Glittering stars in the night sky above the valleys
of Mae Hong Son - this was the magic scene forming in my mind as I journeyed on towards my destination, a mixture of holiday
and obligation.
Mae Hong Son is one of many challenging destinations
for adventurous travellers who need something special in their life. I had some free time to go back to the famous city of
the three mists after six months of missing this little town. Recently, I was given the honour to report on Thailands first
skin treatment by mud masking - mud from the mineral spa at the Pooklon Country Club, and paying a visit to the Mae Hong Sons
jungle paradise resort which boasts healthy outdoor activities.
I departed from Chiang Mai by car late in the morning
and then followed the winding road through incredible mountain scenery on highway 1905 that links Chiang Mai and Pai. I stopped
at Pai for lunch in the afternoon so I did not have much time to stay very long in this rural town. The sunrays touch the
twisted asphalt road in the late afternoon, creating a shimmering, snaking river. I just passed Ban Pang Mapha, the last local
hilltribe village on my journey, picturesque paddy fields with peaceful farmers houses is, I find, fascinating.
I approached Mae Hong Son and around seven kilometers
after crossing the bridge over the river Pai. On the right hand side I noticed a sign pointing to the Golden Pai & the
Golden Suite Hotel and Resort. Nesting in the verdant hills of Mae Hong Son, the setting sun was slipping behind the mountains
as I arrived at the resort. This will be my accommodation for the weekend.
A cool morning breeze was gently blowing into my room
from the verandah, the vivid colours of the flowers alternated with the green of the natural forest surrounding the resort
- it gave me a pleasant feeling. I had a cup of coffee on the restaurant balcony, under the shade of the trees by the banks
of the Pai river.
I was privy to an interesting conversation with Mr.
Supoj Klinpraneet, the owner of the Golden Pai & Golden Suite Hotel and Resort, and the Pooklon Country Club - Mr. Supoj
has been in the tourist business for many years. He told me that a few years before Mae Hong Sons tourism boom, this little
town was devoid of accommodation to support an increase in the numbers of tourists and the tourists preferred luxury and comfort
over and above that which would be found in a guesthouse. The Golden Pai & Golden Suite Hotel and Resort was opened as
a top class resort from the very beginning to cater especially for these discerning visitors.
I had a morning appointment to visit the Pooklon Country
Club, 7 kilometres from the resort, to see a demonstration of their skin treatment using mud. This mud comes from a natural
spa that is rich in minerals.
Previously, Thai people had spent a lot of time and
money flying to Romania and France for mud treatment. Nowadays, Pooklon Country Club has Thailands best skin treatment and
is located in Mae Hong Son. This mud is full of minerals that are of great benefit in healing the human skin.
"I can tell you the mud over here is the same as the
mud from the Dead Sea or the mud from volcanoes."Said a young lady who is a Pooklon Country Club representative.
Calcium, Bromide, Chloride, Potassium, Magnesium and
Sodium are the chemicals in the mud - everyday we have a lot of tourist come here for the mud treatment. Face masking can
clean deep down into the pores of the skin, mud also removes ingrained dirt from the everyday use of cosmetics, refreshing
and removing deteriorated skin cells. Said the guest relations officer.
The club provides a wide range of exciting activities;
here you can practice your swing at their wonderful golf driving range. Mountain biking, a favourite outdoor sport, can be
enjoyed here following along the tracks to the villages. You might fancy an adventure on elephant back, trekking through dense
forest and then returning by bamboo raft, also there is a horse riding range if you want to be a cowboy! When your adventure
is over, come along and relax in Thailands first mineral swimming pool. The Clubhouse restaurant provides a variety of delicious, first-class Thai and Western dishes.
The Golden Pai & Golden Suites accommodation consists
of 70 deluxe rooms with all amenities: air-conditioning, satellite TV, mini bar and hot shower, all in a blend of stylish
Shan (Thai-Yai) design. The facilities include an outdoor swimming pool with jacuzzi - perfect for leisure or visitors in
search of privacy, relaxation and recreation. There is also a large seminar room that can hold 100-200 people and is fully
equipped.
During my journey back from the little mountain town,
two things popped into my mind - the exquisite Shan temples and the virgin nature at the Golden Pai & Golden Suite Hotel
and Resort. There is a thriving tourism business in Mae Hong Son province, but the question I ask myself is: what can they
offer the tourists who come to Mae Hong Son? I don't mean just trekking, visiting the long-necked tribe or the once-a-year
festival. I think health tourism could be the answer - enjoy nature and let nature enhance your wellbeing. Absorb the goodness
that nature has to offer and you will certainly be the better for it!
How to get there
By
car: Use highway No.1095 (Ban Mae Malai - Pai), distance 110 kilometres, and from Pai to Mae Hong Son, 100 kilometres.
Along this route, about 14 kilometres before arriving at Mae Hong Son, you will see the sign for Pooklon Country Club on the
right-hand side. A further 6 kilometres along on the right-hand side you will see a sign directing you to The Golden Pai &
Golden Suite Hotel and Resort.
By Plane: Thai Airways fly to Mae Hong Son daily. From town you can easily take a
taxi to the resort and Pooklon Country Club (6 kilometres and 14 kilometres.)
For further information and reservation,
please contact-gomase@gmail.com
