I think I was a mountain goat in my past life.

No kidding … there’s just something about being in the mountains that makes my heart sing, my mind slows down and my body enters into a deep state of relaxation – even if the day consists of trekking, or other physical activities that get the heart pumping. Maybe it’s the force of the nature that surrounds me, maybe it’s the fresh, fresh air and the reprieve from busy ‘town’ life, or maybe it’s just where my soul feels at peace – whatever it is – I’m there!

Sitting in the ‘Birds Nest’ viewing platform at The Bali Mountain Retreat, I am surrounded by green, green and more green. It’s cooler here than in Ubud, a lot cooler in fact. I’m wearing my jacket and long pants, and I wish I’d bought socks! It makes for a nice change though, from the tropical heat. I listen to the wind blowing through the jungle and watch the trees gently sway from side to side, I occasionally hear a motorbike in the far distance and every now and then I hear another guest chatting, but as a whole all I hear is nature – ahhhhh, yet another welcome change from ‘town life’.

A few months ago Liam and I came up here – to the mountains of Bali, and spent just one night – one glorious night, and we promised ourselves that we would do it again before we left this amazing Island. So here we are, the week before we say goodbye to Bali, immersed in mountain and jungle life again, and what a great decision. Our very good friends, Jay and Claire, come up here often, and it’s been something that’s been on the cards for as long as we’ve been in Bali. Another good friend, Rich, owns this very special little piece of paradise, so it’s great to be able to share this experience, these final ‘Bali Dayz’ with them all.

Liam and I were talking about the impact that this sort of environment has on us both. How all our senses seems to be magnified – the surroundings look greener, the flowers a brighter tone of pink, the food taste better, and even your hearing seems on high alert. It’s an amazing experience if you really allow yourself to sink into it. We were very aware of it last time we came up, and again we’re experiencing it now. Seems nature’s force calls us, as I’m sure it does to all of us at some stage.

I’ve written a lot about getting off the beaten track, and the joys and incredible experiences that you can gain from such travel, and the mountains in Bali are certainly no exception to this. From Ubud it’s a 1.5/2hr journey by bike but well worth the trip. The Bali Mountain Retreat is nestled high on the eastern slopes of Mount Batukaru in Central Bali, it really is a piece of paradise. Rich and Rani, the owners, have managed to keep the environmental and cultural impact of building their retreat to a minimum. The majority of the dwellings are old teak houses that have been bought over from Java, and restored to their original splendor – they are just stunning pieces of architecture. It’s actually worth the journey up there to see these beautiful buildings alone. (I’m sad I didn’t get any pics to share with you but I guess it gives you all the more reason to take the trip up there hey?) Rich was telling me that in Java these magnificent structures are being pulled down and very often left to rot while the ‘new age’ builders and developers are putting up ghastly concrete boxes in their place – ohhh my heart aches! But thank goodness for good people like Rich and Rani that are playing their role in conserving such an important part of the culture and history here in Indonesia.

While we were at the retreat we went for a gorgeous hike through the Batukaru Nature Reserve and up to the sacred Hindu temple. Up, up, up to the temple! I LOVE trekking, and it never ceases to amaze me how much joy I get out of it – even when I feel like my hearts about to jump out of my chest! Seems my trekking fitness isn’t what it should be as I found this hike a little bit challenging – an hour or so up hill – ouch – but it was great, all the same! Sore calf muscles for a few days to follow but that just reminds me to take my shoes next time – trekking in thongs isn’t such a great idea!

The weather was perfect, a little overcast and quite cool, ideal trekking weather. It even gave us a few light showers on the homeward stretch! After the trek I booked in for a massage, really, really good move! (don’t miss that opportunity when you’re up there!)

So, a BIG thank you to Jay and Claire for sharing your weekend with us, you mean the world to us both and we couldn’t think of a better way to spend our final weekend on our beloved island – mwah! … And to Rich and Rani, thank you so much for extending your hospitality to us. Your retreat is exactly as you described – a very special place and certainly one that will be on our recommendations list! Hopefully we’ll see you in the future – somewhere. Xxx

And so … yep, we’re leaving Bali. The time has come to hit the road again.

I haven’t written about the next move yet. One of the things about this ‘endless travelling gig’ is the art of ‘living in the moment’ enjoying the here and now. It’s so easy to get caught up in the new plans, the future itinerary, and with that you forget to enjoy the experience that you’re having right now! I’ve learnt that one – and my brother reminded me of that on my last visit to Australia. I was having a little sook and it went something like this …

‘I can’t believe that I only have 6 weeks left in Bali’ (poor me)

‘Geez, sister. Do you know that most people plan their 2 weeks annual leave for a whole year – to Bali, and you’re whining about ‘only 6 more weeks!’

oh yeah – point taken – thank you brother for bringing that to my attention – no more ‘poor me’. Enjoy each moment, and that I have!

So we’re heading to China in less than a week now. This next leg of our journey is with purpose – we will be living in a Tai Chi school in Yangshuo, in the central southern area of China for the next 5 months. Liam spent a month over there last year practicing and we both realized that Tai Chi is a practice, and a skill, and a form of movement/exercise/ body-mind awareness – whatever you wish to call it – that we really want to learn about, and then carry through life with us. So … there you have it, our sole purpose for spending the next 5 months in China. The children will be learning alongside us, and our hope is that they get the full benefit of the art of Tai Chi so that they also, can have this tool for the rest of their lives.

It’s an exciting time for us, the planning and the preparation of new adventures, new places, new people – new EVERYTHING! I’ve get ‘butterflies’ each time I think about it, which I’m taking as a good sign of things to come. No doubt saying goodbye to our ‘Ubud life’ will be a heart-wrenching time, but WOW – what an incredible experience we have had here! I feel blessed and I feel loved.