The drive to Chiva Som takes approx 3 hours, during which time I read up on the various treatments on offer and snoozed, I had had a busy day! Alternatively if you are not so keen on a long drive you can take a short flight on a turbo prop plane.
 
First appearances were good, a calm oasis after Bangkok of lush greenery, clear blue water and the wonderful Pavilions one of which was to be home for the next three nights. Welcomed with cold towels and lemongrass tea, we were ushered to our Pavilion. Each guest is photographed on the way in so the staff can recognize them individually and call them by name (some 350 staff to 114 guests). Having barely arrived at the room I was told that one of the complimentary massages had been booked for half an hour hence to be followed by a meeting with a personal health and wellness consultant.
 
The massage was excellent and just what I needed after my exploits of the day before, my back was killing me – old age does not come alone… And, I was more than ready to meet with Angelica my personal Wellness consultant; she was the perfect match for me, somebody who was also into alternative therapies, classes etc and interested in avoiding the worst excesses of modern living. Between us we came up with a 3 day plan which incorporated treatments, exercise classes and an eating plan.
As she rightly said with a world so full of toxins we really do need to be looking
after ourselves. I left Angelica feeling enlightened and headed for the pool where
I thrashed out 40 lengths followed up with a walk on the beach, all very invigorating.
 
The Pavilions or Ocean View rooms are tastefully furnished if a little short on storage space but, given you actually need very few clothes for your stay they are big enough. Each morning you are encouraged to start your day with lime and hot water to boost the system, this normally occurred at 0650 and was closely followed by a class, either yoga or meditation, held outside, a great start to the day.
 
All of the classes are included within the Spa Package Price and ranged from Tai Chi to Pilates to aqua aerobics, kick boxing and fit ball. Additionally you could use the gym but as someone who does this each and every week I was looking to try out something different. I found all the classes excellent with knowledgeable instructors.
 
My days fell into a pattern of 1-2 classes followed by breakfast, a treatment, swim, lunch and then more of the same, not too difficult! 
Meals at Chiva Som are served either by the pool, overlooking the beach or in the main restaurant, The Emerald Dining Room and can be strictly vegetarian or spa cuisine. Each item be it on the A La Carte menu or the buffet states the calorific, fat and carb values and I was quite shocked to see how many calories some fruit juice drinks contain. Stick with soup!
 
The food is excellent and is based on a holistic approach which means detoxifying, fat and salt free, most things are cooked in a veg stock rather than fat or cream. I tried some wonderful savory dishes, curries and stir fried and
there were even desserts, oh deep joy.
 
Coffee is only permitted after dinner downstairs in the lounge, instead you are encourages to drink fruit or lemon grass tea, all very nice but as  a caffeine girl I did succumb to one cup a day.  For those looking for pampering there is plenty of that on offer ranging from the standard Beauty treatments through to more holistic and alternative treatments. The main area is a haven of peace and quiet with the steam and sauna opening out to a flower filled icy cold plunge pool, wonderful.
 
Of the treatments I tried my favourite was a facial dedicated to the eyes, possibly the least enjoyable but oh so necessary was a Colonic Irrigation. As a vegetarian of some 30 years I was convinced this would be a quick and painless procedure – how wrong I was…. I certainly felt better 24 hours later but it would be true to say that at the time and for several hours later I felt uncomfortable.
 

Iridology proved fascinating, if only because the therapist informed me I was as close to Invincible as anyone she had ever encountered! The information contained in our eyes is amazing, she was able to tell me that I had had bronchitis five years ago and had problems with my right knee and lower back, all from a photo of my eyes. Additionally, she was able to recommend changes in life style, diet as required and seen through the eyes. All very impressive.
 
Interestingly, the majority of people the therapist sees fit in to a Silk or Linen category which means they are all high achievers. Presumably if you are not you wouldn’t need to be releasing the stresses of life!
 
On the last full day I attended a cookery course to learn cooking the Chiva Som way, it was gratifying to learn you can make a Thai green curry which tastes divine without buckets of coconut milk and how poaching food in a vegetable stock can create tasty, moist food. 

Chiva Som is the perfect place for running away from the stresses of modern life, you don’t need to travel with anyone as you are so busy attending classes, treatments etc there is not much time to be lonely. However, I would recommend having a goal or plan before you go so you know what you want to achieve, be that weight loss or learning new meditation techniques. When, and not if, I go again I will do a detox as it would be very easy, there is no food to pick at (my worst food habit) and I was never hungry despite all the exercise.