Find a happy place

My son (3) has started up a nasty habit of saying "mummeeee" about a thousand

times a day. I'm trying to get him to say "excuse me mummy" as it's harder to

drag out the mummy bit, which is driving me up the wall. I'll be trying to picture

myself sitting on the bottom of the sea meditating, where it is nice and quiet. 

Image via myway

Fraser Island

I'm having my overdue annual "me-cation" at Kingfisher Bay Resort

on the A-mazing Fraser Island. If you ever come to Queensland, I highly

recommend Kingfisher Bay Resort. It's so chilled here, on the largest sand

Island in the world. Lucky for me, Mr S has let me spend a few days on my 

own, while he looks after the kids, so I can indulge in narcissistic heaven. 

To take long walks and sketch and paint as I go. It's also really nice to spend a few 

days to wake up when I want and to do anything when it suits me! Selfish? of course!, 

but it's only for a few days and I'll come back fresh and shiny!

Believe it or not, this is a lake! Freshwater Lake McKensie. 

Marvelling at all the flora and fauna here.

Enjoying soaking up vitamin D and chill'n

Ambient board walks.

The resorts Eco apartments blend in to the natural vegetation.

Hoping to post some sketches and paintings when I produce the goods!

Virtual Vacation- Bali

I didn't get to post yesterday, a friend that works for an ad agency

needed mums and kids for the new Australia zoo ad they are shooting,

so we all had the day off to play with snakes, crocks and kangaroos.

But I've packed my bags and I'm ready to take you on the next adventure,

(part 2 of the virtual vacation),

another exotic destination, the lush and tranquil town of Ubud, in the hills

of Bali. I can't imagine a better place to rejuvenate and unplug for a few

days. I'm seriously thinking of making time every day (time...ha) to meditate.

Funny how I know what's good for me but never seem to have time or

effort/inclination to make good habits and break old bad ones! 

    

Bali, Ubud

This time we're travelling by private jet, because it's a virtual vacation

(pretend) we should milk it for all it's worth.

The yellow car is pretty amazing, I wonder where we will put the luggage?

(above images) 1,2

The very vibrant town of Ubud is About one and a half hour drive from 

Denpensar International airport. It's a beautiful drive into the hills, many stone

sculpture workshops and mind boggling variety of arts, craft and homeware

 manufacturers line the winding road against a deep green backdrop.

(above images) 1,2

We will be staying at the stunning Maya, Ubud Hotel. Perched atop

of a very private ridge between two rivers in the forest. I've stayed

here a couple of times and I'm always happy to come back! It ticks

all the boxes, service, food, yoga, architecture and a fabulous day Spa.

A sketch of the entry into the private Villa with plunge pool. I had

a great time sketching the gardens when Mr S and I stayed here.

I reserved the Petanu Presidential Villa. (only the best for you).

With large living/dining open pavilion that sits above a 15 metre lap pool. 

With two more pavilions with canopy draped beds, overlooking the 

rainforest and river below.

The Spa Villas are located at the bottom of Maya's property, perched

above the river. The attention to detail in the design and decorating

is superb, You will feel completely relaxed and spoilt by the spa staff

as soon as you enter the open welcome villa. You will be asked try and 

choose the oils, creams they will use and the type of herbal bath mix

they add to the canopy covered bath overlooking the rainforest and

ambient river rushing below. (Can you see why I keep coming back?)  

(Above) Itinerary for the next eight days......sigh, (If only it was for real!)

(above image) 

Ubud is the spiritual and yoga hub of Bali, and many spiritual and art

festivals are held here every year, one of these is the Bali Spirit Festival .

 There are many specific yoga retreats in Bali, the Yoga Barn (above picture) 

is an earthy and unpretentious sanctuary set amidst terraced rice paddies 

in Ubud village.  

"The wardrobe" 

Images via my dream wardrobe 

Of course the shopping is A-MAZ-ING , everything is super cheap and

you can find some really unique jewellery and homewares. in Ubud village

there is block after block of the cutest boutiques and cafes and I seem to 

find the energy to explore every one of them (a foot massage after helps too). 

(above) Ubud markets, French bookshop and cafe, Clear Cafe  
Relaxed much?


  Previous virtual vacation, Vietnam  

...Rumba

I wish we had a longer break, I was almost relaxed when we had to come

back home. The Rumba Resort at Caloundra was nice, I think we should stay

again when it's spring or Summer, so we can go swimming.

very cool lap pool, was heated but still too cold for me.

The circles on the bottom of the pool are glass port holes to the

restaurant below, Hogs breath Cafe....mmmm ribs.

Ginger bread 'over board' ride at the Buderim Ginger bread factory,

Beach play, and of course, ice cream. Oh yes, I finally got my camera,

it's great to have a reasonable camera, thank you eBay.

....if only..

I'm getting jealous of other bloggers holiday trips away to warm and

beautiful destinations, so I'm sitting here on my beanbag watching

spongbob squarepants for the 10th time today and immersing myself

in these images......pretending......dreaming. Above: Laucala Island

owned by Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz. I think I will have to

keep dreaming....to stay here not only do you need to be able to pay

$30,000 a night but you need to be rather famous like Oprah, Johnny

Depp or Sir Richard Branson just to name the few 'A' Lister's that have

stayed here. Images from Belle Australia.

I would need to pack my bag with casual resort wear..

via: mystyle pinterest

 Yep I'm totally there.....in my dreams.

Have a great weekend all, Sarah