Bali Blog
Sharing Bali: a day out of the life of ... Karen Willis
February 2013
Karen Willis created 'Sharing Bali' with her partner Wayan. It has been a project over many, many years but what they have created is truly a unique place in Bali.
Karen is originally from Australia but has completely adapted to the Balinese lifestyle and is 'living the dream'!
I am very happy that I had the chance to get in contact with her (well, she actually contacted me...thanks Karen :-)).
She is an inspiration to a lot of people for various reasons and her enthusiasm is very contagious!
Outdoor Active teamed up with Sharing Bali to form a great mix: Bali Fitness Adventure was born.
To give you a bit of insight into Karen's life, read on!
A Day Out Of My Life:
2.30am and the alarm sends me into action mode. It’s my favourite day of every retreat… the sunrise volcano climb at Mt Batur.
Last minute check… torch, water, wind jacket, scarf, sunglasses, camera and sunscreen in my backpack. Swimming gear and clean clothes in another bag for the hot springs. All done. Ready to go.
Cantik (my dog) is awake and excited. He thinks it’s time for his morning walk. No such luck Cantik. You get to go back to sleep whilst I head out into the darkness of night.
Meeting time is 3am at the dining table. Some guests stumble out of their bungalows, wondering whether it is night or day, others bounce around, fresh and excited. I can be an annoyingly chirpy person in the morning. I’ve learned to put a lid on it when in the company of those who merely grunt for the first hour of their day.
Guests, bags, food and walking sticks are all loaded into the cars and we start the drive to the base of the volcano. Conversation is limited, sleeping is preferred. Passing the crowds at the main meeting area, we head on to a location that takes us on a quieter trail to the highest point.
Our guides introduce themselves; pack their bags with extra water and food, giving out torches to those who need them. Armed with our walking sticks we are ready to go. The dynamics within every group is different. Some guests are nervous, some are ready to race, and others are just not quite awake yet.
We head off through the village, waking up every dog as we go. I guess the locals are used to it. As we enter the forest area, it’s quiet. I can’t but help feel a sense of adventure as we trek along the narrow footpath with the moon shining through the tall trees.
This is no nice little meandering National Park walk with handrails and boardwalks. It's a rough, natural path that goes pretty much straight up. The ground is uneven, tree roots, rocks and volcanic sand are to be navigated and there are natural steps at every turn. Early on there are a few little stumbles as everyone finds their balance. This is not a race for me. I treat it as active meditation, no wandering thoughts. I’m very alert, conscious of each step, feeling the cooling breezes whilst listening to the night sounds. I try to walk lightly, taking small steps, using my walking stick as leverage at steep places.
We’re not talking Mt Everest here, but you can’t help but feel good about yourself once you reach the summit. For some it is a fitness challenge, for others it is a first – first trek in the dark, first mountain, etc. For me, I just think the world is a wonderful place every time I arrive at the summit. Each time is a reminder that I can do this because I have good health and live a life that allows me to have such adventures.
Sunrises can fill the sky with dramatic layers of colour or be subtler, but no less spectacular, as it emerges through a whiteout. There is no better start to the day in my book. We capture the moments on our cameras; eat a breakfast of eggs cooked in volcanic steam, and then head off back to the base. It’s a tricky descent, couldn’t do it without my trusty walking stick.
A couple of hours later and we’re immersed in hot natural spring water pools. Instant recovery for tired muscles. It’s at this point that I have to remind myself that I am at work! After a couple of hours we are ready to leave. The drive home is quiet, everyone’s nodding off.
“Hungry” is the only word to describe the mood on arrival. Gear is dumped in rooms and we head to the table and devour lunch. Whilst our guests settle in for an afternoon of massages and naps, I’m in a very different mode. Time for a quick run with Cantik, a bite to eat and then the laptop is in the backpack and I am on the motorbike to the “office”… the next major village with decent internet access. Cantik jumps on the front, Agung is the driver and I’m on the back. Not having internet access 24/7 makes you very productive. I get as much as possible done in a couple of hours and then it’s back on the bike, usually stopping at the market and the laundry.
How life has changed…. I am now one of those people who think nothing of being on a motorbike loaded up with shopping, laundry, live chickens at times, and my dog.
I try to grab an hour to rest, before joining the afternoon fitness program. It’s usually yoga or a light run. Then we’re all ready for an early dinner. It’s been a long day. Everyone is tired but feeling good.
After dinner I meet with our staff to catch up with their news, and to ensure we have everything in place for tomorrow’s program. Back in the house, I prepare my gear for the next day. Wayan and I usually sit on the step with a glass of lemongrass tea until the need for sleep takes over. My alarm is set for 5.30am…. It’s a sleep in.
For more information about Sharing Bali, check: Sharing Bali website
