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'Finding my Equilibrium''- By Skye Thompson
Equilibrium. "A state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced"
This is what I seriously needed to find. A word in which was completely new to my vocabulary but
resinated within me like a divine intervention once it had appeared in a book I was reading.
My name is Skye, I’m 30yrs old, in a relationship for nearly 10yrs, married for 3 and a bit years. I
have always tried to live life to the fullest, taking opportunities when they present themselves. I
work hard at several jobs, I try to give love to everyone, I have far too much empathy for my own
good and try please everyone in my life. But like any woman's life like mine, being like that creates
enormous stress.
I was finding with those stresses plus with work life, home life, family and social pressures
everything was, metaphorically speaking, piling on my shoulders and I was getting out of kilter with
who I was in this world. I was forgetting the independent person who once upon a time did things
for herself.
When I finally worked this out I knew I had to do something about it. For my sanity, my well being
and my own personal confidence. I'd heard of health retreats in Bali from friends, social media,
books and movies. You know, they looked like this heavenly destination that I had only dreamed
about. Somewhere my girlfriends and I would talk about how wonderful it would be and how we'd
always say to each other "I'd love to go there".
After several set backs, defining conversations with others and with myself I decided this it, I have
to go, on my own, I need this. It was the perfect answer to my stresses and deflating happiness.
My husband agreed this would be good for me; he supported my decision and went about helping
me find a perfect retreat that would suit my needs. I really needed time to relax, to un-wind, to refocus, be seriously pampered and just get back to me.
He came across Bagus Jati, a health and well being retreat in the mountainous Jungle of Ubud,
Bali. Well away from the tourist areas that are full of buzzing nightlife, shopping, beaches and
tourism. (These places interest me don't get me wrong) but would not provide the peacefulness
that I found at Bagus Jati and needed at this point in my life.
It had healthy eating programs, yoga and meditation, a day spa, pool, gym, restaurant/bar and
daily activities that you can participate in from cycle village tours, cooking classes, Aqua Zumba,
massage lessons, day trips to the volcano to guided jungle trekking. I could do as much or as little
as I liked. It also, to my inner health nut- hippie delight, grew most of its own fresh herbs, fruits and
vegetables, which they use in their meals.
Sick of being in charge and always thinking for others, I wanted a structured stay and a schedule
for me to do that I didn't have to think about. I wanted it all organised for me. So I went online to
their website and booked their "3 night new start package" which included:
3 nights of luxury accommodation, daily spa treatments/massages, 3 healthy meals a day, daily
yoga & meditation, herbal teas, fresh fruit baskets in my room each day, a cooking class and a
cycle tour of the local villages.
Once I had booked and given my credit card details there was no turning back. I went about finding
reasonable flights online, with the mission of flying with the Indonesian airlines Garuda.
When I was a teenager on my first trip to Bali, I flew Garuda and had never forgotten the incredible
level of service and attention to detail to comfort they offered. It was one for the bucket list; I got my
flight SYD to DPS flying Garuda. :-) I felt so happy already.
So for next 4 months I worked as hard as I could to save enough money to pay for the whole trip by
myself. I wanted to feel the pleasure of knowing that "I did this" when I was floating in the natural
spring water pool, on my back in bliss.
It made for great determination, it sounds kind of stupid but I visualised my self-everyday in that
pool smiling with content.
The day finally came, bags packed I boarded an early train to the airport. Nervous about being on
my own, about what the unknown held, if I would find what I was looking for, leaving my life on
pause for a week while I did what some may consider selfish, something for me.
I just kept telling myself "You’ve got this, keep your cool and you deserve this".
After all, the things in life that you fear are often the things that are most worthwhile doing.
The 6hr flight went fairly quickly for me. I chatted to a nice couple to my right, another solo female
traveller to my left. Watched a couple of new movies and being treated to the quality Garuda
inflight services was awesome. Garuda really know how to look after you. I got given a cute
comfort travel pack with a blanket, socks, earplugs and eye mask. (These things in my opinion are
necessary for every long haul flight.) They actually have comfortable economy seats; delicious
food, full drink service included and they have great inflight entertainment on the backs of the seats
in front of you. This is how I wanted to fly, in comfort and with room to move. It really helped me to
relax and to feel like I was on my way to being looked after.
After arriving at the new Denpasar airport it only took about 45mins getting through customs,
security checks and purchasing the visa on arrival. I collected my bags and headed for the exit
where I was greeted with a driver from my first nights accommodation holding my name on a
board. I wanted to stay in Seminyak, which is only about 30mins from the airport on the night
before my retreat stay, to ensure I got to Ubud at the right check in time the following day.
Once I got to my hotel - 'Pelangi Bali hotel' in Seminyak,I checked in and put my bags in the room.
I looked in the mirror and smiled to myself, I felt safe, organised and happy. Tick.
I made short work of heading to the beach (which was literally 10 steps from my hotel) to begin
operation Equilibrium. I got a massage, a cold beer and a pedicure while watching the sunset.
This to me is a perfect setting; it really forced me to start to unwind. I’m not good at slowing down
but being there doing that just placed me mentally where I needed to be.
I then followed this by sitting at
one of the many 'bean bag
restaurants' on the beach called
"Champlungs" to eat dinner.
They have brightly coloured
canvas beanbags, umbrellas
and tables for their restaurant
setting on the sand. I loved their
cheap meals, cold drinks and
the acoustic covers duos playing
chilled out music. I felt so
relaxed already and had a big
achievement smile on my face. I
sank back into the beanbag in
bliss when the band played a
song I requested. "Lightning
Crashes" by Live.
The Lyrics swept over me as I
listened in delicious self
satisfaction - "I can feel it coming back again, like a rollin thunder chasing the wind forces pulling
from the centre of earth again, I can feel it". It was then I knew I'd made a great life choice to be
there.
The next day I explored out early in the morning around 7am after breakfast. I went and did a quick
market shop before finding a taxi that would take me to Ubud. Its a hefty 70-90min drive in the
hectic midday traffic from Seminyak to Ubud, even more so with someone who speaks broken
English in the tropical Bali heat. All in all I arrived safely in the jungle at Bagus Jati. I felt
independent, thankful I was here in one piece and pretty proud of myself I had made it this far on
my own. Travelling solo I find can be quite daunting especially in a foreign place and as a female,
but this is a massive part of finding my independence. I've only got myself to rely on. So when I got
to where I wanted to go without any issues or hassles, I was pretty stoked.
Bagus Jati was like something out of a multi million-dollar hollywood movie set. It was beautifully
presented. Perfect lush tropical gardens and well kept grounds. It was quiet, with only the sounds
of birds and trickling fountains in the ponds of lotus flowers.
Frangipanis floated in bowls of
water at the reception where a
staff member with a soft voice,
a cool towel and welcome
drink greeted me while he
gave me my new start
itinerary.
Inside I giggled with
excitement and had to pinch
myself that this was actually
happening.
I was soon dropped at my villa by one of the retreats
golf buggies and drivers. The grounds are so big, and
everything is spread so far apart that they offer buggies
to pick you up and take you to where you need to go if
you don't feel like walking. Which I did try to avoid
using unless it was after dark, after all I was at a health
retreat and I am somewhat fit enough to handle some
hills and stairs.
My villa was one of the
most amazing places
I've ever stayed. It was
at the bottom of the
grounds close to the
thick lush jungle. I had
a gorgeous, massive king size, four-poster bed draped in a white
mosquito net all to myself. I felt like an Arabian princess in the
jungle. My ensuite was bigger than our normal bedroom at home
and boasted a beautiful teak verandah that had a massive comfy
day bed on it, which I ended up spending a lot of time on just
thinking and appreciating being.
On the day bed was where I really found time to get inside my
head and thoughts. Something I rarely get to do at home. I think its
fare to say, I loved my villa. It was just so perfect.
So here I was in the middle of the Jungle in Bali, in an
incredible villa, my 3-day itinerary in hand and all by myself.
All I had to do now was turn up at the scheduled times. It was
too easy. I already felt instantly at peace. I didn't have to
worry about anything.
I found the day spa was out of this world. Words and pictures
cannot describe the incredible location of it. I walked through
the lobby and I was transported to a place of luxury and
tranquillity.
A long carefully carved stone staircase
lined with stone bowls filled with water and
fresh floating flower arrangements led me
down to the treatment rooms and fresh
water pool over looking a wall of tropical
jungle. All of my stresses melted away as
I lay on the massage table in a private
room that had big glass doors that opened up to the
beauty of the pool and jungle below. Each day I was
able to choose a different massage treatment from a
list of carefully chosen treatments as part of my
package.
The spa menu also had many
other treatments I could choose
from if I wished to purchase
more during my stay. Although I
only had limited free time and
one of the options was a lesson
in traditional Balinese massage.
So of course I booked and paid
for this an extra activity. I really
enjoyed learning, opening up my mind to different techniques and
pressure points in such a serene environment. It couldn't have been a
more memorable location to learn and help me feel empowered with
new knowledge.
Then I went to do the yoga and
meditation, the room was
simply world class. The timber
floors, the incense burning, the
big glass doors, which opened
up to the jungle landscape
below. It all really allowed me
to get my Zen on a lot quicker
then I anticipated. It made it
easy for me to drift into the
early morning classes and find
my inner peace as soon as I
was on the yoga mat.
(Id like to point out I’m certainly not a yoga freak. By all means I’m a beginner but I was able to do
the positions to my ability and get something out of it). After my first class I was so relaxed and
chilled out, I fell asleep during meditation. I couldn't believe my mind could switch off like that; I
really connected with the incredible feeling of total peace, flexibility and happiness that the yoga
and meditation gave to me.
Having 3 meals a day served to me, I
purposefully walked a lot of hills and stairs
to get to the restaurant. This is where I got
most of my exercise during my stay. It sat
high on a mountain overlooking the
retreat, with big glass windows that
opened up for the fresh air to flow easily
through. (There’s no air-conditioning, just
ceiling fans at Bagus Jati however I
actually enjoyed the warmth and didn't
find it a problem). Each meal was
beautifully presented to me with delicacy
and care. All were super healthy and
delicious.
When I spend so long at home trying to
eat healthy, doing the shopping and
preparation for healthy meals, it can take up so much of my time. I fully appreciated being served
great tasty food, prepared 3 times a day by someone else. It meant I could just sit back and be
taken care of, no washing up either! It was just another thing that I needed and could be added to
the list of things helping me find my equilibrium.
On the second day of my schedule
my activity was the Balinese
cooking class. I was lucky enough
to be the only person in the class
and got full attention from the
instructor and chef in a cool
Balinese outdoor kitchen. It was
truly a special experience that I felt
was perfect for me seeing I do love
cooking and being creative. Having
2 instructors all to myself was a
fluke as there was no one else
scheduled to do the class that day.
Lucky me!
We walked around the retreat
grounds and I was educated on
where the ingredients we were
going to use came from. We then cooked a 3-course meal. A Tofu vegetable curry, a Balinese fern
tip salad and banana and coconut crepes. They were full of incredible flavoursome ingredients,
which had many detailed steps to create the final meal. I felt I learnt a lot of new techniques in the
class that I can now use back home and I really loved having the one on one time to ask lots of my
culinary questions.
My favourite and spiritual experience of all whilst I was here was the village cycle tour on the 3rd
day.
I got to cycle with just my self and my tour guide through five different local villages. Again no one
else was scheduled to do the tour that day so I got to luckily do it one on one. We rode off in the
blazing sun dodging trucks and motorbikes, yelling "Hello's" to local workers, passing many
spectacular old temples and shops. I felt like royalty on a bike lol.
We stopped to look at local farms and their produce with information from my guide on all the
different plants growing there. I found it so fascinating to see how self-sufficient these communities
were.
We also stopped at a traditional Balinese house for a tour. Getting to see how spiritual these
families are and how they live and survive with very little money. It really gave me a lot of insight,
perspective and gratefulness of what I have back home.
Already feeling humbled after the
house visit, I got to stop at a local
village school. We went into the
playground and I got to talk to the kids.
They were so sweet, with very little
English they were obviously used to
tourists stopping and were eager to
smile and wave with loads of cheeky
"Hello's".
When they all gathered around me for
a photo I really was so happy and
honoured to have that moment in time
with those kids. It was super cool. I
cant express my gratitude enough.
After the School we cycled on and went to visit the sacred white
cows. Cows, which are considered very holy and lucky cows in
Bali and are only used for religious ceremonies, not food.
I’m not sure exactly why we went to see the cows, but I enjoyed
seeing them anyway and gave them a feed of some grass. It was
still good for me and my white skin to get out of the hot sun for a
minute just the same.
We then ended the cycle tour
by cycling to the beautiful lush
green rice paddies. Where we
walked out into the middle of
them, along raised dirt tracks
to a little bamboo shack that
usually provided shade for the
rice paddy workers but today it
was for us to eat our healthy,
packed, picnic lunch.
At this stage I was pretty tired and sunburnt from the ride
but I thoroughly enjoyed just sitting and chatting to my
guide about his home life, work life and swapping general
life stories about each of our countries uniqueness. It was
a nice humbling experience to listen and ask questions to
each other and realise how different but similar we live.
Regardless of race, religion or culture.
I actually can’t imagine a better way to
learn about another culture and different
way of living then to ride a bike with a
local through villages and getting their insight and to meet the other locals first hand. It was a life
experience I'd recommend to anyone. Not once did I think about any work, money or mundane
issues. I realised at that point I'd really found what I was looking for on this trip. My Equilibrium. I
finally felt I was balanced. I gained perspective, peace and realised what is most important in my
life. Love and family. Not only love for your partner but love for your friends, family and most of all
your self. It’s a real balance and when I achieved that balance, nothing else seemed to matter. My
Happiness followed and flowed out of my every pore. I felt empowered, energised, relaxed and
happy all in one.
With my newfound inner peace I'd also found new friends back at the retreat. I met 3 wonderfully
beautiful women, who too were looking for relaxation and re-connecting with themselves. Its
incredible when the universe gives you exactly what you need when you need it and when you
learn to listen to it. I loved swapping stories with them and discovering all the similarities in our
lives. It was then that I realised we can all learn something about ourselves from each other and
together grow stronger as individuals.
My Stay was complete; I felt I had ticked all the boxes that I so desperately needed ticking in my
life. I'd found my equilibrium; I'd gotten what I wanted.
After leaving the health retreat I travelled back to Seminyak for one more night. I had an
appointment with a Balinese healer in Legian, named Master Billy. A friend back in Australia had
recommended him to me so I wanted to see what he was all about. He's supposed to be very well
respected and like most healers recommended, 'very good'.
If you've read Elizabeth’ Gilbert's 'Eat, Pray, Love' then you'll understand the curiosity I had to do
this while I was there. It was just something my spiritual side was telling me to do, so I did it.
First I saw a massage therapist who warmed up my muscles with what was similar to a remedial
massage. Then Master Billy came into the treatment room. A Balinese man, in I'd say his say 60's,
bald, no shirt, very little English. He used pressure point therapy to unlock blockages on my body's
meridians and then used his own Saka
energy healing techniques to heal you.
He put his head on my stomach
numerous times, listening and tapping
certain spots on my body.
I personally can’t pin point what he
healed on me, and I have nothing to
compare it to, as I’ve never seen a
healer before. All I can say is I feel
strangely better and his technique was
extremely different to anything I've had
done before. He even got me back for
another session the following day to
which he repeated what he'd done to
me on the first day. I left the clinic in
Legian feeling I have to say lighter,
happier and to describe it the best, rid
of anxiety.
Doing this was something different, and something I'd wanted to do. It’s something that I probably
wouldn't have gotten around to do doing if I was travelling with others. Just another positive I find to
being on your own. I did things that I wanted to do, in my own time and didn't have to worry what
others were doing. I didn't have to compromise on what I wanted out of my time, which left me with
no stress and being happy :-)
My last afternoon of my trip I spent it
where I began my journey, down on
Seminyak beach on the beanbags. I
watched the sunset slowly dip as I
enjoyed the new calmness of my mind.
I rejoiced in what I had achieved by
taking a chance in life and to do what I
needed to do. To find my inner strength
and believe in myself again was magic.
I also found, the big Equilibrium. The
number one goal that I'd set for myself
months ago. I will cherish and carry
that feeling now wherever I go.
I went home a happy Woman and I
looked forward to seeing my husband
again.
I know my blog is a little peace, love and happiness wrapped in rainbows, but It was my spiritual
journey of self discovery, independence, and re-aligning with the world that I'll hold dearly to me for
the rest of my life. It may not be what everyone needs, I understand. However this is what I needed
at 30 and since being home I’ve been more relaxed and at peace with my self. I’m more accepting
of the way things are and I’m taking charge of my own happiness. I feel I have grown as a person
and loved taking the time to be who I want to be.
We can’t always predict the way things will turn out, but that’s ok. I like the surprise of where the
universe will take me next. Through the good and the bad I confirmed that I need to, and I
encourage everyone to listen to the universe and of course, have comfort in knowing that
everything is happening for a reason :-)
Till my next travel adventure, Namaste, Skye