Andrew Spearman, above, is an inveterate traveller and a man of many skills, including languages. He’s GM of SIX SENSES ZIGHY BAY, in Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, two hours’ drive from Dubai. The drive there is absolutely thrilling. Leave behind the futuristic conurbation of Dubai for the desert. Splendid dual carriageways with smooth-as-silk surfaces give way to rock face, and bumps. Take a left turning at the sign to Six Senses and start a zigzag 4×4 climb up and over the 1,000 metre ASL range that protects Zighy Bay. At the summit, look far far down to the tiny village by the sea that IS the resort. Begin the zigzag down there, or leave bags in the vehicle and, strapped on to a pro, paraglide down (in Girlahead’s case the experience was wasted as her eyes were closed throughout). Once there, drive through a mini soukh market and be welcomed with a ritual, hibiscus drink and henna on one hand. Recover by getting out on that exquisite beach.
Every one of the Six Senses beauties is unique. SIX SENSES SHAHARUT in Israel’s Negev Desert has, obviously, the luxury of endless desert space. SIX SENSES VARNA – GM Jaspreet Singh – is newest in the family. This Northern India retreat also has space, 21 acres of it, to offer Ayurveda, Yoga, Tibetan Medicine, and Natural Healing Therapies plus a rich daily activity schedule and personalized support. It’s all-inclusive, with bespoke nutrition, daily retreat activities, wellness consultation and screening. Many of its offerings are at least understood, others, like Sowa Rigpa, may need to be explained. It is in fact Tibetan diagnosis incorporating such techniques as pulse and urine analysis. It also promotes the modifications in the dietary habits and behaviour or adaptive abilities for restoring health.
The good health traveller learns something every day. In her just under 24 hours at Six Senses Zighy Bay Girlahead learned so much. The Earth Lab renders broken-down glass to sand, to be used in concrete around the resort. Kids learn how to make soap from scratch, and the value of the hydroponic facilities in the organic garden, composted from food waste, is a fine example of life cycle of plants. And just walking the beach shows the value of time. And space. Go back for more.
