A guide to heaven

It’s a funny observation. Many of those who trek to Boracay come home feeling more tired and lethargic due to the island’s signature non-stop partying, not to mention the sunshine-soaked hangovers. However, there another side to the island that offers a haven of comfort and an overwhelming sense of renewal.

Mandala Spa in Boracay, recently voted "Destination Spa" of the year by the Baccarat Asia Spa Awards, offers the perfect getaway for those in the mood for a gentle detox. The spa is an opportunity to rid oneself of the excess of bacchanalian activities and get into the summer groove the right way.

A three-nights four day package at the Mandala Spa is at $488 for double occupancy. This includes daily yoga sessions, a personalized nutritional consultation, and a revitalizing "living foods" diet, a must for anyone wanting to make peace with their battered bodies.

This special package is valid from March 1 until May 31, 2006, excluding April 8-16. Additional night stays are available at $ 208 per villa a night.

If you don’t have that much time for healing, then indulge in the Princess package, which includes a facial, body scrub, wrap, the spa’s signature massage, and a foot bath. If your energy levels are high, this five-hour long treatment can either be the longest and most heavenly experience of your life. Energy levels down? You’ll instantly fall asleep and wake up feeling like a newborn baby, without a crime.

Just to give you an idea of how heavenly it is at the Mandala, here is what’s in store for you.

The All-Natural Facial includes: Cucumber cleanser, papaya exfoliant, kaolin clay mask, aloe-olive moisturizer, witch hazel, distilled water, and massage cream.

For body scrub, choices include:

•Boracay Salt Glow — combination of ground sea salt with BSG oil

•Mandi Lulur — lulur cakes, water and yogurt

For body wrap, choices include:

•Seaweed Wrap — pureed lato, guso gel, green tea, rock salt, kaolin clay, calamansi, lavender essential oil and glycerin

•Papaya Pineapple Body Polish — ripe papaya, ripe pineapple and gelatin

•Cucumber Aloe Wrap — cucumber, aloevera gel, gelatin and lavender essential oil

The Royal Foot Bath includes: Pumice ground, kaolin clay, massage cream, and royal footbath oil.

Everything sounds good enough to eat and benefits are visible even days after the treatment. The Princess Treatment is also available for men, only called the Pharoah’s Treament.