Gaia Oasis Resort continued

Local fishermen use the beach to launch their dug out boats, narrow heavy wooden vessels that hold nets, lanterns, paddles, buckets, sunhats and motors. The men help each other drag them up and secure them against the ever changing tide and surf conditions. Their day's catch is usually modest, feeding the family and perhaps selling a few for small income. From their freshly caught fare we'll enjoy Mahi Mahi, Parrotfish, Tuna and Calamari. Some of Gaia's staff are fishermen in their off hours.

The gardeners are busy year round, climbing up the coconut trees to harvest the huge fruits, and cleaning up dead or damaged palms leaves after heaving rains dislodge them. They are agile as they quickly climb up a single bamboo ladder and then pull themselves up to the top of the tree. Staff below catch the debris and haul it away for recycling or burning. Bali never ceases to amaze with it's endlessly creative and practical reuse of natural materials

When there's exceptionally heavy rain, the water flows down the mountain on the other side of the main road, flows down through the village, down the paths and races to get into the ocean. Staff work tirelessly to ensure that the stream of water gets to the ocean rather than gather on the grounds. When the rains cause damage, the villagers come together to repair roads, homes, clear way mud from slides that block roads, water mains, and farmland. Gaia releases any available staff to help with relief efforts in the village and Gaia generously donates supplies and rice to those unfortunate villagers left without.

Children play on the beach, curious as they walk by laughing with each other, or playing with a dog. When school is over in the afternoon they help their parents out on the water, or finding bamboo to carry home for building. There's also a Holy Tree, ancient and beautiful to the south on the beach, with a small shrine next to it tended to with offerings of incense and flowers each day. Participants often find it a meaningful place to visit.

There are nearby temples to visit, or forest walks to waterfalls, local healers, a traditional Shaman that we can arrange a consultation with. Northeast Bali is very traditional with little trace of tourism or modern structures.

Gaia attracts an international following of guests and groups, making it exciting meeting place for exchanging ideas, philosophies and spiritual practice. There's always something new to learn here.

The staff are exceptionally friendly, helpful and capable. They are also respectful, intelligent and kind.

Gaia's staff provide a great support for facilitators who entrust the resort with their groups. This is something I understand and appreciate more fully each year. They’ll find me clay for my workshops, a local tailor for clothing, arrange cell phone credits, cook special needs meals, decorate for group celebrations, make pretty cakes, they’ll rearrange furniture, and do so much more to ensure that all the needs of my vision for an Aziza retreat is fulfilled. It’s wonderful to have this steady consistent support each year.

One of the highlights of each retreats is an evening that includes local children performing traditional dances in costumes. They are delightful with faces full of concentration, precise hand and foot gestures, expressive eyes and synchronized movements. The local school is supported by Gaia Oasis for their dance and music program and we were thrilled to see them come out for us on our last night together.

At Gaia we watch the sun rise out of the sea each morning, sometime free enough of clouds for a clear glimpse of the mighty Lombok mountains in the distance. The moon also rises from this side of Bali, and each full moon, when weather permits, banana trunk lanterns are made to point the way to the traditional beach bonfire celebration.

Finally, there’s the inherent healing energy to be found here, that only reinforces the pervasive healing energy to be found on the island. The vision that inspired the creation of Gaia Oasis was one of bringing together healers committed to spiritual growth from all over the world. You won’t find a more interesting or nurturing mix of modalities and people anywhere else on the island.

Gaia Oasis is a hidden jewel within the emerald island of Bali. We're lucky we found it!