Arriving on a Thursday meant that it was but one day of work before the weekend. Bonus! Arriving in the afternoon, I met one of the interns, Suha, from Turkey. He was the only one at Tri Hita Karana and went out of his way to accommodate me. He gave me the low-down on daily life and then dropped me in town to explore. I ended up getting horrendously lost as my spatial awareness skills were playing up, taking me almost two hours to navigate back.
The town of Ubud is beautiful and is considered the cultural heart of Bali. Traditional dances are still performed on a nightly basis and festivals are celebrated with fervor. Yet, my first experience was somewhat tainted by the number of westerners and amount of superfluous convenience. Warungs (small, family owned restaurants, normally outdoors) still remain, but most have been modified, catering for those with bigger wallets. Yoga shops intersperse health food restaurants and alternative therapy stores and the compounds of residents lay hidden behind the facades. Pockets of the Ubud of yesteryear still remain but they can only be found on close inspection.
I returned to THK all hot and flustered. Justin, the intern coordinator I had been liasing with, was there to greet me. An Aussie with attitude, his demeanour took some getting used to. He was brash and rude and I felt slightly awkward round him. He questioned why I choose to volunteer on a permaculture project and was rather interrogating. Left feeling slightly uneased, he headed to bed. Was this the right decision to come here? Was it going to be a repeat of South Africa?
I stared into the dark night, stars in abundance, shining brighter than those in the West. I sat contemplating, listening to the symphony of crickets on the ground, insects in the trees and toads in the paddies. I felt safe and settled if not a little apprehensive. Heading to bed, I was unaware of the events that were to unfold. The emotional turmoil and battle of self discovery; the loss of a loved one; the gain of some best friends and the inspiring words from each of them. Bali had opened its arms to me and I was prepared to be embraced. Drifitng off to sleep, I was yet to discover that Justin, the rude and crude Australian, was set to become a big influence on my life. I slept well that night.
I stared into the dark night, stars in abundance, shining brighter than those in the West. I sat contemplating, listening to the symphony of crickets on the ground, insects in the trees and toads in the paddies. I felt safe and settled if not a little apprehensive. Heading to bed, I was unaware of the events that were to unfold. The emotional turmoil and battle of self discovery; the loss of a loved one; the gain of some best friends and the inspiring words from each of them. Bali had opened its arms to me and I was prepared to be embraced. Drifitng off to sleep, I was yet to discover that Justin, the rude and crude Australian, was set to become a big influence on my life. I slept well that night.
***
I woke at 7.30am the next day, got ready, and set to work at 9am. Gyan, an Aussie, and Lindsey, from Montana, US, were there to greet me. Both are great characters with even greater stories to tell.
Gyan spent the past few years of his life living in NZ but after meeting a beautiful American named Rachel, at a festival in NZ, he decided to move to Bali to spend more time with her and her son. Rachel has an Indonesian father and American mother. She owns Soma, a restaurant specialising in raw food, and is a Permaculture practioner. Gyan has the same passions in life and is a great influence on her son. They are both full-on hippies, but I love that about them. Kind-hearted, fun-loving, beautiful people.
Lindsey has spent the past 6 years as a self-confessed 'office monkey'. Doing agriculture statistics for the government, she was fed up of the 9-5. Not many Americans have the freedom to travel, unlike Europe. They are allowed very little time off and, when they get it, most people choose to just stay within their jurisdiction. I heard that 50% of Americans don't even have a passport, although most Americans I have spoken to say it is more like 75%. Bearing this in mind, Lindsey quit her job, sold her car, put her house up for rent and came half the way round the world. Bali is her first destination, but plans to travel for at least a year. Friends and family frowned upon the idea, but she has made it a reality. Although she is still getting over the initial shock of being an independent traveller, she has done well to settle in. She is fun to be a round and I warmed to her instantly. She is inquisitive and like me, looking to find out who she really is.
Shortly after their arrival, Steve turned up. I didn't know much about Steve to be honest. Going through a middle man (Global Nomadic) meant that I never really felt the need to do my research. I thought I worked for Chakra of THK and that was it. Steve, however, is the man in charge. My mentor and my trainer.
Steve is another Aussie, but of a more passive nature. With a few more years under his belt, he is a slightly quieter, less vulgar, and more observant character than Justin. Steve was in the Army for 18 years, and has been to some of the most poverty-stricken and war-torn nations. After leaving, Steve joined the UN. He was an aid worker but shortly came to realise that money was not being well spent. The poor were still poor and aid was piling up. Using his initiative, he decided to quit and start up his own organisation, under the name of 'Green Warriors'. This man has seen it all, been to some of the darkest places on earth and yet he still keeps faith. Faith in humanity to make a change and promote sustainability. Faith in his interns to be the change they wish to see and faith in me, to follow in his footsteps and leave only footprints. ;)
Steve is an International Sustainability Consultant and Permaculture Design and Aid Specialist. He has been working on limited funds to make Bali a sustainable and self-sufficient island. Bali's Hindu culture is entrenched in Animism. They believe Gods exist within the hills, lay beneath the surface, whisper in the winds, watch from the skies and live within animals. Respecting each deity is key to acceptance into the afterlife and thus the Gods are revered. Yet the culture, as it catches up with the 21st century, is losing touch of its roots, and the Gods that lurk within. By promoting Permaculture, Steve is not only promoting sustainability, he is reconnecting a culture with its religious foundations.
(Please note that I am not going to talk much about working life.. this is a travel blog. For more info on my work with Green Warriors, please checkout the Green Warrior Permaculture facebook page or website)
Gyan spent the past few years of his life living in NZ but after meeting a beautiful American named Rachel, at a festival in NZ, he decided to move to Bali to spend more time with her and her son. Rachel has an Indonesian father and American mother. She owns Soma, a restaurant specialising in raw food, and is a Permaculture practioner. Gyan has the same passions in life and is a great influence on her son. They are both full-on hippies, but I love that about them. Kind-hearted, fun-loving, beautiful people.
Lindsey has spent the past 6 years as a self-confessed 'office monkey'. Doing agriculture statistics for the government, she was fed up of the 9-5. Not many Americans have the freedom to travel, unlike Europe. They are allowed very little time off and, when they get it, most people choose to just stay within their jurisdiction. I heard that 50% of Americans don't even have a passport, although most Americans I have spoken to say it is more like 75%. Bearing this in mind, Lindsey quit her job, sold her car, put her house up for rent and came half the way round the world. Bali is her first destination, but plans to travel for at least a year. Friends and family frowned upon the idea, but she has made it a reality. Although she is still getting over the initial shock of being an independent traveller, she has done well to settle in. She is fun to be a round and I warmed to her instantly. She is inquisitive and like me, looking to find out who she really is.
Shortly after their arrival, Steve turned up. I didn't know much about Steve to be honest. Going through a middle man (Global Nomadic) meant that I never really felt the need to do my research. I thought I worked for Chakra of THK and that was it. Steve, however, is the man in charge. My mentor and my trainer.
Steve is another Aussie, but of a more passive nature. With a few more years under his belt, he is a slightly quieter, less vulgar, and more observant character than Justin. Steve was in the Army for 18 years, and has been to some of the most poverty-stricken and war-torn nations. After leaving, Steve joined the UN. He was an aid worker but shortly came to realise that money was not being well spent. The poor were still poor and aid was piling up. Using his initiative, he decided to quit and start up his own organisation, under the name of 'Green Warriors'. This man has seen it all, been to some of the darkest places on earth and yet he still keeps faith. Faith in humanity to make a change and promote sustainability. Faith in his interns to be the change they wish to see and faith in me, to follow in his footsteps and leave only footprints. ;)
Steve is an International Sustainability Consultant and Permaculture Design and Aid Specialist. He has been working on limited funds to make Bali a sustainable and self-sufficient island. Bali's Hindu culture is entrenched in Animism. They believe Gods exist within the hills, lay beneath the surface, whisper in the winds, watch from the skies and live within animals. Respecting each deity is key to acceptance into the afterlife and thus the Gods are revered. Yet the culture, as it catches up with the 21st century, is losing touch of its roots, and the Gods that lurk within. By promoting Permaculture, Steve is not only promoting sustainability, he is reconnecting a culture with its religious foundations.
(Please note that I am not going to talk much about working life.. this is a travel blog. For more info on my work with Green Warriors, please checkout the Green Warrior Permaculture facebook page or website)
***
Suha invited me to Padang Bai for the weekend. Not having my own form of transport, and eager to explore, I said yes without hesitation. Leaving first thing Saturday, we headed an hour East to the beach resort. Padang Bai is the gateway to Lombok and the Gillies. It consists of a strip of beaches, sea-front restaurants and hotels and a few good bars. Checking in to our bungalow, we headed to Blue lagoon beach. I imagine crystal clear waters, the sea lapping the shore and people bathing beneath palm trees. The smell of the sea is calling me! We climb the insanely steep hill and descend toward the beach. Reality hits. The tide is in and so is all the rubbish. Flip flops and bottles lap the shore. The cove is deserted but the hawkers are still there in their hoards.
Massage?
You must be joking.
Later?
Seriously?
We leave the beach thoroughly dissapointed. Luckily Suha knows of another beach. Maybe more luck this time? We head a few minutes south of blue lagoon (a deceptive name if you ask me!). After an even steeper climb, we slip and slide down to the beach on the other side. The tide is high, but sand is visible. Finally!! I chuck my stuff on the floor, lay down my towel, strip down to my bikini and face-plant, most ungracefully, burying my head in my towel. Finally, I can relax. I lay under a palm canopy, protecting me from the midday heat. Within minutes I'm asleep. Sheer exhaustion finally takes over, and I succumb to it gladly!
Waking, several hours later, me and Suha headed out to a Reggae bar for drinks and live music. The music was great and beer cold. We met a really nice couple, recounted tales of travelling and nodded along to the music. Bob Marley and Manu Chao were just a few of the artists covered.... I went to bed feeling relaxed, if not a little tipsy.
Massage?
You must be joking.
Later?
Seriously?
We leave the beach thoroughly dissapointed. Luckily Suha knows of another beach. Maybe more luck this time? We head a few minutes south of blue lagoon (a deceptive name if you ask me!). After an even steeper climb, we slip and slide down to the beach on the other side. The tide is high, but sand is visible. Finally!! I chuck my stuff on the floor, lay down my towel, strip down to my bikini and face-plant, most ungracefully, burying my head in my towel. Finally, I can relax. I lay under a palm canopy, protecting me from the midday heat. Within minutes I'm asleep. Sheer exhaustion finally takes over, and I succumb to it gladly!
Waking, several hours later, me and Suha headed out to a Reggae bar for drinks and live music. The music was great and beer cold. We met a really nice couple, recounted tales of travelling and nodded along to the music. Bob Marley and Manu Chao were just a few of the artists covered.... I went to bed feeling relaxed, if not a little tipsy.
Arriving back late Sunday, we headed straight to Steve's house. Steve, Justin and Lindsey were there all ready. We all sat on the porch, overlooking the garden adorned with fairy lights. The sounds from the surrounding paddies provided a great backdrop and the company was great. Shortly before 11pm, Rebecca showed up. I had spoke to Rebecca briefly before I came to Bali, and knew all about her work. She is the creator and executive director of The Paradigm Shift Project: a Canadian NGO 'changing the way we see and support the developing world through documentary media'. I was inspired by her work and am now inspired by her. She is gentile yet passionate, a great cook and up for adventure. I can't wait to recount my experiences I've shared with her!
Till next time x
Till next time x
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