“There are definite characters from the book I could give actual names to,” says general manager Michael Doyle. “It’s true, he [Alex] passed through here and got inspiration from the early community.” But instead of backpackers waving spirit fingers, you’ll find a thriving, yet laid-back resort receiving burnt out executives, the curious and those in some sort of transition phase. Welcome to The Beach 2.0. “This is an oasis, a ‘catch up with yourself’ spot,” explains Michael. “Here you take a breath and get exposed to many experiences you haven’t tried before, but you have to dive on in.” For the first few days of my DIY six-day retreat (you can book in for scheduled programs or, like me, reserve accommodation only and then add experiences according to your whims), I do anything but dive in – unless it’s into the sparkling blue water. Michael talks about people like me – a working mum with toddlers juggling roles, suffering from the type of exhaustion that a good night’s sleep won’t fix. I’m carving out these precious six days to refuel on a more than superficial level. In The Sanctuary speak, I’m filling my cup. Luckily, this isn’t an austere boot camp-style clinic but more of a “choose your own pace” kind of retreat. So, my cup is filled with cocktails, kid-free activities like yoga, reading and stand-up paddleboarding. I start recalibrating gently by sleeping in and waking up inside a verdant cocoon as the jungle leaves radiate green hues off my bamboo ceiling. Out the window, little lizards scamper along tree branches laced with dew-like diamonds. I potter between the beachfront restaurant serving delicious salads and
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seafood curries, the massage pavilion and the white-sand beach. Travelling alone (as many guests do), I’m welcomed into conversations and at other times, I choose my own space. I move slowly, think slowly and find my energy returning like a phone charging one bar at a time. By day four, curiosity sets in and it’s time to join the fun. Detoxing – a popular choice – might be for another time but I don’t have to look far to find that “something else”. Every Sunday is The Gathering, where healers explain their practices. Flicking through the folder of treatments in the Tea Temple is akin to reading a menu for the soul. Trauma and Tension Release Exercises (TRE) with Fiona? Life Coaching with Faith? Or a little Past Life Channelling?
MONEY TALKS The Sanctuary is cash only. No credit cards are accepted and the closest ATM is a longtail boat ride away or via a hectic 45-minute 4WD track.