We floated back into the chaos that had become our typical holiday afternoon.
The collective dads and kids were hanging out around the barbecue. The kids were noisy, the beers had been cracked and the sausages were at the ready.
I almost didn’t need a wine.
Almost. (It was the holidays after all.)
We had just walked into reality after an afternoon in Noosa where we had lunched by the beach before handing ourselves over to the staff at Stephanies Ocean Spa in Noosa.
And, let’s just get it on the record … not one of us handed ourselves over under protest.
Stephanies “had” me at the white fluffy robe and relaxation lounge. Dim lighting, subtle scents and an unspoken directive to wind down. To get off the train that we call life … a train that seemingly runs as fast as a TGV.
And then we were lead here:
The Mineral Floatation Colour Therapy room.
Three beds ready and waiting for us … next to a waist-deep plunge pool filled with 600kg of salt.
This is what the Stephanies website told me beforehand:
With your body free of gravity, you will be immersed in the soothing ambience of changing colours and will float effortlessly in nurturing temperatures of 35 degrees. Mineral floatation combined with healing colour therapy will instil a deep meditative state that will relieve stress, body aches and pains.
This is actually what happened:
With my body free of gravity I remained in denial about all the turkey and excess alcohol I had consumed over the previous two weeks. I was in a deep meditative state for approximately five minutes (long enough for one of our group to photograph me in my swimwear – NOW that is a Styling You first!), then we just floated and chatted. As you do when three chicks are put in a confined space and urged to meditate.
I CAN meditate … really, I can.
OMG, I’m being photographed in my swimsuit … calm … calm.
Can I talk yet? Please!
But that was actually VERY ok.
We had group talk therapy as a free bonus to mineral therapy.
I kept floating into the other girls and guffawing so much I was in danger of swallowing the salts … but I really did feel the calming effects of the minerals.
If I could just have one installed at home. Stat. That would be lovely. Thank-you. Very. Much.
The 30 minutes was over WAY too quickly and when the lovely therapist flashed the lights to tell us it was time to re-acquaint ourselves with gravity, I may have pouted and thrown a little internal tanty.
Except it was on to stage two … and a bed awaited. I was treated to a Petite Pedicure. While lying down.
I cannot confirm nor deny whether I fell asleep. During a pedicure.
Awakening only to a spritz of peppermint oil. DIVINE.
Yes, I’ve found my new happy place. Care to join me next time?
Stephanies Ocean Spa is part of the Noosa Outrigger Resort complex. It’s a one of four Stephanies Ocean Spas in south-east Queensland. I plan to go on a road trip and visit them all. So grateful to Stephanies for inviting me along to its Noosa spa as their guest. I’ll be back!
PS. I’m over at Justb. blogging today too. Come and say hi. You’ll find Pip and I chatting on Facebook too.
