Pantai Mas - Bali

In the past years many projects have been initiated, often financed by the Dutch foundations Sho-Na or Ilmu Kebatinan, by Pantai Mas itself or from private funds. Several projects have by now been rounded off or turned over. The attention is now primarily focussed on setting up the Natural Treasures Project .

Starting-point in offering support at Pantai Mas is to react to demands for help and the needs of the people and the community, instead of offering standard activities.

~ A young Balinese man, working for the police force, who was very ill because of an infection on his leg, has stayed at Pantai Mas for quite a long time. Here, with the support of a local doctor connected to the centre, he could heal and recover. The high costs of the medicines he had to take have been paid for through a special collection made by the foundation in Holland. Now he can really begin a ‘new life', without the burden of a large debt with the bank. For the whole story, click here

~ Education about sexually transmitted diseases has been given from Pantai Mas during a period. To speak about such issues openly is really not possible within the Balinese culture, but in a suitably indirect and discreet way we have been able to contribute to consciousness and knowledge.

~ Two handicapped children, Risa and Resa, regularly come to Pantai Mas. Risa and Resa are brother and sister in the same family and they both suffer from progressive muscle dystrophy. They are picked up from their home for an afternoon of playing and enjoying in the swimming-pool and the garden at Pantai Mas, together with their healthy sister and other kids from the family or village. For them and their parents it's a break, something fun and joyfull. Even though their disease cannot be cured it has done the children a lot of good already, both physically and mentally, to come to Pantai Mas on a regular basis.

First Aid in case of Emotional Distress (FAED)
Most of the hotels and resorts that are so attractive to tourists don't welcome Balinese guests. Pantai Mas does. Local people, even those with little financial means, can come to Pantai Mas for FAED just like the western tourist or client (‘traveler passing through'). They can talk, relax in a safe environment and receive support from regular and natural medicine where needed. In this way, their initial distress is relieved and they can find some room to breathe and function again. In addition, they can come in contact with other people and cultures and see other examples and possibilities.
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Vitamin distribution
Vitamins are given to people who need them. The local people, especially from the nearby mountains, are generally quite poor and there is not always money for good and healthy nourishment. Women, children, elderly and sick people often need supplements. This ongoing proect is financed by the Dutch Sho~Na foundation.
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Enhancement of diversity within the own culture
At the Spiritual and Learning Centre Pantai Mas you can find a small Hindu temple, a Buddhist temple and an animistic sacred altar. A Muslim prayer room and a Christian chapel are still planned to be built. In this way people from different religious backgrounds within the community are brought into contact with each other, giving an opportunity for greater mutual understanding and respect.
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Ecotourism
Ecotourism is a responsible and conscious way of travelling to natural authentic areas, preserving (and where possible restoring) the environment and improving the welfare of local people. At Pantai Mas we aim to take in consideration and hold in balance all of these factors when organizing trips or activities for our guests.
Guests can experience the authentic culture, from respect for themselves and their surroundings. For example, you can join the local fishermen who work with traditional fishing methods, or you can work in the rice fields and plantations with the local farmers.
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Spiritual tourism
Spirituality knows many definitions, so it also does in tourism. ‘Spiritual holidays' to India for example have been popular for years. This phenomenon now seems to be on the rise in Bali and deservedly so. At Pantai Mas we want to contribute to an honest, heartfelt and respectful way of spiritual tourism. On this spiritually very special island visitors can encounter enriching and broadening experiences. A group trip along some of the most special spiritual places on Bali, with room for relaxation, meditation and reflection, is being prepared.
Bali remains a remarkable and very suitable place to refind yourself, in the essence with that which is and in the pace that suits your flow. We would like to invite you from our hearts to come and experience this.
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The Natural Treasures Project

Members of the Pantai Mas family, both in the Netherlands and in Bali, are working on the development of a grass-roots youth environmental training program. The Natural Treasures project is aimed at training talented and motivated young people who are still studying and developing themselves, in an experience-based way and from a spiritual vision.

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> click here to read more about this project <