Bali Beach Beauty

January 2013, I am walking on the beach near the Gaia Oasis resort in Bali. I am attending a women's retreat and the freedom of a walk is too appealing for me not to go out on my own now and then. It's my first time in Bali. Overwhelmed by its beauty, the sweet people and the purity, I am puzzled.

Why is there so much rubbish on this beach?

Where does it come from? And how these bits and pieces spoil the purity of Bali. I can't really get it. If you live in a true paradise on earth, why spoil it? But next to rubbish I found old offerings and other pure items like this shell. The shell had two holes and when I took photos of it, all of a sudden the sea took it back. All photos below were taken with a DSLR camera, the above one I took with my phone. Before I could take a picture with the 'better' camera, it washed away again.

This is a symbol of what Bali is to me. Bali washes away all you don't need. Bali purifies you. Just by being there, you are cleansed. When I am walking I earth. The ocean washes away your bad energy. On my last day of this trip I find out why I find offerings remains, as the locals pray at sunrise and leave the offerings on the beach. When I took the photos I didn't know this, so I was wondering what it was, as I kept seeing the same shapes and forms.

In the beginning I was mostly shocked by the plastic rubbish, but when I took a closer look, it made a pretty photo 

Remains of offerings

Part of the retreat was a visit to Omunity, where I met founder and inspirator Zanzan for the first time. He turned out to be a very wise and special man, and I made a promise to come back and learn more about him and his village. He e.g. told me that there now was a program to keep Bali clean, and to get the people to clean up their rubbish, not to throw it in nature and let it rot.

The most important men of the village of Sudaji were also encouraging the local people to clean up and not leave any plastic around. I love these local programs, as they work far better than the ones set up by the government only. Zanzan and his people are doing a great job as I learned later on my second visit in 2014.

The beauty of the beach is like a poem of pieces of rubbish

There were much more pretty things on the beach, both artificial as nature items, like rocks and coral. Even when you think a place doesn't look pretty, take a closer look. Really, go closer. Try to see the detail. When you can see details, you will see beauty too.

I am not saying the rubbish can stay, please clean the beach, but when you do encounter something like this, do not judge and try to really see what's there. The shell in the top photo is pure beauty. I held it and admired it and then... it was washed away. I couldn't see where it went, but just by noticing it, I felt good.

When you look at beautiful things, you'll create positive energy. 

Bali Retreat 2015 - Let Nature Guide You

Straight To The Heart  Bali Retreat 1-7 October 2015

Ubud, Sudaji, Sanur

- Guided by Antonetta Fernandes and Melanie E. Rijkers -

Daily morning and evening check-ins, meditation, (photo) walks & workshops, purification water and fire ceremonies, temple visit, exploring villages, nature, waterfalls and much more

7 Days Straight To The Heart Retreat $1950,-

Short daily programme:

Morning check-in and sharing

Evening check-in and sharing
Day 1 visualisation exercise
Day 2 to 6 guided meditation with energy medicine exercise to clear blockages
Photography workshop
Organic meals

Bonus: One session of 20 minutes Angelic Reiki healing per person

Ubud 1-3 October (2 nights). Arrival and welcome at Ugung Raka 2-4 PM, a wonderful resort with rice fields on our doorstep. Ubud once was the highlight of cultural Bali, so next to the wonderful garden and pool of the hotel there’s plenty for you to do.

Sudaji 3-6 October (3 nights) true rural Bali. Omunity Bali, founded in 2010 by ZANZAN. This is a special place in the middle of lovely Balinese villages. It’s not like any other resort. Living with and amongst the community and local people of Sudaji. 

Sanur 6-7 October (1 night) Hotel Segara Agung, Sanur beach. Closure of our journey with walks and talks, mostly at the beach. End of our journey: 7 October noon.

Of course you can extend your stay if you wish to!

Be, See, Zen

Join us if you would like to experience first-hand real Balinese people and culture, taste the very good organic food and receive all other gifts from nature. It's al about being in the moment ♥

Come to this beautiful island and meet the locals, no crazy tourist stuff.

7 Days Straight To The Heart daily programme: 

Day 1, Unwind - arrival at Agung Raka Resort and Villas, Ubud. Enjoy this oasis of peace as Ubud itself is a very busy place. Take a dip in the pool, a walk through the rice fields or just enjoy the views and details of nature in the garden. 

Welcome meeting and a short introduction. Dinner in Ubud.

Day 2, Exploring Ubud - Ubud once was the highlight of cultural Bali. Visit a museum or art gallery. There’s also the monkey forest or watch a Balinese (fire) dance at night. 

Antonetta daily: Guided Meditation (30 mins). Energy Medicine Exercise, to clear blockages (20 mins) Body Alignment - clear blockages (10 min) - 1st time may require a bit longer. Evening Check-in and sharing 30 mins.

Melanie: An introduction to Straight To The Heart Photography (1,5-2h) with a photo walk through the gardens of Agung Raka. Daily photography workshop or walk, ending with a beach walk day 7.

Afternoon: free time. 

Day 3, Rural Bali - Omunity Bali, Sudaji.

Staying in Sudaji area, meeting the locals will create inner peace. You Are, you See, you become Zen, just by being there. Lunch & Dinner.

Day 4 & 5, Exploring rural Bali 

- Waterfalls & ricefields adventure. Earth with unspoiled nature of rural Bali.

- Local Traditional Market 

- Canang/ Traditional Balinese Offering Making

- Cleansing and Purification Ceremony - You will experience a real Balinese cleansing and purification ceremony at our local “holy spring” accompanied by a local priest. You will recieve pure energy from the spring to cleanse your body and mind. Participants must be dresssed appropriately.

- a journey to one of Sudaji’s most powerful temples to give thanks and gratitude

- Spiritual (Fire) Ceremony

- visit a local school

- Spiritual Dinner: This dinner is a teaching… in order to maximize learning experience exact details are kept secret. This dinner will nourish much more than your body. It is a spiritual journey of awareness.

Day 6, Beach time! After breakfast transfer to Hotel Segara Agung, Sanur. Check-in from 2 PM.

Day 7, Closure at the Beach - Sunrise Meeting to share experiences and maybe a dip in the ocean. 

Photo walk. Breakfast. End of our journey together: noon.

$1950 incl. breakfast, lunch, dinner 

day 2-6, all group transfers & trips

Of all the places I have visited in the last 15 years, Bali is undoubtedly the best. It has everything: sincerity, simplicity, purity, humility and peacefulness. 

Even outwardly it is so beautiful. You can see how beautiful the little cottages and villages are. They have such simplicity!

Bali had maintained most of its pristine purity. You don’t even have to meditate here; nature will meditate on your behalf. Early in the morning if you walk around the villages, their divine qualities will enter into you and you will become a different person. Here in Bali, nature itself will accelerate your inner progress!

Sri Chinmoy - ‘Heaven On Earth’ 

Travel details & bookings

The group will be 8 to 10 people max. As this is a popular retreat destination we may sell out quickly. If that is the case we will publish more dates asap. Please email us to register you interest: e-mail Melanie or e-mail Antonetta.

Your passport needs to be valid at least 6 months after your return flight from Bali. We recommend you to book your flights only after we confirm your booking. We recommend you fly in a day (or two) early so you can adjust to the hot and humid climate.

We’ll share twin and double rooms, if you are booking as a single person please consider sharing a room. It depends on the hotel what the extra costs will be for single occupancy.

$1950,- per person

$500,- deposit due immediately after booking (no refunds)

$1450,- to be paid no later then 1 September 2015.

Paypal: info @ mery(.)nl 

Nederland: you can also pay via NL41ABNA0607286849 t.a.v. Artstudio23 

BIC/Swift code: ABNANL2A

By booking this retreat you support the local community of Sudaji and the children of rural Bali. We e.g. will donate English books to the school libraries and the public library of Omunity. 

Itinerary

Ubud 1-3 October (2 nights). Arrival and welcome at Ugung Raka 2-4 PM, a wonderful resort with rice fields on our doorstep. Ubud once was the highlight of cultural Bali, so next to the wonderful garden and pool of the hotel there’s plenty  for you to do.

Sudaji, rural Bali 3-6 October (3 nights). Omunity Bali, founded in 2010 by ZANZAN. This is a special place in the middle of lovely Balinese villages. It’s not like any other resort, e.g. they are concerned with providing a future for their children, in a world without plastic, dangerous chemicals and fertilisers. Returning to basics – what the anchestors understood and practised. Omunity seeks to educate and inform both locals and visitors. To bridge the gap between environmental concerns and human interests through practical education and sustainable Sudaji community involvement. The concept for Omunity Bali is living with and amongst the community and local people of Sudaji. 

Sanur, Hotel Segara Agung 6-7 October (1 night). Closure of our journey with 

walks and talks, mostly at the beach. End of our journey: 7 October noon.

Antonetta is: An Author, Life Coach/Mentor, Public Speaker and Angelic Reiki Practitioner. Additionally she also graduated at the Academy of Wealth & Achievement as Master Results Coach, NLP Master Practitioner, NLP Trainer, Hypnotherapist and Performance Consultant. Antonetta continues to enter un-chartered waters from practicing energy medicine to getting her messages across the global showing her appeal is universal and her inspiration has no boundaries.

London, UK. Feel free to contact her via e-mail

www.antonettafernandes.co.uk

Melanie is: ZIENer. Photographer. Mother & Wife. Teacher of Miksang Contemplative Photography. Inspirator & Storyteller. Living in the Netherlands, traveling all over the world to spread  PURE vision. Photo Therapy Coach. Zien means ‘to see’ in Dutch. ‘Ziener’ also means prophet. #ikzieikzie 

Breda, the Netherlands. Feel free to contact her via e-mail 

www.mery.nl

ZANZAN is: our Balinese spiritual guide and founder of Omunity (day 3-6). A highly experienced Yoga instructor (traditional Maha Patanjali). He loves to share his knowledge. Father of three, married to Putu Shelly. You can ask him anything!

Sudaji, Sekumpul and Lemukih - Bali, Indonesia www.omunitybali.com 

You can also follow our event on Facebook.

Trash The Dress Photography - recommendation

Alexander Tromp has recommended your work on LinkedIn.

"When I read about PUUR and Trash The Dress 9-9-9 in Dutch Media I started following MeRy and her work through her website and social media. What mostly fascinates me in her work is the way in which she can transform creative ideas into photographic projects and is able to execute these, especially when they concern a lot of people to be photographed - be it a series of individual portraits or a mass photoshoot.

I have gotten to know MeRy personally taking part as a photographer in Trash The Dress 10-10-10, 11-11-11 and 20-5-12 and some other photographic activities.

MeRy has been able to establish a very healthy business while never losing the artistic viewpoint out of sight. A very pleasant person to be around and communicate with. She is looking way beyond the commercial aspect of professional photography, social, artistic and even spiritual aspects are very important to her too. Photography is not just her chosen instrument as an artist, she is working hard to take photography to a higher level."

Thank you so much Alexander!

Trash The Dress 2012 - Photo: Shot by Robin

4 & 5 May

Scheveningen, 5 May 1995, Liberationday - invasion of the beach

Today, May 4, the Netherlands were occupied by the German army for the last day 65 years ago. On May 5 1945 we finally were liberated all, by the American, English, Polish & Canadian army.
Via Twitter there's a call for a "Twittersilence" tonight at 20.00h (8pm) as we remember the dead with two minutes of silence every year on May 4, 8pm. As if we nowadays can't sit still for two minutes...are we really that bad that we need a call? Do we really want to Tweet every minute of the day? Also, 8pm our time isn't 8pm your time when you are in a different timezone.

More about our Liberationday on Wiki.

Still it's a weird day, May 5. We don't have a bankholiday (why not?) as we do on April 30, when it's Queen's day "Koninginnedag". We celebrate our Queen Beatrix' birthday too with a bankholiday for everyone.

May 5 seems to be a day of (pop)festivals and beer mostly, just like Koninginnedag. On May 5 1995 me and Hans were strolling along Scheveningen beach, with D-day-like invasions of soldiers, bomb explosions and a parade of veterans. Next to the impressive landing on the beach, I was stunned by the disrespect of the watching people. Yuk...almost a naked bum, hairy naked backs etc...
We must never forget the war, not only WorldWar II but also the more recent violence all around the world.


Vanished productions present: Breda 1942-1943

Pilot. Send to "The One Minutes" for the "Where history begins / Schatten van Brabant" theme. One day soon we hope to be able to make a full lenght film of all empty houses, as there are 25 houses in my hometown Breda that were abandoned in the war. (our One Minute film only features 6) We must never forget!
...The Jews who lived in it never came back, as they almost all died in the camps like "Auschwitz" & "Westerbork" .

99 brides trashed their wedding dress on 09-09-09 Scheveningen Beach, the Netherlands

www.trashthedress.nl
(will have the album online soon here) xM