Our beautiful Balinese Goddesses at the traditional welcome ceremony and blessing that started our retreat with the special magic that is Bali.

When Kerstin first showed me the photos of Bali EcoStay I thought they were too good to be true. But from the moment we arrived I realised no picture could do justice to the stunning glory of this incredible place. Our inaugural retreat together was off to a wonderful start! We were blessed with a very special group of writers whose combined wisdom and grace made our week together a total delight.

Our days started with yoga, gentle stretching and internal focus to help clear our minds for the creative work ahead. The yoga shala at Bali EcoStay is nestled into the rainforest and is filled with a peaceful ambience, enhanced by the mandala made of blossoms created for us by the local women.

After a delicious breakfast prepared from ingredients grown in the organic permaculture garden, with eggs from their chooks, we had workshops on a different aspect of writing – from life writing to structuring your full length work, every day. The shared knowledge of the group, which included multiple published authors as well as first time writers, made these workshops valuable for all.

On our first full day we were given a tour of the permaculture garden and the surrounding village, including our very own waterfall with a glorious swimming hole! Oh happy day!!

After another fresh delicious meal for lunch, writers had free time to explore more on their own or get stuck into writing, while Kerstin and I offered one on one mentoring sessions as well as tarot readings to help bring insight for moving forward with writing projects, and life. Massages too! In a tranquil Massage Bale in among the rainforest. Sigh – take me back!

We gathered again in the evenings at the yoga shala to do some guided yoga breathing (pranayama) which I’ve been doing for about 15 years now. Nature’s perfect tranquilliser. Then it was time for dinner!

So yummy! And dessert every night too 🙂 Including delicious sugar-free chocolate creations made from their own organic cacao! (eaten too fast for photos – sorry!)

Then we were off to bed in our unique treehouse style bungalows – some overlooking the rice paddies, some nestled in the forest overlooking the stream that provided a constant soundtrack of relaxation music. We slept in the open air, fresh and cool, close to nature but safe and sheltered from all the elements. I loved my little hobbit cottage.

We finished our retreat with traditional collage :), setting intentions and writing goals and then a bonfire and readings night where our multi-talented participants shone like the sun!

Here are a couple of examples of the writing inspired by our beautiful surroundings and the wonder of us all together.

Heaven is sitting on a bus with six wise women by Natasha Cox
They reminise about their travels
Say they used to have hair like mine
And when they talk about their dreams
They sound an awful lot like mine
They laugh and say
‘Oh, you’re so young’
‘You have plenty of time’
They laugh about men and life
And I realise that they are as young as I 
Just a little greyer
Just a few more stories
Just a bit more life.

By Natasha Cox (Bali Retreat participant 2023)

I WILL REMEMBER by Gail Rice

I will remember the stillness.

I will remember darkness as it dropped unannounced each evening and the gentle slow, subtle ripple of light in the morning as it peaked through the bright green leaves outside my window.

I will remember the women chattering and laughing in the afternoon as they worked their magic in the kitchen.

I will remember the little lizard with the yellow back baking in the sunshine.

I will remember the women whose hands eased the knots in my neck.

I will remember the graceful women who dressed us in balinese sarongs, white tops and colourful sashes and taught us to stitch together a basket to fill with flowers for an offering.

I will remember walking in line to the temple with our offerings and the honour of receiving a blessing. I will remember the priest, his serene face, his toothless smile and his still body. 

I will remember the silky taste of the fresh water.

I will remember the Rat who kindly took time away from me.

I will remember the taste and texture of the fresh delicious food in my mouth.

I will remember feeling my body stretch and bend every morning and connect to the rhythm of its breath in the evenings.

I will remember listening to the motorbikes as they came up the hill in the morning as we did our downward dogs.

I will remember how my muscles loosen and expand when my body slows down, how my mind feels when it is quiet and clear, how my breath feels when I reconnect and honour it.

I will remember how warm my body feels when it gets a hug, how nourished it feels when it sleeps uninterrupted for hours, how alive it feels as the water gushes all over it in the waterfall.

I will remember to trust myself, to listen to myself and to give myself time – time that is always there most often just hidden by the clutter of life.

I will remember the gorgeous man who took us on the walk and named every plant and tree.

I will remember the breeze that danced over my arms in the evening as I slept.

I will remember walking down the stone steps with the little lights marking my path.

I will remember the joy of writing with others, the joy of having time for myself to write.

I will remember all of you – your courage, your compassion, you kindness, your creativity, your humour, your wounds, your words, your faces, your faces, your honesty, your curiosity and wisdom.

I will remember to feel gratitude.

Gail Rice (retreat participant 2023) 

This retreat exceeded the expectations of us all for the magic created, the great writing produced and the renewal of bodies, minds and hearts. Kerstin and I can’t wait to do it all again next year. We’ve already booked in dates! BLISSFUL BALI RETREAT JULY 11 -17 2024 – Read all about it and grab your spot HERE!

With great thanks and much love to the wonderful people who made this retreat so very special. THANK YOU for being you! More photos HERE.

Can’t wait all the way till July? I have two retreats close to home AUGUST 11 – 13 in Springbrook FEEDBACK AND REVISION RETREAT for those with a bit of writing under their belts in need of polishing and preparing to submit. (only$450 early bird, all inclusive). And OCTOBER 20-22 in Springbrook again for Life Writing and Memoir (best for newbies). Early bird $480!

Get all the info HERE. BOOK SOON to avoid disappointment.

My next retreat with Kerstin is super dooper exciting! HEAVENLY HOI AN! February 2 – 7 2024 Hoi An Vietnam, with river cruise, cooking class, tour of the night markets as well as our usual fabulous mix of yoga and writing workshops to get your stories out of your head and onto the page, publication ready!

This one will fill fast so BOOK SOON! All the info HERE.

OKAY, time for this little duck to hit the beach.

With lots of love from Gili Air, Indonesia.

Edwina xxx