Day – 1

Breakfast

Detox Drink – Kamalaya Detox Juice

Detox Muesli

Rosemary Bread

Tropical Fruit Platter

Ginger Tea

 

Lunch

Detox Drink – Celery Juice

Starter – Banana Flower Salad

Main – Pumpkin Wrap

Dessert – Tropical Fruit Platter

Mulberry Tea

 

Dinner

Detox Drink – Watermelon Juice

Starter – Avocado & Beetroot Tartar, Pickled Vegetables, Sweet Potato Crisp

Main – Roasted Pumpkin & Sunflower Seed Dumpling, Basil Pesto, Coconut Sauce

Dessert – Strawberry Sorbet

 

 

 

Day – 2

Breakfast

Detox Drink – Fresh Coconut

Detox Muesli

Rosemary Bread with Pumpkin Dip

Ginger Tea

 

Lunch

Detox Drink – Kamalaya Detox Juice

Starter – Cucumber & Melon Salad

Main – Snow Pea Salad, Asian Pear, Rose Apple and Sesame Dressing

Dessert – Tropical Fruit Platter

 

Dinner

Detox Drink – Hibiscus Lemonade

Starter – Detox Minestrone, Mung Bean Pasta, Beetroot, Basil

Main – Sweet Potato & Taro Dumplings, Wasabi, Spinach, Coconut Curry

Dessert – Apple & Raisin Tart, Marinated Apples, Apple Sorbet

 

Day – 3

Breakfast

Detox Drink – Butterfly Pea & Lime Cooler

Detox Muesli

Rosemary Bread

Garden Salad

Mulberry Tea

 

Lunch

Detox Drink – Papaya Juice

Starter – Chilled Fennel & Avocado Soup

Main – Cauliflower Risotto, Jerusalem Artichoke, Pumpkin Seed Milk

Dessert – Tropical Fruit Platter

 

Dinner

Detox Drink – Kamalaya Detox Juice

Starter – Shiitake Mushroom Soup with Tarragon and Olive Oil

Main – Spinach & Mung Bean Kofta, Sweet Potato and Asparagus Pilaf, Sea Buckthorn Jus

Dessert – Strawberry Panna Cotta, Strawberry Jelly and Strawberry Sorbet

 

 

Day – 4

Breakfast

Detox Drink – Kamalaya Detox Juice

Detox Muesli

Rosemary Bread with Pumpkin Dip

Ginger Tea

 

Lunch

Detox Drink – Beetroot Juice

Starter – Detox Veggie Broth

Main – Baked Veggies with Fresh Herbs

Dessert – Tropical Fruit Platter

 

Dinner

Detox Drink – Fresh Coconut

Starter – Cucumber & Wakame Roll, Spring Onion, Tamarind Dip

Main – Okra & Cauliflower Stew, Pumpkin Seed Milk, Turmeric

Dessert – Pumpkin Cake, Dates, Berry Coulis, Lime Zest

 

Day – 5

Breakfast

Detox Drink – Papaya Juice

Detox Muesli

Rosemary Bread with Avocado Dip

Mulberry Tea

 

Lunch

Detox Drink – Green Power

Starter – Garden Salad

Main – Vegetable Spring Rolls

Dessert – Lychee Sorbet

 

Dinner

Detox Drink – Pineapple Juice

Starter – Stuffed Shiitake Mushrooms, Mushroom Puree, Pickled Rosella

Main – Pumpkin & Coconut Curry, Detox Chilli Pulse, Sweet Basil

Dessert – Tropical Fruit Platter

 

 

 

Wellness Treatments

 

Kamalaya Beauty & Glow

 

Day – 1

Consultation

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

 

Day – 2

90-minute Traditional Asian Foot Massage with Herbal Soak

75-minute Pure Radiance Facial

 

Day – 3

75-minute Traditional Chinese Medicine Rejuvenation Acupuncture

75-minute Oriental Detoxifying Body Scrub & Wrap

30-minute Chi Nei Tsang with Ruby Treasure (Internal Organ Massage)

 

Day – 4

90-minute Lymphatic Drainage Therapy

60-minute Pranayama Breathing

30-minute Far Infrared Sauna

 

Day – 5

Wellness Program Exit & Review

Nutritional Guidance with Home Care Procedure

75-minute Holistic Acupressure Facial Massage

 

 

Source: Punch Media Digital.