The royal spoil

Being a journalist is hard work. For instance, just this morning I had to visit the Mediterranean, Egypt, India and China – and it's only 11:30am. Phew!

What I'm referring to is the Indoceanne treatment at Le Manoir de Brendel, a health and beauty spa situated on a gorgeous estate in Franschhoek with the same name. This treatment has taken elements from these respective countries and combined it into one glorious treat(ment).

Let me explain. The treatment starts with a Mediterranean "sweet and savoury" scrub. This is followed by an Egyptian milk bath (just like Cleopatra used to take), then a luxurious Indian massage, and a moisturising Chinese body wrap to top it all off.

This treatment is a favourite for brides, explained Sonja Pienaar the therapist. It literally leaves your skin glowing, your body relaxed and your mind all mushy. Well, I'm no bride, but like any good journalist should, I subjected myself to this intercontinental experiment to get to the bottom of the story.

Mediterranean
The sweet and savoury Mediterranean scrub has extracts from the lotus flower and brown algae (yes, the mouldy stuff that grows on soggy surfaces – but luckily it doesn't look or smell anything like it by the time it is put on the skin). Both the lotus and the algae (Q-marine) have de-stressing properties, while the algae also has powerful detoxifying qualities.

This is mixed with essential oils and coarse sugar and salt for a very luxurious body scrub – which removes dead skin from the body while simultaneously improving the blood circulation.

Egypt
This one is pure indulgence. No, it isn't really a whole tub full of milk, but a milky concoction added to the water that makes it creamy, musky and voluptuous. It also contains gold particles that literally make you shine for days afterwards.

This is served up in a Jacuzzi bath sprinkled with flower petals and accompanied by a glass of champers…

India
The Indian massage starts with Q-balm (also derived from the Q-marine algae) being rubbed onto specified areas of the body where it will be easily absorbed – like the soles of the feet, hand palms, and more. This is said to have a regenerative effect on the body.

Q-marine and lotus are also included in the massage oil, along with Indian wood oils that enhance the regeneration effect. The massage oil also included essential oils with relaxing qualities.

All of this is worked into the skin using relaxing Indian massage techniques.

China
The Chinese body wrap's main purpose is to de-stress the body. It also contains Q-marine and lotus, as well as rice bran oil which is said to have a protective and relaxing effect on the body.

So your body is covered in this oh-so-good creamy stuff, then you’re wrapped in a cocoon of towels and plastic and left to marinate for a few minutes.

When you are unwrapped, the therapist gently wipes the cream off with a warm towel, and applies another cream to seal it all in.

The verdict
The Indoceanne is a luxurious treatment that leaves both body and mind relaxed and rejuvenated. Your skin literally shimmers for a couple of days and the de-stressing effects last even longer.

I would definitely recommend this treatment for brides, or just anybody looking for a royal spoil.

(Wilma Stassen, Health24, November 2008)