Detox Time: Spa Samui Thailand

Hey there!

This is not normally something you would be thinking about leading up to the silly season, but as Thailand is the flavour of this week and since one of my good friends has just returned from this same spa (with glowing results), I’d thought I’d share with you all, my time at one of my favourite places to go (so much I went back twice). Russell James has even told me about his time there too.

Now whilst some people disagree with fasting for detox, I am going to share with you my experiences and how I came to  Spa Samui on my first trip in 2007 then 2008.

Keep in mind that both times I went to Spa Samui I was not Vegan nor High Raw.

SPA SAMUI, is Koh Samui’s popular rejuvenation destination for people from all walks of life.

The whole idea of this kind of Detox (or rather FAST) in my mind is to get rid of the build up of many toxins in our bodies that accumulate from so many processed and refined foods we consume. I felt I needed a little jump start to lead me in the right direction . For me just going to the resort was the first step in the mental preparation. Just being there and investing the time, money and mind was a move in the right direction for me. Oh and the meditation, massages and the sea views from my hammock didn’t hurt either.

My interest in diet had always been there but in the years leading up to my trips to Spa Samui I had become more in tune with nutrition as my father was diagnosed with Celiacs disease (wheat and gluten intolerance) and Diabetes is really strong in my mother’s family. In her doctor’s words, “your children stand no chance!”

I had much success on my first time with weight loss and a new vitality that I  joined in the ranks of so many others that return more than once.

The program:

for First Timers, is usually 3 ½ days or 7 days depending on your time available, and it includes twice daily ‘Colemas’ (self administered colonics), 5 times daily herbal supplements, 5 times daily ‘Detox Drinks’ (diluted fruit juice with psyllium and betonite clay to help with the elimination process) and 2 hot broths a day. You can also purchase a couple of coconut waters (my favourite) and different juices, and the Spa has a world renown Vegetarian Restaurant (one of the top 50 in the World apparently!) .

This makes it worth staying longer than your fast, so you can sample the menu either before you begin or break your fast. They even have a wonderfully delicious RAW menu (and RAW food classes).

On arrival at Spa Samui, I was greeted with some herbal capsules and a piece of litmus paper for me to test my PH levels should I be too acidic to begin my fast the following day. I became accustomed to my new surrounds almost immediately by reading in my hammock in the tree tops.

The last time I was here, I had chosen to stay at the Beach Resort and this time I wanted to try out their neighbouring Village Resort in the rain forest.

When the time came to check my PH levels in the evening, it was no surprise to me that I was NOT ready to begin my fast the following morning, considering the fun I had had with my boyfriend (now husband) in Bangkok and Phuket earlier.

No problem I thought, this gave me a chance to sample some of the delicious RAW and Vegan recipes at Radiance Restaurant for one more day whilst my body became more alkaline.

During the fast I made friends with fellow ‘fasters’, all from many walks of life and age groups, as we all headed to the Detox Drink Counter every 3 hours, shared in a coconut water or a broth, or just spoke of our individual experiences (of which there are many, including emotional healing, euphoria, lethargy, fuzziness, unlimited energy etc). It was nice to share what was happening with like minded individuals despite the fact we were all from varied backgrounds.

My second fast, as opposed to the same program I did the year before, was much easier for me. I believe it is because I had better prepared my body with suggested eating habits and mainly my juice fasting /feasting (my own verision) in the weeks leading up the fast. Also in my observation, a large majority of people come to the resort, because something just isn’t working in their life, either physically, emotionally or even spiritually. This time for me, I had mainly chosen to come because everything else in my life I felt quite content with, except for my diet and lifestyle choices.

Although I came to the Detox feeling happy and content with no desire to develop any particular aspect of my life other than my diet, I did come away with more than I could of hoped. The friendships I made and the experiences I shared with these individuals is in most part why I usually long all the week following to be back in the simple relaxing rain forest, sipping on my coconut talking with my new pals about the plate of fruit we are going to devour when we finish our fast, just small talk or even sharing the results of our latest Mediation/Tarot/Birth Chart readings they have on offer.

I loved this experience and I would like to go again, even if just for the relaxation and yummy food on offer at the restaurant, as I feel my usual diet is way better now, and the need for such a severe detox is not really necessary.

I can see why so many farang go to Thailand on holiday only to find themselves still living there years later. In a time when it is very difficult (however I realise not impossible without a little organisation) to remain healthy most of the time with so many social obligations and crazy work patterns (our poor bodies), I think a place like this is great for those you cannot make major diet changes over a slow period of time, once a year for a ‘tune up’.

I’ll be back later with a redraw for the Giveaway Winner