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My detox and fasting trip - Bangkok, Samui, Singapore

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  • My detox and fasting trip - Bangkok, Samui, Singapore

    Hello everyone! I’ve been lurking around this awesome website for many months now and have enjoyed all the posts here tremendously. In fact it feels like I’ve gotten to know you all by just reading and sharing your opinions and travel experiences. I hope I’ll get the chance to know some of you in person and I promise to buy drinks

    I’m currently based in Shanghai and mostly travel in AsiaPac region. I used to travel on SQ pretty frequently a couple of years ago. Due to the change of company travelling policy (i.e. to avoid flying the most expensive airlines – which is almost always SQ for the routes I fly), I have since switched to Dragonair (KA) and CX almost exclusively. Nonetheless the romance of flying with Singaporegirls live on in my mind, though I have grown to enjoy CX services (especially when speaking Cantonese with CX crew ) and the occasional op-ups.

    I had recently taken a 10 days trip to Thailand and Singapore, of which 7 days were spent in a fasting and detox camp in Koh Samui. After going around the world with you all through your exceedingly wonderful trip reports, I humbly contribute my virgin trip report here 

    My travel schedule for the trip:

    Sept 27 – PVG to BKK via HK, on KA then CX. Overnight at Conrad Bangkok.
    Sept 28 – BKK to Koh Samui on Bangkok Airways (PG). Spent the next 7 days in a simple resort for the fasting and detox camp.
    Oct 5 – Koh Samui to BKK on PG. Overnight at Intercontinental Bangkok.
    Oct 6 – BKK to SIN on CX. Spent 2 nigths at Crown Plaza Changi.
    Oct 8 - SIN to PVG via HK, on CX then KA. Overnightssssssss at home

    Here we go …

    The flights to Bangkok from Shanghai (via HK) were uneventful, except that I was upgraded to J for the HKG-BKK sector as Y was oversold. As I have taken the same flights so many times over the years, it didn't occur to me to take photos. Apologies.

    The immigration line at Suvarnabhumi was very short when I arrived at 7pm. Therefore I did not bother to look for the special counters for Apec Traveler Card holders. Once at landside, I met with the pre-arranged hotel pick up and was on my way to Conrad in the new Mercedes S-class in no time. The traffic was light on that Saturday night and the whole journey to the hotel only took 25 mins. I was immediately sent to my room by the very kind hotel staffs. The whole process from arrival to completion of in-room check in only took 3 minutes. I guess it helps that this is my 5th visit to the hotel this year.

    Some pics of the room:







    Conrad Bangkok elephant (as cute as the LH duckies )




    To be continued ...
    Last edited by Flyerfly; 23 October 2008, 09:09 PM. Reason: to display larger pics
    When the going gets tough, the tough go travelling ...

  • #2
    Had a good night sleep in this hotel, as usual. Checked out the hotel the next morning and arrived at Suvarnabhumi to join the flight to Koh Samui. I was really excited as I have never taken Bangkok Airways nor visited Koh Samui.

    I booked a business class ticket as I wanted to check out the lounge facilities, and to write a report for SQtalk . Check-in was a breeze and I went immediately to the lounge with 1 hour to spare.

    Boarding pass:



    Bangkok Airways offers lounge access to all passengers, with a separate area reserved for business class passengers and FlyerBonus (PG’s FFP) Premier members.

    Common lounge, with free computer and internet access (wi-fi throughout) …





    A more luxurious and exclusive area for business class passengers and FlyerBonus Premier:





    Massage chair



    The lounge service personnel are very kind and helpful. The food and beverage selection are pretty good too. You can either help yourself at the buffet counter or order from the service personnel.

    Buffet counter:



    As I was in pre-fast mode, I only ordered pineapple and lemon grass juice. The pineapple is very nicely presented…



    Male washroom …



    Male shower room …



    Sorry I didn't fantom enough courage to peep inside female washroom and shower

    I really think Bangkok Airways offers one of the best, if not the best, pre-flight services and experience for domestic travel!

    Soon, boarding was called …
    Last edited by Flyerfly; 23 October 2008, 02:34 PM. Reason: to display larger pics
    When the going gets tough, the tough go travelling ...

    Comment


    • #3
      Welcome to SQTalk Flyerfly, and looking forward to the rest of your TR. I did a detox holiday in Bali last year (at the Como Shambhala Estate) but gave it up after 2 days to eat regular food. It didn't feel right spending all that moolah to eat cow food, so I switched to the regular menu, and boy was it yummy The only trouble was that I returned home 1lb heavier. So much for detoxing! I hope you had better luck.

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      • #4
        Much enjoyed your TR. Good to have some diversity!

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        • #5
          Congrats on your first TR Flyerfly & thanks for sharing!

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          • #6
            Welcome to SQTalk and thank you for sharing.

            Comment


            • #7
              The flight was scheduled to depart BKK at 12noon. Boarding call was announced at 11.50am and several lounge personnel invited and walked with business class and Premier passengers to the boarding gate, which is a short distance from the lounge. As most passengers had already boarded, we walked straight to the plane. Today’s PG135 is operated by A319. Load factor appeared to be 75% for Y and 80% for J. Flight time was only an hour.

              Business class seat …





              Pre-departure drink – a choice of apple juice, orange juice or mineral water …



              In-flight magazines and safety card…



              Push back was at 12.15pm, 15 mins later than the scheduled departure time. Engines were ignited with a rather loud thumbing sound coming out from the right engine. Sure enough, the pilot came on line to announce that an engine problem has been detected and we have to return to the gate. We sat quietly onboard, but after 15 minutes, the crew instructed us to leave the aircraft and return to the holding room. Lounge personnel came to escort us back to the lounge.

              Engine cover (and cargo door) were opened up …



              Back at the holding area …



              After 1.5 hours of waiting, we were invited to board the aircraft again. Some passengers could be heard of complaining about boarding the same aircraft. The flight crew assured everyone that the engine problem has been fixed and a thorough check was done.

              Flight is finally underway …



              After the seat belt sign was turned off, lunch was served together with drinks (juices, water and a choice of red or white wine). Today’s main course is a curry fish dish. There is no choice for main course for such a short flight. The food looks and tastes good. I only had a little of it being in pre-fast mode.

              When the going gets tough, the tough go travelling ...

              Comment


              • #8
                35 minutes after departure, descent began.

                First look of Koh Samui



                Turning around to align with the runway (can be seen from the picture if you look hard enough … )



                The approach was very bumpy yet interesting …



                The baby airbus came to a stop after a short taxi … view of the very scenic airport:



                This was the aircraft that took me to Koh Samui …





                The very friendly crew … love the tropical uniform



                Domestic arrival area …



                Baggage pick up area … I am really in holiday mood now !



                Koh Samui airport …



                Arrival hall …



                More pictures of Samui Airport will be posted on return trip report.

                Hope you have enjoyed reading it so far … it is really fun writing the TR. Sorry if it is too long winded
                When the going gets tough, the tough go travelling ...

                Comment


                • #9
                  The next 7 days were spent mostly in a lovely “resort”, observing a very disciplined regime of fasting and detox routine. The whole experience is sort of strange … why on earth would any one goes to a country which is famous for food and starve himself? For me, detoxing is secondary. I wanted to test my will power, to see if I can withstand the craving for food and drinks (alcohol). I also wanted a relaxing holiday, doing nothing strenuous while re-discovering the joy of reading.

                  The resort is a beautifully restored 100-year old Thai teak house, surrounded by ample greenery and just about 20 meters from the beach. There is an outdoor massage pavilion, a steam room, wooden bathtub and an open-air shower area.

                  The resort …





                  Juice bar …



                  Yoga area …





                  Outdoor massage pavilion



                  One of the reading huts



                  Relax corner





                  Steam room and another reading area



                  When the going gets tough, the tough go travelling ...

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Out door shower







                    Bathtub …





                    Walk way …



                    Ample of greenery







                    I was the only one faster during the first few days … besides chatting with the resort manager and her staffs, I spent most of the time practicing yoga, doing self-administrated colema, reading, day dreaming and napping. Feel free to PM me if you want to know more about the routine.

                    One of my companions during the fast, but I am sure “she” is not fasting ….



                    Plucked from the tree … ready for my break fast meal … cant wait !



                    My basic accommodation for the 7 days camp … cheap cheap too




                    Next up - a brief visit to Koh Samui tourist spots ... just like a normal tourist
                    When the going gets tough, the tough go travelling ...

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Magazine quality pics!

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Flyerfly View Post
                        besides chatting with the resort manager and her staffs, I spent most of the time practicing yoga, doing self-administrated colema, reading, day dreaming and napping.
                        Very very nice pics and interesting trip!

                        I could do with a lazy sea-slug trip like that. Without the fasting and enema treatment. I don't like the idea of having to stay near a toilet.

                        But friends have sweared that deep colon cleansing 'cleans out the impurities in the digestive system' blah blah blah, just from examining their own poo.

                        Edit to add: I'm sorry, forgot to ask. Which lenses are you using?
                        Last edited by phaleesy; 24 October 2008, 04:18 AM.

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                        • #13
                          Nice report, thanks for posting.

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by phaleesy View Post
                            Edit to add: I'm sorry, forgot to ask. Which lenses are you using?
                            Thanks for the compliments on the photo The photos were taken with Nikon D80 with Nikkor 18-200mm F3.5-5.6 and Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 ... I am just a novice, having picked up the hobby only a year ago.
                            When the going gets tough, the tough go travelling ...

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                            • #15
                              V entertaining TR, thanks for sharing!
                              All opinions shared are my own, and are not necessarily those of my employer or any other organisation of which I'm affiliated to.

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