Renew your life force by the sea

Walking into the reception at Prana Lodge was like being welcomed into the home of an old friend. The artwork on the walls and plethora of Persian rugs all come from the owner’s private collection. And there are art works not only in the public spaces, but even in the bathrooms of the guest accommodation.

Flying from Johannesburg to East London was a new experience for me as it is a route that I have not flown before. The airport is small but has all the necessary amenities (like a coffee shop) that are often lacking in smaller airports. The one thing that I was unaware of was how short the runway is, which makes for what the pilot called a “sporty landing”.

Prana Lodge, an owner run and managed property, is situated in Chintsa East, an easy 40 minute drive from central East London. Perhaps it is the fact that it is owner run, or maybe it because the accommodation is limited to seven suites, but the end result is a “home-away-from-home” feel in every sense of the term.

For instance, if you want to know where owner Tim Davidson is, just look for his dog Diesel – Tim will not be far behind. Looking for his wife Gail? She will most likely be in her newly planted herb garden with its attached labyrinth. And when a staff member called “Happy” checks you in, you know that you are going to have a great time.

At Prana (which means “life-force”) each executive suit is named after a crystal that has a healing or restorative property. Hence, Turquoise, Ruby, Saphire, Emerald, Tanzanite and Citrine. The last suite is well hidden in the indigenous dune vegetation surrounding Prana and is aptly named the Forest suite. Each of the suites are decorated in a colour that best represents the crystal or gemstone. I was in Tanzanite and the predominant colour of the soft furnishings was blue.

SET UP TO SLOW DOWN. Both the common areas and the suites at Prana Lodge encourage guests to take it easy.

I had been tasked by cynical friends with measuring the beach, given that the publicity material states that it is 21km of unspoiled sand. I can attest to the “unspoiled” but I lacked the resources or the fitness to accurately measure and affirm the publicity claim. That being said, I was able to walk for more than an hour in both directions without tripping over sun worshippers in deck chairs.

There are permanent residents that live along that stretch of beach, and it was some of those that I met on my walks. On one of my beach excursions that I found a large fur seal playing in the waves close to shore. Not the dolphins or whales I was expecting to see, but entertaining nonetheless.

SURROUNDED BY NATURE. Prana Lodge in Chintsa East, near East London, is a haven far removed from city smog and dust.

Aside from walking, relaxing and eating, there are other activities available to more adventurous guests. Horse riding, hiking and fishing are just some of the options on offer.

As to the eating: the fine dining experience that is created in the small, bustling kitchen at Prana would not be out of place in any major city anywhere in the world. An interesting fact is that many of the staff in the restaurant were originally part of the team that built the lodge. They have been re-skilled and are a credit to the resourcefulness of the owners. There are both indoor and outdoor dining area that can be used depending on the weather.

A recent addition to the venue is a Thai Wellness center and Spa. Situated away from the heart of the property, this oasis offers guest a chance to unwind and relax in calm surroundings. I was pummeled, prodded and stretched, but came away feeling like I had been reborn. Many of the products used in the spa have ingredients that are sourced form Gail’s herb garden.