This "Brave Birds" retreat is designed to bring women together who have lost their mothers, in a relaxed, fun and caring environment. This self-care retreat has been created to bring like-mind women together, with a shared human experience. The focus of this retreat is growing from "Sadness to Strength". Included are nurturing activities, personal development and cultural / spiritual experiences. There is nothing more powerful than being with women who understand your loss, sharing stories of strength and hope.
 

Our five-night, six-day gathering for women who have lost their mother will spend this week in Bali sharing stories and engaging in customised activities with up to 30 other women who understand where you’re coming from — and who will become a support system for wherever you’re going! 

In addition to workshops, you will also enjoy divine spa treatments, yummy food and cultural activities. This is the perfect nourishing Girls Getaway for any Brave Bird.   

At one of our favorite venues, Sri Ratih Cottages in beautiful Ubud, Bali, we'll provide a sacred place for you to: 

• Switch off, relax and nurture your mind, body and soul 
• Meet like-minded women from all around the world, where you can share your story (if you choose to) and connect 
• Partake in cultural and spiritual activities that can help you process feelings and emotions 
• Explore the idea of re-framing and rewriting your story, a story from sadness to strength (and possibly bravery) 

We are beyond excited that Hope Edelman, certified coach and author of Motherless Daughters, and a guest co-facilitator will lead this retreat! Read more about Hope below x

*This retreat requires a minimum of 16 women to proceed.

We are just asking people to please wait a little while to book flights as we are still gathering bookings and hope to know if we have enough to proceed very shortly. If we don’t get enough numbers to proceed your deposit will be refunded.

Hope Edelman, certified coach and author of Motherless Daughters, and a guest co-facilitator will lead this retreat.

Hope Edelman has been writing, speaking, and leading workshops and retreats in the bereavement field for more than 25 years. She was 17when she lost her mother to breast cancer and 40 when her father died, events that inspired her to offer grief education and support to those who cannot otherwise receive it.

Hope’s first book, Motherless Daughters, was a #1 New York Times bestseller and appeared on multiple bestseller lists worldwide. Hope’s most recent book, The After Grief, offers an innovative new language for discussing the long arc of loss. She has published six additional books, including Motherless Mothers and the memoir, The Possibility of Everything. Her work has been translated into 14 languages and published in 11 countries.

Hope has also published articles and essays in numerous publications and anthologies, including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Real Simple,

Parade, and CNN.com. 

She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in nonfiction writing from the University of Iowa. She is a certified Martha Beck Life Coach and has also done certificate training in narrative therapy.

Cheryl Strong lives in Sydney, Australia. She is a mother to two gorgeous (and cheeky) children and the founder and creator of Project Brave Birds. 

Project Brave Birds is a social media initiative that celebrates BRAVE girls and women from around the world who have lost their number one role model, their mothers. Losing your mother at any age is a heartbreaking and life changing event. Project Brave Birds is about inspirational girls and women who became BRAVE after the death of their mothers, followed their dreams and passions to achieve great things. Project Brave Birds profiles these girls and women and shares their incredible and inspiring stories on Facebook and Instagram. Reading the stories of these Brave Birds will give you greater appreciation of your own journey and make you feel like you’re not alone. Their stories are touching and inspiring!! 

The is Project Brave Birds inaugural retreat with many more to come.   

Here is a little note from Cheryl ......

"For those of you who know me well you will know that my mum passed away with cancer when I was in my early twenties. This tragic event not only broke my heart but it nearly broke me. My mum was my role model, my world and she died 15 short months after her diagnosis 😢 

Grief is hard, really hard and I’ve spent alot of my life (after her death) trying to move from a place of sadness to a place of strength. It’s been the love and support of my incredible family & friends, my amazing husband, some key mentors in my life plus the work I’ve done on myself that made this progress possible 💛💪🏻 I still miss my beautiful mum every day and particularly struggle, being a mum without a mum - some days are really hard. 

In 2016 I attended a retreat in the US facilitated by Hope Edelman and Claire Bidwell Smith 💛. This retreat changed my life, for the first time in a long time I felt understood, I felt heard and I realised that it’s ok to be venerable and to still miss my mum and struggle with the sadness & grief as a 30-40 year old women. To be surrounded by like minded women who “got it” was so incredibly special and powerful. 

I decided after this experience that I wanted to create an annual retreat for women to come together, so they could share their stories and support each other and to start moving from “sadness to strength”, maybe even take a brave step to do something they have always wanted to do. Start to write a new story for themselves. 

So here it is….. drum roll please Project Brave Birds and Vibrant Women Travel have come together to create “Brave Birds Retreat 2023”! We are thrilled to let you know that Hope Edelman, certified coach and author of Motherless Daughters, and a guest co-facilitator will lead this Retreat. Hope’s name says it all and the day I met her in person in the US I knew straight away why her beautiful mum gave her the name Hope 😘

Please spread the word and share this with any Brave Birds you know. Places are limited. Any questions please reach out and get in contact 💛 Cheryl Strong -  - projectbravebirds@gmail.com 

• 5 nights’ accommodation in clean, comfortable rooms
• Breakfast included
• 4 Lunches & 2 Dinners
• 4 Workshops with Hope
• 3 Optional Yoga/Meditation classes (please bring yoga mat with you if you wish to participate) 
• Relaxing Bliss Spa Package – massage, and choice of pedicure or facial
• Sound Healing at the Pyramids of Chi
• Fire Ceremony
• Nadis Herbal walk and jamu class
• Transport to and from organised included activities 
• Airport transfer to and from the resort
• Tax and service fees of 21%

• Airfares to and from Denpasar Bali, Indonesia.
• Entry and exit taxes from Indonesia – $35USD (approx. $50AUD can pay with credit card)
• Some Lunches and Dinners (budget between $15 and $25 per meal)
• Transport outside of organised activities.
• Travel Insurance (which is compulsory)
• Extra Nights’ Accommodation - 1,590,000 IDR per room
• Tipping for hotel staff - we recommend $10 a day = $60AUD to be given to reception at the end of stay and shared between all staff. 

South Bali 3 Night Shopping Mini Break

23 - 26 June 2023 (3 Nights/4 Days)

Location: Sanur South Bali – Indonesia

Single Person Price: $1350AUD

Twinshare Person Price: $870AUD

 *Please note there may or may not be other women from the Project Brave Birds Retreat also attending this optional extra tour to North Bali. You can choose a single or twinshare room. If you choose twinshare you must have a friend coming with you to share with you. WE cannot arrange Twinshare room buddies for this extension tour. 

Accommodation – Vila Shanti  - Your Perfect Place to Stay...

Vila Shanti Beach Hotel is in Sanur Bali, Indonesia, direct on the beach of Sanur, 5 minutes’ walk to the town, 20 minutes’ drive from Bali international airport and 15 minutes’ drive to the city of Denpasar. Bali is famous as an island of thousand temples, where the inhabitants live with their unique tradition. The Balinese way of life is based on their faith the Hindu religion, and this give a very strong influence on the arts and culture Bali is also famous for its beach resorts, holiday vibe and shopping. Sanur is the perfect place to start or end your time in Bali as it is close to the airport but has the beach, cafes and shopping all at your doorstep. 

Inclusions  

• 3 nights Vila Shanti Standard room 
• 3 breakfasts
• Local shopping tour 10 – 4 pm with guide and private transport
• Perfume making class 90 minutes, includes transport to and from class
• Transfer to and from Accommodation  

 Exclusions

• Airfares to and from Denpasar Bali, Indonesia.
• Entry and exit taxes from Indonesia – $35USD
• Lunches and Dinners (budget between $15 and $25 per meal)
• Transport outside of organised activities.
• Travel Insurance (which is compulsory)
• Extra Nights’ Accommodation - $100 Twinshare per person or $200AUD single room and includes airport transfer, breakfast and 21% taxes
• Tipping for hotel staff - we recommend $10 a day = $30AUD to be given at the end to reception and distributed for all staff.

 ITINERARY

Day 1 - Your 3-Night/4 Day discovery package starts with a trip to the beach.

Settle in and relax, enjoy dinner at one of the stunning hip cafes along the esplanade in front of your hotel.

Day 2 - No trip to Bali is complete without a little bit of shopping. 

From homewares to jewellery, handbags to ceramics Bali has some beautiful handcrafted pieces for you to take home. 

On this full day tour 10 – 4pm with a stop for lunch (*self-pay) you can literally shop till you drop. Eka Jenny and her drive will take you to the places that people love the most and to see the things that Bali is famous for producing. 

Please note this is not a clothes tour but more for products for you home, art and crafts. 

If you have anything in particular that you know is produced in Bali that you would like to shop for please let us know in advance. 

Meals – Breakfast

Included – Transport and shopping tour

Day 3 - An Olfactory Experiences (90 Minutes Workshop)

The perfect introduction to perfume creation.

This 90 min session puts you in the shoes of a “nose”. In front of your individual organ filled with a selection of   exclusive perfumery ingredients, you will answer a short questionnaire about   your preferences and personality. Then, you will be guided through the detailed process to create a well balance perfume or a completely unusual scent as you wish.

Because you are unique, and we want your perfume to   be one-of-a-kind creation. Your 30ml bottle of perfume will be carefully showcased in a beautiful packaging.

Your workshop will be scheduled for some time   throughout the day. You will be notified in advance of your time. A driver will pick you up from the hotel and drop you back after the workshop.

The rest of the day is for free time, book a massage, take a walk to explore Sanur, have a swim, read a book by the pool. 

Meals – Breakfast

Included – Perfume Workshop and transport to and   from workshop

Day 4 - Morning at leisure 

12:00pm Departure Time – We hope you have   had a fantastic time with us. We will take you to the airport or your next   destination.  

Meals – Breakfast

North Bali 3 Night Cultural Mini Break

23 - 26 June 2023 (3 Nights/4 Days)

Location: Tejakula North Bali – Indonesia

Single Person Price: $1180AUD

Twinshare Person Price: $855AUD

 *Please note there may or may not be other women from the Project Brave Birds Retreat also attending this optional extra tour to North Bali. You can choose a single or twinshare room. If you choose twinshare you must have a friend coming with you to share with you. WE cannot arrange Twinshare room buddies for this extension tour.  

Accommodation – Poinciana Bali Seaside Resort - Perfectly Natural… Naturally Perfect

At Poinciana, we strive to provide a balance of modern comfort with nature, tradition, and style in harmony with the incredible beauty and traditional village life for which Northern Bali is well known. Our small size and seclusion give us an intimate feel and an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity… the perfect place to relax. 

Just a 3-hour drive from Denpasar airport and a world away from the tourists, hustle & bustle and the traffic jams of the South and Ubud, we are set on the edge of the Bali Sea against a backdrop of scenic mountain ranges, surrounded by small villages and local farms.

Inclusions  

• 3 nights Poinciana Seaside Resort 
• 3 breakfasts
• Visit Banjar Hot Springs
• Shopping Krishna Wisata
• Bali Cultural excursion
• Admission Fees
• Transport throughout including pick up and drop of airport or accommodation 
• English speaking driver/guide

  Exclusions 

• Airfares to and from Denpasar Bali, Indonesia.
• Entry and exit taxes from Indonesia – $35USD
• Lunches and Dinners (budget between $15 and $25 per meal)
• Transport outside of organised activities.
• Travel Insurance (which is compulsory)
• Extra Nights’ Accommodation - $100 Twinshare per person or $200AUD single room and includes airport transfer, breakfast and 21% taxes
• Tipping for hotel staff - we recommend $10 a day = $30AUD to be given at the end to reception and distributed for all staff.

ITINERARY 

Day 1 - Scenic Drive to North Bali

Your 3-Night/4 Day discovery package starts with a scenic   drive that takes you through rice paddies and traditional villages, over   the mountains and down to the North coast. You will arrive in time to unwind   and relax before dinner. 

Enjoy a cocktail while wanting the sunset. Doze off   to the sound of the waves lapping at the shore and get a restful night's   sleep.

Day 2 - Banjar Hot Springs and local Buddhist Temple

After a leisurely breakfast overlooking the you will head to Banjar Hot Springs and local Buddhist Temple. The hot water   springs provide a recreational and therapeutic experience, due to the water’s sulphuric content.  This can be seen from the yellowish red   sedimentation at several points of the spouts and pool walls.

The complex is known to have been further developed during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia during World War II. At the time, the waters of the hot springs were known to have cured various skin problems as well as rheumatic ailments.

Banjar Hot Springs continue to provide an enjoyable   and health-benefitting retreat up in the hills of the north, for those seeking relaxation, fun, sightseeing, and a totally different experience.

*Pack swimmer and towel, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and sarong

Enjoy lunch at the Banjar Hot Springs or Krishna Wasata. *Self-Pay

After lunch you can shop till you drop at Krisna Wisata, the Big W of Bali. Lots of great gifts and souvenirs and no haggling required.

Late afternoon return to the hotel and book yourself   a massage at Poinciana to have by the ocean or in their day spa.

Meals – Breakfast

Day 3 - Bali Cultural excursion 

Discover the inner workings of Balinese society and   way of life. Visit plantations, farms, and traditional homes and see how natural sea salt is produced, using natural volcanic sand filtration, a   process unique to this area. Learn about traditional fishing techniques in the area, hear some local fishing folklore and check on the catch of the day. You will get to meet local people and learn about the daily rituals. You will try traditional Balinese snacks and have Bali coffee and a young coconut. You will also learn how to make Canang sari offerings.
 

Your English-Speaking Balinese guide will explain the medicinal properties of local flora, traditionally used and show you the village through his eyes, answering questions along the way – a unique perspective from which few visiting the island ever get to see. Includes an English-speaking guide and refreshments.

Meals – Breakfast

Day 4 - Morning at leisure 

12:00pm Departure Time – We hope you have   had a fantastic time with us. We will take you to the airport or your next   destination.  

Meals – Breakfast

View our promotional video HERE

Check in from 2pm - Sri Ratih Cottages Address: Jl. Campuhan 1, Penestanan Kelod, Ubud, Sayan, Ubud, Bali, 80572. Phone: (0361) 975638

Spend the afternoon, unpacking, familiarising yourself with the hotel or have a swim in the pool. 

Those arriving early may have their spa treatments scheduled for this afternoon. 

7:00 – 8:00am – Yoga

9.00am – Breakfast   

10am – Introductions and Workshop 1 with Hope (2 hours)  

Creating and sharing our stories is an essential part of adjusting to loss. We'll be sharing our stories throughout this retreat, starting from our very first gathering! This introductory session reviews our weekly schedule; discusses expectations for the retreat; helps us start getting to know one another; and offers each woman opportunities to begin finding validation, normalization, and support. Bring a photo of your mom, or of you and your mom, to share with the group -- we want to meet her, too!

12.30 Lunch – Sri Ratih 

2 – 4pm or 4.15 - 6.15pm – Spa Treatments. Total pampering is scheduled for this afternoon as you indulge in a beautiful Balinese massage and your choice of facial or pedicure. 

6.30pm – Sunset cocktails *self pay at Indus overlooking Mount Agung followed by dinner at Indus. 

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 7:00 – 8:00am – Gentle movement and meditation 

9am Breakfast

10 - 12pm - Workshop #1: Revisiting and Remembering

It's natural for stories of loss to change over time. Exposure to new and challenging experiences is bound to alter our world view, which can influence our interpretations of past events. Our first circle time will focus on revisiting significant moments in our stories, both before and after our mothers died. We'll identify turning points and throughlines, discuss common themes, and consider how our moms can be folded into our ever-evolving stories, even in their absence. 

12.30pm - Lunch Pyramid of Chi

2pm - 3.30pm - Sound Healing Pyramid of Chi

Free Evening - Try one of the local cafes within walking distance

Meals – Breakfast & Lunch

7am - 8am - Yoga

9am - Breakfast

10 - 12pm -  Workshop #2: Finding Meaning

Every event, even painful ones, sets into motion a chain of other events that have the potential to lead to positive outcomes. We'll track some of your post-loss storylines to reveal which ones have led to moments of personal insight or growth. By doing this, we'll subvert the idea that grief needs to look or feel a certain way.  We'll explore  The Missing Elements of Grief -- appreciation, gratitude, wonder, humility, reverence, and awe -- and give ourselves permission to feel them in addition to lingering sorrow and longing. 

12.30pm Lunch - Svarga Loka

2 - 4pm - Workshop #3: Taking Action

How might you show up differently in the world, now that you have these new insights into your story and your past? Transforming meaning into action is next-level healing. We'll identify the special skills and knowledges you've accumulated as a result of your loss, and explore different ways you can put them to use in the larger world. Whether you make a commitment to be a more present partner, sister, or mother; to pursue a personal passion; to start a public initiative; or set any other goal as a Brave Bird -- together we'll vision ourselves into the next, post-retreat chapters of our lives. 

5pm - onwards free time, Dinner at own leisure

Meals – Breakfast & Lunch

7:00 – Early Breakfast

8:00am –Nadis Herbals

Depart for Herbal Walk and Jamu Class (includes morning tea) see what Balinese plants can be used as herbal medicine, plus learn how to make turmeric tonic and your own body scrub. 

After our visit to Nadis Herbals farm and their skincare making factory.

Lunch Moksa plant based restaurant. Moksa is a renowned plant-based farm to table restaurant set in amongst a lovely vegetable garden.

5pm - Fire Ceremony and 3 course raw food dinner

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Sleep in on the last morning

9 am – Breakfast

10:00am - 11am Closing Ceremony

Departure Time – We hope you have had a fantastic time with us. We will take you to your next destination.  

* Please note that the program outline is subject to change, not dramatically, but after the past few years we are used to this and understand that things are still recovering as a result we may need to make a few adjustments. 

Meals – Breakfast