Thai up a tasty trip to wellness
there will be an hour of that at the end). Instead, we’re taught how to massage each other – talk about a swift way to bond with your tour mates.
‘In Thailand, having regular massages is not seen as pampering, it’s a way to maintain your health,’ explains Moh.
After changing into loose-fitting fishermen pants, my group gets to, er, know each other better by pressing and stretching each other’s arms and legs under the expert instruction of head masseuse Aey. Within minutes my thumbs are aching and I’m relieved when it’s my turn for a massage from Aey. My muscles melt beneath her dexterous hands and I leave feeling relaxed and rejuvenated, appreciating it so much more for having learned the techniques myself.
If you are what you eat then you can be as healthy as you choose on this trip. In Chiang Mai, we eat a traditional northern-style meal of fried banana blossom and sticky rice.
I sip electric-blue butterflypea flower tea, said to improve hair growth. In Pai, I learn how to make fresh spring rolls and vow to cook them back at home.
Our final evening is spent stand-up paddleboarding off Bophut Beach on Koh Samui. With a yoga wheel on order, and a promise to myself to find an acroyoga class wherever I lay my hat next, I can’t help but feel as though the benefits of nine days of wellness are sinking in for good.
The G Adventures nine-day TailorMade Wellness Thailand trip visiting Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pai and Koh Samui was £1,249pp, including eight nights’ accommodation, internal flights, and all activities mentioned. To tailor-make a similar trip for when restrictions lift, call 020 7313 6953 or visit gadventures.com