Day 4 - Stella's Travel Diary - COMO Shambhala Estate

Today was a jam packed day with so many different activities! 
It was an early start at 7.30 to take part in the 2 hour rice paddy field trek which is part of the regular activity schedule. I highly recommend this, not only because the trek is fun and interesting as you learn about local life through the brilliant estate guides, but also because you get to meet other guests staying here and can connect with them.

After a late breakfast I was driven to see the local healer and had to wait in line with other women in their 30s and 40s that had either read or seen Eat, Pray, Love. I felt like a bit of a cliché, but still went out of curiosity. I had mixed feelings about my session with the healer - but I can say that he wasn't a fraud. It's definitely worth the experience if you are quite spiritual.

We asked Widi, our assistant, if he could arrange a picnic lunch by the river followed by a treatment and even with only a couple of hours notice they pulled it off seamlessly!  Our lunch was served on a bale and we chilled out there and had a dip in the rock pools until we had our treatments at the riverside treatment areas; I'm not talking about a massage bed placed on the ground by the river, but full on treatment cabins with a bath, outdoor shower and toilet - all the creature comforts all tuned in with the natural surrounds -unbelievable! I was so blissed out by this that I felt seriously drowsy!  I thought about how I would feel if I was on my own and concluded that this whole place is a 'must do' experience, with or without your partner.

Highlight of the day for me - take a guess. Yes, the whole riverside afternoon. For Mr P, the rice paddy trek. He was fascinated with the engineering of the irrigation systems and loves to trek. We all have our passions!

Day 3 - Stella's Travel Diary - COMO Shambhala Estate

Today we experienced the first daylight thunderstorm since we arrived in Bali a week ago. Pretty good for the supposedly rainy season! There was something quite therapeutic and calming  about it and the staff looked at me like I was a weirdo while I stood in the heavy rain and then went for a swim in the pool. The official estate walk was cancelled but after the rain stopped we made our own way down the 300 steps to the river and its sacred water source. On the way down the views were spectacular and we kept discovering hidden treatment areas, bales, and rock pools with decked floor and lounges! This is where John, the General Manager, must have meant when he said that we HAD to have a treatment by the river and simply hang out relaxing there. Note to self - have to do something about that tomorrow!

Our PA , Widi. Who arranges everything for us very efficiently.

The climb back up all those steps was a good workout initself and my private yoga lesson afterwards a welcome treat to stretch out my stiff muscles.  Taking in the view and all these moments, I feel very pampered and privileged to be here!

My highlight of the day. Can't decide between the hot river stone massage (yes I am a treatment junkie) and the morning meditation class. Mr P's highlight - getting to the end of another jungle gym session and also the walk down to the river. He says if I get two choices, so does he!

Day 2 - Stella's Travel Diary - COMO Shambhala Estate

This place is so stylish, but in an understated way, it doesn't intimidate you into feeling not beautiful enough to be here.

Today I had my consultation with Eve,  the resident nutritionist and a very interesting lady, and planned out my programme. Eve is a top nutritionist with serious clinical experience and an impressive holistic approach to nutrition. She left LA at the top of her game to come here and is loving it! It shows through her excitement in helping me plan my activities and treatments. 

For this Spa Holiday I have chosen the rejuvenation programme which is a mixture of rejuvenating private yoga and treatments plus some extra activities that complement the programme. It seems to be a good fit with the resort's very peaceful and nurturing atmosphere.

I was vey naughty with Mr Photi on the other hand who didnt know that he was booked in on a fitness programme until he got here as he is seriously resisting the need for more self care as he moves through middle age. He had his first jungle gym session today and his nutrition consultation.  I was both proud and amused this morning as he ordered poached eggs instead of fried. Every small step is good.

The food is spectacular. I am dreaming about abducting their chef! My  bloated belly is flattening despite having a three course meal for lunch and dinner.

Highlight of the day for me was definitely the taksu massage - a local oil massage that incorporates Thai-style stretching manipulation. For Mr P, it was being able to get to the end of the jungle gym session and gaining a sense of achievement.

Day 1 - Stella's Travel Diary - COMO Shambhala Estate

It's been my lifelong dream to visit Bali, and I feel so lucky to be able to visit COMO Shambhala Estate. I arrived here a couple of hours ago and feel overwhelmed by how fantastic this place is! You get a sense when you are driving through the village that's next to the resort, and even before you enter the gates, that this place is going to be something special. But even then, it completely blew me away. 
Bear in mind, I was just coming from an Aman resort that was pretty amazing and a hard act to follow. I have been to some seriously luxurious places in my day but this place is something else. I realised we, and they, seriously undersell it - and for the price and offers we have it's a bargain.
I start my programme tomorrow. I am doing the rejuvenation programme so will keep you updated daily of how it goes. I am staying in the Tirta Ening residence in a COMO Shambhala suite. Just had a late lunch from the raw food menu that was delicious!
Signing off now, a very happy Stella x

View from my Suite!

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My living room!

Top Spa Trends for 2012

It’s All About the Food

Food has been proven to be a fantastic source of healing, and spas have really taken notice and upped their game in this department. In the UK, there has been a massive rise in awareness about how food can heal you.  With TV programmes like ‘The Food Hospital’ on Channel 4 showing the nation how they can cure some common ailments just through a change in diet and lifestyle. All of our spas now offer delicious and healthy food that can help restore and replenish the body and many also go one step further, with qualified nutritionists on staff,  explaining the ‘hows and whys’ of food being able to improve the skin and organ functions, plus they teach how to recreate spa menus at home. 

Legitimising wellness

It looks like the world of western medicine is finally catching up with many wellness principles of Eastern philosophies, and doctors who are more open to integrative medicine are busy gathering scientific data to prove their claims.  Check out www.spaevidence.com  where results of studies have been posted.   Financial pressures always drive change and preventative health is front of mind as the  NHS looks to cut costs by prescribing therapies such as meditation for mental health problems and acupuncture for insomnia to back pain.  The world’s best spas are ahead of the game with experienced practitioners offering a wide range of therapies as part of their wellness  programmes.

Spa and local culture

Mixing up a bit of local discovery with deliciously relaxing treatments is the way forward. Why travel to a beautiful unique destination and not sample the delights of the local culture? There is a real trend towards holistic holidays that embrace indigenous treatments from the surrounding area and also include authentic excursions to delve under the skin of the destination.  Delights include local walks that end up in waterfall swims, sampling organic produce on farms and adding a bit of culture to complete a well-rounded wellness experience!  

Sleep Tight

Sleep is stepping into the spotlight as the reports on how depriving yourself of sleep can not only affect your mood but can also lead to other health problems down the line. Sleep is highly restorative, but it can be difficult in our busy lives to catch enough ‘zzzz’s’ to keep feeling in fine fettle. We’ll see more and more spas devising programmes that cater for the stressed out and sleep deprived as it becomes a greater need in our modern world.   

Education, Education, Education

Pampering simply isn’t enough for spa aficionados these days. People want to learn about how their wellness experience benefits them and what tools they can take home with them to apply in their day to day lives. It ties in with the trend of discovering why certain treatments make us feel good from a scientific point of view.  Spas are more geared up than ever before to impart their wellness wisdom on their guests through expanded activity schedules including lectures and wellness techniques.  Classes often take a wonderfully interactive approach so you can practice what they preach.

A Value Proposition

There is no denying the amount of economic uncertainty rife in today’s world. ‘Trying economic times’ are buzzwords on every politician’s lips. What we’ve found is that people are shunning the glitz and swank of uber luxurious spas in favour of a more authentic experience that caters towards true wellness.  The spa-going population is now even more sophisticated and, focusing more on value rather than the cheapest price. People are discovering that the cheapest spa will not necessarily bring them a return on investment in terms of measurable health benefits and long lasting results.

Healthy ageing

This continues to be a strong trend in 2012. The focus isn’t about reducing wrinkles but about disease prevention and health enhancement.  We like the idea ‘it’s not the years in your life, but the life in your years’ that count. Personal medical evaluations are followed by personalised health plans that include treatments, education and activities that will help achieve optimum health and boost vitality. Keeping an active mind is a key part of this trend – so activities like meditation and puzzles that keep the brain alert are recommended. People are also turning to more natural skincare solutions and again nutritious food to keep their outer body a beautiful reflection of inner health.

For where to find Spa Holiday hot on the trail of these spa trends visit www.wellbeingescapes.co.uk 

Absolute Sanctuary Launches its first ever recipe book!

With constant requests from guests for recipes to take home with them to continue eating healthily at home and with a mission to spread the love for cooking healthy and tasty meals ABSOLUTE SANCTUARY has printed a cook book Food Made With Love from The love Kitchen for this dedicated purpose.The hard cover recipe book will feature enticing appetizers, vegetarian and non-vegetarian main courses, tempting guiltless desserts, as well as refreshing detox dishes in keeping with the spirit of the resort’s detox focus. A special feature of the book is the heart facts introduction to each recipe giving the nutritional benefits of the ingredients that go into the making of each dish.

Should you be interested in purchasing a cook book please email pik@absolutesanctuary.com or bookings@absolutesanctuary.com

Travel Diary - Ti Sana

Sometimes the best detox programmes can be found in the most tucked away places. This little Italian treasure has been discovered by our Spa Spy Helen. Dedicated to health and wellbeing, there is a wealth of information under it's historic roof, all only a short flight from London.
 
What were your first impressions of the resort?
My first impressions? A wonderful mix of old world charm and contemporary design –  a short transfer from the airport took me from the hustle and bustle of Milan through sweeping Italian countryside to a quaint cluster of charming Italian homes where, in the heart of this sleepy hamlet, lies Ti Sana. Constructed from part of a former Italian nobleman’s home, the thoughtful renovation, peaceful setting and caring team creates an intimate and nurturing ambience right from the start.


What do you think makes Ti Sana special?
Bags of enthusiasm from the knowledgeable, impressive young team and a strong belief in the benefits of following a raw food lifestyle.  Newly opened, with immaculate facilities, including the only Angel of Water colon hydrotherapy in Italy, Ti Sana has award-winning freestyle spa facilities, an in-house spa doctor who has published books on the subject of the colon and an authentic, balanced approach to detox and weight management.  I also loved the fact that it’s a small and personal property as there are only 22 bedrooms, so it’s ideal for the single traveller – and each room is individually designed, which makes your stay feel even more individual.


What was your favourite activity?
Apart from reaping the benefits of the well-laid out, relaxing freestyle spa, I also loved jogging with the owner, Signore D’Angelo, along the River Adda (he frequently takes guests running, or there’s a guided power walk each morning too with Mario, the fitness trainer, for those who prefer to rest their knees!).   The feeling of being in rural Italy when wondering around the little hamlet was special too – there was even a little Italian grandma doing her linen washing in the fresh water trough.  There’s a good selection of activities to keep you busy if that’s how you want to be - daily staff tips, educational lectures, group activity classes – but the sense of calm remains at Ti-Sana, so it’s just as easy to lose yourself in the little lounge and delve into a good book...
What was your most relaxing experience?
Having a massage with a therapist with who I swear had magic hands... and unwinding in the sauna (there’s even an infra-red sauna here).
How was the food?
Delicious, varied, well-presented and entirely vegetarian. The raw food specialist chef, Valerie, whipped up a different fresh juice blend each day, and, given the unlimited supply of broth each day, as well as three good sized, healthy meals each day, I definitely did not feel hungry.
Would you recommend Ti Sana?
Absolutely – this is a real find.  Authentic, intimate and so very easy to get to - a choice of four nearby airports is about as convenient as it gets.  


Fore more on a luxury spa holiday at Ti Sana visit www.wellbeingescapes.co.uk