> > by Tanya Joslin
Tanya Joslin discovers that couples can enjoy a ‘romantic realignment’ when they escape together to Thailand’s Kamalaya.
Mornings are a beautiful time at Kamalaya. It is the peaceful silence, punctuated only by the sounds of nature – waves gently lapping at the shore, leaves moving to the rhythm of the wind, birds singing and crickets chirping. We’ve been watching the sun rise from the private beach and there is absolutely not another soul to be seen. The serenity is mesmerising and you can not help but feel connected to the universe and to each other. Koh Samui is regarded as one of Asia’s most stunning destinations, and for good reason. Besides the gob-smackingly gorgeous scenery, the island seems to have a special energy about it, a ‘healing’ energy, if you will. Samui is known as both an idyllic romantic island and a leading destination for a detox holiday. And here, not too far from Samui’s Lamai Beach, Kamalaya offers an escape that is the perfect balance of ‘world-class holistic wellness retreat’ and a ‘modern-day luxury resort’.
This is a magical place. Perhaps it is the fact that the resort and wellness centre are built around The Monk’s Cave, a sacred space that was used by monks for meditation and spiritual retreat and which is open to guests wanting some quiet time for contemplation. Or it could simply be that you sense the retreat’s purpose and intention has come from a very genuine place, from people whose goal is so much deeper than creating a commercially viable tourist destination. One of the owners, Karina Stewart, is a doctor of Chinese Medicine with an impressive career behind her. Her husband, John, spent 16 years dedicating himself to spiritual studies in a Himalayan community. The third owner brings the ultimate balance to their altruistic goals with his extensive hotel management background.
But the owners’ passion and genuine wish to help change people’s lives for the better is just one explanation as to why Kamalaya is taking the wellness industry by storm with a swag of awards already won, including ‘Spa-goers’ favourite spa in Asia’ by readers of a leading spa web site. The staff, too, are all so genuine and warm and you really get the feeling that everybody here wants to help you leave Kamalaya a richer (no, not money) person than when you arrived.
While holidaying or honeymooning at a health retreat might not immediately spring to mind as the ideal romantic getaway, consider for a moment the bonding that occurs when two people embark on improving their physical and mental health at the same time. You are both moving in the one direction at the same time.
Lifestyle changes, should you choose to make any after your time at the retreat, are understood and enjoyed by both and so have a greater chance of becoming ingrained in your daily lives.
But there is a more compelling reason to visit a retreat such as Kamalaya as a couple. On a very simple level there is something raw and intimate when a couple experience a wellness program together. As an example, it is widely believed that a detox happens on both a physical and an emotional level.
But that is not to say that Kamalaya is just about detoxing - the range of programs offered is astounding, from ‘Ideal Weight’ to ‘Asian Bliss’ and ‘Personal Yoga’ to ‘Optimal Fitness’ there is a program to suit everyone, or you can choose to go à-la-carte’ and pick and choose treatments that appeal to you. This is a place where guests are encouraged to find their own unique path, a place where you decide what you want to do and how much of ‘it’ you want to do. Or, as Kamalaya say on their web site: “ With the absence of strict controls and rigid rules, you are able to naturally let go and open up to new possibilities for a more vibrant, healthy and fulfilling life ... it is your innate wisdom that guides your experience and your journey to integral wellness”.
The cuisine at Kamalaya deserves a whole article solely dedicated to it. Karina Stewart worked with chef Kai Muller and his Thai team and together they have ensured that the food is not only delicious but highly nutritious, with nature seemingly being the ultimate director. If you thought healthy food could not be gourmet, think again ... Kamalaya’s restaurant enjoys such high regard that people travel from all over the island to dine here. While I was undertaking a detox program and therefore had specific items I could and could not eat (no meat, no dairy, certain vegetables and fruits), not once did I feel deprived. In fact each meal seemed to be better than the last, and the servings were probably larger than I was used to. Once again, Kamalaya encourages guests to take responsibility for their own health and the restaurants do serve meat and seafood for those not on a program. I have to say though that the vegetarian food was so delicious that there was not one time I looked at any of the meat or seafood dishes with envy!
So what if only one of you finds the idea of a physical and mental tune-up appealing? Is Kamalaya for you? Keeping in mind the gorgeous and peaceful location, the world-class accommodation, the expansive wellness centre, and the fabulous food, Kamalaya can be different things to different people. I noticed happy couples enjoying the resort where one was clearly doing a detox or health program and the other was obviously just enjoying time with their partner in one of the most beautiful parts of Asia. Did I mention that Kamalaya even serve alcohol for those who just can’t get their head around the idea of a completely alcohol-free island holiday?
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GETTING THERE: Thai Airways flies 45 times a week to Bangkok with onward connections to Koh Samui. www.thaiairways.com.au
ACCOMMODATION: A range of accommodation is offered, from hillside rooms to beachfront villas. Couples should consider either the pool villas or beachfront villas, both of which offer the perfect romantic escape. My villa was beautifully decorated in a relaxed tropical style. The outdoor bathroom was a treat, but it is memories of blissful afternoons spent reading and relaxing on the large day bed situated on the villa’s verandah, only steps from the sand, that I particularly cherish.
THE WELLNESS CENTRE: This expansive area, built around the massive boulders that make up the natural topography, is central to Kamalaya. Everything from acupuncture to Indian Ayurvedic treatments and Thai massage to colonic hydrotherapy is offered here. An interesting mix of outside specialists are also available for appointments. In addition to any treatments that may be included in your program, Kamalaya offers a comprehensive exercise schedule, such as morning yoga, or power walking and Tai Chi. These are complimentary for guests.