Prema Shanti is the perfect spiritual oasis (if you are that way inclined) situated in Cape Tribulation, which isn't that far from Port Douglas. After your visit to the Port Douglas town centre, this is a great recovery sanctuary nestled within the Daintree Rainforest with Buddha statues and a real friendly "namaste" welcome.
The owners are caring and compassionate and they work so hard in maintaining the grounds, as well as volunteering on other retreats. You need to come here for at least two nights for this establishment to be really appreciated. In fact Prema Shanti welcomed a couple of newly weds from Melbourne who decided to spend a week here on their honeymoon - a honeymoon of daily yoga classes and early meditation every morning. And if you cope without any mobile phone reception, you will really feel at peace here.
The rates are reasonable, and you would be forgiven for thinking that you are in Bali or staying at a spiritual ashram somewhere. Discipline really pays off. This facility is not five star, although it is a great oasis for relaxation and healing, and once again my writing came alive so thus became another business trip.
Resources can be quite scarce such as hot water, so you need to keep your showers quite snappy so other guests don't miss out (it is a small facility, so its not overcrowded in any way) and a bit of selfless service or otherwise known as "seva" is required. However all of your daily yoga, relaxation and meditation sessions are included as well as your accommodation and all meals except for lunch. Make sure you drive here so you have the freedom to get out and eat at lunchtime.
Tours to the Great Barrier Reef can be organised for you on behalf of the owners, so going with the flow is a good thing. The mosquitoes and crocodiles you need to watch out for. If you don't mind sitting down crossed legged for your meals either, you will have a great time here.
NB. You will be lucky to come across cassowary birds found in the Tropics; as per the picture above. Namaste.
