Possibly not whiter than white?

I just got back from the beach with Katerina (Thai/Swedish) and ... Rosarie I think you spell it, who is Irish. It was raining a little, but still steaming hot. All sun-tan aspirations have totally gone. I do still have 5 full days after today, so probably shouldn't write off my usual ability to cover myself with 3rd degree burns for the flight home. It's a tradition.

So - Day 4. And yep - AT LAST - I'm not feeling totally fine. I've been promised detox side-effects - headaches and flu symptoms, runny nose and rashes and streaming eyes, and was quite frankly starting to feel short-changed. Since lunchtime, I've had a fairly mild headache, but it exists! Woo! Also, that's not all, I have the most unpleasant taste in my mouth, and generally feel pretty scuzzy. As I've taken onboard precisely the same things for the last 3 days, I can't blame environmental factors. Unless my body is protesting lack of alcohol+caffeine, it's detox o'clock! Can't believed how relieved I am to be feeling rubbish.

I guess this means I don't live up to my name - Katherine comes from kathros, the same place we get catharsis from - the Greek word for 'pure'. Bet you're stunned.

I realised I haven't described the spa. It's built on the side of quite a big hill, overlooking a valley full of palm-trees. To the right, from my terrace, I can see Lamai bay. My bungalow thing is one of the 3 highest rooms, and has a great view. As much as I whined about the climb I actually enjoy it now. At the bottom , there is a reception with sofas and a TV, internet access (ok ok, ONCE, for less than 20 minutes), then uphill to a steam room. They infuse the water the steam comes from with 20 thai herbs, so you come out smelling aromatic. Further up the slope is a restaurant, under which is the detox bar where you get the McSlurry. Next to that is a lovely pool, which I'm embarassed to say I haven't used yet. Further up is a Massage Sala - a big open-sided, wooden-framed room for all the diffent massage/reflexology etc options. There's a yoga sala, again it's all open. Then there's miles of uphill climbing, a million steps, a layer of cloud, and you come number 44.

And that's where I am now, parked on the bed, toying with reading my book for a little while. Headache is persisting ;) yay!

Oh - and for people who care about the general weight-loss aspect of this fast business: I got on the scales this morning - in the past 3 day I'm 2kgs down. Yes, yes, I know being hollow means you DO weigh less. I'll do final update on the day I fly, when I'll have had a day back on the lard.

I will admit, I found myself day-dreaming about burger toppings. I have something I want to try out when I'm back, it's going to be awesome. Decs - as my favorite new-recipe-guinea-pig, brace yourself for heaven-in-a-bun.

Later