The people

Brian, the self help guru

This is the peak season. People come here constantly with some aim, some hope, some curiosity and a common aim - to feel healthy again. Louisa, from London, is here to quit her smoking habit. Brian, an affable Canadian hynotist and self help guru, has been on a long detox tour, coming from a Srilankan Ayrurveda resort. Elma, from Hongkong is too stressed out. Yurgen, from Maldives, just want to lose weight. Some of them seem to have lived a life of gluttony and look to be in dire need of a long term program. Some seem to be in perfect shape, atleast as far as I can see, but they are still here, may be just recovering from some ailment. Zil and Aina, from lithuania, are just plain tourists, no interest in Detox - She is a yoga teacher herself! The guests keep changing, but the crew remains the same.

Zil and Aina from Lithuania

Donnatella, from holland, has an amazing story. She lost her two mates and one leg in a handgranade accident. Then she contacted Lyme disease, was bed ridden for 2 years, barely survived, and then with the help of a few generous doctors and a reconstructed leg, she managed to move to this resort. With the help of an india naturopath, who worked here then, she regained her health, and decided to settle down in thailand. "you should live your dreams" she says with some nostalgia "because you never know when a hand Granada might go off". This place abounds with such stories, if one cares to sit down and listen.

Sakda, the yoga teacher

Madhav is a lanky Australian, who spent years learning yoga in Bihar school of yoga, and now can speak heavily accented Hindi. Hes studying to be a naturopath. "india is full of spirituality" he says contelatively " but very few spiritual people". Just to play it fair, he adds "we Australians are like that too, one hour of church every Sunday, and then we forget God exists for the rest of the week!" he met Pushpa at a yoga training center, she happens to be daughter of part owner of this resort Manta, a Thai herbalist, who busily struts around the resort, taking care of every detail. Dah manages reception, and Tai cooks lovely vegetarian food. They are the 'management'.

Khalid- The Egyptian naturopath

Khalid is an Egyptian, who recently joined this place as the naturopath, acupuncturist, herbalist - I call him the doc. We have hit it off well. "its because you and I" he says "come from a very old culture". Being a Muslim, he has been subjected to som racism in US and Australia, and he has trouble accepting that everybody there is not racist. He told me to try acupuncture and I do it for the first time in my life. I have invited him to singapore, and he has invited me to Cairo. "I have a brother in police who can arrange to pick you from the plane, I have a house right in front of the pyramids, and a cousin who will be happy to show you around in his car" he smiles "I am a well connected man in Cairo". Hmmmm, that's a thought. Few clicks on the iPad, and I see the air Italian deal from Rome to Cairo. I can squeeze that in. That takes care of continent number 4 in this years travel plans too. Few minutes later, I have the bookings, and Khalid has a shock. Thanks to my new Egyptian friend, I am heading for a new adventure soon.