I slept like an Indian baby...

At dinner, my Kapha menu was presented to me. It began with a cup of hot water and a plate of spices including cardamom, cinnamon, salt and chili. I was instructed to make a tea with some of the spice mixture and sprinkle the rest over my food. Then came a delicious tomato thyme soup, Cajun-style tofu with star of anise sauce, rice with vegetables and topped with a Soya mocha mousse for dessert. The meal was satisfying and easy to digest -- light and not too spicy. I slept like an Indian baby.

The next morning, I was awakened with knock at my door. "Namastae" said a smiling attendant offering me a cup of hot lemon ginger tea from his tray. Sipping my tea slowly, I reviewed the two treatments scheduled for this new day.

One massage, two therapists...

My first massage, a 45-minute treatment called Abhyanga, was done by two therapists at once. I was told it would induce deep relaxation, improve eyesight, and create a glowing appearance and it most certainly did. Wrapped only in a towel, I was seated on a huge slab of jackfruit tree wood, the traditional Ayurvedic massage table. Two female therapists sang an Om prayer to me, and rubbed my crown with a herbal powder to prevent colds. One gave me a head massage, then I lay on my stomach and a medicinal oil was spread all over my skin. Working on either side of me, they diligently massaged my back in figure eight motions, working down to my legs. Next came my front, arms, hands and feet. When the therapists were done, I was instructed to shower with a herb paste made of turmeric and wash my hair with a herb shampoo. "Don't use any soap in the shower, and drink lots of water" were their parting words. Ah-h-h-h, the pleasure!