AN INCREASING NUMBER OF HOTELS AROUND THE COUNTRY

offer ayurvedic treatments, in some shape or form, but only a handful are completely dedicated to this ancient 'science of life'; Ayurveda Walauwa is one such.

Ayurveda is the knowledge of natural healing that originated in India and Sri Lanka some 5,000 years ago. Entirely unlike Western medicine that, when successful, quickly eradicates the symptoms of a disease or ailment with drugs, ayurveda is a holistic treatment, based around especially prepared oils and herbal infusions, that goes to the very cause of those ailments. It is not a quick fix, it takes an extended period of time to have its full effect and for that reason a two or three-week stay is strongly recommended. This is for the Intensive Regeneration Course. For the summer months only, a shorter, lighter Well-Being Cure is offered.

A calm, stress-free sense of common purpose pervades the grounds of this beautiful old colonial building as every guest is taking treatment. The daily routine would not be the average holidaymaker's ideal. Most people are in bed by 9pm. They are up before seven for the yoga session (after, perhaps, a walk along the beach at dawn) and treatments start immediately after breakfast. There is time for relaxation or meditation before dinner, followed by gentle musical or cultural entertainment and then bed again. No alcohol is served, but there are seven types of herbal teas and several fruit juices to savour.

When guests first arrive, they are examined by the chief doctor who will determine their body type, listen to their wishes and ailments and then devise a unique treatment plan.

An integral part of the holistic approach is careful attention to what guests eat and drink. There are buffets for every meal, but each dish is considered and a star system is used to make recommendations or warnings relative to each guest's 'dosa', or body type. Very few other establishments go to this extent but then very few other establishments are this serious about ayurveda.