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DESTINATIONS THAILAND | WELLNESS HOLIDAYS
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he masseuse works her hands over the body, gently pushing her thumbs into pressure
points along the back to knead out tension. She pulls, stretches and compresses the limbs, at one point straddling her client and rocking her entire torso back and forth. This is Thai massage, an ancient
healing practice said to relieve physical and emotional tension, boost energy and stimulate circulation. It was brought to Thailand from India 2,500 years ago and it’s still widely practised today as a way to maintain good health, rather than pampering. The only bizarre aspect in this scenario, however, is that I’m the one giving the massage. My ‘client’ is a fellow holidaymaker, whose body I am learning the ropes on. In a moment, I’ll repay the favour and be her guinea pig. We are at the Chetawan Wat Pho
Traditional Massage School in Bangkok. But we’re not simply lying back and receiving the treatment from the pros (though there will be an hour of that at the end). Instead, we are taught how to massage each other. This hands-on experience is part
of a nine-day Wellness Thailand tour from G Adventures. The company is known for adventure travel but branched out into wellness trips
to meet increasing demand from travellers looking for new ways to unwind, feel healthy and reconnect with the world – and themselves.
ON THE MOVE The Thai massage lesson comes under the expert instruction of head masseuse Aey, and when it’s my turn for a massage, my muscles melt beneath her dexterous hands. I feel relaxed and rejuvenated – appreciating it more having been taught the techniques myself. Unlike traditional wellbeing
holidays that confine you to one retreat, this guided trip allows clients to explore a variety of locations. From bustling Bangkok, we travel north to the jungle-clad hills of Chiang Mai and Pai, then onwards to the beaches of Koh Samui, via two internal flights. Clients can expect an action-packed itinerary including plenty of wellness activities – from yoga to a vegetarian cooking lesson – plus tours of markets and gilded temples along the way. My group is guided by Moh, a
wonderful tour leader who brings each destination alive with history and personal anecdotes. She talks about the story of the Buddha and the pride of the Thai people that they have never been colonised. She shows us how to season our noodles like a local ²
travelweekly.co.uk
3 JUNE 2021
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