Loading image: Fruit-Based Life logo (fruitbasedlife.com)

Contact Us

Loading image: Fruit-based Life: Fruitarian Adventure Retreat, Thailand - FAQ [Image: World's Biggest Durian Market]

Retreat FAQ

General Questions

About The Retreat

Q1.

What is the purpose of the retreat?

To immerse participants in a nurturing environment supportive of a healthy lifestyle balance and maximal personal growth to empower them to make healthier and more fulfilling daily lifestyle choices for the rest of their lives because they are worth it!
Q2.

Why should I come to the retreat?

  • Experience how simple and rewarding healthy lifestyle choices can be.
  • Immerse myself in an authentic tropical experience in beautiful Thailand.
  • Experience healthy lifestyle balance in a refreshingly supportive environment.
  • Treat myself to a well earned nourishing and nurturing break.
  • Get motivated and inspired to actively pursue my life and fitness goals.
  • Enjoy mouth-wateringly delicious tropical fruits and vegetables.
  • Explore open discussions on health, nutrition, the body and values.
  • Return home with a renewed enthusiasm for life!
Q3.

What are the dates of the next retreat?

Click here for the dates of the next Fruitarian Adventure Retreats in Thailand!
Q4.

Where is the retreat held?

The retreat is held in the beautiful province of Chanthaburi, Thailand where more durian is grown than anywhere else on the planet. Approximately 25% of the world’s durian is grown in Chanthaburi!
Q5.

How long is the retreat?

The retreat is 14 days including arrival and departure days. There are 12 full days of scheduled activities.
Q6.

How many people will be at the retreat?

We accept a maximum of around 20 people in order to keep the experience relatively personal with a community feel.
Q7.

Are there photos and videos to give me a sense of what the retreat is about?

Q8.

Can families and children come to the retreat?

Families and children are welcome, however no child minding services are provided. While people are likely to want to help out by watching and playing with your children during the retreat, the care of your children remains your responsibility.
Q9.

Is the retreat open for anyone to come to?

All ages, fitness levels and dietary preferences are welcome at the retreat. All we ask is that you are willing to commit to eating only raw fruits and vegetables with us during the retreat. The retreat is a no smoking event and would be a good opportunity to be in a supportive environment if you are committed to leaving the habit in your past.
Q10.

When is the retreat usually held?

The retreat is held annually in peak fruit season every May.

The Food

Q1.

Who is the chef at the retreat?

An experienced chef leads our kitchen each year. For several years, Chef Alicia Ojeda filled that role. Alicia’s culinary wizardry is unmatched, and she has fulfilled many roles including Head Chef and Culinary Director for FoodnSport, as well as Head Chef at The Woodstock Fruit Festival and the Slovenia Fruits and Health Festival! All chefs at the Fruitarian Adventure Retreats bring a wealth of experience and are sure to provide a delightful culinary experience.
Q2.

What will the meals be like at the retreat?

  • We will serve simple, delicious 80/10/10-friendly raw vegan meals. If you want to eat more overt fats, they will be available mainly in the form of durian and coconut meat. If you want to eat spices such as hot Thai chilis, garlic chives or chives, they will be available as optional additions to our meal.
  • Our breakfast will feature an array of high quality tropical fruits, typically red papaya, namdok mai mango, sweet watermelon and very sweet pineapple.
  • Our lunch will include many fruit buffets. The rest of the time we will bring large baskets of our preferred fruits typically including mango, mangosteen, rambutan, longkong, jackfruit, durian, many varieties of banana and more.
  • Our dinner will be a prepared meal, often salad bar style with several sauce options. Raw vegan Pad Thai will certainly be on the menu 🙂
Q3.

Will the attendees help make the food?

You will have the opportunity to assist in preparing the evening meal to gain hands on experience to take home with you. You are very welcome to help prepare dinner as often as you like.
Q4.

What water will we be drinking during the retreat?

We will have unlimited pure distilled drinking water throughout the retreat. You will be provided with your own BPA-free bottle as a gift on arrival to take on our outings throughout the retreat.
Q5.

Which fruits are usually available during the retreat?

  • Durian varieties (Monthong, Chanee, Kanyao, Puang Manee, Kradum Thong, Nockachip and more)
  • Mangosteen, Rambutan, Longkong, Dragon Fruit
  • Red Papaya, Watermelon, Pineapple, Sweet Tamarind
  • Young Thai Coconut, Coconut Sprout
  • Mango varieties (Nam Dok Mai, Oaklong, Nung Klang Wan, Rad, Kheow Savoey)
  • Jackfruit, Custard Apple, Cempedak (if it comes early), Longan, Lychee, Sapodilla
  • Snake Fruit, Santol, Rose Apple
  • Banana varieties (Nam Wah, Hom, Kai, Leb Muh Nang, Huk Moog, Tani)
Q6.

Which tender leafy green vegetables are usually available during the retreat?

  • Water Spinach (locally known as Puk Boong), Puk Goot and several types of Lettuce.
  • Bok Choy
  • Herbs, fruits, vegetables used in small quantities for flavor include Cilantro, Mint, Thai Basil, Cumin, Coriander Seed, Chive, Lemongrass, Ginger, Green Onion, Lemon and Lime.
Q7.

What vegetables are usually available during the retreat?

  • Romaine/Cos lettuce
  • Iceberg lettuce
  • Celery
  • Cucumber
  • Carrot
  • Jicama
  • Cauliflower
  • Tomato
  • Okra
  • Red Bell Pepper (Capsicum)
  • Snake Gourd (locally known as Boo-up)
  • Raw Baby Corn

The Accommodation

Q1.

What is the accommodation like at the retreat?

We stay in a very safe area in a clean and modern facility with cosy, shared rooms of 4 or 8 people, air conditioning, WiFi, and shared bathroom with Western toilet and shower. We are within walking distance to the local markets and Thai massage. If you prefer to pay extra for your own private room at a nearby hotel, please click here. Note also that the beds in Thailand tend to be quite firm. If that is likely to be a problem for you, there is always the option to purchase a soft, thin mattress to put on top of your firm mattress from the nearby department store.
Q2.

Can I stay in a different hotel and pay for my own accommodation?

If you have a preference to stay in a different hotel (for example, if you think the beds are too hard or if you’d prefer a fancy hotel experience), I can take the accommodation portion out of your retreat cost and you are welcome to find your own nearby accommodation, however I would need to know at the time of booking to avoid incurring the cost of a room for you at our retreat centre. If you do stay in another hotel, it would then be your own responsibility to arrive at our hotel on time each morning as our adventure taxis will not be able to wait for people staying off-site. Note that they don’t allow durian in the local hotels.

What is Included?

Q1.

What is included in the cost of the retreat?

This reasonably low cost retreat includes all accommodation, unlimited fruits and vegetables and the cost of all scheduled activities including local transport costs to those activities.
Q2.

What is not included in the cost of the retreat?

Once you pay for your return flights to Bangkok (or Trat) and your bus (about 210 Thai Baht each way) and short taxi ride (approx. 60-80 Thai Baht each way) to the retreat, you don’t need to spend any money during the retreat unless you choose to. There are no hidden costs. You may like to bring some spending money to get local Thai massage (about 300 to 400 Thai Baht per hour), buy gifts for family and friends, take personal taxi rides, go shopping, purchase some toiletries, personal health item, medical supplies and other personal items. You may also like to bring some money to spend on the way to and from the retreat for food, water and miscellaneous items.
Q3.

What activities will I be doing at the retreat?

You will:
  • swim in magnificent waterfalls (experience the original fish spa!)
  • swim and sunbathe at beautiful beaches
  • experience wild monkey interactions
  • enjoy jungle and headland hikes
  • visit organic and conventional fruit orchards
  • pay homage to numerous Buddhist and Chinese temples
  • have the opportunity to be blessed by a Buddhist monk
  • walk through tropical rainforests
  • enjoy time on the Chanthaburi river during our boat tour
  • appreciate museums
  • indulge your taste buds with fruit buffets at several fruit orchards
  • explore fruit orchards eating fruit directly from the trees
  • explore national parks
  • engage in group discussions to overcome the issues holding us back from living healthy lives, building meaningful relationships and achieving our potential.
  • have the opportunity to climb fruit trees
  • learn to speak some Thai
  • experience the local markets
  • interact with locals
  • enjoy Thai massage
  • unleash the fruit hunter within you
  • gain exposure to many cultural experiences
  • experience a traditional wood fire herbal sauna!
No other retreat offers what this retreat offers. All activities are optional. It is completely your choice if you choose to skip any of them.
Q4.

With so many activities will I have time to relax?

The pace of the retreat is very relaxed. There is free time scheduled. The activities are generally in aesthetically pleasing environments. There will be ample opportunity to de-stress and unwind during the retreat. Plan to return home empowered with a new level of confidence and resolve.
Q5.

Is the World Durian Festival included in the retreat?

The 9 day Fruitpital Fair (which used to be known as the World Durian Festival) is held annually in Chanthaburi and usually overlaps with the Fruitarian Adventure Retreats in Thailand. The dates for the World Durian Festival are typically announced in March. The festival can be held any time from April to June. When the dates of the World Durian Festival overlap with our retreat, we typically go to the festival once for the daytime experience and again to experience the festival at night.
Q6.

Do we have local tour guides?

  • Our main tour guide is a close friend of mine who lives in Chanthaburi and speaks both fluent Thai and fluent English. He grew up on fruit farms, loves durian and eats vegan and mostly raw, and everyone on the retreat always loves him! 🙂
  • We hire several tour guides from a local village for an adventurous hike up the highest mountain in Chanthaburi to a beautiful, sacred temple that is abandoned during the retreat. We pass wild fig trees along the river and enjoy magnificent views. For many years they have done a fantastic job keeping our group safe.
  • We hire park rangers to assist us on a challenging jungle hike up 17 beautiful waterfalls in a National Park where wild elephants roam.

Registration

Q1.

How do I secure my place at the retreat?

Contact us to pay your deposit before the retreat fills up which can happen more than 6 months prior to the retreat but every year is different.
Q2.

When does the retreat usually fill up?

In some years most people pay their deposit to secure their spot before Christmas, more than 5 months before the retreat, so book early to avoid disappointment.
Q3.

What happens after I sign up?

Upon receiving your non-refundable deposit, we will send you all of the information you need to know including detailed directions for you to safely and easily arrive at the retreat, ensuring your tropical experience will leave you grinning for a lifetime, enriched by beautiful memories with beautiful people!
Q4.

Can I volunteer or take up a work exchange position?

Several work exchange positions are available each year at the retreat. Participants in the work exchange program get to attend all of the scheduled activities and benefit from a discounted price. The work exchange positions are typically filled more than six months in advance. Contact us if you would like to be considered for a work exchange position.

Payment

Q1.

How much is the retreat?

The retreat pricing is listed here.
Q2.

How do I pay for the retreat?

Payment details will be provided when you register your interest by contacting us. Direct deposit to our bank account is the preferred method as it will save you from having to cover the fees that PayPal charge us. If paying from outside Australia, you can make an international wire through a company such as Wise who charge very low fees, which are much lower than PayPal. We can also send you a request for payment from Wise. Just email us if you need help figuring it out. 🙂
Q3.

How much is the deposit?

The deposit amount is listed here.
Q4.

When do I need to pay the final balance for the retreat?

If paying by direct deposit, international wire or PayPal, the balance for the retreat is due 4 weeks before the retreat begins. If paying the balance in cash, the balance is due on arrival at the retreat and must be paid in clean, untorn, unworn notes of accepted currencies. If bringing USD please bring large denominations ($50 and $100 notes).
Q5.

What type of currency do Thai banks and currency exchange accept?

Thai currency exchange will accept US Dollars (USD), Australian Dollars (AUD), Euros (EUR), British Pounds (GBP) only accept clean, untorn, unworn notes and will reject all of the following any coins and will not accept notes with tiny tears, notes which are heavily worn, or notes which have ink stamps or writing on them, regardless of whether it is pen, pencil, crayon, ink or permanent marker. If bringing USD please bring large denominations ($50 and $100 notes) as they get a better exchange rate. If you would like to pay with a currency other than USD, AUD, EUR and GBP, please contact us before the retreat if it will be accepted.
Q6.

If paying the balance in USD, why should I only use notes of large denomination?

For US Dollars (USD) only, notes of larger denomination ($50 and $100) get a better exchange rates than smaller notes ($1, $5, $20).
Q7.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

While the deposit is non-refundable, if we are notified of your cancellation far enough in advance (at least 28 days before the retreat begins) we may be able to cancel your accommodation without incurring any costs, in which case we’ll automatically carry your full deposit over to the following year’s Fruitarian Adventure Retreat, Thailand. We reserve the right to change our policies from time to time.