Summer dream

This summer I spent a wonderful month in Pantai Mas. When I arrived I was extremely tired, still very low in energy from a burn-out the year before, but after the month at Pantai Mas I went home full of inspiration, plans and also feeling physically stronger. Both the owners and the other guests were very loving and friendly and we had lots of interesting and inspiring conversations and delicious meals together. We made some temple visits, I had my first (beautiful) dives and I was happy to experience a Melukat ceremony. But above all I had all the time and space I needed to relax and reflect on all the feelings and thoughts coming up which helped me to view my past in a new light. The atmosphere in Pantai Mas made me feel at home and at ease.

Although physically this was one of the most relaxing holidays in my life, mentally and emotionally a lot has happened and changed – for the better. After the first two weeks of my stay I felt that it would make me very happy to spend more time at Pantai Mas. So when I got home I made the decision to go back.

I quit my job and I am back to stay, this time for half a year . Everyday I am grateful to have made the decision to come back to this beautiful and inspiring place, and seize the opportunity to be part of the'' Pantai Mas family''. To be in deep contact with the Balinese culture from the inside out and learn from the people here as well as from all guests visiting. Evert and Dayu and all the staff, thank you so much for making my stay so joyful and fulfilling!

Carline

December 11, 2011

The jewel in the lotus

After a long drive through the dark mountains we arrived at the Pantai Mas Rejuvenation Centre just before midnight. The welcoming committee was still there with fresh coconut milk. Host Evert enthusiastically showed us how, in a few years time, the inner garden had changed from rough terrain into an abundant garden full of special little corners and gazebos. But what I noticed most was the calm sea, more like a large still lake. The evening breeze was hardly cooling.

After a short night we got up before dawn, curious. We rolled out our yoga mats on the platform next to the sea. Hostess Dayu was already lying in relaxation position on her mat. By the light of the rising sun a tropical paradise awakened before our eyes. The sea was smooth, the many palm trees motionless. On the small beach several tiny crabs looked at me without moving. Were these the crabs I described in my book ‛The ultimate challenge’? How could I have known?

Groups of small fish swam in the sea, you could follow them by the ripples. Every now and again they jumped up with many tens at the same time – sometimes several times in a row. I had never seen this before. A moment later a flight of finches soared by, dancing over the water. The sun slowly colored the bay in morning red. These were the mornings I wanted to experience every day – and I did. Doing my first yoga asanas of the day next to this scene is what I knew I would miss most later on. The fresh sea air breathed better than ever.

After the first breakfast it became clear to me straight away that there was no better place for my new manuscript ‛The Pearl of Gandhi’ to grow than in this peaceful environment. Surrounded by tens of Buddha’s in an atmosphere that breathes yoga. The banners decorated with chakras fluttered next to my little writing corner right by the Bali sea.

Every morning and every evening hostess Dayu took care of the energies of Pantai Mas with beautiful rituals. She radiated deep respect during her offering tour. These were pure meditative movements - the real mindful movements we had come for. The mealtime conversations about the ‛unseen’ fascinated me. How much had western culture forgotten?

Every evening, almost exactly at quarter past six, the sun started sinking into the sea. Sometimes she conjured up a palette of colors I wouldn’t have thought possible. The fishermen set out for the reef with their oil lamps. You could see their lights all night. This was the place I could reflect for weeks on the central question of my first book: what does our life need most to be able to flourish in this world – universally and sustainably?

Pantai Mas brought me the right new inspiration for my Pearl of Gandhi. I hope to pass on this inspiration one day in their new yoga studio above the sea. There is no better place to practice yoga - the royal path to unity of body, spirit and ‛that which is larger than we’ - than here. One day I hope to roll out my yoga mat next to Dayu again, to breathe in the sunrise. The energy of Pantai Mas revealed to me the jewel in the lotus.

September 3rd 2010

  17 May 2010

Dear Family,

The time flies. It's been a while since I enjoyed a 3½ week holiday without having to worry about anything. To be honest I miss you all ready.

What a great island, lovely people en beautiful nature. I'm really a blessed woman to have the chance to experience so many different things on Bali. And for staying at such a beautiful place as Pantai Mas. I've looked up the meaning of Pantai Mas. As far as I could find out it means Golden Beach. Despite of not having the most beautiful beach of the island, it really is the Golden Hotel to stay. I've never felt so much warmth and love as I did there. The hospitality that you offer is truly unbelievable and hard to explain to the people back home. I really felt like a member of the Pantai Mas family. So much warmth, love and respect, I never experienced this anywhere else.

I want to thank you again for your hospitality, warmth, love and for all the other things I keep with me in my heart for the rest of my life. Without knowing it, I think I felt unwanted many times in my life, but with you I never had that feeling!!! At Pantai Mas I was able to be myself like never before. Thank you for the greatest experience!! For sure I will come back one day to that wonderful place on earth.

With a lot of love,

Sandra

Hello dear people,

Despite the erupting volcano (in Iceland) and several minor earthquakes, I am back again from my trip to Lovina, North Bali, Indonesia. I was there for 28 days, together with Miranda and our son Noah. We spent four weeks at the beautiful spiritual & learning centre Pantai Mas. We were there to enjoy a holiday and “on business”. 

The first week we really needed to recover from the 24 hour journey. Noah, 17 months old, kept us awake during the whole trip...
 
We saw a lot of the island, saw the difference between the busy South  and the quiet North. We enjoyed the beauty of the land, the hospitality of Bali and the Balinese. And Pantai Mas… Pantai Mas is a story in itself. We have gained a family. The care, the patience, the sense of humor, the “mirror” that was offered, Pantai Mas is simply a beautiful and special place. Anything bothering you, and also who you essentially are, seemed to be enlarged 10x in this place. You simply couldn’t ignore it. A place to experience, to let go and to enjoy. I remember the special talks I had with Evert (Pak Djro), Dayu and other guests. Evert has showed me, with a lot of patience, what it means to focus. Our Pantai Mas family guided us with love and care in our Hindu cleansing and commitment ceremony. The ceremony was done by the “high priest” and his wife. Miranda and I are engaged now.
I can honestly say that we have been truly included in the Pantai Mas family.

Yes, I really experienced a lot in these four weeks in Bali; I have gained many insights there. Learned to experience less with my “Western side” for a while and do this more with my “Indonesian side”, to observe and above all to be patient. I have got acquainted with the Ilmu Kebatinan, the spiritual way of living of Bali and Java. I found my Indonesian roots and connected myself with the land. For me this was a great, emotional and important experience.

I was led to my centre, to the Source. Literally and figuratively everything fits together now; I have found my focus. I am a mix of different cultures. Born to connect East and West with each other.

Evert, my worthy and patient Pak Djro, I thank you with love and respect.
Ibu dua Dayu, we have learned a lot from seeing your care and love in all that you do.

Many hugs,
Stef, Miranda and Noah

May 10th 2010

My stay at Pantai Mas,

I came to Pantai Mas in November last year with a huge list of things I wanted to do and see on Bali . But…. there was Evert, telling me to settle down, do nothing and just rest. Aaaah, that was so difficult for me, because I suddenly started to feel again, things I didn’t want to feel, things that were hidden away, deep down inside of me.
And yes, after a few days the tears appeared and with the tears the true relaxation came. How beautiful it was to experience that Evert, Dayu and Wietske were there for me, with all their love and care. It felt like I become part of a new family.
Off course I did see some of the things of my wish list, :-). I really enjoyed the full moon ceremonies, watching the dolphins during sunrise, the beautiful dives, the trips on the motor bike, and the strenuous hike uphill.
But also seeing Evert at work with a very ill lady from a little village in the neighborhood of Pantai Mas was impressive.
At the end of my trip, I spent a few days at the touristic part of Bali (Ubud and Seminyak), just to be able to say “been there, done that and got the t-shirt”. Being there was fun to some extent, but totally incomparable to the warmth and pleasure I experienced during
my stay at Pantai Mas.

Thanks to you all,

Arine

More than a month has passed since we came back. The memory of Pantai Mas has been filtered by daily life; and although daily life is not at all bad, the special atmosphere of Pantai Mas is still very clear in our minds: the heartfelt welcome, the peacefulness, the sea, the clean beach, the fantastic swimming-pool and the pagoda’s by the sea. And then the delicious food, home cooking, varied and every day a new surprise, simple, but such pure taste. The best we have eaten in Bali, the best by far.  

We didn’t feel as if we were in a hotel. We were “home” again for a while. And the company was delightful, there were conversations with the other guests: during meals and at other moments. All of them were friendly and original people. Is it always like that??  

The charming and attentive staff: they were always there when you needed them, but they didn’t bother you. You didn’t lock your room and luggage, that wasn’t necessary, wasn’t the custom. It was like that – my mother told me at the time - when she stayed in Denpasar in 1949, but after that time a lot has changed and not all for the better.

Except at Pantai Mas. There the old-fashioned Balinese hospitality and safety still exist.
We didn’t go into the esoteric; that is possible but not at all an obligation.

It was just a wonderful, intimate and relaxed stay: recovering from the hectic pace of modern travelling and living on the golden beach.

Henk Goei The and Gerard Haack , Luik – Belgium.

March 15th 2010