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peaceful jungle surroundings and there is a restaurant that offers a wide range of healthy drinks and vegetarian food. They offer retreats ranging from 5 to 14 days and they have three bungalows, an herbal steam room and plunge pool. More details can be found at www.yogaretreat-kohphangan.com PYRAMID YOGA CENTER is located approximately 150 meters above Haad Salad and Haad Yao up on the mountain-side. They have an impressive 24 buildings including a huge bamboo pyramid hall, a sound temple where devotional chanting or bhajans are held on Sundays, an amazing vegetarian restaurant, and many bungalows for rent. They offer daily hatha yoga and annual teacher training programs, as well as AAAH, PARTNER WORK AT PYRAMID YOGA other interesting workshops on massage and healing. Please check their website before visiting as I hear the place is up for sale. Hopefully another yogi buys it and keeps up the Pyramid Yoga spirit as this place is truly in an amazing place to practice yoga! www.pyramidyoga.com ORION HEALING CENTER was the destination of my grand finale on this voyage of health and healing. I took it upon myself to try my first ever colonic detox programme and did this at this small family center which specializes in alternative healing therapies, detox, colonics and weight loss programmes. For 7 days I fasted on juice and broth, took herbal supplements and cleansing herbs, as well as the legendary colema twice a day. I can attest that this unique treatment balances, attunes and charges your body to leave you feeling completely revitalized! I had heard so much about the healing effects of these treatments, and now I understand the reason why so many places around here offer this. It does make you feel fantastic and completely cleansed, after the torture of fasting is over! For those who like a good balance of fun with their self-development, there are many opportunities for that as well! Ko Pha-ngan has become internationally known for its partying, especially the legendary full moon raves at Hat Rin which bring an extra 10- 30,000 people to the otherwise modest population of 10,500 for the island. There is normally a very quiet and serene atmosphere all over the island, with the exception of these parties which now happen every week, although only the full moon ones in December through to February attract the large crowds. One can choose from many of the beach bungalows, starting at US$3 night for the ramshackle basics, to renting your own little home with kitchen for about US$300 per month and up, or staying at some of the mid-range resorts. Compared to its over-developed and much busier neighbor Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan is generally a place of tranquility for nature lovers and budget to middle price-ranged vagabonds. It is said to be a casual laid-back place which is a haven for backpackers, honeymooners, families, yogi’s and yes, even party animals! The lack of an airport and poor road connections have spared it from package-tour development, although the island is changing rapidly and apparently top-end resorts are on the way. In my opinion, what gives the island its unique character is the current lack of high end resorts and the many colorfully painted original beach bars and restaurants, all family owned and one of a kind! Where else can you find places such as the “Chocolate Bar” or “Pirate Bar”? My time here is drawing to a close and soon I will head back home to Hawaii (yeah, I know, poor me going from one tropical island to the next). I will forever be grateful for my many months spent here tuning-in and stepping out of the mainstream. I didn’t actually make it to one of the legendary parties but I feel I really didn’t miss anything there. In fact, the beautiful thing about going deeper into the inner-self with arts such as yoga and meditation is realizing you never miss anything. Fulfillment is always there in you, waiting for you to rediscover it. There is nothing to find as what we have all been seeking is truly inside, like buried treasure! It just takes the persistence of a daily practice to create that stillness of mind where peace and equanimity remain. It helps to have a paradise like Ko Pha-ngan for the journey as well! Adrian Blackhurst is a globe-trotting wandering yogi who currently resides in Hawaii. He is a contributing author to the book “To North India With Love”, due out in late <strong>2009</strong>, and is currently working on his new book, which is top secret! He is available for teaching yoga & healing sessions for spiritual retreats & events. bioniclove@gmail.com 25