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Travel Reports
| Travel Reports |
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Thanks for the arrangement of an impressive stay on Gozo! The culture and nature are great. Also the three monks in the Augustinian convention are lovely and helpful and so easy going in their communication! The food prepared by the cook carefully was also for me very suitable! In January it was very cold this year and you could not sit outdoors, but nature was already celebrated spring! Our inexpensive bus journeys across the island were wonderful. I/we would not like to miss the stay. Above all it is very nice on Gozo for people, who don't drive (anymore) because everything is accessible very centrally. With thanks, your G.H. If I think of the last year, Malta occurs to me, and today thus I would like to thank, even if a little late, you really warmly. The days in the Jesuit retreat house were wonderful and all the meetings on Gozo were very nice! All the best for you in 2010 With the best greetings, C.K. Vipassana meditation center - Sri Lanka I am about just to arrive into the "normal" life which is not necessarily easy for me, after this wonderful stay on this really charming island. The experiences on site were positive in every regard and it is unbelievable with what kindness the people meet you. Nevertheless after 2 weeks of meditation I then decided to still see a little of the island and left my small Kuti earlier to travel around the country with friends. For the agency it was no problem to pick me up in another place not far from the center and to bring me to the airport, and also in the center everything was very nice. A magical place with a wonderful view of the scenery, lovely people who cared heartwarmingly about my well-being and spoiled me with the typical dishes of the country, and a Buddhist monk who stood to my side with words and deeds. I can only recommend the combination of a stay in the meditation centre, getting to know the Buddhist religion and the application of that with a trip straight across the island. Thus one also understands the traditions and culture of the people there many times better, it enriches one's own life immensely and one feels much more connected to the whole. I also thank you warmly for the mediation and can only recommend it to travel into this magical country. As you probably can read out, I am still totally fascinated and first of all have to arrive here again. For the possibility to be able to do this experience I thank you warmly and find it wonderful that there are agencies like yours!!! Many thanks and kind regards C.S. Unfortunately my stay came to an end on the last Wednesday - I liked it very much there; It was exactly what I needed for my timeout. I wanted to give you a small feedback: In the Retreat House I felt I was in very good hands. Father Cilia cares a lot about his guests. The others, F.Victor is more the intellectual, B. Joe like to have fun and jokes and it does not come into your mind in the beginning that he also belongs to the Jesuits. B. Leli is the church eldest, quiet and very friendly. All together one good mixture if you like it. In the weekends come guests from Malta, sometimes more sometimes less for seminars, retreats or relaxation. I met very open and friendly people there. Eating wise the main dish is lunch at noon which I ordered in the morning when I thought out my daily routine. The dinner is cold, firstly however there is a good vegetable soup (maybe that is good to know for single guests). You can mention vegetarian and other things; you can get any food in the supermarket parallel in the street. There is really everything from soy, mueslis etc. fruit is also available and who would like to have cheese in the morning receives Edamer slices (otherwise simply buy yourself and park them and in the fridge). You can make yourself always a tea, coffee or hot chocolate with the water cooker - I found this also very nice. For retreats in silence you can also only eat alone and you receive the food for a special space which I found very well. However it has better tasted to me in the community with the many interesting subjects. In September it would be still too hot for me - thus I had good guidance which foresaw October for me. It was also quite stormy; you simply need something against the storm and occasional rains. Also ideal are the possibilities with the washing machines or in the hand wash basins above the culinary tract. I have wandered and drawn the island and felt it as a very much fulfilling time after a tumultuous year. Thanks to you very much. With kind regards C.W. It was really very nice and I would like to thank you for the great organization, everything has worked very well and I would be happy if I could soon travel sometimes again to Gozo. I had a lot of luck and have got to know many interesting people. Father Peter Paul took me and another pair that was there on a tour for 2 times in the afternoon, he was very nice and has cared heartwarmingly for us. With John I wandered for 2 times and also this experience was unique and if you get involved a little into his ways of seeing things, you can experience nature and energies in a completely different way. For me it was a very good decision to travel alone and it gave me a lot. Many thanks and many greetings M.M. ... I am home, but not completely here yet. I dream of the monastery and of Nepal and think a lot about the journey. I am very glad to have done this experience, although it was not easy. Especially in the beginning because I was so alone, because everything was foreign and the course made me very pensive, it was almost a little bit too much. Then I moved to a woman in a room with whom I already had a good conversation and from then I was better. I appreciated the first course very much very much and have learned incredibly much. Then I have also visited the second course, the Introduction course. Between the two courses I had about ten days and during these days I could get to know Katmandu and visit another town. What I would not have expected, is how much the Westerners and the monks live separated in the monastery. The fact that we have our own floor where we eat and that the contact should really be avoided if possible. The food was wonderful, really great. The place, thus the setting of the monastery and the monastery are themselves enchantingly beautiful, I believe that I was very lucky to come there. I would have loved to get to know the country more during my journey, but I had not included this in the plan this and I rather wanted to do the second course than to travel. Nevertheless, I think of returning one day to get to know the country and to be in the monastery again. Also with flights everything went very well. I thank you very much that they have helped me to realize this journey. With the best greetings, M.C. ... My vacation in the monastery of Bachkovo was wonderful; perfectly suitable for my need to meditate individually at a very old place within a beautiful landscape - without religious connection/duty. The care on site was excellent; everything worked wonderfully. I can only recommend this offer. Many thanks Your K.L. … It was simply unique; it was the best decision to search there for quietude! The convent in itself is quite unique. I could find there rest and quiet, enjoy the sun how I could never do it before at a holiday place. The rooms and food are simple; but you are taking this into account. The fathers are the best, such a friendliness, warmth and care that they all emanate! You can learn from them by looking! Even if one does not speak much English... the people in Victoria are all super nice, friendly and helpful... you can live there quite inexpensively; eat and drink there for little money, explore island with the great buses! Once again hearty and grateful greetings! S.K. Yes, I am happy to give feedback: Travel organization: Perfectly, everything worked out, a very friendly and hearty welcome by Anja and Jo the driver-at the airport..., Jo, a true gentleman has brought me safely to the monastery. Alexandra on Gozo has also cared for us heartwarmingly; from the Yoga mat for the cold floor to advice and info’s ..........you can't do any better. The monastery: A wonderful place of rest and relaxation, the 3 Fathers Paul, George and Felix are really souls of people, I have included them all in my heart. The guests are all open minded and you can make contacts faster than you generally expect. In sum a place full of fulfilling and refreshing meetings, a place where you are allowed to come back to yourself again without stress and pressure. You can do everything or let it be, there are invitations, and however, nobody presses you. No expectations, but complete relaxation, a lot of acceptance and warmth, there's nothing better to imagine? The rooms are simple, but are set up really nicely, in spite of quite chilly temperatures, when the sun sets in the winter you feel fine. As a chilblain (as I am, except to me all the others found it actually warm enough incl. the female guests, in this respect my feeling is perhaps not very valid ;-) ) you should insist on the electric heater and definitely take warm clothes with you. The food is simple but tasty, the breakfast for someone who doesn't like "sweet" food in the morning typically Mediterranean (white bread and jam ....). But there is a big guest fridge and various supermarkets in the vicinity where you can buy anything in gusto, so absolutely no problem. John, the wanderer: What an original! He really knows amazing places on the island and the walks with him were really an experience of quite an own kind. Gozo: The island alone emitted for me already so much rest and security, the scenery is green and vast in winter and the weather during the day is perfect for walkis, there is a lot to explore, the island has its own energies and whether one believes in it or not, it is simply infectious. The people on Gozo are of a natural and refreshing friendliness which I have experienced rarely before. Result: Actually, you don’t want to go away again, 5 days had the recreational value of 3 weeks, I have come back rarely so peaceful, grateful and fulfils from a holiday. To spend Christmas on Gozo belongs definitively to best decisions I have made in my life. One day I hope to come again......... Very loving greetings and thanks M. I had a very good time on Gozo. I was welcomed not only by Anja and Alexandra in the friendliest way, but also was taken up and cared for in the retreat house by all in a hearty, open and attentive way. I have enjoyed the clear silence and quiet of the house, let myself be impressed by the wonderful churches on the island, made long walks, was delighted by the freshly bursting forth of greenery and blossoming of the landscape in this season, breathed the spicy smell of the herbs and of course also enjoyed the sun and sea. For Turandot in the opera-house Father Anthony has organized a card for me and for an excursion to Malta he took me with him in the car. Body, mind and soul have come have gained full strength and I am calm, at ease and strengthened. A really successful vacation and a really good place to come back to oneself. I am certain that it was not the last time I traveled with you; the successful organization has created for me a relaxed travelling. I will recommend you in any way. Kind regards H.R. When I arrived on Majorca, I was quite exhausted; also that is why I haven’t used the care like I originally wanted to. Nevertheless the vacation has been very good for me. I found the monastery and the environment very beautiful. For me it was the right place - rest, no far distances to the sea and to Palma. I liked the mixture very much. Unfortunately the weather wasn't like one hope it would be on Majorca. Was ok nevertheless :-) I missed a little bit the friendliness/warmth in the monastery though. I found this to be a pity a little bit. I don't know how it is in other monasteries, but I expected a little more in this regard. The welcome of Dirk was very nice. That is why I was a little disappointed later on that in the monastery itself the atmosphere was very anonymous. I think that I will definitely have such a holiday again. I will see where it will lead me to. There is definitely quite a big recreational value that keeps being there quite well. Many greetings, M.N. … Yes, the vacation was unique. I had a wonderful time and have recovered really nicely. Exactly what I needed. The brothers in the Jesuits monastery are so nice and kind. Were engaged very much and have care for me heartwarmingly. They gave me the feeling of being her daughter. The island is exactly the right place for recreation. Also the season fits. You can still go swimming and experience wonderful sun dawn and sunset. I will recommend Gozo in any case. Many thanks also for the wonderful care from Anja and Alexandra. Please give them both a big thank-you and lots of love from me. Yours sincerely, A.Z. Monastery tour Majorca (SanSalvador-Ermita de la Victoria-monastery Lluc): My wife and I would like to thank you really warmly for your advice. The visit of THREE places was really a good suggestion. We could do the vacation which we have wished for. The three places are really different - San Salvador as more of an informal place, the hermitage as a more rustic and the monastery Lluc as a more spiritual. Many greetings, B. Ermita de la Victoria - Majorca: Yes, safely and reset I came back from Majorca to Munich. The days were wonderfully quiet und restful, whereby I can say, that the Monday when the restaurant was closed was the nicest day up there, as the visitors on the parking lot created a regular bustle. If you wanted to go to bed early, and the room faced the parking lot, you always heard the vehicles into the night and during the day anyhow. But that was it already, otherwise I can report only positively. The rooms are simple and set up tastefully, very clean and from the first moment you feel at home. It was ideal for me, I found quiet and time for myself. The people that were there as well, were mostly there in pairs or even in families and had a different approach, but were all to themselves. So once in a while an exchange took place, but no disturbances. Breakfast was very good and up there in the restaurant you could also eat very well. For self-caterers the kitchen also offered enough space in the evening. Without car or bicycle you are quite helpless though. To go on food to the next place is quite a challenge. It was wonderful that Dirk (who picked me up from the airport and brought me back there) picked me up for shopping so that I could buy the most necessary. Otherwise I walked a lot. The quite far away bay (a tour over a 444m high mountain) lies a foot walk of 2 1/2 (a tour) hours away. However it is worthwhile and the way has something meditative which I like very much. The area offers otherwise beautiful walks and you can find wonderful bays for bathing, that are nevertheless only reachable laboriously on foot. For whom who wants to have it comfortable, this is rather not the right choice. Summing up I can say that it was exactly what I wanted and the six days were enough and in the end I was looking forward to home again, which in my view is always a good sign. I am happy that I became aware of your offer and that it worked out at short notice. I wish you well und a lot of success. I have recommend your website to quite a few and it seems to me, that the need for such timeouts is rising more and more. Best greetings from Munich, C.O. First of all I really liked that there is a restaurant that is open from 9-21 o'clock and is run by a relatively young and friendly staff. In suitable weather one can stay there for long and enjoy the fantastic view. The latter is really worth wile! The breakfast buffet is plentiful and and the rooms are set up comfortably, but also a little shallow. When you are alone and want contact, you need to take the initiative in Randa: there are certainly some people coming up there, but most are (also many Spanish) tourists are - after a coffee and taking picture - gone again. I met there a German painting group that also stayed for longer and with whom I had a very nice contact and also went for a walk to the village. (I wouldn't have tried it for myself). Otherwise it could have become a little boring possibly, as "monastic life" doesn't really exist that much in Randa, as far as I can estimate it. On Sundays there was a (in Spanish and Catalan respectively) mass, but that was more or less everything that I have gotten to hear from the three old Fransiscan brothers. However three is, as said in the description, also a small museum and a small shop in which they do service. Result: take something for reading, writing and similar, up there you can get distance to the things and concentrate well. A. I. The stay in the Tibetan monastery was very restful, inspiring and impressive. My decision fell very spontaneously. I had no previous knowledge in the matter of meditation, Buddhism etc. With your partner agency on site everything went very well. Naresh was at the airport, drove me to the monastery (with a sight of the Boudna-Stupa on the way), and was on time on the last day to pick me up again. Above all: in the middle of my time (on Saturday) he met me in the city and took time for me from 11:00 to 18:00, showed me around and served as a travel guide. Really great. For him and his agency only best grades. The same goes for you and Klosterreisen. It went all really well, very flexible. Thanks for the fast organization. Also the monks in the monastery, the other guests and the resident teachers were all very helpful and open. Of course the furniture is a bit simple and spartanic, but that is also part of it and hasn't bothered me at all. For the first week we all were silent to each other, that was also a good experience. In the weekend there was then a lively discussion with the participants of the Tara retreat. Unfortunately there were during these two weeks no daily meditation exercises, as Ani Karin was on site though, but had holidays. You could ask her any question during the meal breaks (during the time when I wasn't in noble silence). As a whole I have come a lot closer to meditation, to Tibetan Buddhism and its derived thought and consciousness concepts. Now it's the turn to take a little piece of this into the western daily life and to cultivate it here. If I could achieve this without turning my life upside down, then I would have gained much more than I imagined. Many thanks again for the top organization M.M. The atmosphere in the monastery is very pleasant, the people are very friendly. Also as a non-Catholic you are welcomed with pleasure. Everything is very liberal. In both monastery gardens one can wonderfully spend the evening. C.E. For me it was a very nice vacation. Many thanks for the advice to do a walk with John. It became two walks. In the truest sense of the word they were "divine". I have a suggestion: The fact that in the monastery the respective rooms are not cleaned is okay for me. However, it would be good if at a central place cloth and broom were to be found. It is quite dusty during this weather and in 9 days I would also like to clean the wash basin. Maybe you can put this forward. Now I am happy about the photos, the memories and in painting the Mandalas. Kind regards and many thanks C.D. Dear Mrs. Esch! Unfortunately the wonderful vacation is already over… It was wonderful, we have experienced a great amount. The island Gozo is really very, very interesting. We would absolutely like to come again sometimes! On site everything went really well. We were picked up immediately at the airport by Anja and were welcomed really lovely and brought straight away to the guest house. The journey there was also organized fantastically. Anja has informed us and asked if everything is fine. She fulfilled every of our wish. Also Alexandra the travel guide told us a lot, organized…Really great! We liked the guest house, the people were friendly. It was a little disturbing for us that the breakfast began so late in the morning (8:30 o'clock). We could not very often have breakfast because we wanted to undertake something before, into town, in churches etc.… After 9 o'clock it was already simply too late to realise everything with the bus... Otherwise everything was really excellen!!! Thank you very much! Happy to do it again! Best greetings, M.und C. My journey to the Augustinian monastery on Gozo was very nice. Everthing worked very well. Already about attractively The island Gozo has to offer a lot of things worth seeing and it not very hectical there. Most of the destinations are easy to get to by foot or with the publich bus system. I have already thought of going to Gozo and to this monastery again, because it was very good for me. With kind regards, H.K. I am back safe from Gozo and wanted to thank you and your partners for the great care. The place lies optimally for explorations of the island, I did almost everything on foot. The monastery itself is very fine, and Father Paul cares really affectingly. I found it sweet that he not first did not know at all exactly what he should explain to me. Except me there was above all an Italian choir which rehearsed for a Verdi's opera which I immediately had closer look at. Only with one thing I had my problems, especially in the beginning: with the clock that rings the bell every 15 minutes and stands in the hallway. After a while you get used to, that this sound is there around the clock und quite loud, yet I could imagine that there are more sensitive people. Those living on the upper floor have surely a better place, even when the rooms there are not as pretyy. (Comment of the editorial staff: Oh yes, the famous monastery clock!! Of course it is possible to turn off the long case clock or to make it silent! If that is not the case, in any case tell the Fathers! Everything is really great though, I haven't been surely there for the last time. Until then many greetings and a lot of success, T.M. ...I am back home since yesterday evening (unfortunately) and would have informed you today to say thank you that you organised for me this wonderful vacation. The setting of the monastery de Cura is magnificent and offers a fantastic view of the environment! You also have all possibilities: to withdraw and to enjoy the quiet, to go walking (the footpaths are well selected and not very demanding) to visit both the other monasteryies of the mountain or to drive from es Trenc to the beach by rental car. Palma and the other towns are not far away, so that you can also escape fast from the "quiet" (which can also become painful, indeed ...) For me this vacation was a present in various regards and it was very good for me. I selected a very good destination, I liked it very much. Above all also because I simply felt great from the outset by your mediation or also, yes, care. There was on the one hand simply the individuality protected which is simply important to me, and, on the other hand, I have felt the friendly warmth of your page as very pleasant.. Thanks that you contributed substantially to the fact that this vacation was so nice! With dear greetings, B.W. Yes, I am back safe and with many wonderful impressions from Gozo. Unfortunately, the everyday life (or even more badly) has already absorbed me completely. This is why I also have at the moment no time to send you a detailed travel report. UNFORTUNATELY!!!! Because it was very very very very......beautiful! - Everything. In the monastery I was looked after affectionately. Even if I had imagined it also quite differently. Much more quietly and more contemplative. However, looking back I also find the prevailing cheerfulness exactly proper to myself. Oh I would love to report to you a lot of details to you. Maybe it will happen. I have made it a custom to write small stories about my solitary traveling. The notes for it are well arranged. Only the time for formulating is not available. Dear greetings from S.D. Sri Lanka - Vipassana Meditation Center I am finally back in Berlin and have a little time on my hand to comment on this unbelievable time I had. First of all I'd like to thank you for helping me make a one of a lifetime experience in Sri Lanka. What a beautiful country, very nice people and great landscape. Everything, even including the flight with Quatar Airways, which I was so skeptical of, has turned out to be extremely well planned and everything was taken care of. My first night in 'the palace hotel' was not quiet what I needed after being my feet for almost 30 hours, since the hotel itself is VERY simple...but the driver (pls. Miron give my thanks to Ari, he really did a great job) and his car took good care of me, driving me to the Paramita Center and back after ten days. Everything at the center, including my spiritual adviser, was more than I had dreamt of. I really was a GREAT experience!!! On my last day Ari took me to kandi, which also was a very nice trip. On my last night I took a room at 'the beach' hotel, which also was a very nice experience and left a positive impression of Sri Lanka on me, which I took back to Germany. Let me tell you both that I had a wonderful time and that I will recommend Mrs. Esch's as well as Mr. Fernandopulle's services to everyone asking me for advice. AND - I will come again THANK YOU K. D. Sri Lanka - Vipassana Meditation Center And already I am again back from a wonderful place! Too fast the time has passed by in Sri Lanka and I miss my hosts already very much! I wanted to give you a short feedback; also your agency on site has asked me for it. The organization and care in the time before and on site were from A - Z fantastic and unique! From the outset I felt cared for and being consulted competently. Everyone wants to fulfill their task perfectly and is very much engaged to satisfy the customer in every respect. For this they also avoid no expenditure and make every wish possible. The Meditations center was a groundbreaking experience for me and has excelled my imagination in every respect!! One is taken up so warmly and cared for - I felt more as a member of the community there than guest. The wishes were read from eyes and the kindness and generosity of the people there has impressed me deeply! As I was alone the lessons in Samatha and Vipassana with Venerable Horona Paññasekara also became an unforgettable event!! I cannot form at all in words what this monk has given to me - I did not expect so much "commitment" and engagement. I am obliged to him with much gratitude. So, now I stop, otherwise it might become even more difficult for me to settle down again in the everyday life. Also to you again a hearty thanks! I will recommend you most warmly!! L.A. |