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Koh Samui : Surat Thani
Although for many, Koh Samui is a hedonistic, party-hard, tan-hard, and play-hard destination, many head to Koh Samui for a much more chilled-out, relaxing experience, even some serious detox therapy.
In recent years the number of spas, yoga retreats and holistic health centres opening in Samui has rapidly increased, giving Samui an almost alternative reputation. These offer everything from Herbal Steam Baths and Aloe Body Wraps, to various forms of traditional Thai, and international-favourite massage techniques. Some of these facilities boast ultra-luxurious, ‘holistic’ comfort, like the Sila Evason Hideaway , an updated version of the Six Senses-run Evason resorts in Hua Hin and Phuket, which is opening its doors in mid-2004, while others aim to ‘return to the source,’ and operate with exotic simplicity under the shade of swaying palms.
The Spa Samui Resort is a simpler, family-operated retreat for health aware individuals who want to “feel better, look better and live longer.” Their ultimate detox programme, Dr. Richard Anderson’s ‘Clean-me-out’ fasting program runs for $45 a day (with little extras for accommodation etc). The process involves fasting: to put nothing in one end (apart from fruit and occasional helpings of vegetable broth), while simultaneously purifying yourself by propelling liquid up the other, giving your system a thorough oil-change. Colonic irrigation is not for everyone, but its proponents sing its praises, citing significant weight loss, allergy reduction and lifelong sexual potency.
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