Adventures. Raw vegan cuisine. Tragedy. Fun with Culture & Languages. More Adventures. Yoga & Pilates. Maladies. Stunning Vistas. Even more Adventures. Masterminds. Yet more Adventures. Woes. Endings and Beginnings.
Alisea and the Sea
Alisea's Infinity Pool
Today's workspace
I dashed through the pouring rain from my taxi into the Alisea Boutique Hotel, the site of our 10-day retreat in Krabi, Thailand. It was rather drab and gray. To be fair, most things are rather drab and gray-feeling and -looking when it has been raining for 30 days straight everywhere in the world you are. So I didn’t hold it against them.
And good thing, too, because when the rain cleared up a couple days later, I was treated to stunning vistas and realized how nice the hotel was, once I could see it clearly in the sunlight.
We arrived with boundless fresh energy of change and intuition and fun about to happen. And we weren’t disappointed. We did yoga and pilates. We ventured out into Southern Thailand. We took advantage of the private cooking and dining area they provided for the eight of us, as well as the carved-from-a-whole-tree lacquered table-plus-benches in the lobby.
And good thing, too, because when the rain cleared up a couple days later, I was treated to stunning vistas and realized how nice the hotel was, once I could see it clearly in the sunlight.
We arrived with boundless fresh energy of change and intuition and fun about to happen. And we weren’t disappointed. We did yoga and pilates. We ventured out into Southern Thailand. We took advantage of the private cooking and dining area they provided for the eight of us, as well as the carved-from-a-whole-tree lacquered table-plus-benches in the lobby.
My room at Alisea
View from my 2nd floor balcony next to the Japanese bath
The entrance was gorgeous, the infinity pool was fabulous, and my room was well-appointed and lovely. It even had a second story with a Japanese-style bathtub. The crowning part, though, was the staff. They anticipated our every need, and the service was simply spectacular, from the owner, to the pool guy, to the servers, to the cleaners, and everyone in between.
But it was far from perfect. The mosquitoes were brutal, despite the ugly tanks full of insecticides left in full view of the kitchen. The view from my first floor room was a depressing window directly into the abject poverty of Thailand, with trash strewn on the hillside and people making do with barely enough to survive. I had to switch to a different room for the final day or two, and the new room was dark and dinghy and depressing.
All in all, though, Alisea Hotel provided a phenomenal venue for our retreat, and I would return there without hesitation.
But it was far from perfect. The mosquitoes were brutal, despite the ugly tanks full of insecticides left in full view of the kitchen. The view from my first floor room was a depressing window directly into the abject poverty of Thailand, with trash strewn on the hillside and people making do with barely enough to survive. I had to switch to a different room for the final day or two, and the new room was dark and dinghy and depressing.
All in all, though, Alisea Hotel provided a phenomenal venue for our retreat, and I would return there without hesitation.
Welcome Dinner
After we settled in and met each other, our host Cody McKibbon dragged us out to dinner at a fantastical restaurant with amazing views. It even stopped raining long enough that we got to enjoy the restaurant’s outdoor seating for a while. We were all enchanted and excited for the retreat to come, a bunch of 30- and 40-somethings out to change the world for ourselves and others.
I guiltily admitted during my self-introduction that a major part of my excitement for the retreat was that one of the other participants was from Brazil, and the cook was from Japan, so I got to practice linguistic and cultural exchange in addition to the adventures and business masterminding.
I guiltily admitted during my self-introduction that a major part of my excitement for the retreat was that one of the other participants was from Brazil, and the cook was from Japan, so I got to practice linguistic and cultural exchange in addition to the adventures and business masterminding.
Our First Mastermind
The following morning, the torrential rain returned, effectively trapping us inside our hotel. We had plenty of work to do, though, so we didn’t mind too much. We installed ourselves in one of the several large-group work areas and started coworking. After each working on our own businesses for a while, we started masterminding on one member’s website and business.
Our mastermind conversations ranged widely and curvilinearly all over the place. In seconds to minutes, we went from inventions and copyrighting (and copywriting) to apps to website design to productizing services to sales and marketing to podcasts to blogs, and just everything else in between with relation to online business.
Our mastermind conversations ranged widely and curvilinearly all over the place. In seconds to minutes, we went from inventions and copyrighting (and copywriting) to apps to website design to productizing services to sales and marketing to podcasts to blogs, and just everything else in between with relation to online business.
Railay Beach
Walking to the edge of Railay Beach to go caving. See the blue sky? Five minutes later: overcast and pouring.
This bad boy stole my water bottle, punctured a hole in it, and drank my water
Yes, these are what they look like. It's a fertility shrine...
Upon waking the following morning I received two huge dollops of smack-you-in-the-face bad news from home. I struggled to remain upbeat and positive throughout the day, grappling with dark feelings and thoughts about literal and figurative death. Frankly, I failed miserably, but was able to get great support by talking to people and participating to the best of my ability.
Despite the dreary start for me, the day itself dawned hot and clear, so we took advantage of it and had our first major adventure, to Railay Beach.
After an exhilarating long-tail boat ride, we enjoyed a languid hour on the perfectly sunny hot beach and sporting among the waves.
Just as we walked off the beach to go caving, the monsoon struck with a crashing vengeance. The clouds rolled in with frightening speed, and less than five minutes after dozing under a crystal-blue sky, the forebodingly dark clouds enveloped the heavens and let loose a barrage of heavy rain in sheets.
Despite the dreary start for me, the day itself dawned hot and clear, so we took advantage of it and had our first major adventure, to Railay Beach.
After an exhilarating long-tail boat ride, we enjoyed a languid hour on the perfectly sunny hot beach and sporting among the waves.
Just as we walked off the beach to go caving, the monsoon struck with a crashing vengeance. The clouds rolled in with frightening speed, and less than five minutes after dozing under a crystal-blue sky, the forebodingly dark clouds enveloped the heavens and let loose a barrage of heavy rain in sheets.
View from inside the cave
We scurried the rest of the way into the cave entrance to avoid the rain. Our guide handed out climbing gloves and headlamps as we stared in wonder at the straight-up Indiana Jones-style bamboo-rope ladders, rocky outcrops and vaulting ceilings, complete with stalactites, stalagmites, secret pathways and long steep drops.
We keep glancing at each other with and asking with our big round eyes: “is this for real? Is this really happening?”
While I kept my dark feelings completely at bay by wonderment at the caves and views, after we exited the cave and the rain mostly stopped again, my personal-situation-anxiety started getting the better of me. We headed back out to the beach, and most of our party either chilled on the beach or hopped back in the water.
Me? I paced. Back and forth, back and forth the length of the beach, to burn off the sadness and longing and grief and… desperation? I’m not even sure I could identify everything in the amalgamation of feelings, but it certainly wasn’t pretty. The pacing helped, as did talking to a few more people about why I was acting strangely, and soon after I felt a little less shattered.
We keep glancing at each other with and asking with our big round eyes: “is this for real? Is this really happening?”
While I kept my dark feelings completely at bay by wonderment at the caves and views, after we exited the cave and the rain mostly stopped again, my personal-situation-anxiety started getting the better of me. We headed back out to the beach, and most of our party either chilled on the beach or hopped back in the water.
Me? I paced. Back and forth, back and forth the length of the beach, to burn off the sadness and longing and grief and… desperation? I’m not even sure I could identify everything in the amalgamation of feelings, but it certainly wasn’t pretty. The pacing helped, as did talking to a few more people about why I was acting strangely, and soon after I felt a little less shattered.
Mastermind Reprise
Mangosteen: my new favorite fruit
The following day, I got so sick to my stomach I couldn’t eat all day. Thanks, Thailand. Even when Shinobu-the-chef made us bento boxes to take to the beach house, I couldn’t touch mine. I could barely remain conscious, in fact, but I really wanted to take part in the mastermind, so I stayed and fought the illness and fatigue and burning dry eyes.
And it paid off, too. I felt “stuck” in a situation and needed advice/help to navigate it. I perked up and dragged my head off the table when it was my turn to get masterminded, so I laid all the shit of my current monumental business problem on the table to be dissected.
It was a tremendous relief to get help on it, and hugely successful. My biggest takeaway was a mindset, rather than an idea or particular plan. I had been operating under an expectation/feeling of scarcity, rather than abundance. Once my mastermind group rattled off at least ten ways to reimage and refocus the situation, I felt a heavy weight lift immediately off my shoulders.
Thanks, everybody.
I proceeded to drink my pineapple shake and the water from 2 coconuts in an effort to remain hydrated, then went back to the hotel and crashed to dream abundant dreams.
And it paid off, too. I felt “stuck” in a situation and needed advice/help to navigate it. I perked up and dragged my head off the table when it was my turn to get masterminded, so I laid all the shit of my current monumental business problem on the table to be dissected.
It was a tremendous relief to get help on it, and hugely successful. My biggest takeaway was a mindset, rather than an idea or particular plan. I had been operating under an expectation/feeling of scarcity, rather than abundance. Once my mastermind group rattled off at least ten ways to reimage and refocus the situation, I felt a heavy weight lift immediately off my shoulders.
Thanks, everybody.
I proceeded to drink my pineapple shake and the water from 2 coconuts in an effort to remain hydrated, then went back to the hotel and crashed to dream abundant dreams.
Tiger Temple
Sam & Shinobu near the bottom of the steps... while we're still smiling
Aggressive monkeys grabbed onto our legs and torsos, and tried to steal purses & backpacks
Despite feeling rather ill, I managed to climb up the 1,260 steps to the top of the temple and enjoy the dazzling vistas from the top. The cloudy-but-not-raining weather was perfect for scaling the side of the mountain, and as a group we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.
Raw Vegan Chef Extraordinaire Aikawa Shinobu (相川忍)
Our breakfast plus lunch nook - Shinobu's domain
Chia porridge with coconut, mango and goji
My favorite meal of the whole retreat - nori rolls with almond paste
Aikawa-san came all the way over from Japan to prepare us raw vegan breakfast and lunch every day. The food was amazing. And I enjoyed the hell out of it, though I did struggle at times, as I’m not accustomed to all-raw-all-the-time. I had trouble to feel full and even sometimes to enjoy the dishes at times, especially when I was feeling ill and wanted comfort food.
One of her most remarkable culinary feats to me was her watermelon birthday cake. It was Amber's birthday during the retreat, but she is 100% raw, so doesn't eat regular cake. Someone else suggested a bowl of fruit with a candle in it. Shinobu took that and ran with it, and came up with a clever raw watermelon-based creation so Amber could have her cake... and eat it too.
Shinobu is an accomplished chef at a vegan restaurant in Tokyo, and it showed. Despite serious lack of ingredients and help, she created tasty creative dishes for us every day. She did almost all of the preparation, serving and cleaning up afterward herself, and worked extremely hard to do it. Color me impressed.
Shinobu and I had numerous fun conversations on many topics. I wasn’t able to speak to her in 100% in Japanese, because my language abilities have definitely slid downhill since leaving Japan. However, it was great to connect with her on a cultural level and use whatever Japanese I could dredge up to speak with her.
One of her most remarkable culinary feats to me was her watermelon birthday cake. It was Amber's birthday during the retreat, but she is 100% raw, so doesn't eat regular cake. Someone else suggested a bowl of fruit with a candle in it. Shinobu took that and ran with it, and came up with a clever raw watermelon-based creation so Amber could have her cake... and eat it too.
Shinobu is an accomplished chef at a vegan restaurant in Tokyo, and it showed. Despite serious lack of ingredients and help, she created tasty creative dishes for us every day. She did almost all of the preparation, serving and cleaning up afterward herself, and worked extremely hard to do it. Color me impressed.
Shinobu and I had numerous fun conversations on many topics. I wasn’t able to speak to her in 100% in Japanese, because my language abilities have definitely slid downhill since leaving Japan. However, it was great to connect with her on a cultural level and use whatever Japanese I could dredge up to speak with her.
watermelon fruit cake in the freezer
watermelon fruit cake after cutting
Gorgeous presentation... and delicious, too
Speaking of cultural exchange, this was the first time Shinobu had worked for Westerners, and also the first time these particular Westerners had worked closely with a Japanese person. As many of you know, I am intimately aware of potential pitfalls in USA-Japan relationships, and was expecting uncomfortable situations to come up well before they actually arose.
When the problems did surface, I got to use not only my language skills, but also my culture-broker skills to smooth over interactions, interpret actions, words and intentions and help navigate this maiden Japan-USA business-cultural exchange in the most respectful way possible.
Now lest you think I’m getting a big head, know that I am fully aware that the only reason I’m such an expert on this particular cultural exchange is because I spent six months making every mistake imaginable for an American in Japan, looking like an idiot on a daily basis and getting called out and humbled on it repeatedly.
When the problems did surface, I got to use not only my language skills, but also my culture-broker skills to smooth over interactions, interpret actions, words and intentions and help navigate this maiden Japan-USA business-cultural exchange in the most respectful way possible.
Now lest you think I’m getting a big head, know that I am fully aware that the only reason I’m such an expert on this particular cultural exchange is because I spent six months making every mistake imaginable for an American in Japan, looking like an idiot on a daily basis and getting called out and humbled on it repeatedly.
Island Hopping and Snorkeling
Happy adventurers!
Long tail boats at harbor
Dinner on the beach
Or: how to get stung 5 times in a row by sea lice and jellyfish. Yeah, “sea lice” are actually a thing. No, I’d never heard of them either. But apparently they’re super common here… they are tiny creatures who sting and sting and sting whenever they touch you. They are all over here, but the stinging disappears within a couple of hours, and sometimes even a couple of seconds/minutes, so it’s not that big a deal.
Unfortunately I did get a face-full of jellyfish stinger, which hurt like hell. It stung my upper lip, actually, which puffed up and got red and went “ouch ouch ouch!” for 36 hours. No, I’m NOT going to post pictures.
Nonetheless, the views were fabulous, and the boat company served us a vegan-and-carnivorous feast on the beach at the end of this trip, and it was delicious. I actually found out halfway through my first plate that what I thought was the vegan dish actually had some meat in it. By then it was too late, and I was too hungry to slow down, so I just finished it. Yeah, that’s how I roll.
Unfortunately I did get a face-full of jellyfish stinger, which hurt like hell. It stung my upper lip, actually, which puffed up and got red and went “ouch ouch ouch!” for 36 hours. No, I’m NOT going to post pictures.
Nonetheless, the views were fabulous, and the boat company served us a vegan-and-carnivorous feast on the beach at the end of this trip, and it was delicious. I actually found out halfway through my first plate that what I thought was the vegan dish actually had some meat in it. By then it was too late, and I was too hungry to slow down, so I just finished it. Yeah, that’s how I roll.
Muay Thai Fight
Pre-match rituals
After dinner on the beach, we came back to the hotel to get showered and shined and buffed and such, and went out to watch the Muay Thai fights. I struggled with being at the fights.
I have studied various martial arts over my life, though never seriously or long enough to earn a black belt. I know enough to be able to appreciate the level of skill and training required for these matches… but as a healing professional, all I could think of was every time someone got seriously hurt, my heart went out to them and I wanted to “fix” them, or cover my eyes, or both.
Speaking of “fixing” it was clear that several of the fights’ outcomes were pre-determined by the betting pool rather than the actual contestants. I am glad I went, for the cultural experience.
I have studied various martial arts over my life, though never seriously or long enough to earn a black belt. I know enough to be able to appreciate the level of skill and training required for these matches… but as a healing professional, all I could think of was every time someone got seriously hurt, my heart went out to them and I wanted to “fix” them, or cover my eyes, or both.
Speaking of “fixing” it was clear that several of the fights’ outcomes were pre-determined by the betting pool rather than the actual contestants. I am glad I went, for the cultural experience.
Yoga & Pilates
View from the yoga platform
Tree pose
Pilates for the win!
Amber doing yoga by the infinity pool
I went to group-leader Amber’s yoga/pilates every day for 10 days straight in the “Spa” area of the hotel, with some of the most spectacular views of my entire trip. Even when my stomach/bowels wanted to eject everything inside them. Even when I had no energy. Even when I was sad. Even when I would rather be anywhere else.
I am proud of myself for it, too. The views were magnificent almost every day, and my body thanked me every single time I showed up. At first there were four of us, then three, then just two of us. We all worked our butts off for Amber and ourselves, and noticeably improved physical fitness as a result. Rad.
I am proud of myself for it, too. The views were magnificent almost every day, and my body thanked me every single time I showed up. At first there were four of us, then three, then just two of us. We all worked our butts off for Amber and ourselves, and noticeably improved physical fitness as a result. Rad.
Sea Kayaking and More Caving
Amber climbing around on the rocks
I was starting to lose my enthusiasm for being surrounded by so many people for so long and intensely masterminding so much by this point, but we had some more fun adventures planned for today, and I gladly partook of them.
We headed out to the beach again, but instead of hopping on a long-tail boat, this time we brought our own sea transportation… sea kayaks. We rowed against a fierce wind, and my arms were tired in under a minute. Fortunately my kayak-buddy was much stronger than I was, and could take up the slack.
We had a brief but fun kayak ride to a deserted beach with more caves to crawl around in. Despite my headlamp, I managed to smack my head against the stalactites not once but twice, increasing my “grumpiness” factor fivefold. The second time I hit my head so hard I landed on my butt, stunned, and it took a minute or so before I could get up and start walking again.
After climbing around inside the caves, we played in the water and chilled on the beach for a couple hours before heading back for an excellent dinner at our guide’s restaurant.
At this point I was getting a good "mad" on, and wanted to be left alone. While I tried to be nice, my patience was threadbare. I had three different canker sores and it hurt every time I tried to eat something. I was feeling sick to my stomach again from Thai food/water/whatever. I just wasn’t feeling up to being around people and pretending everything was all right.
Yeah yeah, I know. I’m not supposed to blog about the negative parts. I’m supposed to pretend it’s all rainbows and butterflies and amazingness and shit. But it isn’t. YES, there ARE rainbows and butterflies and phenomenal experiences. Just look at my pictures! But in the end it’s real life, translated to an exotic, idyllic location. Sometimes you have fantastic days, and sometimes they suck. Anybody who says otherwise is selling something.
The moment we got back to the hotel, I went straight up to my room and ignored the world for the rest of the night, a thoroughly antisocial hermit, albeit temporarily. I knew if I spent more time around people, I would say something I would later regret. And they didn’t deserve that, since my mood had nothing to do with them.
I felt much better for it in the morning, too.
We headed out to the beach again, but instead of hopping on a long-tail boat, this time we brought our own sea transportation… sea kayaks. We rowed against a fierce wind, and my arms were tired in under a minute. Fortunately my kayak-buddy was much stronger than I was, and could take up the slack.
We had a brief but fun kayak ride to a deserted beach with more caves to crawl around in. Despite my headlamp, I managed to smack my head against the stalactites not once but twice, increasing my “grumpiness” factor fivefold. The second time I hit my head so hard I landed on my butt, stunned, and it took a minute or so before I could get up and start walking again.
After climbing around inside the caves, we played in the water and chilled on the beach for a couple hours before heading back for an excellent dinner at our guide’s restaurant.
At this point I was getting a good "mad" on, and wanted to be left alone. While I tried to be nice, my patience was threadbare. I had three different canker sores and it hurt every time I tried to eat something. I was feeling sick to my stomach again from Thai food/water/whatever. I just wasn’t feeling up to being around people and pretending everything was all right.
Yeah yeah, I know. I’m not supposed to blog about the negative parts. I’m supposed to pretend it’s all rainbows and butterflies and amazingness and shit. But it isn’t. YES, there ARE rainbows and butterflies and phenomenal experiences. Just look at my pictures! But in the end it’s real life, translated to an exotic, idyllic location. Sometimes you have fantastic days, and sometimes they suck. Anybody who says otherwise is selling something.
The moment we got back to the hotel, I went straight up to my room and ignored the world for the rest of the night, a thoroughly antisocial hermit, albeit temporarily. I knew if I spent more time around people, I would say something I would later regret. And they didn’t deserve that, since my mood had nothing to do with them.
I felt much better for it in the morning, too.
Denouement
That's all, folks!
Our final day we spent chatting and preparing for our next adventure. Comparing notes and photos of our many fabulous adventures and fun trips we had had during our retreat. Making plans for the future, in small groups and individually.
Over the course of the retreat, I got crystal clarity on a major life problem, and initiated what looks to become a long and fruitful collaboration with one of the other retreat-goers. I got to speak tons of Japanese and Portuguese, and connect with all kind of people on many different levels. I got new energy and inertia on my own business, and helped others with theirs.
I took remarkable photos, climbed literal and figurative mountains, and enjoyed adventures of a lifetime. I learned loads about how other people conduct business and solve problems both personally and professionally. I made connections that will last a lifetime.
I am so grateful to have had this opportunity, and gotten so much from it. If you have a chance to do something like this, take life by the horns and GO FOR IT!
Over the course of the retreat, I got crystal clarity on a major life problem, and initiated what looks to become a long and fruitful collaboration with one of the other retreat-goers. I got to speak tons of Japanese and Portuguese, and connect with all kind of people on many different levels. I got new energy and inertia on my own business, and helped others with theirs.
I took remarkable photos, climbed literal and figurative mountains, and enjoyed adventures of a lifetime. I learned loads about how other people conduct business and solve problems both personally and professionally. I made connections that will last a lifetime.
I am so grateful to have had this opportunity, and gotten so much from it. If you have a chance to do something like this, take life by the horns and GO FOR IT!
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