BALI TRAVELS - MY BEAUTIFUL STAY AT VILLA KUBU - 2015

I just stumbled upon this post - unpublished... from 2015 - my first visit to Bali .... so let me share this experience with you anew.....

It was only a couple of months ago that I stumbled upon Villa Kubu a luxury villa complex in Seminyak, Bali... I wrote a little blog post here, but little did I know at the time, that a few months later I'll have the opportunity to stay at Villa Kubu.  And even now as I'm writing this post I am a little bit overcome by just how wonderful this life can be in the here and the now.

So here we go.... I'll paint the picture.... I'm sat on a comfy lounger by the pool, my breakfast arrived a little while ago and I have the soft and soothing sounds of sweeping and birds chirping and co cooing in the trees.... The water is stirring invitingly and I realize with a very grateful heart that I have found paradise.... thank you

The morning had come and gone and I've been for a little wonder.  Back now at my little paradise villa and am relaxing by the pool.  Feeling peaceful and calm and just enjoying the gentle passing of time.  

Book your beautiful stay at Villa Kubu - this is Villa 11 

SPRINGTIME IN LONDON

Photography - Lindé Davies

Photography - Lindé Davies

Photography - Lindé Davies

Photography - Lindé Davies

Photography - Lindé Davies

Photography - Lindé Davies

Photography - Lindé Davies

Photography - Lindé Davies

Sometimes I can get a bit stuck - stuck in my routines - and the commute to and from work that tire us out
Sometimes between the everyday comings and goings we get so stuck, we often forget to really live....

To take a step outside, to look at the world with new eyes, with fresh wonder - and realise what a truly magnificent thing it is to be alive here - right now....

On Sunday it was just one of those perfect days for wondering around - camera in hand - I felt like a tourist again, and my early years and memories of being new in London came rushing through.  

I love this time of year - springtime - the blossoms - the flowers and the promise of summer to come...  a few favourite pics I'm sharing with you here

Photo's by me

WINTRY WALKS ALONG THE THAMES

Photo: Lindé Davies

Yesterday I took my usual walk along Chiswick Mall - with The Thames to my right.  I love this walk because the landscape can change so drastically depending on the tides.

Its cold and windy and wintry but the landscape somehow comes alive in all this freshness and cold
Sometimes I guess its only when our hearts start to open we really feel the cold of the world again - but also the warmth of just being human... and the freshness of the air on our skin.

So I guess with the Chinese New Year just gone - there has been some build up of emotions over time - over time and time and time - sometimes we get so busy trying to get away from our feelings or for some like me, the lack of the feelings and emotions - to always be strong, to not let things get to us - that they go and hide somewhere deep in our subconscious mind - and then one day - they just all come to the surface and well up and stream out of our eyes - like a cloudburst drenching some fertile lands.  To feel the vulnerability of being human and to allow the tears that are to come could actually be quite healing.  I just had no idea there were so many hidden within

I think I needed exactly this experience and what has led up to it - to catapult me into really starting to feel things again - to feel sad and sit with it, to feel vulnerable and sit with it, to feel happy and sit with that - to feeling content and sitting with that.  I think in some small part the walls are coming down and this will be a time of personal growth and development, to go make some changes and to go make some things happen, and to be open to the challenges of being human and being fully participating in this thing called life and to align myself spiritually and emotionally each day to the opportunities that may arise.

I read this lovely quote yesterday and it just made so much sense for me right then - 

If a train doesn't stop at your station then its not your train.... so so so true

I guess that's exactly how I felt yesterday - I guess if the station is closed - there will be no trains stopping either - so here's to no more walls and fully embracing what this life and what this year may have to offer - with hard work we will reap the rewards, putting in a little bit of effort will go along way.  I have not forgotten, but now I have really remembered.... thank you for reminding me again

And now it kind of makes me feel happy that I could have felt so sad - and I am feeling excited because this is all good all round - to feel again.

Photo:  by me

VILLA KUBU SEMINYAK: DESIGNED BY DEE MYTTON - BALI TRAVELS 2016

As the first month of the new year is already in full swing - I do what I normally to best this time of year.... revisit my past travels and starting to plan the next big trip!  As you all may or may not know - I LOVE BALI - absolutely truly badly deeply - so join me on this trip down memory lane - my recent visit to Villa Kubu - my favourite luxury stay on that beautiful magical isle.... I wrote a little blogpost especially for them which you are welcome to read here at the Villa Kubu Blog

Photo:  Lindé Davies

I wanted to share some of the reasons why I keep returning here, to Villa Kubu - even though there are so many other amazing villas and resorts to choose from in Bali... and I do get to see a fair bit of those too.

But Villa Kubu is somehow just one of those beautifully understated yet wonderfully luxurious tropical villa resorts that have been around for a while - a good 16 years to be exact - but still feels contemporary and very much on trend - and a place that really draws you back time and time again.   

My first stay here was also the very first time I visited Bali in 2015 - a bit of a late Bali bloomer I must admit, and yet I won't have it any other way.  I stayed at an amazing villa towards the end of the lane, one of the last villas - but somehow also one of the most beautiful, I thought back then ... My stay at Villa 11 was quite out of this worldly .... a true luxury villa with a beautiful private pool and perfectly landscaped gardens.   Koi ponds and big stepping stones and nature sounds all round.  The bathroom is open-air and has that jungle feel - fabulous lava-stone jacuzzi overlooks yet another koi pond with the water gently streaming down the stone wall surrounding this idyllic bathroom space. 

And yet - when you arrive at your home sweet home away from home, and you close the heavy wooden gate behind you - you truly feel like you are home just a little bit more beautiful, a touch more tropical and a whole lot more luxurious! 

Even though nestled somehow in the hart of hustling bustling Seminyak - driving down the lane as you make your way towards the entrance of this lush and tranquil resort - you somehow beautifully forget the rush and business where you have just come from and you enter a haven, a peaceful retreat, a tropical paradise…

So last year I stayed at Villa 7 - and I must admit I had a moment of absolute wow - can this be even more beautiful, more luxurious and more perfect than my previous stay?  Oh yes it can!  The design and layout is so unique and stylish, it felt a tad more traditional somehow which I loved, but still very much contemporary and tropical.  You enter through an antique Javanese gate into a little tiny outdoor lobby I would say - and then from there you step into your lush tropical garden - sweeping all the way along the left and around to the back of the villa. To your right a perfectly cut lawn and a couple of frangipani's that have fallen to the ground throughout the day - their beautiful fragrance sometimes still linger in the air.  And then the curved private pool, inviting and cool just waiting for you to take your first splash or gently wade in, whichever you prefer .... and a wonderful traditional bale towards the back overlooking this lush tropical paradise await.  Here you can relax and enjoy just being present in the moment,  or as I found a very good spot for a delicious breakfast, which can be served at your villa or enjoyed at the Oasis restaurant onsite and just a few steps down the lane.  I had the Eggs Benedict both days - somehow breakfast outdoors in these surroundings are what makes trips and travels just ever so much more special if you are being served overlooking your own little piece of paradise (for a few days)  And it was off course 5 stars all-round!

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies 

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

The Spa Venues was just across the way from my villa and my dreamy treatment really sent me off into a very deep and relaxed state - I was floating for the rest of the day, my body felt renewed and my skin super soft for days.  The concierge and staff at Villa Kubu are always very friendly yet remain professional and whenever I left the grounds the security guard always said hello, and asked what my plans were for the day.  It didn't feel intrusive at all, but sincerely interested in where I was heading out to.  I never went very far mind you.   He saved me from a very long detour one afternoon and I'm happy that I took the time to say a little hello on my way.

My next trip to Bali I am planning to take my mum - I cannot wait to share all the magic all the wonder, and all the beauty of the island, it's people - the customs and traditions, the culture - and beautiful places like this one, like Villa Kubu - with her....

I'm sharing also a handy link to their current rates and some tempting offers so don't delay, 
book yourself a rejuvenating tropical paradise stay!

villa-rates: villa kubu

KIDS WITH A KITE - GILI AIR - NOV 2016

Photo:  Lindé Davies

I am almost 2 weeks back from my trip to Bali.  I took my laptop so I could write and blog each day - but my mind had me none of that.  I wanted to share my trip as the days go by - but no
I felt empty of words - and not in a bad way - in a good way - almost like I was empty so I can be filled right up again by the experiences of my trip
Almost like just being there was enough - it felt like there was no need to write about it while I was there - and I did not try

I guess a part of me, just wanted to just be there, enjoy being there and soak it all - and then one day when I am ready to share, it will hopefully find the right words out - to do just that.

So today I will start sharing bits and pieces from my trip - sometimes it may be lots of images and sometimes it may just be a single one photo.  I may have lots to say or I may just have no words at all and let the images and photos and memories I capture - stir your senses and create your own stories from looking at them

I took this while we were wondering the sandy island paths and roads of Gili Air in Lombok

'Kids with a Kite'

I hope you like it too

WOMAN ON THE STREET - JOANA KRUSE

I was walking along Chiswick Mall this afternoon, with the winding Thames on my right - it's a good 25 minute walk to Hammersmith, but I enjoy the space it allows between the working day, and my journey home.  There's a man who feeds the pigeons in the same spot, and we sometimes say hello and chat about the weather.  They have become quite tame around him - the one who feeds them I guess.

So today it was a little bit rainy at first - and then it cleared for a while.  A woman was walking towards me, coming from the direction I was heading into.  She had her umbrella open, and her face was wrought almost as if she was fighting a strong wind, while trying to keep her umbrella open.  Tired of this rain rain rain was what her expression was telling me when I caught her eye.  

Yet, she did not realise that it had stopped raining, perhaps some time ago already - she was holding on so tightly to the umbrella and what she thought was happening outside the safe shelter of it ... made me think about life, and how sometimes we hold onto things so tightly, our fists white around the knuckles from not letting go - so tightly that we don't realise that things, that feeling, that situation - has changed and no longer serves us anymore, things have changed, our circumstances have changed, we have changed through it, and perhaps have grown through it - the rain has stopped - and its ok to let go, to drop the umbrella

Made me smile to myself - as I could relate to this so well in the here and now - how we can sometimes get so caught up in our own rain and thunderstorms - we forget to even check if its still raining outside - and we miss the sunshine and that soft breeze after a summers downpour - and that's when I suddenly realised that it had in fact started to rain again - but without my realising until my face was drenched with the gentle drops falling from the sky, and my hair I could feel was big as a lion's maine ....  

Again -  I could not help but smile, as even in this I could take something away from it.  Like the woman with the umbrella - we should learn to know when to let go, and when to seek shelter.  And like me walking along so deep in thought I did not realise it was raining again - don't get so used to your situation, your frustration, your anxiety - that you don't even realise that it is getting you soaked soaked to the bone - and if you're not careful, if you walk in the rain for too long without an umbrella you'll catch a chill....

Lastly - I also learnt this - I do not know where the woman was coming from, I did not know her journey - perhaps there was a rainstorm up ahead that's waiting for me, and she has just passed through it - when we do not know the facts we can not make any assumptions - but we can learn from others - if I took note, I would've gotten my raincoat ready - cause obviously where she was coming from, and where I was heading to - there was a whole lotta rain falling from the sky.... 

What is your take on it - what can you take away from this?  Certainly interesting when life can start teaching us little gems in our normal day to day life - and so delighted that I can share this with you...

I thought this beautiful print was rather apt - its by Joana Kruse and its called
'Woman on the street' 

Image via Pinterest

TAKE A MOMENT TO INSPIRE AND ADMIRE

'Let the waters settle

You will see stars and moon mirrored in your being'

Rumi

Such a magical image .... something fragile yet reassuring about it - and the colours are just about subdued enough 

Feeling this image and feeling this Rumi quote quite deeply yet quietly right now - a lot of shifts are happening, and as the waters are stirred - we need to somehow not loose faith in the process but just pause for a moment by the waters edge - wait, sit there and just be - and soon just as the reflection of the moon and stars will become clear - so also - all will become clear from within - and once all is clear and calm from within - we will not be able to contain the brightness of our shine

Image:  Super Moon Arizona by Justin Ashton via Picmia.com

PERPETUA THE PENCIL

Image via rawd_living

Daisy darling

Don't take it all as read

Why don't you ask a few more questions instead?

I know you think that everyone should be paid what they're due

But there are people in this world who don't think like you do.. (K. Polwart)

This post caught my attention recently on Instagram via a bunch of inspiring young people with a vision, with a purpose - they are called -  Rawd_Living - and they are making a difference

Now - I am yet to read the book and I'm certain a chilling update will follow once I've read it - it's on my reading list - so I cannot comment any further about that - however, I am intrigued because I am curious and I want to know more....   Not only the book, but the pencil suddenly caught my attention too - bold and bright - red and black - serious and striking!  Like nothing I've ever seen before, beautiful and minimal and playful and colourful... 

A few clicks along and I found the website for Perpetua The Pencil - and if you care about the environment, just a little bit or a lot -  then you, yes you and you and you, because deep down we all do care - but we all just do too little.  Caring is great, yes, but caring without action - its like a whole lot of nothingness nicely packaged with a ribbon and a bow - and nothing inside.  I think the time has come that we put some action into our caring, and start making some changes in how we live - little changes, big changes - any change will do - just be the change

So back to Perpetua - and a bit more about this wonderfully revolutionary and beautiful pencil!  First a few facts ....  Perpetua is made of Zantech - which is an innovative material made of 80% graphite - which is a waste product of industrial production
So in essence this pencil is made almost entirely from waste - and what I found more interesting as well - was that as you're using the pencil, writing notes, drawing that masterpiece, sketching your dream home, sending someone a love note.... while doing all these wonderful things... you are also getting rid of the waste, but in a more sustainable way, but creating something beautiful with it

The foodgrade eraser forms a single body with the pencil,  which has one flat side - makes it oh so comfy to hold and it also prevents the pencil from rolling away... it is unbreakable, non-toxic and quite frankly just beautiful.  Well - obviously so, as it's the only pencil that's made in Italy!  The home of elegant design and picture perfect fashion!  But even more so, because knowing its created by and made from a waste material - and through its exclusive production technology - it does not need the traditional wood casing that standard pencils need...  so it also saves the trees! 

So a couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to meet with someone who could tell me a bit more about Perpetua The Pencil.   She was enthused and had this lovely energy about her - it was wonderful to hear from someone who seems to know it so well - the story, the technology - well, it turns out that Alice, was the daughter of the inventor of the Perpetua,  Susanna Martucci - who is also the owner of Alisea.it Well worth clicking through and realising there is a whole (new to me) world of repurposing and recycling creatively - out there.

I was delighted and so surprised and almost could not believe, that one week I was reading about something new (to me) and amazing (in technology and sustainability) but also something that will make a difference to how we treat the world in the long term.... and there I was the next sat in a little cafe in Highbury chatting to Alice - and I felt inspired!

Two weeks on, and I've been delightedly writing and sketching and dreaming and drawing with my Perpetua pencils.  Well first of all, I just wanted to write, or draw or sketch - the pencil kind of draws you in - it sits comfortably in your hand as it glides over the paper.  The eraser - which I've been using from time to time - leaves no dreaded bits behind - it kind of just erases and that's it - no 'eraser crumbs' all over your desk!  I've been using my turquoise first, then my pink, and this week I'm only my yellow!  (eraser that is, the pencil is just a normal HB) There's no need to sharpen them either - even though you can if you'd like to.

So I guess the only question that remains is - how can you get your hands on one of these magical sustainable beauties!  Well I imagine soon they will also be available in the UK, fingers crossed!  Oh did I forget to mention - you can also have your pencils branded with your logo or any design for that matter; printed on your pencil, and it comes with a neat little black backing board, where you can tell your story (minimum order quantities apply) Head on over to their website for more inspiration and more story!  And if you scroll down to the last image - you'll see a brilliant example of a custom design... striking isn't it?!

 And as soon as my cash flow improves - I'll be getting some 'an urban village' inspired one's ordered and hopefully available via my blog ... in the future ... hopefully not to distant.

I guess I've also become a little bit more aware, more awakened and more interested in a more sustainable approach, a more sustainable way of living, more aware of how we treat this beautiful home of ours - mother earth.  Our only home....  don't you think its a little bit strange that so much is being spent on finding 'life on other planets' in stead of investing in better ways to look after this magical place we call home?  The earth can quite easily exist and flourish without our human intervention .... but without the earth - we have no home, and we will not survive.

I'd like to send a big heartfelt thank you to Susanna Martucci for inventing and creating and manufacturing this innovative pencil - and there's not only a pencil, there is also a notebook!  And for sharing the Perpetua with us all - and in doing so little by little, pencil by pencil in a sustainable way collectively we're also saving the planet

Thank you x

Image by Lindé Davies

Image by Lindé Davies

Image by Lindé Davies

Image by Lindé Davies

Image via Perpetua

PRETTY SPRING BUNCH - TO ME .... FROM ME

Got myself this lovely bunch of spring flowers yesterday .... just because.

Because I had a good day 
And because I've had a good week
Because I thought they were so pretty
And because I like flowers
Because I think we should have flowers in our homes all the time
And well... just because - seeing them just makes me smile!

Loved the combination of the pale pink tulips and the purple (not sure what the other flowers are called, anyone any ideas?) I placed them on the shelf behind my bed, and its lush waking up to the sight of those pretties and it does go so well with my little shelf and my Hoi An Canvas - a photo I took on some travels way back in 2008

Hope you're ready for a smashing weekend, clocks go forward here in the north so those slightly longer nights await... and soon spring will be in full swing!

All pics by me taken with my new Samsung Note 4 ... yay!

I AM OF INFINITE POSSIBILITY....

Had a little burst of inspiration while on my journey into work today - and made this little positive affirmation for the day.   A little reminder for myself of where I want this year to go.... spiritually as well as physically.

Sometimes we need to just take a moment and note some thoughts down as they come and go  - some thoughts we acknowledge and just let go and others we hang on to.  Hang onto the good thoughts, speak to yourself with encouraging words and love, remind yourself everyday that you are unique, you are here for a purpose - your body, your human shell is only your home for a little while - take good care of it.  Let your spirit shine - through that your true self will shine through.  You will attract the people who will help you shine brighter - don't let anyone dull your sparkle.  

Have an inspiring day - believe it will be so - believe in yourself  xx

Photo and words by me

NEW SPACE AND A SPLIT LEAF PHILODENDRUM

A bit of greenery can always life a space and add a touch of life. This is my delicious monster or also known as split leaf philodendrum. .. got it as a little housewarming for myself.  The pot is ceramic and from b an q and I paid £9.99 for it which I thought was rather inexpensive for such a beautiful pot.

And now it's time for some sweet dreaming and cozy sleepin x

EARLY MORNINGS IN NORTH LONDON

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

Photo:  Lindé Davies

One of the many reasons I like early mornings - to catch the first rays of sunshine at the break of day.... to witness the beautiful changing colours of the sky .... to capture the sunlight breaking through branches of a tree - and to be in a position to make some time to enjoy this is quite priceless.

And to know that all this beauty is out there for us to appreciate and enjoy - each and every day. And even though some days your sunrise may not be this bright - we need to remember that somewhere in the world, somewhere on this beautiful planet or ours there is a beautiful sunrise happening.... if we can make the time to tune in just for a few moments, I'm sure we'll be able to appreciate even the grayest of breaks of day.

Hope you're ready for a good day - and hope you've got all you need within yourself to make it through the day.  And while we're at it - lets make it a great day!

* * *

I took these pictures this morning - the first two from my bedroom window and the rest were all taken in Finsbury Park in North London