Showing posts with label spas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spas. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

The spa that fell to earth...



Over the weekend, I spent a dreamy few hours hidden away from the world at Spa di Vine in Waimauku. I had been looking for a spa experience such as this since arriving back in New Zealand, and had begun to wonder whether it existed on kiwi soil. 


In Europe, the day spa culture is well-established as a part of life. It is perfectly acceptable for women to escape for the day, loll around in robes, swim, indulge, steam and pamper. In fact, for over five years I made my living marketing to these women. It was never a case of whether or not they should come, but just how many and which treatments.


For whatever deeply-ingrained reasons, we kiwis find it hard to treat ourselves, but Beaunz belles, listen up. Just a short drive away, on the other side of Kumeu, is a luxurious, nurturing spa experience, priced well below anything you would find in the city. If you are looking for a Mothers Day present, check our their website or speak to Paula, the owner and host of Spa di Vine. Half day packages for four people including two treatments, exclusive use of the spa and lounge facilities and afternoon tea cost little more than a facial at many other, lesser spas. 


We were even encouraged to bring our own bottle of bubbles, which was decanted into vintage crystal flutes for us to enjoy. My Mum fell asleep within minutes of finishing her treatments, snuggled into a huge leather sofa and fur rug. 


Mission accomplished.


x

Friday, October 28, 2011

A shared sorrow is half a sorrow

Ocean massage at Spa Hayman, Great Barrier Reef, Australia

This is torture. I am hunched over my desk writing a feature on International Spa Inspiration for the magazine I edit. My shoulders need a good sorting out, my brow is furrowed and my feet are throbbing because I chose to wear super-high heels (the sun was out and my toes were newly polished with OPI Wocka Wocka). Then what do I see? THIS.

Put yourself in her...well, I can't say shoes can I? In fact, she appears to be wearing nothing at all, so I'll say...put yourself in her (perfectly sunkissed) skin for a moment. What do you hear? Waves. Birds. Your therapist moving around in the water. Your breath. Probably even your own heartbeat. Salt and frangipani tickle your nose. The sun is another set of warm hands, massaging your soul as well as your skin. The only thing on your mind is which cocktail to order come dinner time...okay, lunch time.

I don't usually want to be someone else, but right now I want to be her. It would be my new wish in the Land of Birthdays.

I'm sure you appreciate me sharing this with you, after all, they say 'A shared sorrow is half a sorrow'. Thanks for sharing my sorrow, Beaunz belles.

Visiting the Great Barrier Reef was on my five year plan, but it's now on my 2012 plan and I'll be going to Spa Hayman.

x