Wanderlust Wanderings: The Sanctuary

This detox/yoga/life retreat exists on its own beach of Koh Phangan, not far from the full moon party beaches, but is cosmically a world away. This week-long detox experience was quite personal and challenging at times but it was amazingly reinvigorating! I love food so fasting for four days, especially in Pad Thai and curry heaven, sounded difficult at first but the wellness centre created such an amazing schedule of filling clay and psyllium shakes, tea, lymph juices and even a vegetable broth dinner with fellow cleansers that I never had time to be hungry (as long as I avoided their amazing vegetarian restaurant). Throw in daily yoga, spa treatments and colonic (don't ask if you don't know) and I was starting to feel refreshened by day three and like a new person by the end of the week! We also participated in some amazing classes like Transformational Breathe (mind-blowing), astrology readings, Ayurveda, Qi Gong as well as movie night on the beach and a very entertaining open mic night. There are so many healers of all backgrounds and I sampled an acupuncture and shiatsu session with a very skilled practitioner as well as an in depth discussion with a naturopath. Lots of beachside relaxation and book reading time too (three books). All for just over $100 a day. Even with the mozzies and cockroaches (yes, they've reappeared), I see why many fellow detoxers I've met here make this an annual tradition and I may have to as well!