Forest Water Nymph

I wake to torrential rain, thunder and lightning. When it finally stops for a bit I do a little hula practice on the beach and have a swim in the sea.

For breakfast I ask if they do Khao Tom (my favourite rice soup) - they do and I have my best bowl yet with lots of ginger and fresh herbs.

A taxi then arrives to take me to Tamarind Springs Spa in LaMai. I read about this spa in the UK and although it is very expensive compared to everything else here (it is more in line with UK spa prices) I decided before I left that this would be a special treat while I was here.

I arrive at a forest paradise and am greeted with a delightfully refreshing drink of iced tamarind and ginger. No mobiles or cameras are allowed so sadly I couldn't take any photos to show how beautiful this place is. Here is a link to their website though: http://www.tamarindsprings.com

The first 1.5 hours are spent enjoying the steam caves - literally steam rooms carved into boulders and scented with lemongrass - and the plunge pools on different levels which are also dug into the rocks and surrounded with jungle foliage, flowers, birds and butterflies. Snacks (fish cakes, spring rolls, fresh fruit) are also left out for me to enjoy. They have my name on them however I'm the only person in this magical land for the entire time I am there!

At 11.30 someone comes to collect me for my 2.5 hour massage. I've chosen a 'twice as nice' massage which involves some Thai massage and some hot herbal compresses on my skin. The website explains it so: 'Steaming Thai herbs, tightly wrapped in cloth, gently applied along the energy lines of the body in combination with Thai massage techniques relieve aches and re-energize the muscles. This unique ancient Thai healing massage is aromatic, nurturing and is especially recommended for stiffness and joint pain'.

All I can say is that it felt like a wonderously long 2.5 hours indeed. Afterwards I float down the hill to explore LaMai's strip and beach.

I find the beach quite disappointing. There is a lot of rubbish and it doesn't feel well cared for. While walking along the beach the sky suddenly turns very dark. I catch a photo of it before dashing into a very handy beach temple which shelters me from the torrential rain for a good 30 minutes. The other photos is of some boys crossing the bridge in the rain (taken from a long distance hence the blurriness, but I like the effect of the rain - makes it look like a watercolour).