All You Need to Know

More and more people are considering taking an individual Counseling Retreat in Thailand; getting away from it all, sorting out problems and worries and returning home clear headed and with a fresh lease of life.

Here is what a holiday in Thailand with us is like; what it will be like when you arrive, how much local services cost, how much to tip, and what an average week with The Life Change People will be like. It is based upon a weeks stay at Bann Deva Montra resort; our hideaway resort up in the hills.

Counseling Retreat – Practicalities.Part 1.

Most of our guests fly into Chiang Mai from Bangkok airport via a short shuttle flight that takes just under an hour. We often advise on flight times and schedules to take the worry out of booking. On arrival we meet you at Chiang Mai airport, and Son our driver and guide drives us up to the retreat hotel which is about 20 mins away up in the mountains. The hotel comprises of secluded villas, some with their own jacuzzi pools, some with their own tropical gardens. It is very beautiful. The hotel is tranquil and peaceful run by a small staff team headed by Khun Narin who speaks perfect English and is thoughtful and kind. On arrival we settle you in, perhaps have a drink and a chat in the restaurant, and make sure you are okay.

Financial Practicalities

The currency of Thailand is the Baht.  At the moment there are about 50 Baht to the UK pound and about 33 Baht to the US dollar. There is an even small denomination called the Satang that is almost worthless. There are 100 Satang to the Baht, but I defy you to find anything for sale for less than one baht (pronounced "bart").Satang coins are absolutely tiny and best put into any charity pot you can find.

Most thigs in Thailand are not expensive by "western" standards. When you consider that the avaerage daily wage for unskilled labour is just 250 Baht per day (or 5 pounds to you or I) it helps to put all other costs into perspective. Most waiters, tourist guides, hotel maids...all the classic service industries will be on this basic salary. This is useful to know when trying to tip staff, which is always a bit awkward if you don't know how much to give.

Most people will be more than happy with 20 Baht, (the lowest bank note which is coloured green, a bit like the old pound notes) as a small gesture of appreciation. Twenty Baht will buy lunch at a street stall, or a couple of bottles of Pepsi in the supermarket. Not a huge gift but better than nothing. It's always nice when someone else buys lunch, or gives you the money for it. If someone has done something a little bit more than open a door for you it might be worth giving a 50 Baht note. These are a pale blue colour and for some reason seem to be a bit more difficult to get hold of. What all service industry staff are looking for however is the red of a 100 Baht note. This really will make a difference to their day. It represents almost a morning work in itself.

Of course if you are wanting to show your gratitude for someone who has become a meaningful person on your holiday, a particular member of the hotel staff for example, it's always more thoughtful to buy a present as a token of your feelings. In the past people have bought bunches of flowers, food hampers and bottles of wine...all of which are great presents.

On the first morning after breakfast we’ll talk you through your Personality Profile Feedback Report; it includes the results and analysis of the personality profile as well as outlining the programme to come. All counselling and life-coaching sessions are based at the hotel, either in a private shady spot in the gardens or on your veranda.

After lunch Son will collect you and take you for a sightseeing and orientation tour. This is usually either further up into the mountains to Doi Suthep Bhuddist Temple , or into the ancient city centre. Wherever you decide to go Son will stop off at a local food market on the way back and introduce you to the delights of real Thai food.

Counseling Retreat-Part 2.

Day two will be spent talking with your practitioner, really getting to grips with and sorting out your problems and worries and working through the counseling retreat programme.

After breakfast on day three you’ll meet with your practitioner again. After lunch you may well decide to really relax and have a massage in the hotel spa area. The following day is spent talking to your practitioner, but to make extra good use of the time the afternoon counselling and Life Coaching session is conducted in a secluded spot in the Royal Botanical Gardens; a stunning location far up in the mountains. On the way back stopping off at Son’s favourite noodle restaurant and a visit to an orchid farm.

Day five is a day out from therapy and spent at the famous Elephant Nature Park. Son will pick you up at 7am returning later that evening. It really is an amazing experience that you will never forget.

Counseling Retreat-Part 3.

Day six is spent creating and finalising your Change Plan with your practitioner.This details your new plans and how you will put them into action on your return. As part of this you will be working out the best way to make use of our continued online-counseling and Life Coaching support for the next 3 months

On the final day Son will arrive and take you to the airport where we’ll all be waiting to wave you off. Quite often guests take advantage of the direct flights down to one of the islands, usually Koh Samui or Phuket for an extra week or a few days on the beach. Again we can help advise and organise this.

Please contact us for further information regarding Counseling, Life Coaching Holidays. We also run Womens Holidays, Adventure Holidays and a special Relationship Counseling Holiday.

These really are "holidays that change your life".