Gorgeous Gulf Island Retreats Soothe your Body and Soul

 by Nancy Snipper

Ever feel the need to heal in a tranquil place where the ocean is before you and the forest surrounds you?   I recently traveled to two islands in British Columbia to stay in two extraordinary bed and breakfasts.  Rooms were remarkable, and breakfasts went beyond the standard of eggs, toast and jam.   Their hosts have talents that help you unwind while cocooning you in comfort and serenity - not to mention the spectacular views you get to enjoy from your own big balcony every day.

Serenity by the Sea

Last year, I suffered a back operation with an unfortunate painful outcome. I needed a retreat where I could self-reflect, distress and reset. The first place I headed for was Serenity by the Sea on Galiano Island.  Luannah Livermore, its owner, is an internationally trained healer, who also happens to be a marvelous baker – among other things.

 

Cottages with rustic charm

 Knowing I like view variation, Luannah offered me the chance to stay in two different fully equipped deluxe cottage-like cabins that nestle in the forest. Lush views greeted me every day until I moved into the main building. Perched high on a rock, this reception area has a stunning upstairs room with floor to ceiling windows and a huge balcony overlooking the sea. I could hear the lapping of waves hitting the rocks.  I slept like a babe.  

Healing treatments

 I looked forward to receiving her healing therapies held in her spacious studio.  After talking about her plan for me, she led me to a bed made off amethyst crystals.  Using an ancient Hawaiian method of treatment and combining it with others. She also uses sound and laser therapies on your body that give off vibration frequencies that actually heal pain.  Indeed, every time, she applied them, my pain diminished. While massaging me for three hours, she continuously sang in the Hawaiian language to a CD playing in the background.   Her 25 years of studying (five with an Elder in Hawaii) includes Lomi Lomi Temple Style. This incorporates traditional Hawaiian prayer, song, life coaching, energy release and deep joint massage and deep breathing.  Body, mind and soul become integrated in her approach. Her hands were remarkably strong; her angelic voice and her directions to breathe deeply at certain key moments during her treatments deepened my relaxation and eradicated kinks.   When it was over, I felt an incredible surge of energy; my body felt renewed.  My spirit picked up.

Having traveled all over the world, Luannah has acquired a vast knowledge of healing therapies which she is eager to share with you.  Personally, I found her guidance to be beneficial.  She helps us locate in ourselves a way to accept and actually love ourselves. Esoteric as it sounds, she revealed that cells respond to good “frequencies” - that the messages we send them profoundly affect our emotions, bodily feelings – and this in turn affects how we relate to others.   She also spoke about embracing both the shade and light parts along with the incongruities that we have in ourselves, and that we can learn to harmonize. She guided me in strategic ways to do this, emphasizing aloha (love). Luannah aims to bring our lives into goodness and love.  “The world needs to be lovingly corrected,” she said, smiling.

I came away from the retreat looking ten years younger.  Most importantly, I learned more about myself - how I was hurting myself by focusing on that which is not productive to my well-being.  Certainly, my pain had greatly diminished; my ankle was stronger, and my walking was steadier. Yes, I still use my cane but not all the time now. Most of all, Luannah gave me a spiritual strategy to deal with pain, and that alone has helped me when a setback arises.

I wanted to linger longer at Serenity by the sea, not just because of her remarkable gifts, but her breakfasts were great! Those raspberry, strawberry crepes and delicate pancakes soaked in home-made caramel and chocolate sauce were out of this world.  I also joined her family for a home-made Peruvian-style barbecue chicken dinner, made by her husband, Juan Carlos.

Visit www.serenitybythesea.com

Email: info@serenitybythesea.com

Salt Spring Island and Armand Heights B and B

Leaving Galiano, I took the two-hour ferry ride to Salt Spring Island. Here the harbor and Ganges town were buzzing with people. Still seeking solitude, I traveled further north to stay at Armand Heights – a B and B located 1000 metres above sea level. My luxurious room gave a panoramic tree-high view of mountain and ocean. I loved it. The grounds comprised almost six acres of gardens with a flourish of over 160 hybrid roses and dozens of fruit trees and herbs that Irina, the Russian owner uses in her breakfast dishes and every meal she loves to cook.

 Irina Floreke, owner of this exquisite property wears many hats: she makes baroque style cakes and raises chickens whose eggs she sells at the Tuesday and Saturday Ganges markets.  She also makes dozens of different flavored fruit wine, using the fruit that grows on her property. Every guest gets a complimentary bottle in their room.  A home-made gourmet breakfast is delivered to each of the four rooms by Irina herself. She’ll even cook dinner for you if you ask her in advance.  Her borscht was brilliant!

 I came to know just how caring Irina is when on my last day I was determined to visit Truckle Park – at least a 30-minute drive from her place.  But I had not rented a car. This park is reputed to be the most beautiful of all the parks on the Gulf Islands. Irina went right to work; she arranged for me to get a ride there with a couple staying in one of the rooms who also wanted to explore this park.

 It was beautiful indeed with its coves and groves of trees that offered a solitary bench for gazing out to the endless blue of sea. She even wanted to know how I would get back and to call her.

Irina even drove me me to the market in Ganges, the main town, and it was here that she dragged me to her hairdresser, insisting that my hair definitely needed cutting. I appreciated Irina’s authenticity and frankness, but her hairdresser was too busy. I think she was more disappointed that I was. Clearly, Irina always puts her guests first. “I love working, but the most important thing for me is my guests. I want them to be very happy here.”  I certainly was.

Salt Spring is beautiful and welcoming.  Musician, Randy Bachman homes here as do many artists and creative if not maverick innovators. Parks, lakes, kayaking and festivals abound. This scintillating island has its own healing magic, and Armand Heights is part of it.

Visit www.armandheights.com

Email: reservations@armandheights.com

Lakshmi Health Store, San Miguel de Allende

Your one-stop health home

Reviewed by Nancy Snipper

Lackshmi is the Indian God of body and health. This remarkable store is aptly named, for it contains a myriad of organic products to promote your well-being from the inside out.

 Silvia Carranza who owns this unique one-stop “hospital of health”, cares about your needs, and most importantly, guides you to the right products – all natural and notably effective. I took the collagen/botox cream along with an anti-inflammation under-the-eye gel. The cream for my body worked like a tonic for dry skin; I also snagged that one.

But Lakshmi also provides a full gamut of hands-on therapies: Reiki, massage biomagnetitism – to name a few, plus there is a homeopathic doctor you can consult with along with a nutritionist. This unique place offers so many health assets, aside from pills, herbs and organic edibles. There is even at-home night care service. How wonderful is that?!

 The address is: Canal 67. Phone 150-0037.

A Therapeutic Session that Deeply Heals

by Nancy Snipper

 A pendulum, hard plastic, heated hand rests, different coloured infrared lights applied to my different chakras, metal “prongs” to test the alignment and balancing of these chakras before the healing begins, a quartz mask – these are the “tools” that the gentle voiced Dr Norma A. Morin Maya uses to bring your soul, body and spirit into blissful peace. Her company is Serenity, and the name is apt.

Dr. Maya has studied intensely over a dozen techniques of body healing. I went through testing, cleansing, emotional breaking, and liberation. I have never experienced anything like that in my life.

  
At the end of my detox session held in San Miguel’s magical Juarez Park, I felt an openness, a contentment I had not felt before I set myself prone on her bed.

I loved her voice, her questions and the top attention she paid to my body and emotional issues.

If I were to move to San Miguel de Allende, she is the one Dr. I would see once a week – not the chiropractor, not the osteopath, not the masseuse, not the reiki expert – oh no; it would be Dr Maya in whom I would put my complete trust, and I would know – that after each visit, I would be getting closer to my authentic, vulnerable self, and I would cry  when – as I did after my first experience – Dr. Maya laid her hands on mine. Maybe I will move just because of her.

Did I mention that her sweet smile, pure brown eyes and amazingly gentle face with a voice to match reminded me of Our Holy Maria. 

Amigos de Animales

Call it puppy love

by Nancy Snipper

Spading and Neutering Animals in San Miguel is Savior’s mission

San Miguel has an invaluable organization called Amigos de Animals. Its mission is to sterilize cats and dogs so there won’t be massive reproduction and the heart-break of unwanted animals. This community-oriented organization is especially directed towards Mexicans who cannot always afford the cost to go to a vet.

Arno Nauman realized there was a great need for this some 15 years ago, and he singlehandedly formed Amigos de Animales and developed it to grow into the vital entity it is today which now benefits from many volunteers. His grass roots rallying resonated with people and it has paid off: his passion for animal protection led to the creation of new laws related to the matter, including punishment for animal abuse. The fervor of his commitment to promote better lives for animals and their pet owners in reducing the number of unwanted, homeless dogs and the suffering that ensures. He has helped enormously and his legacy will continue to leave its mark as he prepares to retire.

Board member, Maggie Hutchins notes: “One unneutered male or female can produce 100s of unwanted puppies and kittens for their lifetime, and that so often these adorable newborns end up on streets without, food, love or shelter. Maggie is one of 8 board members whose many responsibilities include registering owner and animals for sterilization weekend sessions, called, ‘blitzes.”

The blitzes are held in the San Antonio neighborhood and the Lion’s Club. The intense tagging process involved oversees up to 170 to 200 sessions per weekend. Maggie said it’s a lot of pre and post organizing, and the success of it depends of course on the vets who volunteer to do this. Amigos de Animales pays two fulltime vets and the rest offer their services free.” 

So there are the blitzes, the clinic and the traveling mobile that reaches out to remote areas. The org is busy every day of the week. “Fridays, we set out to travel as far as 20 kilometers to do our work and it is a fully operating clinic run by our two employed vets Vanessa and Omar.” 

Maggie has always loved animals; a voice spoke to her many years ago when she realized so many creatures do not have proper care. Amigos de Animales has a spot-on slogan: “The voice for the voiceless”.

Donations are so appreciated, and tax deductions are given.

Website: http://amigos-sma.org/about/ 

THE GIMBO BED

Healing the body with heated stones

on San Miguel’s Gimbo bed

by Nancy Snipper

It’s magic – just like the city itself. Set yourself down on a hard bamboo bed under which is a thousand semi-precious stones that are heated to work their magnetic energies as they penetrate your body to basically banish your imbalances and chronic illnesses. The stones are red amethyst, black jade, Biotitic, germanio,  yakodol, kiyoseki and cheongwang. Their healing specifics include, blocking electromagnetic, radiation, negative ions, augmentation of energy and body temperature, anti-oxidant and balancing and heightening energies.

Before I lay on my bed, I had to drink a special half-bottle of water from Queretaro (a nearby city) that was ionized and alkaline balanced. This was to rid your body of the toxins that circulated in the body at a heightened rate due to these beds that do indeed bring the blood toxins to the surface to be expelled after drinking the rest of the bottle of water after your 40-minute treatment. I don/t understand the total process, but the easy-to-read booklet plus a video are there to examine. I know that there is a grand benefit to what happens to you once you immerse yourself in Gimbo therapy

I met women there who are diabetic, arthritic and suffering from nerve diseases. They attest to their wellbeing of better health through these Gimbo beds.

I loved the heat, circulating into my body and witnessed the power of these stones before I tried the treatment. My attendant put a little magnet into a cup on the bed and it spun around in circles. The hot spot for the bed is marked with amethyst.  

How did I feel after? Renewed, energized, and my back pain was gone.

This Korean invention is over 1000 years old. It is recommended for those suffering from over 22 illnesses, including Parkinson, rheumatism, obesity, migraines, even tumors.

Is Gimbo a god for well being or a mere gizmo? You decide.

The address to try this wonderful healing method is at # 35 Insurgentes.

 Phone (415) 152-0100

San Miguel de Allende's best hairdresser

CATRINA

by Nancy Snipper

Her name is Vero and her husband is Juan Calros, Both are artistically inclined, Vero has been doing hair for over 26 years and she is  also a genius make-up artist – The Day of the Dead in San Miguel sports many of her make-up faces. They are so detailed, they appear like tattoos. Vero is fun and highly creative. Her hubby is the side-kick; he behaves like an adorable clown, but take one look at the fantasy nails he does for women, and you know this guy is all business.

I was astounded by their marvelous rapport with their clients, I was 5 hours in the chair, and yet it was I that was entertained completely by their wit and remarkable caring as to my hair.

Go there and be amazed.

Catrina is a cool place that brings beauty to your hair. Vero did to mine, so remember the hairdressing name of Catrina, which she and her husband own.  It’s at #104 Relox Street.

Cavos Bay Hotel

Ikarian Paradise?  Not quite

by Nancy Snipper

 I’m sitting on the stunning white terrace of Cavos Bay Hotel on the island of Ikaria, spellbound by the breathtaking view before me. Entrancing as Circe herself, the hypnotic turquoise Aegean waters lovingly lap against the rocks; they are beckoning me into the great beyond where sea and sky merge in a mesmerizing palate of endless beauty.  It was my first evening at the hotel. The sunset was exquisite, as was the sunrise which I witnessed… for the wrong reason (more about that later).  

This natural beauty continues on within Cavos Bay located in Armenistis village where restaurants seem to spill into the sea. A splendid array of fantastic sandy beaches - Livadi, Messakti and Nas stretch along the island’s northern side - all within the vicinity of Armenistis. 

Various ascending  hiking paths cut into Ikaria’s spectacular Atheras  mountain chain (over 1,500 meters high) where pine forests, lunar landscapes of incredible formations and the island’s unique 17^th-century, primitive slate houses  appear, built into covert mountain sides to escape pirate attacks. From Cavos Bay, the port of entry for one such hike is only ten minutes away. The hotel’s front desk can direct you or you can buy a map at the village supermarket. 

But many vacationers just to want stay put, relax on the balcony off their rooms or dive into the swimming pool which overlooks the sea.   I was impressed by the gleaming white lobby spacious enough to sail a boat. The complex offers 65 rooms. 

I had booked four days as a journalist – compliments of the hotel – the son of the owner did not ask to see my journalist credentials – though I offered; nor was I asked to show my passport. That often happens in Greece. 

But all that changed the next morning.  Although my room was functionally comfy and the balcony vista inspiring,  I woke up at about 5:30 itching like crazy.  Mosquito bites they were not. I spied a suspicious looking tiny black bug moving on my bed sheet and there were lots of tiny ants on the floor. 

I saw that beautiful sunset that Despina, the owner, had mentioned, but it wasn’t that I wanted to talk to her about.  I informed her that I needed to change my room, showing her my bites.    She was very kind and supported my request to wash my clothes for which I would pay (I feared the critters may have retreated into them, as they were on the other twin bed, but bagged. Despina assured me she would wash them herself, but she declined entering my room to see what was going on. 

I went out for three hours, but upon my return my bag of clothes were still sitting in the hotel office.

I was then asked by the front desk receptionist in charge of rooms to produce my passport and my journalist credentials. I was told by the daughter that they were not acceptable as there was no ‘agency‘ listed. The fact she was given four freelance journalist publication press credentials for which  I write one upon which was clearly written “Media Canada”  did nothing to change her mood or mind.  Finally,  I pulled out my contract  from a rather important editor in Canada.  They weren’t interested. 

What really confounded me was the previous evening  I had of my own volition volunteered to show much of my writing to Despina  who had told me that the hotel was half full.

Now suddenly I was told my room was needed and that I could take another room. Oh Joy!  But the room proved to be dismally hot and the view was non-existent. 

I elected to stay in the buggy room; I would brave it for one more night. I saw Despina again, but she totally ignored me.  She sat at the bar with two guests – her back turned to me.

I am writing this not to vet, but to express my deep disappointment - not so much over the room, but the turn-coat uncaring attitude of Cavos Bay’s owners ,  save for the son who was obviously  trusting and  witty.  I never saw him again though. 

 As for the others, their appalling reaction did not match the hotel’s awesome setting nor the care and humanity I have always experienced - for which Greeks are renown - during the forty years I have been writing about this country. 

Footnote:  I am not saying this hotel has a bug issue;  I can only speak about the room I stayed in. 

But they certainly have an attitude problem.  

 

Also posted on SMR Cultureplus.