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Q: We are going to Bali and need some advice on what areas to visit. I know there are many mustsees like Kuta and Ubud on this vacation, we are more interested in beautiful beaches, spas and lots of massages. Where do you recommend?

A: The guidebooks cover everything in both Ubud and Kuta as well as other places, so your challenge will be to escape the spectacular and discover Bali's secret beauties on your own. The island is an amazing place where art, religion, spirituality, and life are all intertwined.

Balinese massage is also part of traditional culture, just like our Thai massage, and services are been expanded to cater to visitors too.

Balinese massage is really an extension of ayurvedic massage, combining pressure and skinrolling with aromatic oils to relieve tension and stimulate the flow of blood, oxygen and qi (energy).

You can choose from beach massage at a low price, to small salons on the street sides in Tuban, Kuta and Legian where hair treatments are also provided but are often be less inspiring than the beach versions.

The best choice is a resort spa or dedicated spa with better surrounding and atmosphere, although the price will, of course, be higher.

Dedicated spas such as Bodyworks in Ubud and Seminyak can cost you about $20 (Bt700) for onehour. That's actually very reasonable compared with Thai spa prices. If you go for highend spas, the price will be higher but the choices are endless as almost every upmarket hotel in Ubud, Seminyak, and Nusa Dua now has it own spa. Ubud itself boasts ultra luxury facilities such as the  Como Shambhala and Amandari.

Q: I'm going to Satun next month but still can't make up my mind whether to stay on Koh Lipe or Koh Adang. Is it easy to travel between the two islands and others nearby? Can you give me some idea about the price of accommodation?

A: Koh Lipe, a small island in the Andaman Sea, is part of the Tarutao National Marine Park. There are more than 70 small islands within the national park, but Lipe is part of a small cluster of 10 islands. The largest one in the group is Koh Adang where the National Park provides bungalows for visitors.

Accommodation prices on Koh Adang range from Bt320 to Bt1,000 a night. If you want to be in a quiet place, choose Adang. Here you have basic bungalows with electricity at night only, and the one and only restaurant is opens from 7am to 9pm. Koh Lipe, on the other hand, has many more bungalows and restaurants plus some nightlife on Pattaya beach too. Room rates on Lipe can range from a few hundred Baht a night up to Bt9,000 at the new Bundhaya resort's Villa Family.

You can easily book a longtail boat for your islandhopping trip, which will take you to Koh Lipe, Koh Kai and Koh Hin Ngam, which has beautiful stripy pebbles. But if you want to go between Koh Adang and Koh Lipe, hire a taxi boat at Bt50.

Today, you can also get to Langkawi island in Malaysia from Koh Lipe. It's just an hour across the water.

Check www.TelagaHarbour.com/Lipeshuttle.html for details.

Email your questions to explore@nationgroup.com