DAY 5- FRIDAY
Our schedule felt more open and we had loads of free time to just hang by the bar next to the pool, overlooking the ocean.
Apart from the class I took in the morning, I had the rest of the day to write and enjoy my stay at Atmosphere. I remember saying how the whole team really makes an effort to give their guests the best experience while they’re there. And when I say the whole team, that includes the owners.
Couple Matt and Gabie arrived the other day after a trip with their children. A day after they arrived, we found this note in our room.
Apart from the fact that the owners made it a point to reach out and personally get to know their guests, I was also delighted by this:
Vegan Falafel and (super low alcohol) Lychee Martini! Bartender, Kuya Reynante, knew how intolerant I was of alcohol but I really wanted to try his non-virgin cocktails so he willingly customized my drink. I didn’t ask for the Falafel either, but this came rushing out of the kitchen when we arrived. Vegan bar chow. CUSTOM VEGAN BAR CHOW. VEGAN. I’m beyond impressed.
DAY 6 – SATURDAY
Today, I turn 27. And man, was it the most packed birthday celebration I had in years! I noticed there was no room for birthday blues, because the whole retreat kept me happy and distracted. LOL
I only attended Rae’s meditation class this morning. I couldn’t let the day pass without the sweet, quiet time we spend just listening to the ocean waves.
I had to leave right after to have breakfast and prepare for what I thought was already the highlight of my day: Our snorkeling trip at Apo Island.
We boarded the Victoria, this spacious, white and blue boat that was a beauty to look at.
Only thing that went wrong was my motion sickness getting in the way whenever the boat would slow down or come to a stop.
I couldn’t stay on it for too long so we went right into the water and swam with the turtles and fishes!
We got back after lunch. I had time to rest before my last afternoon asana class with Rae (at least for the retreat) AND the Lava Shell Massage I was scheduled to have after. Can I be any more spoiled, here?
And did I mention how beautiful The Sanctuary is? It’s like The Secret Garden meets Wonderland, seriously.
Okay, so about that spa booking. The Lava Shell Massage is a new service offered by The Sanctuary (Atmosphere’s wellness center). It involves the use of Filipino Tiger Clam Shells filled with heated gel.
My therapist, used long strokes, alternating between using just her bare hands and the heated shells. The heat was such a relief after Rae’s strong backbending class yesterday. :p
Of course, if you’re used to hard massages, you obviously have to tell your masseuse. Lilia, my therapist, got deep into the muscles on my upper back (after I told her to) but probably got worn out that she put significantly less pressure on the rest of my body.
Either that or I’ve really hardened like toffee. Still really good, though! The whole massage lasted for a full 90 minutes.
We went straight to dinner at the restaurant (I decided to take a shower in the room after dinner instead).
I was still oiled-up from the massage and since the place was dimly lit, I didn’t care. UNTIL the whole restaurant staff walked out of the kitchen (with now, my favorite chef, Denver Wickenhauser), and a birthday cake!
The staff singing with a vegan chocolate birthday cake specially baked for me just beat swimming with the turtles! THAT was the highlight of my birthday this year. And rather than making a wish before blowing my candle, I closed my eyes and whispered a big “Thank you” to everyone and every blessing instead.
That was the last day of my retreat and the first day of my 27th year. And although it didn’t sound like the usual yoga retreat that packed your schedule with wellness activities, I really appreciated the time and space this retreat has provided to really allow its participants to naturally slow down and be more reflective of themselves.
While we picked up nuggets of wisdom from our teacher, I’d have to say that one of the greater things I learned is to look for the bigger chunks of lessons from within and find the stuff that we can actually apply in our daily interactions with ourselves and with others.
Rae said during one of her Dharma talks, “Never share yourself with others.” Strange as is sounded, it meant we should always give from our overflowing cups. Never leave yourself half full because then, you’d also have much less to give. This is one more thing that I’ve always tried to live by but seemed to have forgotten in the past few months or so.
The retreat may have come to a close but the experience brought not just by Rae and my fellow participants, but by the WHOLE staff of Atmosphere made a huge impact and has re-fueled my love for yoga and life in general. Tomorrow, I fly back to Manila with a heavy heart but with a renewed sense of energy and passion—once again a filled vessel with much to give and much more to be thankful for.
Other posts on my experience at Atmosphere Resorts and Spa can be found here and here.
Atmosphere Resorts and Spa is located at Maayong Tubig, National Road, Dauin, Negros Oriental, Philippines. Learn more through their website: www. atmosphereresorts.com
