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Published: November 1st 2006
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Sawat dee kha,
It's day 4 of my 7 day fast in Phuket's Atsumi Healing Centre see www.atsumihealing.com. I awake about 5am to the sounds of local people performing their morning chanting rituals. It sounds very pleasant and certainly adds to the atmosphere.
I'm doing well as I've no cravings at all for my usual diet, which is on the whole good but punctuated by sessions at the Marquis and The Swan and the like! I miss all the social gatherings though; however my attention is distracted by the great people I have met. I couldn't wish for a warmer, interesting, intelligent, well travelled group of people.
There's Warren, a diving instructor (UK) who works out of Singapore and Thailand. His underground photos are magical (see 2 of them below). I would love to learn diving one day so might get back here.
Lisa, (NI) works out of Singapore and Phuket, selling and developing properties. She's getting married to a Welsh man in a Scottish Castle in January.
John, (USA), who spent 3 years working in Iraq and lives in Cambodia. He's a social scientist and was involved in a project with the UN to demine
the land around thousands of villages. He also writes short stories and I am in the middle of his latest one set in Cambodia and hope to have something constructive to say when finished.
And Soraya, (UK) who works at an international school in Riyhad, Saudi Arabia and is also a yoga teacher. There's an opening for a personal trainer working for a Saudi Princess if anyone is interested!
Our day starts with taking nutrient supplements before heading to the yoga salon to exercise for over an hour, plus a session on various topics and plans for the day ahead. There seem to be things to do drinks and nutrients to take, a talk in the afternoon, massage, trips to one of the beaches, then steam/sauna at 5pm. Once back about 7pm quite frankly I am exhausted and check out a few dvds, read a bit, but nothing much.
The weather is hot and balmy. Life seems carefree so it is no wonder that many farang (foreigners) are settling here. There are many western amenities such as a massive shopping centre with clothes that remind me of Regent Street. So I don't dally there for long. Will
Atsumi Garden
Lovely and peaceful go to the local shops in Phuket town and night markets when I get a chance (from my busy schedule!).
There's a enormous Tesco's as well. Ho hum. They're everywhere! As well at 7/11 convenience stores. Fortunately I haven't seen a McDonalds yet.
Day 5: I've lost a couple kilos so far but have been the same weight for the last three days. Its not all about weight loss, as the detoxing is an important element and chilling out from our western livestyles. It's amazing how calming it is after a couple of days. My skin looks much better and I feel so healthy.
Went to the beach yesterday. The sea is clear and lovely to swim in. I sat under an umbrella as usual, but Lisa and Soraya wanted a tan. The friendly Thai beach chair/umbrella vendor laughed: "You finished your barbq now!" he said as we were leaving.
Late afternoon we get a ride to the spa/sauna which helps to eliminate more toxins through the skin. Can also include a massage if there's time.
There's such a thing as Thai time. Things don't always happen when you expect them to and I'm learning
Atsumi Healing Centre
Peace and quiet and goodwill not to worry about it and just do something else. Wouldn't work everywhere!
Today I'm at Friendship Beach to enjoy Sunday afternoon live music by the beach. I'm hoping to do some salsa dancing as well. My camera batteries are playing up so won't be able to snap Kev taking the floor! The live music is halted by a wild storm and afterwards the sea looks green and translucent.
Course it's not all wonderful here. There's poverty evident and many displaced people, especially the fishing community, after the Tsunami. They lost their boats, their dwellings and their land as after the event they had no rights to move back. The landrights are held by hotel developers and the like. Opulent houses sit side by side with lean-to's or sheds where some of the Thai people live. There's a shanty town just up the road next to a posh development of mediterranean style villas that look more like ugly two storey boxes. But wherever they live, the Thais seem always happy and smiling and full of joy.
Well I did it...completed the 7 day fast and the last couple of days I have been enjoying pineapple, starfruit, oranges,
mango, papaya and a large fruit with a very hard skin that ended up tasting like grapefruit. I've also indulged in Thai fare as well but trying to take things slowly.
Anna from Atsumi took me to the night markets and they were fantastic; a great variety of clothes (very cheap), dvds, cds (copies I'm sure), shoes, etc etc. I bought some more fruit to feed the hungry juicer, which I am enjoying. Anna also took me to a Thai silk factory outlet and the pashminas were so cheap and the genuine article.
It's my last day and I'm struggling to get everything in my case. Had to toss out tubes of creams, shampoo etc. Just can't fit it in.
I feel so good for the whole experience. I learnt so much from wise gurus John (the owner of Atsumi) and Michael, who manages the centre. I've learnt a lot about so many things and feel much clearer about a few questions I had swimming around in my head on the road ahead. I'm feeling pretty content. And I'm a few kilos lighter and much more supple after the daily exercise class.
I cycle to the
internet cafe 20 minutes up the hill and down the road past Alan's shopping mall. I want to publish this page by 12.30pm leaving me enough time to get back to my villa, have a final shower, and get changed into my travelling clothes. Just as I am finishing off there comes down a heavy monsoon downpour. I stand uneasily outside under shelter waiting for rain to abate. Ten minutes, then 15 go by. I open the door to the cafe and ask if there is a local taxi that could take me and the bike back. I really don't want to tempt fate by riding in such weather conditions. 'Wheelchair boy' as he calls himself says no, he doesn't know of such a taxi. How long do you think this will last I ask him. Oh big downpour, last probably 30 minutes. I am feeling desperate. I have to get back in time to do a final check of travel documents and cram last minute things in my case. My taxi to the airport is arriving at 2pm.
I'm getting very nervous. I will just have to ride the 20 minutes in this torrential rain.
I can't
miss my flight. Tomorrow morning at Sydney airport I see my son Simon (and his lovely wife Martine) for the first time in over 2 years.
Pop gun mai!
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Derek Elliott
non-member comment
WOW
You lucky lucky person sounds fantastic I am green with envy.