Settling into the local rhythm
24 January 2025
In the Wild
21 February 2025
Mahnaz’s adjective to sum up the month: Grounding
Community
Exploring Sanur Beach
The East coast and family friendly
Exploring Canggu Beach (Party Central).
On the West coast with amazing black sands. Glad for the hazy sun – but still got burnt!
The Local Climate
On a more serious note, despite the joy of being in a warmer climate amongst the beauty of a tropical island, we are surrounded by cyclones – which are causing torrential downpours on the island and weather warnings are being issued.
Anisa’s Experience
My adjective to sum up the month: Amazing
Reflections from Suleiman
My adjective to sum up the month: Blessed
I received a beautiful email from a fellow NoorWorker and she gave me permission to share.
I hope the words land with you – as they did for me.
“There was a river, shrouded by trees,
Travelling south, gathering speed on the breeze,
Trickling over stone, through grasses and reeds,
It met another, dancing round from the East.
Tentative first to make contact “Hold back,
What would happen if one became two on this track?”
Watch how they tumble and fall through the crack,
“Are they willing to share what they have and I lack?”
Just as gracious as winged creatures take flight,
Under the watchful eye of the moon at night,
Two threads of water, knit together so tight,
Tumbling, turning downstream with delight, Finding space in-between and giggling with delight.
As their joy broke a silence and grew further still,
They touched sight of stone boulders, rolling meadows, looming hills,
Navigating the land, penetrating winters chill.
Overcoming challenges that for others, might kill.
No challenge too tough,
What lay ahead may be rough,
In each other was love and trust, that’s enough.
May others join them to travel far and wide,
Take a dip, take a breath and lean into the ride,
For water is strong with wisdom found in each stride,
The river captures all tears that were ever cried.”
Emma Coley
As always, feel free to comment below!
Much love
Mahnaz
Date : 10/02/2024
15 Comments
Beautiful poem Emma!! Please be careful in the crazy weather and love that Anisa is growing chillies! Hope you master the chopsticks Suleiman! That’s one thing I can do, quite enjoy the challenge, think it was helped by a wagamamas addiction 😆❤️
I’ve figured out the best thing to do re the weather. Stay in. Not really! Open shoes – like crocks or Flipflops. Accept the fact that puddles will reach above your ankles and your feet smothered in mud. It feels so good to clean up after – better than a spa! 🙃
It will be totally embarrassing if after a year here I haven’t mastered the use of chopsticks.
Almost as embarrassing as having a Wagamamas addiction too, but only ever using a fork there…
Hey Mahnaz,
Great blog! Love the insightful information you’re sharing. Good to read Anisa’s and Suleiman’s perspective on life in Bali.
Keep it up.
Best wishes
Alpa xx
Thanks Alpa xx
Dear Mahnaz, Suleiman and Anisa,
Just read the stories of your first month in Bali. What an adventure! How wonderful that this is happening for you.
I am so happy that you like the Green School so much Anisa! I’m sure you will make lots of new friends!
Life in Bali seems close to nature, and most of the locations outdoors.
I’m hooked on your stories now, can’t wait for the next ones.
In the meantime I’m recovering from 2 bad flu’s and enjoy being a grandma very much.
And I sang with my choir in a beautiful church which is now a concert hall.
Love, Annemie.
The beautiful flowers and butterflies remind me of Sri Lanka
Annemie, you have been on my mind. It’s so lovely to hear from you and I can imagine how doting you must be as a grandmother. I’m sure it suits you! What a blessing. Please give our love to Tsjalline and Yasser and the little one. And Jacob and Astrid too xx
So glad you’re enjoying our blog. We had to do something – even as a memory for us.
I hope you are in good health now and continue to be so. Sri Lanka sounds as beautiful as Bali 💚
Lovely to read/see what you are all up to! Brings back lovely memories of when I visited Bali, 30 years ago…🙈
All the best to all of you and keep those updates coming! Love, Nancy
Thanks Nancy. Will do. 30 years! Wow. I can guarantee you it’s changed a lot since then xx
Hi Mahnaz, Suli and Anisa, loving your blogs. What a great journey in life for you three. Keep safe and enjoy the experiences. X
Thanks Mui! Xx
Reading this at 8am! The food looks delicious and loving the black sandy beach 🏖️ can’t wait to see how you all get on through the next 12 months.
@Anisa you should try to do 100 word challenge, 100 ways to amazing and see how many you can use 🙂
100 different words and ways to say amazing*
🙂
Oh ok uncle harbi I’ll try it later