 Exclusive five-star Phuket hideaway Paresa is embracing the spirit of one of the Asia’s most exciting and colourful events, with a package combining the island’s annual Vegetarian Festival (01-09 October 2016) with a gourmet Vegetarian tasting menu and classes in Thai vegetarian street cooking. Paresa will also offer a guided tour of the festival in Phuket’s ‘Old Town’ and a visit to a colourful local market accompanied by Paresa’s chef to select ingredients for the cookery masterclass. A carnival-like atmosphere takes over the island of Phuket during the festival, where processions and firework displays are held at the temples close the sea shore or river and devotees dressed in traditional white carry incense and candles awaiting the arrival of the Nine Emperor Gods. One of more gruesome aspects of the festival are however the various ceremonies which are held to invoke the gods. These sacred rituals are performed by entranced devotees, known as Ma Song, and involve walking barefoot over hot coals, bathing in hot oil and bizarre body piercing, in the belief that these rituals bestow good fortune upon those who religiously observe or partake.
Throughout this time all the local residents of Chinese ancestry strictly observe a 10-day vegetarian or vegan diet for spiritual cleansing and merit-making and it is therefore a golden opportunity to savour Thai vegetarian and vegan cuisine at its finest. At Paresa the resort’s signature restaurant, Talung Thai, is lining up a delicious four course degustation menu where dishes such as ‘Som Tum Jay’ - a green papaya salad with yellow tofu, lime and chili, ‘Tom Kha Hed Ruam’ - a hot and sour coconut soup with jungle mushrooms, lemongrass and galangal and ‘Massaman Taou’ – a typical southern curry with local tofu, peanuts and potato, will be served. The culinary masterclasses in ‘vegetarian street food’ will take place in the resort’s Culinary Academy Recipe and will embrace two entire menus that guests can then re-create back at home. Dishes range from ‘Poh Pia Pak Tord’, deep-fried vegetarian spring rolls, to the traditional ‘Pad Thai Pack’, stir-fried noodles and bean sprouts in a tamarind dressing. ‘Yum Mamuang’, a spicy green mango salad is also offered, along with ‘Gluay Tord’, authentic crispy bananas, and ‘Khao Nhiao Mamuang’, a sweet mango with sticky rice. Commenting on the festival General Manager Dawid Koegelenberg said “This unique festival is a can’t-miss Thai experience, delivered as a bespoke adventure for our guests. I will never forget my first Vegetarian Festival in Phuket. Words cannot describe the atmosphere of exquisite food, music and dance. It's not for the faint-hearted with the exciting and sometimes gruesome ceremonies but this festival is not to be missed and your view of vegetarian food will be changed forever.” Paresa Vegetarian Festival Package: THB14,795 (approx £286) booked directly
Paresa holiday package for October: Scott Dunn offers seven nights at Paresa Resort, Phuket from £2,350 per person giving a saving of £80 per person. This is based on a couple sharing an Aqua Pool Suite on a B&B basis and includes return flights from London and private transfers. For more information visit www.scottdunn.com or call 020 8682 5060. Phuket Vegetarian Food Festival background details here. -Ends- For further media information, please contact: Anthea Yabsley ([email protected]; 0208 578 6777), or Anne Marie Hansen ([email protected]; 07970 426490) Notes to Editors: Paresa Resort Phuket Translated as ‘Heaven of all Heavens’ in Sanskrit, Paresa Resort Phuket is a luxurious hideaway built into the cliffs of Kamala on Phuket’s ‘millionaires’ mile’. Surrounded by lush, tropical virgin forest, it features 48 individually designed suites and villas, each of which has breathtaking 270 degree views over the clear waters of the Andaman Sea. Service at the hotel is exceptional, with a team of ‘Angels’ on hand to look after guests, as well as specialist ‘Dream Makers’ and an ‘Adventure team’ who will create individual experiences, such as romantic infinity pool dinners, as well as a range of ‘off menu’ experiences. Central to the Paresa ethos is offering an experience that is in harmony with nature, and the resort’s architecture and design blends into the surrounding environment. Built around several magnificently preserved Banyan trees, Paresa has been described as a modern day interpretation of Southern Thai design, with an understated style, soaring pavilion-style ceilings and spacious, light interiors which seamlessly link through to the external space, framing the wonderful views beyond. Awards: 2015 Luxury Travel Guide - Luxury Spa Resort of the Year 2015 World Luxury Hotel Awards - Finalist 2015 Hotels.com - The Best Outstanding Reviews and Rating from Guests 2014 World Luxury Hotel Awards - Best Luxury Resort Spa in Thailand 2014 World Luxury Hotel Awards - Luxury Wedding Destination in Thailand 2010, 2011 and 2012 Trip Advisor’s Best Spa and Relaxation Hotel in the Traveller’s Choice Award Comments are closed.
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