Pyramids in Bali

We returned on Thursday to the strange presence of the Pyramids of Chi in Ubud, Bali. We went hoping for some new experience perhaps of healing. We were excited and anxious. Waiting for our session the energy felt good and calm. A man calling himself Pete sat with us and declared himself the founder and owner. A brash Australian he told us his story about hearing a voice telling him to do this. A long story full of mysterious things that enabled him to build these pyramids and his spiritual journey. Cobblers. Or am I a cynic? I sat and drew a little which felt ggggood then I went to the Beyond sound and light session.

We lay beneath a strip of led lights which would shine on to our eyelids. The waterbed was lovely and heated. The primeval sounds began and we’re very loud. The lights began strobing on to my eyes and I felt very panicked, a sense of fear and tension overwhelmed me so I placed the eye mask over my eyes and held it there. This was not a pleasant experience and I took deep breaths to calm myself. I was taken completely by surprise. The Swedish man beside me fell into a deep sleep and snored. Eventually I let the lovely vibrations coming through the waterbed relax my back and although my mind did not relax I enjoyed that part of it. I couldn’t work out my reaction to the light until afterwards. I can only link it to my cataract operation and the lights and laser that shone into my eyes and the associated trauma and anxiety that I felt last June leading up to the operation. I did like the energy of the place.

I returned by myself and managed perfectly well to get back to the hotel ( via a lovely jewellery shop) which made me more connected to Ubud.

More adventures in Bali with jet lag

Bit of a whirlwind of experience. Ubud is a small city clogged up with traffic including millions of scooters. It makes walking anywhere a real trial. On Tuesday we went to draw in a temple gardens and sorted out umbrellas, flip flops and sarongs. Food was lovely fresh veggies and rice or noodles. I’ve enjoyed going to different restaurants for lunch and dinner. The group is gelling well and although a bit eccentric and odd, they are interesting and pleasant. Early morning swim at 6am is wonderful. Today was a crazy adventure. I had said I wasn’t going on the walk into the countryside as my back was awful but decided to go as there was an option of a shorter walk. We went along a path that was paved in the Indonesian way- treacherous at times! Scooters also squeezed past us as we walked past rice fields and a lot of tourist shacks selling everything. Then we went further into the tropical forest which was full of sounds of birds and a monkey, oversized green trees and palms. We stopped at a place called Pyramids of Chi an amazing wellness retreat for a drink and rest and we’ve booked for some sound relaxation sessions tomorrow. Martyn the organiser proceeded to take us down the mountain via the little grass paths of the rice fields until we had to turn back as they fizzled out and the sky darkened, thunder and lightning happened and we were in brightly coloured ponchos in the middle of the fields precariously balancing in the torrential rain. We found a posh retreat hotel whose staff took pity on 7 drenched brightly coloured rats and took us on a golf buggy to find the road! We made it back and luckily everyone was laughing as it was a surreal experience. We did some drawing on our return but I opted for a Balinese massage near the hotel which was bliss. We had our seminar in a bar then had lovely food before diving into bed early again.
Certainly not boring.

On my November adventure to Bali

I met two of the others who were going on to e Bali trip at the Premier Inn on Heathrow T4. It was reassuring to meet new ladies before we flew across the world together. I was very apprehensive. Didn’t sleep much. We got through security with a few toiletries removed from two ladies and one lost her phone which took some time to find- quite unerring. Then as we boarded we were pulled aside and asked to show Covid and Customs e certificates and asked if we’d got our government app so we were nearly last on the plane. Certainly got my blood pressure going. The seat was a good one and apart from 2 screaming babies it was just long and boring but I watched the films Dine and The Outfit as well as listening to Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and put my Boze earphones on to listen to my podcast about Carl Andre. No sleep though so my eyes felt like pissholes in the snow! We are flying over the curvature of the earth to pass the equator to the Southern Hemisphere. Quite a stunning thought.

The hotel is an oasis amongst a crazy little city. Motorbikes and cars clog the small streets. Everyone is selling something. Lots of crafts. Changed £100 and got back 1725000 Indonesian rupiahs- making me an instant rupiah millionaire! Makes me feel like I’m in India. Went exploring after we found the hotel down an alley. It has a small pool and it was gorgeous to have a short swim and shower before exploring. Not very European so feels exotic. Huge palms and lush green plants in the courtyard garden. Everyone is very courteous. Market stalls everywhere. Had an Indonesian vegetarian meal- very fresh veg with noodles, tofu and peanut butterry sauce with a large beer in nice small restaurant 80k rupiah – under £5. We are all knackered so it’s off to bed with the a/c on. A few enormous ants on the floor needed removing before sleep. Feeling a little spaced out.

At the airport waiting for the taxi ( G20 starts here tomorrow)

Our guest house garden and inviting pool

Definitely tropical garden

Flying to Bali on Sunday to draw.

November 2922 will certainly be different. I’m going to Bali with a small group of artists to draw for 18 days. At my age I just had to do it before I stop flying. I’m excited and apprehensive. Lots of documents, apps, digital stuff which freaks me out. But having my 68th Birthday in Bali will be so cool!