I climb
into the cool air-conditioned mini van as my driver places my suitcase into the
boot. “Would you like a cold bottle of water Miss?” Yes please! It is a
sweltering 30 degrees outside. “How about a gluten free Bliss Ball? They are
our specialty.” How can I say no! I already love this place and I haven’t even
arrived!
I am in
sunny Bali, on a spontaneous solo trip, where I am about to spend the next 6
nights at Escape Haven – a woman’s health and wellness retreat. We arrive at
our destination. “Welcome to Villa Jupun.” I walk through the entrance, not
knowing what to expect, after all I only booked this days ago and am still in a
daze. A garland of frangipanis is placed around my neck. I am speechless as I
look around – this place is even more amazing than I could have ever imagined,
and I get to spend the whole week here!!
Rachel,
the Escape Haven manager, greets me and talks me through my program. One of the
staff brings over a refreshing traditional Balinese drink of snakefruit
infusion with cinnamon and ginger, and a plate of fruit kebabs and Vietnamese
lettuce wraps. Rachel and I discuss my week and what is involved. I have chosen
the Refresh
program, which consists of daily yoga classes, lots of relaxing by the pool and
hours on end of spa treatments (8 hours to be exact!).
I am shown around my new home, and given time to settle in
before my 30-minute welcome massage. Ah yes, did I already say I love this
place?! My room is spacious and beautifully decorated. I find a gorgeous gift
on the bed with my name on it decorated with frangipanis – a canvas tote bag
containing a purple sarong and a few other lovely surprises. There are
frangipanis everywhere in Villa Jupun, with a huge frangipani tree over hanging
the pool located directly at the front of my room. And much to my surprise,
there is even a frangipani floating in the toilet bowl!!
That evening we attend our first yoga class with Adele – a
slow and easy class to centre and ground us in Bali. Yoga takes place in the beautiful
air-conditioned yoga studio, decorated with 6 framed mirrors on either side of
the walls and a gorgeous statue of Shiva Nataraja doing the ecstatic dance of
bliss at the front of the room, which Adele decorates with candles and fresh
frangipanis every night. Our yoga mats are set up with towels, blocks and
bolsters to assist us throughout our practice.
Following our yoga class we head directly to the outside
lawn for a traditional Balinese ceremony to cleanse the body and mind. We are
each given an offering and asked to wash the smoke over us to cleanse, prayers
are said with our flowers, coconut water is drunk and rice is placed on our
forehead for abundance and fertility.
Later that night we sit around the couches sipping on
fresh coconut juices introducing ourselves. We are a small group of 7 women,
all with different reasons for being here. But we all have one thing in common…
we have come to escape the world for a week.
Our first dinner consists of a delicious banquet of
Balinese food. We sit around the communal table, which has been beautifully
decorated, as the staff bring out plate after plate – Red snapper fillets
poached in coconut milk with herbs & spices; Lentil, pumpkin & coconut
curry; Gado Gado with peanut sauce; Brown rice nasi goring; and Vegetarian stir
fry vegetables. The food is delicious, wholesome and all gluten free!
Conversation flows around the table as we get to know each other. And then just
when I think the day cannot get any better – we are served dessert and it is a
Coconut sorbet… Words cannot describe how delicious this is! For those that
know me, I am an extreme coconut lover. Put simply, I am in pure gluten free
coconut heaven. As I slowly eat my sorbet I can’t help but smile. I am in Bali
and I am going to enjoy Escape Haven very much!
My first full day at Escape Haven, I listen to my body
and allow myself to simply relax and unwind. Breakfast is served at 8am daily
and consists of freshly squeezed juice of the day, and a changing menu of
fruit, yoghurt, gluten free toast and a selection of spreads. Eggs of any kind
are available on request. And I am even lucky enough to get gluten free Ricotta
and Apple Hotcakes, and Black Sticky Coconut Rice throughout the week.
While most of the girls are out surfing, my day is spent
lazing in the gorgeous sunshine and swimming in the pool, while frangipanis
drop overhead from the beautiful tree. Lunch is a banquet of delicious healthy
Balinese food; Tofu cakes, Grilled Mahi Mahi Kebabs, Gado Gado with peanut
sauce, and Avocado Salsa. Followed by an afternoon stone massage and our daily
evening yoga.
Tonight dinner is delicious Balinese style tapas –
called Nasi Campur. Each dish is served in a little banana leaf basket with a
hidden mound of brown rice in the centre. The dishes include Chicken Sate on
lemongrass skewers, Indonesian Salad, Eggplant Curry, Spiced Quail Eggs, Crispy
Fried Tempe, and Fragrant Tofu. For dessert a delicious Indonesian coconut
& banana palm sugar pancake, made gluten free of course! We close tonight
with a yoga nidra session, or as we like to call it ‘bed time yoga’ – a
meditation to help us sleep easier.
The days roll into one another as I start to feel
refreshed and clear minded. Daily yoga provides a sense of calm. I learn how to
breathe again with Rachel. Another healing session releases negative energy. A
home yoga practice with Adele. Tarot reading. A visit to the beautiful Finns
Beach Club. A Balinese cooking class. And a ride on a scooter with Era through
the crazy Indonesian traffic! Throw into the mix a pedicure by the pool while
sipping on a fresh coconut, a facial under the outdoor canopy, and many more
massages. I am feeling very happy and Zen. Life is good.
Daily snacks consist of Roast Beetroot Hummus with
vegetable sticks, Edamame Hummus with corn chips, fruit platters, and my all
time favourite - Chocolate bliss balls!
Lunches are always different, healthy and delicious.
We enjoy Pumpkin Soup with Lemongrass & Coconut, Green papaya & pomello
salad, Quinoa San choy bow, fresh gluten free sandwiches and a variety of
salads.
Before I know it the last night of Escape Haven is
here! We gather on the outside lawn to attend a gratitude ceremony where we
attempt to make our own offering baskets. Some people are naturals – others
(including myself) are not so crafty! We make the basket with banana leaves and
then fill it with flowers and our own gratitude, which we have written on a
piece of paper.
We take our offerings with us to our evening yoga
class. Adele warms us up as per usual and then turns up the heat – the music is
fun and energetic and the class turns into a mish-mash of many yoga poses. This
is the class to experiment and just have a go, she says. While half the class
attempts handstands the other class gets into backbends. We all attempt the
‘crow’ pose (which I am determined to get one day!) but even with Adele trying
to hold me up I still cannot master it! ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams plays in
the background, and there is more laughing and falling than holding any yoga
poses.
With the buzz of our yoga class we quickly get ready
for our closing ceremony and BBQ. Again we find ourselves sitting around the
couches sipping on fresh coconut juice. However now we are different people. We
are a close group of friends who have grown throughout the week, all in
different ways to each other. I feel a deep connection with serenity and my
mind is now at ease.
Our last dinner is a delicious Balinese BBQ of Wild
prawns on lemongrass skewers, Basmati jeweled rice, Leafy green salad,
Vegetable kebabs, BBQ pineapple, Papaya salsa, and Grilled chicken. And for
dessert we top it off with a delicious gluten free and dairy free Chocolate
mousse! Tonight we skip our nightly ginger tea ritual, and instead go straight
to the cocktail menu… A Pina Colada it will be for me!
The following day after a morning yoga session and
some more relaxing by the pool, I join the girls for our last meal together. We
gather around the communal table for a Balinese High-Tea. There is a spread of
Vietnamese rice paper rolls, Beetroot hummus with vegetable sticks, Tofu pate with corn chips,
Fruit kebabs, and specially made gluten free for me a Vegetable samosa, and
Strawberries and cream cup. There is a selection of ginger tea and spiced Chai
and they are served in the cutest elephant teapots I have ever seen (I think I
may have actually squealed when I saw them!).
The afternoon is full of farewells as the group start
to leave one by one, and we wish each other safe travels. A 2hr massage and
scrub prepares me for my late night flight. The staff have allowed me to stay
at Villa Jupun until it is time to head to the airport, where my driver will
take me. I order some quick dinner from a local Seminyak wholefood restaurant,
Earth Café, of Buckwheat noodles with vegetables and a coconut pannacota for
dessert.
Although the retreat has officially finished the staff
kindly help me order my takeaway food. When the food arrives, I expect to eat
out of the container – but instead my food comes out prepared in plates. My
place is set with a placemat and cutlery and a fresh glass of water. The
kindness in their hearts is beautiful. I could not ask for more.
Bali is such a peaceful and happy place. Such calm and
serenity, and I find it to have such healing powers. The Balinese people are forever
smiling and willing to lend a hand. Even throughout poverty they still smile.
There is no stress here. No road rage, although the traffic is crazy. I
honestly think we could take a leaf out of this book. And I know I have found
my healing land.
Escape Haven, as I first thought when I stepped
through those doors only 7 days ago, was perfect and absolute bliss. The staff
were so friendly and willing to help out and most importantly they made me feel
completely safe traveling alone. Accommodation was beyond 5 star. The food was
even more delicious than I thought! Gluten free was not an issue and all the
meals were so nourishing and fresh! The attention to detail and little
surprises throughout the week made me feel very special. I could not fault Escape
Haven even if I tried.
Stay
tuned for more Bali inspired posts to come including some delicious recipes! Namaste :)
Escape Haven Retreat
www.escapehaven.com
All images © TWO SILLY SISTERS 2014
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