2025 Thailand Adventure
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30 days - Yoga, Ayurveda, Meditation, Reiki, Community Immersion
6/2 - 7/3/2025 $4957 - $5747 (excludes international airfares/includes domestic transfers) There is a lot to share about this retreat and all you could possibly want to know is outlined below so keep reading. You may also find it helpful to read about someones actual experience. Fortunately the participants on last years Thailand Adventure have been very generous in sharing their experiences and you can find some more here...
I loved the whole experience – the fun times, relaxing times, confronting times, quiet times, confusing times, enlighting times – loved them all! The first week of exploring was fabulous - I felt free to discover the area and people and settle into the environment. After the week, I was ready for the next stage, Yoga. The Yoga week was for me physically and mentally demanding as I had not done much yoga. However, as the week progressed and I learnt the routine and felt stronger my confidence grew and I was much more comfortable. Pancho and Beatrix are amazing teachers. I feel so blessed to have met them and to have learnt from them. Finally the last few days was a great way to consolidate what we had learnt. After an active few weeks it was a nice change. The value for money was outstanding! In my opinion there were “money can't buy experiences” and I feel so fortunate to have been part of the group. The accommodation was excellent, day trips amazing, food out of this world and the yoga course was life changing." Natalie 2019 Local Immersion
After flying into Bangkok we travel by 1st class overnight sleeper train to Nong Khai to begin our cultural immersion. The next few days are spent getting to know the locals as well as venturing further afield to see some local attractions famous across South East Asia:
Local Attractions
Markets
Nong Khai is renowned for its markets and for the December retreat this may be an opportune time to do some Christmas shopping.
The Sculpture Park Known as Salakaewkoo, a visit to the Sculpture Park is a must when in Nong Khai. World famous as one of the most extraordinary artistic creations of South-East Asia, it contains over 100 sculptures, some of which rise more than seven stories high! It was built by the mystic shaman Luang Poo Boun Leua Sourirat, who constructed it with the help of devotees over more than 20 years. Some sculptures depict snakes, with other images taken from either Theravada or Mahayana Buddhism. Hinduism is well represented, with images of Shiva and Parvati, Brahma and Vishnu. Luang Poo passed away in 1996 aged in his early seventies. His mummified body can be seen on the third floor of the main building, under a glass hemisphere. Disciples claim his hair still grows and must be cut once in a while! The Historical Park The Historical Park near Ban Phu is one of the most extraordinary sites in Thailand, filled with many huge and strange mushroom-like rock formations, which bear carvings and cave paintings dating back more than 3000 years. Our guide will share both the legend behind and geographical explanation for these amazing formations. The Lilly Lake Wang Bua Daeng, a reservoir of pink water lilies, is a truly memorable experience. Silently gliding across the water at sunrise amid the thousands of blooming lilies is hard to describe. It's not to be missed. The waterlily pond at sunrise was an experience I will treasure for ever. Stunning to say the least. The markets we visited, food we ate, people we met on all excursions were amazing. The skyview and temple visit along were a great way to see the surrounding areas." Nat 2019 Getting Around Nong Khai
Our first activities together will be to orientate you to the local neighbourhood - first on foot and then on your push bikes - to show you where to get money changed, the supermarket, massages, restaurants and markets - all the practical stuff. Nong Khai is an easy place to get around on foot, bicycle or Tuk Tuk. A pushbike is included in your retreat cost to give you the freedom to come and go as you like. You can get to lots of different places within just a few blocks of your accommodation without having to negotiate much traffic, or just ride along the promenade beside the Maekong. If the thought of riding a bike raises some trepidation it may help to know that most of the locals ride either bikes or scooters. If you would rather stay off the road you can enjoy a leisurely ride on the promenade that runs alongside the river. For Mary there is no greater joy than an early morning or evening ride along the river with an occasional stop just to sit and watch the river and world go by while enjoying a coconut ice-cream. |
Mutmee Garden
Retreat Location
Nong Khai is located in north east Thailand, just an overnight train trip from Bangkok, on the banks of the mighty MaeKong River. Although it is quite a substantial town, with a custom bridge to Vientiane, the capital of Laos, we will spend most of our time in a corner that attracts yogis from around the world. The Soi (lane) runs directly down to the banks of the Maekong and is home to Mut Mee Guesthouse where we will stay in traditional accommodation. The Pantrix Alternate Centre runs yoga and reiki courses, Silvie is a resident therapist and Aey, owner of the Hornbill Bookshop/Café, will be our guide and provide our Thai cooking demonstrations. Mary has gained much from this little community in the 5 years she has been going to Nong Khai and the aim of this retreat is to share this unique and very special experience. "Mary is a loving, supportive and beautiful person and has so much to give. I cannot recommend her attention to detail, thoughtfulness and genuine care, love of people and her passion highly enough. Her passion, knowledge of the area and people are what made the trip." Nat 2019 
Traditional dancing at the markets
Sculpture Park
The mighty Maekong
Local temples
Our little Soi (lane)
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Yoga & Reiki Courses
One of the main components of the retreat is the opportunity to attend the Pantrix 7-day yoga course, and 4 day Reiki Part 1 course. Pantrix comes from the name of the two founding teachers: Pancho and Beatrix. Very briefly, they have studied yoga for over 35 years, and are both deeply committed to their own sadhana (practice) and sharing the teachings in a way that is accessible to anyone. Pancho also plays a mean bass guitar and Beatrix is the resident Reiki Master and Astrologist. Mary Girishaa has done the introduction to yoga course twice and is confident that anyone can benefit from the experience, regardless of how much or how little yoga they have done. In fact, her second time doing this course was just after finishing her 2 year Satyananda Yoga teacher training, and alongside people who had never done any yoga before, it was a life changing experience for everyone. The 7 day Yoga course runs from 7-10am and 3–6pm daily, although the sessions have been known to go a tad over, so don’t watch the clock! Reiki has emerged as a simple, easy to learn technique readily accessible to the average person. The Reiki 1 course uses a time honoured system of ritualised initiation and prepares the student to channel the healing energy Reiki is famous for, for both self healing and sharing one to one. Spread out over 4 days the course runs from 10.00am-1.00pm plus allow for some practice time in the afternoon. Pantrix also offers daily early morning (6-7am) for students and the afternoon (2- 3pm) meditation sessions that are open to everyone. |
Beatrix, Mary Girishaa & Pancho
The Yoga House
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Ayurveda & Meditation Immersion
The last component is an Ayurveda and meditation immersion at the Barn Suan Sanctuary located on the outskirts of Nong Khai. The owners, Don and Jeem, have created a space they describe as 'a secluded retreat for friends and like-minded people…a meditative space for the creative soul.' One visit to the sanctuary and Mary knew it was the ideal space to sit with everything you have received in the first 3 weeks. A time to put into digest and put into practice the things you wat to take home with you. Purpose built to provide a sanctuary to 'get away from it all' this is the ideal space to sit with and process the experience of the preceding Pantrix course/s. Small traditional huts hidden within a tropical garden surround an infinity shaped path for walking meditations. There is also a common kitchen and dining area, along with spaces for sitting in stillness scattered throughout the garden. Mouna (measured speech) and karma yoga will be part of our practice here: activities may include sweeping the meditation path each day with traditional brooms in preparation for a meditation walk…swish…swish…swish; some gardening and talking all things Ayurveda as we prepare simple meals together. This YouTube link will give you a sense of the space and the care Don has taken in the Sanctuary's creation. It also reflects his love of collectables! This video has a German commentary but you’ll get the picture! Don has a cameo at the 5.30 mins mark. Special Bonus Inclusions
Not included but available
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Tranquil Barn Suan
Don & Jeem, our Barn Suan hosts
Sunrise on the Lilly Lake
Your Itinerary * Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok & board overnight train Day 2-8: Settle in, sightseeing, appointments Day 9-16: 7 Day Yoga Day 17: Sightseeing & Thai cooking demo, Day 18-21: Reiki 1 Course Day 22-23: Sightseeing, massages, markets Day 24-29: Barn Suan Retreat Day 30: Depart Bangkok - overnight flight home * order of events may vary, retreat content won't. |
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Accommodation
Overnight train to Nong Khai AC sleeper compartments arriving in Nong Khai as the sun rises.There's nothing quite like being gently rocked to sleep and then waking to the sun rising thru the window as the train pulls into the Nong Khai. Mut Mee Guesthouse Mut Mee is an oasis of small huts and rooms set in a tropical garden literally on the banks of the Mekong River. You can watch the river go by as you eat, laze on a hammock with a book, play on the swing, strike up a conversation with a fellow traveller, from all nationalities and walks of life, have a massage or just snooze in your chair. All of our rooms are located in the same beautiful building with either a Queen bed (2 rooms) or Twin beds (2 rooms), private bathrooms, AC & fan, refrigerator, kettle and balcony or verandah. The Superior room is located on the ground floor at the front with a large verandah facing the Mekong. The Deluxe toom is located on the 1st floor at the front with a very large balcony overlooking the river. The room is also larger with extra/nicer furnishings and an additional single bed is suitable as a Twin Share or Double. The earlier you book the better your choice. "Mut Mee was my home away from home. The accommodation was outstanding, location to facilities fantastic, but most importantly the Soi community of people we mixed with daily – from the ladies in the kitchen to the regular visitors – it was just like home and was hard to leave." Disclosure: There will be some building work happening at Mut Mee during our stay, a new building going up next to ours. The work began in April 2024 and the owner, Julian, has assured me he will do everything he can to minimise the impact. You will be out and about most of the time at courses and our tour days however daytime rests may not be as peaceful as usual. If that feels like it would detract from the experience for you then you can join me in 2026 when everything will be finished. We can talk about it you like. Barn Suan Sanctuary A secluded, private landscaped garden on the outskirts of Nong Khai that offers a communal space for cooking and activities, and accommodation in simple traditional huts - some a little more rustic than others. All of them have their own bathrooms, two have AC and the others have ceiling or bedside fans. Due to a limited number of huts one will need to be a Double or Twin share. If you are travelling with someone (friend or partner) then this will be your hut - larger than the others with a big semi enclosed verandah, AC and a fridge. Disclosure: We are travelling a little later in 2025 so the weather will be in the low 30's when we are at Barn Suan. If you really struggle in hot weather than this may not be the right time for you. I plan to travel mid January to mid Feb in 2026 when the weather is cooler if that would suit you better. |
Mutmee Guesthouse
Barn Suan house
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Food and Meal Budget Suggestions
Meals included in retreat cost are:
Mary’s favourite vegetarian restaurants are just a short bike-ride away. Run by volunteers on behalf of local Buddhist temples, there is a wide range of dishes to choose from and they have a genuine smile for everyone! You can eat a huge lunch and also get a takeaway for dinner for less than $5. MSG is used fairly extensively in the local restaurants and street vendors so the above recommendations are the best options if you want to avoid MSG. And if you want to be more adventurous we can teach you how to ask for no MSG in Thai. Just around the corner from Mut Mee is a German Bakery (there are quite a few European expats in Nong Khai) offering delicious bread, cinnamon scrolls, pretzels, apple cake and other pastry delights for breakfast or morning tea. Buy them early though because they sell out quickly! Hopefully this will help you work out a food budget. It takes effort to spend more than $15-$20 a day on food and you can certainly spend less, particularly if you patronise the Buddhist vegetarian restaurant mentioned above. |
Favourite vegetarian restaurant
Sprouted Mung Dhal
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Airfares, Transfers & Insurance
The retreat price includes all transfers within Thailand.
It does not include air travel to and from Bangkok, Thailand.
The programme is based around a Qantas flight arriving in Bangkok in time to catch the overnight express train to Nong Khai.
Flight details for booking are:
Thursday 6/2/2025 - Sydney to Bangkok: Qantas FL 295 - 10.30am - 16.10pm
Thursday 6/3/2025 - Bangkok to Sydney: Qantas FL 296 - 18.00pm - 07.30am
If you have Qantas FF points return flights are available for 90,000 pts and $279 or without points for $1057 (as at 22/4/2024).
The homeward bound transfer will begin on 6/3/2025 with a one hour taxi ride to Udon Thani airport and one hour flight to Bangkok airport before boarding an overnight flight home to arrive in Sydney in time for breakfast on the 7/3/2025.
Please ensure you organise adequate Travel Insurance as soon as you book your fares. This is a requirement for registering.
The retreat price includes all transfers within Thailand.
It does not include air travel to and from Bangkok, Thailand.
The programme is based around a Qantas flight arriving in Bangkok in time to catch the overnight express train to Nong Khai.
Flight details for booking are:
Thursday 6/2/2025 - Sydney to Bangkok: Qantas FL 295 - 10.30am - 16.10pm
Thursday 6/3/2025 - Bangkok to Sydney: Qantas FL 296 - 18.00pm - 07.30am
If you have Qantas FF points return flights are available for 90,000 pts and $279 or without points for $1057 (as at 22/4/2024).
The homeward bound transfer will begin on 6/3/2025 with a one hour taxi ride to Udon Thani airport and one hour flight to Bangkok airport before boarding an overnight flight home to arrive in Sydney in time for breakfast on the 7/3/2025.
Please ensure you organise adequate Travel Insurance as soon as you book your fares. This is a requirement for registering.