Norman and Nanthawon Dove did not imagine, when they spent a weekend in British Columbia's spectacular Cariboo Region during the summer of 1989, that one day they would not only own and operate one of the world's most extraordinary spa destinations - but that they were soon to become cattle ranchers!

About Norm and Nanthawon

Born and raised in Essex, England, Norm Dove was a mechanical engineer, who had emigrated to Canada during the 1960's. He was the founder of Devron Engineering Ltd., and a leading innovator in newspaper manufacturing technology, with 27 patents in his name. His company's products were sold into more than 30 countries.

Nanthawan was born in Angthong, a community located close to the old capital of Thailand, Ayuttaya, 100 kilometers from Bangkok. Nanthawon's Thai family name, Yaemphathee, is highly respected in the community in which she was raised. Nanthawon's grandfather was the head of the community and her mother is a practitioner of traditional Thai medicine. Norm and Nanthawan met in Bangkok where Nanthawon was studying commerce and they married in March 1992 and began their life together in Vancouver.

In the summer of 1989, Norm was about to sell Devron to a multinational corporation, and was looking for new adventures. When he and Nanthawon heard that Bill McCormick's 160-acre cattle ranch near Big Bar Ranch was for sale, they decided to have a look with the idea that the ranch might make a perfect spot for a weekend getaway property. Though Norm and Nanthawon weren't familiar with the cattle business, they were immediately drawn to the beauty of the property, set amidst four distinct ecological systems, or 'biomes' "Just walking around the ranch was so peaceful that it made you immediately leave the stress of the city behind," recalls Nan. By the end of the year, Norm and Nanthawon had purchased Echo Valley, complete with ranch house, farm trucks, tractors, irrigation equipment and 180 head of cattle. "We didn't know anything about cattle-ranching" says Norm, "so we had to learn quickly. But even with 180 head of cattle, it just takes two people to run it." With the help of Bill McCormick and some genuine local cowboys, they not only kept the ranch's cattle business going, they started to transform the property into an internationally renowned guest ranch, and one of the world's top-rated spa destinations.

Although Norm and Nanthawon were not formally accepting guests, people found their way to the Cariboo's newest guest ranch "people would come, before we even had a program," Norm recalls. "They were curious and delighted at what they found, and just started to return". By 1995, Norm had earned his pilot's license, replacing the scenic, five-hour "commute" drive from Vancouver with a breathtakingly beautiful, one-hour flight. That summer, Norm and Nanthawon decided upon an extended stay at the ranch, and they have never left. "We didn't realize how much we were missing by not living in the country," says Norm. "We thought we'd try it for the summer," adds Nanthawon, "and loved it so much because it's a more natural way to live than in the city."

Dove Lodge was soon built, providing six guest rooms, and not long after, two private log cabins were added. A recreational center was also created, along with a beauty salon with one treatment room for aromatherapy massage. A full program of outdoor activities was developed, taking full advantage of the ranch's extraordinary setting among canyons, marshes, mountains, forests, lakes, rivers and glaciers. Daily guided hikes and horseback rides were offered, as well as soft-adventure expeditions to the nearby Fraser River and Canyon.

But Norm and Nanthawon remembered the relaxing and invigorating Thai massage treatments they had enjoyed during their many visits to Thailand, and soon had the remarkable idea of offering traditional Thai massage to their guests at Echo Valley Ranch. In 1996, they hired their first Thai massage therapist from Bangkok, and created the unique fusion of eastern and western influences that was to become the cultural hallmark of Echo Valley Ranch & Spa.

A swimming pool, a relaxation room and more spa facilities were soon added. Then, the nine-room Lookout Lodge was built, increasing the ranch's capacity to 40 guests. By 1999, Norm and Nanthawon had decided to add a unique symbol of "east meets west" to their property. Through their contacts in Thailand, they connected with the renowned Dr. Pinyo Suwankiri, architect to the Thai Royal family. "Dr. Pinyo", as he is affectionately known in his native country, agreed to design North America's first authentic Baan Thai spa pavilion at Echo Valley Ranch & Spa.

On Sept. 22, 2001, the Baan Thai spa pavilion was officially opened, in a ceremony attended by First Nations representatives and Buddhist monks. With the addition of the Baan Thai pavilion, several signature Thai spa packages were added to the menu of services, some of which are performed by two therapists, using herbal steam, aromatherapy massage oils and the traditional luk pra kob hot compress. The luk pra kob is a blend of medicinal herbs, wrapped in cotton cloth, which is steamed and applied to the body for the relief of muscular aches and pains, and inflammation. It has been used for thousands of years in Thailand.

In 2003, Norm and Nanthawon took the Thai influence at Echo Valley Ranch & Spa to a higher level, with the introduction of ruesri dut ton and three-step meditation. The former is an exercise regimen consisting of 80 postures and stretches, which also dates back thousands of years in Thailand. It is said that religious hermits developed ruesri dut ton as a way of gently restoring flexibility and vitality to the body after meditating in one position for long periods. Three-step meditation is also an ancient Thai practice, which can be used to achieve relaxation and inner harmony.

For all its evolution, Echo Valley has remained true to its roots, as a guest ranch in the western wilds, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors in a wide range of activities. These now include horseback-riding, hiking, mountain-climbing (Mount Bowman rises 7,400 ft), fly-fishing, white-water-rafting expeditions, 4x4 excursions to the Fraser Canyon, bird-watching, falconry, panning for gold and much more. "The cattle are still there too," Norm explains, "because the guests like moving them around."

The spas, too, have evolved into offering very distinct, first class services: the Cariboo Spa focuses on providing classic European-style treatments and the other, in the Baan Thai pavilion, is dedicated to traditional Thai spa services. This includes the ranch's signature spa experience, Sabai Sabai, a Thai term used to describe a sense of achieving total personal contentment.

Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Echo Valley Ranch & Spa is one of the most highly acclaimed destination ranch resorts in the world. Yet, for all its acclaim, it is still retains an air of unpretentious comfort, friendship and camaraderie. Guests gather in the Games Room of Dove Lodge for a game of pool, darts, shuffle board, cards or even a friendly karaoke competition. Or they settle on the patio and watch the sun set, casting a red glow over Mount Bowman, painting the sky with brilliant, unforgettable hues. Or they discover the bliss of Sabai Sabai.

"From the beginning, we have welcomed guests from all around the world, and then as now, we still think of all our guests as friends," say Norm and Nanthawon. "And our staff, which hails from the four corners of the world - some of whom have been with us many years, are very much like our extended family."

Traveling from Essex County and Angthong to the Cariboo region of central British Columbia may seem like a long journey for both Norm and Nanthawon, but they have followed their hearts, achieving an enormous amount in ten years. Bill McCormick's cattle ranch is now one of the world's top-rated spa destinations: it has been featured in shows such as BBC TV's Top Ten Getaway Destinations in the World, listed in The 100 Best Spas of the World, by renowned spa experts Bernard Burt and Pamela Price Lechtman, and written about in publications such as Spa Magazine, Flare, Chatelaine, Conde Naste Traveller, and many others.

Today, Norm and Nanthawon live full time at Echo Valley, as do most of their staff, and it is this sense of pride and home that exudes such a warm and personal welcome to every guest. Add to that the innate care and hospitality of the Thai culture, and you have a very special place indeed. A place that seems in rhythm with its surrounds and in harmony with all that is.