"Awaken In Bali"

We take lots of great photos on our retreats and I have many favourites, but these two are top of the list at the moment. I love nothing more than going on the Volcano Climb every chance I get. It truly is a moment that you are "awakened". And you can't beat an banana leaf for an umbrella. Balinese ingenuity!

These two pics are from Marni Alexander's "Awaken In Bali" retreats.
The next one is on Oct 31. Email me on info@sharingbali.com if you are up for it.

"Selamat Makan" cook book at last!

At long last, I’ve got around to printing the cookbook. Many thanks to those who have kept sending me polite reminders to get it happening! It will be done by October. $25 (including postage within Australia) and it’s yours. Send me an email for details. info@sharingbali.com

There's a few recipes on the blog to keep you going. They are all tagged "recipes". Let me know if you have any requests.

Cremation Ceremony

Wayan has been busy in his family village with a cremation. It’s an important ceremony in Balinese culture and it takes weeks of preparation. There are 34 people being cremated so there are numerous offerings and cremation towers to be made. Today is the last day. The ashes are gathered and placed inside a coconut before being sent out to sea on a small, but beautiful bamboo raft to the next life with everyone's blessings.

new sculptures in the garden

Our gardens are ever-changing and Wayan has a new sculpture project in work alongside the irrigation channel. I think there will be about 15 of these statues by the time he's done.

No trip to the river is complete without a fresh coconut drink along the way. A perfect refresher in the midst of the new jungle walk.

Pak Gading is one of our most favourite visitors

A famous healer and masseuse, he has had no formal training as we know it. His knowledge was passed down from his grandfather. At around 75 years of age, he may have no teeth, but he is lean, with strong, muscular arms that would be the envy of any 20 year old.

Local Balinese see him for all manner of injuries from torn muscles to broken bones. He has healed many an injury for Wayan and myself and is always kind enough to come to our place to work his magic.

For some, he becomes the daily addiction….. “can I book Pak Gading just one more time before I leave?”

He is most popular after the volcano climb. The day starts at 3.15am to get to the top by sunrise. On the drive home everyone is usually happily tired, but there are quite a few tight muscles that could do with some work. One day as we drove down the driveway we could see Pak Gading sitting by the water, looking out over the rice paddies. A sleepy voice from the back of the car spoke for everyone - “what a vision.”

Mt. Batur Volcano Climb

As much as we like to keep an element of surprise to this trip, we do get a lot of “how far, how high” questions. So here you go, this is what you’re up for on the climb and it’s worth the effort!