Maruia Springs part 1: Our stay at a hidden Japanese Retreat

In the midst of our chaotic uni/work/life schedules, Andrew and I decided on a whim to run away to Maruia Springs for a weekend. There is nothing better than being spontaneous and getting away from reality in the midst of routine and busyness!  

Maruia Springs is a Japanese style hot springs and resort seemingly in the middle of nowhere on the way to the west coast of New Zealand's south island. It is Maruia Spring's 'middle-of-nowhere-ness' that I love the most about it. We wound through the Lewis Pass through a never ending forest of native Beech trees until out of nowhere, popped up a small collection of buildings between the trees that you would miss if you blinked! 

We decided to go for an all inclusive package including a Japanese themed room, couples shiatsu massage, private spa, all hours access to the hot spring pools, complimentary kimono's, cooked breakfast and an incredible 3 course Japanese meal in their 5 star restaurant. It took all of our spare pennies to muster up such a treat- but it was something we desperately needed to do to restore our sanity!

We really did feel like we were far away from New Zealand high in the mountains of Japan. I have never felt so relaxed with all of the pampering, soaking and eating we got to do! Our 3 course meal was honestly one of the best meals I have eaten in my life! It was real authentic Japanese cuisine and they were fantastic at catering for my vegetarianism. I loved the 'agedashi tofu' so much, that it is now a weekly meal that I make myself at home (obviously nowhere near as good as theirs!).

I have more photo's of the hot springs, and the incredible landscape surrounding Maruia Springs to come- there was just too much beauty to photograph all around me!- So keep an eye out!