On the shore of the lake in San Juan Cosala is a little B&B/Spa, La Puerta Violeta, which has, along with its lake frontage, a solar panel heated swimming pool large enough for exercise, as well as a Jacuzzi and steam room, fed by the same thermal spring that supplies hot water to the nearby Balneario. The bedrooms are simple, comfortable and attractively furnished; the showers are fed by hot springs water, too. Two of them have large covered balconies with views of the lake; the others have mountain views. The oxblood red Chinese-style dining room boasts hand carved Chinese rosewood furniture, a grandfather clock, as well as blue and white glazed porcelain.
The people who have staked out this little spot in paradise are Laurie Snider and Peggy Mok, people who traveled the world before finding their way here. He was "made in Montreal," she in Hong Kong. He studied electrical engineering at McGill University, and received his PhD in Applied Science in England on an Athlone Fellowship. She immigrated quite early to Canada, and had a bakery featuring hypo-allergenic breads and pastries in Vancouver, B.C. The couple moved to Singapore where he taught physics at Nanyang Technical University while Peggy studied French. They then spent nine years in Hong Kong, where Laurie was teaching at the University of Hong Kong, and Peggy graduated with a degree in Accounting and Finance from the same University. Before moving here, they spent three years in New Orleans, where Laurie was a Visiting Professor at Tulane University.
One cannot travel in Asia without encountering market stalls filled with fruits, vegetables and greens which household cooks combine for maximum health benefits, and there are pharmacies where one may go to have a blend of herbs designed for one's own ailment. In the Far East the body is considered to be a group of exquisitely interactive systems, instead of a number of organs to treat separately. In this system, disease is a manifestation of the disrupted flow of energy that the Chinese call chi and the chi can be regulated for the sake of good health and the treatment of pain.
The couple were fascinated with Asian naturopathy, and traveled to Sri Lanka, the Philippines, China, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand to experience local medicinal practices. They studied acupressure and reflexology, detoxification and Chinese herbs, and they each pursued training in therapeutic massage in Thailand, where after sixty hours of classes and many more hours of practice, they are certified by the Thai Minister of Education to practice this therapy there.
I encountered Laurie Snider and Peggy Mok through our religious affiliation; they loaned their lovely house and spa facility for a religious celebration. Sitting by their pool, soaking in the thermal bath, watching the lake and sky change as the breeze cooled me on a warm afternoon was very comforting. Laurie's animated thinking and pleasant conversation were beguiling, and Peggy's quiet management of it all made the afternoon slip past in warm companionship.
After many invitations and some cynicism, I accepted an invitation to experience one of their massages. While I have had massages of the Swiss type, sensuous and relaxing, I never experienced more renewal than I could get through being with a group of jovial friends or an hour of exercise.
Peggy's massage was different. While Chinese chanting played on the tape deck, she went up and down my body with well placed fingers, putting pressure all along the energy pathways called meridians. I have known Oriental massages to hurt, but there was no pain in what she did. Half way through, I was ready to fall asleep. After she finished the treatment, she left me to relax while the same tape continued and I hovered on the brink of sleep.
The massage left me relaxed and energized, rather like the effect of an hour, for me, of listening to Bach. Amazingly, it lasted for days. I have never felt an effect like it, and I am going to have more of this amazing technique in my life.
This article is not a recommendation of one spa over another, but a history of my personal experience. Their facility is available for day and/or overnight use, and authentic Chinese meals, including genuine Mongolian Hot Pot dinners are available. Anyone wishing to know more about the services that Laurie and Peggy offer can reach them at, 01 (387) 761-0308 (Mexico) or (504) 613-0234 (USA), or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
