I sometimes lament about the misguided belief that “I can’t make decisions.” Besides the fact I know better than to use words like this, π the truth is I am a contemplator and contemplating (not second guessing!) is what I do. In reality I make the decisions I need to make when I have the information I need to make them. And . . . this needed information often comes to me in the moment (or what some could interpret to be last minute), and often not a minute before (as much as I would love to have the extra time to “plan” π)
That was the case with how I ended up at a retreat in Siquijor. B-Rod and I were trying to come up with creative ways to extend our time away together, yet get him home sooner rather than later to study. Nothing was feeling right until I came across a retreat that intrigued me. I sent a quick message, asked some questions, and was instantly set to start in 2.5 days . . . . all before B-Rod even knew I had found anything that might keep me on the island longer. Now, he was free to focus on what he needed to and my adventure would continue!
There were a few things that interested me about this retreat – it included a mix of yoga, energy work, exploring more of the island and connection with an island healer (Siquijor has a reputation as a mystical island where witchcraft is practiced and healers are revered). On top of that the teacher/leader is a Filipina who, though not originally from the island, has made Siquijor her home because she felt an instant connection to the area and land. I’ve done retreats in other countries before, but it has mainly been with western teachers, and though I understand and appreciate why they are holding their retreats and training in these warmer climates, it was nice, for a change, to learn from and support a teacher who is native and local to the country that I am visiting.
So, after B-Rod left, I moved into my new quarters for the next few days. It was a roomy, comfortable, traditional-style wooden hut on the hill which was situated on its own away from other dwellings. This made it feel fairly isolated (perfect for retreat). It had a great deck with a kick-ass view where I spent hours reflecting, contemplating and simply taking it all in.
One thing about the traditional houses which I’ve experienced numerous times – if you are going to have a pleasant experience, you have to come to terms with the idea of making friends with different critters (you are in nature after all!) I had the termites who left proof of their existence for me to sweep up everyday, and the ants that had me hyper-vigilant about making sure all of the food was properly sealed and stored. Luckily, I saw the biggest gecko I have ever seen the first day I arrived (I called him Clyde and talked to him daily) scurrying into the rafters, so that when I saw his daily poop gifts around, my imagination didn’t wander to what other critter friend it might be. One very windy night, outside my place, I had (what I was later told was) one of the dogs who had snuck out with a chain still around his neck. The clatter of his leash against the howling of the wind had me in my place by myself wide-eyed and practicing the art of swiftly working to move my attention away from where my imagination naturally traveled after having spent the evening in the main house sharing ghost/spirit/supernatural stories (it also didn’t help that a brown out happened not long after I heard him wandering around! π΅βπ«) I also had funny and cute visitors like the cow that prevented me from getting into my place one day, and Zeus (one of the cats) that spent a couple of days keeping me company on the deck.
This retreat was the first private one-to-one retreat experience I have ever done. I wasn’t sure how it would go, but it ended up being great and helping me to tap in to myself and things around me in a whole new way that I didn’t expect.
I loved the yoga which ended with relaxing sound bath savasana sessions in the mornings, and the individual, tailored attention I had with the energy sessions.
I loved the balance of doing classes, sessions and learning about different things with the time to be by myself immersed in the solitude of nature I was surrounded by.
I enjoyed eating meals and having interesting conversations with the instructor, Priya, and her partner, Matt.
And I loved that getting to know the island of Siquijor on a more intimate level was part of the program by going with a local guide to areas that aren’t as well known. One day was devoted to this, and I got to spend this day with Jezrel who was born and grew up “in the middle of nowhere” (his words) on the island. He had left to live with family in Cebu for a period of time, realized that city life wasn’t for him, so came back and truly loves where he lives and where he has come from. He was a great resource to ask questions I had and genuinely seemed interested to show me the magic of this island he loves.
He took me to a cave with pools. I was more prepared this time than when B-Rod and I went caving, but did not expect Jezrel to bring candles to light the cave up. It was truly β¨magical!β¨ We had the place to ourselves, and I spent time simply floating happily in one of the pools. Later, we went along a bit further walking on a surface that felt as soft as grass, but was in fact guano, as we checked out a bat cave. It was eerie, but still so cool!
He introduced me to the Secret Blue Lagoon which apparently is no longer secret, yet we were once again the only ones there. We stopped for a refreshing swim and appreciated the sounds and energy of nature.
We went to a farm to have lunch where I laid on a hammock in front of the rice fields and ended up having a nap (he did say to rest! π)
We visited a healer that he has also gone to before, and I experienced local island energy work.
We went along a nature trail at Bandilaan National Park where we walked among/through an old Balette (Banyan) tree!
And we went up the tower at this same park to see a 360 degree view around the island just in time for sunset. Unfortunately, it ended up clouding over at that time of the day with fog blowing in.
So, instead we did some jump shots! π
It was a great day with a great guide learning about the island and Jezrel’s life there.
On my last night of the retreat, Priya and Matt made my day, by not only taking me to the beach for sunset, but also bringing their paddle board out. It was so many of my happy places all mixed into one paddle!
The time to make my way back eventually came and I said goodby to an island I can see myself going back to one day.
Due to flight times, I ended up in Dumaguete for another day. I spent that day doing one of the things I most love to do while travelling . . . . simply BE in the energy and seemingly mundane everyday workings of a place by wandering around with no agenda or schedule.
I ended up roaming the market in the morning and observed people pick up food for the day or week ahead (where I also ended up later to sit down at a central stall for halo halo and lumpia)
I sat under an βπ π₯π°π―βπ΅ π¬π―π°πΈ π©π°πΈ π°ππ₯β banyan tree in the public square watching the morning Zumba class rock it! 
I scanned numerous scooters pull up and park so the owners could set themselves at one of the numerous tables serving morning budbud and tsokolate. 
And I followed a trail to a Buddhist temple (not common in the Philippines), wandering through a barangay (neighbourhood) that may or may not get many outside visitors.
I ended the day on the boardwalk where the lights lit up, the chairs around food stands got set up, the central stage started sound checks, the amusement park rides came to life and I sat with a coconut shake and peanuts.
It was a great day and a fitting send off for my time in Negros!
Remember how I’m working to flip my script and instead of saying “I can’t make decisions” I’m going to start to see it as ‘I’m contemplating until I can make decisions in my own time with the information I need’ (aka can look like last minute/spontaneous decisions)? Well . . . . just as I was leaving Siquijor and about to embark on the journey home, a thought came to me . . . . what if I took a different route and instead of going directly home, I stopped in the middle . . . say maybe drop into Hawaii first?
Yes, I wanted to prolong my avoidance of cold back home (it is safe to assume that this will always be a given for me!), but I also have a couple of friends in Oahu that I have been so looking forward to meeting. So I threw the idea out there, not actually thinking or expecting it would happen as it was American Thanksgiving at the time and I assumed everyone was busy. However, it turned out the timing was actually perfect for one of my friends who would have free time on those days. So once again, a seemingly loosey goosey plan was set, and I was listed to fly out in 2 days to try to make my way to Hawaii or the backup plan of straight to Vancouver . . . . whichever of the flights ended up working out first!!
After 11 hours of restless off and on sleeping on a plane, I was soooo excited to see my friend G in Oahu! π It was early in the day, so instead of a nap, I opted for the option of a hike with her and her son instead.
As we are both nature lovers, G took me to some really beautiful places during my time there. We went on the beach, on mountains, and saw views overlooking the β¨magicβ¨ of this part of Hawaii which I hadn’t had a chance to visit yet. We talked energy and woo and cobbled together a new moon ceremony just for fun and because it was that time. Overall it was an excellent last minute layover decision that just worked out!
One morning we spent a few hours out climbing up a path to see a lighthouse, had breakfast at the top, then climbed down to some pools below on a trail G had yet to be. Along the way we saw whales in the distance, jumping fish in the pools and a blow hole at the bottom. Wow!!
The only thing I had on my “wish list” when I arrived besides seeing G and another friend (who unfortunately couldn’t get it to work out for a visit this time around), was to eat poke. G took me to a spot she knew, and it was THE best poke! π
I was so grateful to G for showing me around and taking me to her places, but when she was working or unavailable, I did a bit of exploration on my own. One day I set out to go to Pearl Harbour. As I had been to Hiroshima earlier in the year, it seemed like a good tie in. I was able to get on the boat to one of the main sites of the USS Arizona fairly quickly without having prearranged tickets. Sites like this and Hiroshima are difficult for me to go to as someone who feels deeply, yet I also believe in the importance of being in that energy and remembering that humans are incredibly powerful and have the potential to not only accomplish great things, but also the ability to inflict deep horror and pain. These places also remind me that though we may want it to be, life is not black and white and has so many intricate pieces constantly going on in the background that can lead to different scenarios and outcomes. It was fascinating for me to see how the different countries and cultures memorialized and honoured these events. But, that is an in-person conversation to have with me if that sort of thing interests you!
On my last day, since I was listed on a red-eye, I said goodbye to G, stored my bag at the airport and headed into Honolulu to check out Waikiki and some tourist spots.
It was nice to see people out enjoying themselves and I ended up having some good conversations with a few people on vacation, but my time wandering there simply confirmed what I already knew – areas like this aren’t really my thing or what travel is for me. It also made me even MORE appreciative and grateful that G was game and had the time to hang out with me, so I could see Hawaii through her eyes and at her spots which was an amazing way to BE on this island.
It’s been an amazing time jumping around various islands in two different countries and cultures that I feel connected to in different ways. I’m grateful for the various lessons and learnings along the way and as always in awe and appreciation for the lands and beings that permit me to wander where I do and the opportunities to feel the energy and experience BE-ing in these various regions!
