We have promised you that if we have a chance, we will write about a travelogue concerning health. So this time since I had an opportunity to join Balavi's deluxe detoxication tour at Sofitel Central Hua Hin Resort, I would like to tell you how this trip went.

In our memory, Hua Hin is where there is powdery white sand and crystal clear water decorated with different sizes of rocks (I myself slipped on those rocks and had to be sent to the hospital.). There are horses for you to ride. If you do not know how, the owner who always walks with such a handsome and glamorous way can always accompany you while you ride them along the beach. There is also a Railway Hotel, a splendid and luxurious hotel existing since the day of Than Chai Pot and Pritsana, whose name was later changed into Sofitel Central Hua Hin Resort.

Today, Hua Hin still maintains its beauty like we have seen for years when we come here on vacations. The Railway Hotel, on the other hand, remains majestic even though its name and looks were changed according to the flow of the modern world.

Sofitel Central Hua Hin Resort was built during the reign of King Rama VII (1923) with gracious European colonial structure along the balcony and the arches, evoking a bygone period. When we got to the lobby which faces a magnificently decorated garden with manicured plants and appropriately placed period furniture, it even makes the building look more elegant. The sea breeze further rid of all the 4-hour ride exhaustion. We therefore felt fresh, enthusiastic and so ready to do all of the arranged activities.

Because this detoxication tour was under the real care of doctors and was said to be a "diet for health" tour, we expected that we might have to go on a diet on the very first day there. But surprisingly, we got to eat very delicious fish steak for our first meal at the hotel before splitting.

For dinner, we were served with salad of various types of vegetables in order to get us used to the diet which was to come soon. The food was as tasty as what we thought we would receive from this well-appointed hotel.

The activities arranged for us started from 6 a.m. We began with Qigong and meditation practiced right by the sea shore. We consequently had a chance to appreciate the striking sunrise with bright blue, red, rose, and golden orange colors, each trying to get through from the clouds. The sky was getting brighter until it was all light. Birds set out in search for food. There was the sound of the waves reaching the shore. Far off, fishing boats were heading towards the shoreline. It was a morning without any rush and so full of life. It is life you can never find in Bangkok.

We did the morning exercise with such happiness for the whole time we were there. We opened ourselves to receive the power of the sun to boost up our lives. After that, we received the needle prick and acupressure. Acupressure is an ancient Chinese practice adapted by Dr. Banjob and Dr. Lalitha to use as treatments. Many participants who suffer from headache, migraine, shoulder ache, and neck ache felt a lot better after this tour.

Next, we were to do the solar bath. They first smear our body with olive oil and lie us down on the kraae. They then cover us from head to toe with banana leaves. This is an ancient Indian medical folk way which uses the heat from the sun in order to stimulate the body to build the immunity. After the solar bath, we felt very fresh and much more relaxed.

In the afternoon, the doctor taught us how to massage for relaxation. We worked in pairs and each had to take turns. Couples or those who came with their relatives can pair themselves together. If you came alone, they will find a partner for you. We loved this exercise the most for we can further use this with our loved ones at home.

After having finished the massage lesson, they taught us how to properly do an enema with coffee. Then, they let us go back to our rooms to do so on our own.

In the late afternoon when the heat was not so strong, it was time for those who are afraid that the sunlight will burn their skin to get into the water. It was time to do the aqua aerobic. The music was played so loudly that it could be heard all over the pool. At first, we did not think it would be so tiring since we have always heard that we usually weigh lighter in the water. But actually, when we move our arms and legs, it eats up quite a lot of energy while in the water. Out from the pool, we were to feel the touch of crystal clear water and white sandy beach in front of the hotel. Shortly after that, they did the body mask for us and buried us under the sand. We layed there listening to the sound of the waves and appreciating the blue sky painted with various shapes of clouds until we fell asleep.

The mask is a skin detoxication method. It helps improve, soften and rejuvenate your skin. Since we knew that, we tend to stay in the sand a little longer so that the skin would look younger faster.

After dusk, we practiced some meditation which mainly focuses on the inhalation and exhalation. This is a very refined way to detoxicate. And afterwards, we split up.

Well, we have been talking a lot about health exercises. Some of you might wonder why I have not talked about the diet yet since it was the first thing I mentioned in the introduction. So I would like to bring it up in this last part of the article that after we got to taste the luscious fish steak, we got to eat papayas all day on the second day. The menus went from sliced papayas, papaya salad without dried shrimp, and papaya juice. The third day was guava day and the menus were pretty the same as the second day . On the 4th and the 5th day, we got to have various types of fruits and vegetables. No rice, starch and meat were included in any of the menus. We all enjoyed the meals and were full. We did not feel hungry at all.

Actually, a complete detoxication program needs about 10 days but this course took only 5 days. That is because we need to continue the rest of the process at home by ourselves with the use of all the knowledge we have gained from the program for the remaining 5 days. The result of this tour was that the allergies were all gone. I do not sneeze every morning like I used to anymore. I also lost 4 Kg. I felt a lot lighter and all my clothes are just too big for me now. If you want to prove whether detoxication can really give you this much benefit, try one. In fact, Balavi is arranging a tour at Sofitel Hua Hin again on 20-24 July. If you are interested, please contact Ms. Sasiwimon at Tel. 02-615-8822 ext. 119 ( I am not trying to promote the course but I have experienced it and it was so splendid that it is kind of like a need to tell you.)