Travel

Shift of the tide

August 20, 2021

Photography – Helen Janneson Bense

Locations – Coconut Well | Coconutz BnB | Gantheaume Point | Cable Beach | Bali Hai Resort – Broome, Western Australia

Outfits

House of Harlow 1960 Danna Kimono | LPA Gretchen Crochet top | Tularosa Berklee Skirt

Tigerlily Lunara Lenora Midi Dress | Tigerlily Lunara Mirella Maxi Dress | Spell Folksong Sundress | Spell Folksong Robe

Accessories

Maxi House Thea hat

This ancient, wild land calls to me, it draws me in like the changing tides. My heart sings with joy as it heals my woes, soothes my soul, and connects me to nature, bringing me home deeper into my heart.

Is there a place for you that feels like this?

I recently took a solo trip to Broome, a sunshine filled, wild land in the north west of Australia. I didn’t realise it until I was there, but I needed this trip for my mental health. It was on my first day it hit me out of nowhere. After a slow morning soaking in the sun, I was enjoying an outdoor bath, and I found myself in a flood of tears. The overwhelm I was feeling, yet somehow holding onto so tightly, had all the space and safety for release. It was a little bit of everything really. The pain and trauma in the world felt heavy in my heart. The intensity of motherhood and the juggle of running a business and feeling constantly behind the eight ball. The mother’s guilt of feeling like you just can’t do it all. The exhaustion of living this busy life where we strive to accomplish so much, yet damage our mental health, and our planet in the process. The trauma that lives in my cells, that can be triggered by unknown stimuli, sometimes a look, a tone, a smell, a song, a feeling. It was here in this bath I started to deeply breathe through every little bit of grief. I allowed it in, to wash over me, and to diminish in it’s own time. Like the tides of the north west, it came in fast and strong, and without my resistance, it shifted just as quickly.

I felt such a wonderful release after this cry. It was just what I needed. And joy quickly moved into it’s place. I spent the day hiking to the Coconut Well rock pools. Imagine a place where you can have your very own rock pool. Well this is it! While I do recommend a 4WD for this adventure in the hot sun, it’s possible to walk. You’ll need appropriate footwear as the limestone is super sharp. And ensure you check the tides before going. If you have a 9+metre high tide the lagoon at the beginning of the walk will be full. It’s a beautiful spot to float and swim. It’s rare over the dry season (May – Oct) to see crocodiles here, but there is a very small possibility. You want to head to the rock pools as the tide is receding. They’ll be exposed and full of beautiful turquoise water. On the day I visited there was no-one else around. I couldn’t believe I had the entire beach to myself. It was incredible! And during a time when Broome was beyond capacity too.

I chose an eco tent at Coconutz BNB for my first stay of this trip. It’s walking distance to the Coconut Well lagoon, so it made an ideal spot to stay. I had no idea how much I would fall in love with this place. The whole glamping situation is so well set up. Everything was easy and comfortable. There’s a kitchen, a bathroom, a dining space, and its really simple to prepare your own food here. I felt so close to nature as I listened to the bird song and watched the sunset over the ocean from my hammock. Lisa is the most generous and helpful host, and I would gladly visit this place again. You’ll have access to the main pool too, which is beyond luxurious.

My next stop was to Bali Hai resort and spa. This was my second stay here and it won’t be my last. It’s one of my favourite places to stay in Cable beach. I love the tropical Bali vibes, the smell of incense, the lush gardens, the villa design, the glistening pool, and the beautiful spa. It has a wonderful restaurant with delicious vegan food (the curry is the best!)

From here I adventured to Gantheaume point, less than a 10 minute drive away. I visited multiple times to hunt for rock pools as there were big tides happening while I was in town. The first day I missed it by just 30 minutes and it was emptying. On my second visit I broke my toe right as I was turning the corner to see it! Talk about timing! It was so full and it was beautiful. I didn’t know my toe was broken and chose to ignore it for awhile and enjoy the pool and views. It didn’t take long before I realised it was turning black and blue and swelling. I spent the rest of my trip poolside, foot elevated, on ice. It was probably just what I needed too. I get a bit crazy when adventuring solo, always pushing my limits. I feel like a little kid searching for treasure. The joy completely overtook the pain.

So while I navigate these changing tides of my life, I’m picking up a lot of great tools along the way. A little solo time is essential. So is exposing myself to sporadic bursts of sunshine during winter. Breathing through everything helps me regulate my nervous system. Barefoot nature walks always ground me, as long as the terrain is flat! haha! I’m a huge fan of cold showers/baths and singing/chanting/humming to activate my vagus nerve and calm my nervous system. I’m creating safe space for loving compassion to allow myself to feel and release. And while I do this and become the best version of myself, I’m sending a whole lot of love, healing and prayers out to all those in need right now. While I experienced some hiccups on this trip, and face my own personal challenges, I am so grateful for all I have, for my privilege in this life, and that I have a safe and loving home.

With love and gratitude,

Helen xx

Paradise Awaits

June 3, 2021

Photography – Bobby Bense

Model/Styling/Editing – Helen Janneson Bense

Location – Six Senses Resort – Uluwatu | Villa Saba 10 | W Hotels Seminyak – Bali, Indonesia

While it may still be a long while for Australians to get back to their favourite paradise locations, for me the memories still hold a special place in my heart and will not be forgotten when the time comes to safely venture once again.

It’s been awhile since this trip to Indonesia, but I finally have the time now to reflect upon this incredible experience. One rich with colour, culture and connection. And a whole lot of beauty and relaxation.

It was September 2018 and we journeyed from Seminyak, the bustling heart of Bali, to the majestic cliff-sides of Uluwatu, one of my favourite parts of Bali. Our holiday began at the wonderful Villa Saba 10. A quiet, private luxurious 5 bed villa, equipped with our own chef and team of staff to help with any of our needs. It was such a fun, laid back family vibe; floating in the pool, listening to music, soaking up that glorious Balinese sun, sitting by the fire at night and chatting all day long.

From here we were ready for a more lively Balinese vibe at W Hot e ls in Seminyak. Situated right on the beach we had the privilege of watching many of those magical Indonesian sunsets that seem to go on forever in every shade of pink, peach and purple. We absolutely loved our 2 bed pool villa with everything we could ever need for the most comfortable and luxurious stay.

We always leave Uluwatu as the last leg of our trips to Bali. It has all the quiet nature vibes we crave.

We stayed at the immaculate Six Senses Resort, a luxury hotel perched upon the cliff, overlooking the ocean. It feels as though you are at the end of the earth with these breathtaking ocean and sunset views. It’s truly a place to unwind and decompress with ease. There were seated massages awaiting us at reception, an all you can eat ice cream parlour (with vegan options), and the most dreamy infinity pool!

The resort was only just opened when we stayed, so more work was still needed finishing off more villas and gardening. Even still, we found it to be a seamless stay. Such a great sign for a resort. Our plant based needs were catered for with ease, which is so often the way staying at Six Senses resorts. We have now stayed at 3 Six Senses resorts through south east Asia and I’m certain it won’t be our last. They are above and beyond some of the best quality resorts we have had the privilege of experiencing.

While this trip was utter bliss, I did sadly pick up a really serious flu on the plane on the the way home. It’s been difficult to remember these paradise days prior, as the following experience was one of the scariest of my life. It came hard and fast once I returned home. I was in bed for 5 days with a raging 40 degree fever and the worst body aches of my life. I kept thinking I’ll ride it out, I’ll be better tomorrow. By day 5 I honestly felt like I was going to die. My worried husband, Bobby, managed to get me to my doctor, who immediately sent me to hospital. She looked at me, wondering why I wasn’t already there. I had no idea the flu could be this bad. I was hospitalised for a further 5 days, and unwell for weeks. They did loads of blood tests thinking I had picked something up in Bali, to finally discover I just had the flu. My white blood cell count and my blood pressure both fell dangerously low while in hospital. I had never felt so ill, so helpless, I couldn’t even go to the toilet, and I finally understood how people die from the flu. I was out of action for a solid month recovering. The doctors left me with a strong warning that I needed to be especially careful with all viruses in future given my severe reaction and my history. I realised that almost every other time I had been in hospital it was always due to a virus. While all of this was scary, I started to piece together a better health picture which has helped me ever since. My immune system has been vulnerable since I was a child. I was frequently ill, on antibiotics more times per year than I could count. Coupled with trauma which also impacts the immune system, I have lived most of my life at the mercy of viral infections. This is one of the reasons why I’m so careful with my health now, and also partly why I was drawn to Naturopathy for work. When you have vulnerabilities and challenges in life you are able to tap into compassion to those suffering and in need. It’s also why I take Covid so seriously, and have so much compassion and empathy for anyone affected, and families who have lost loved ones. My heart goes out to you.

So while it was an aftermath and half, I am still so grateful for the paradise I was lucky enough to experience before this. Since this trip I have taken numerous precautions to protect myself and maintain top notch health on all my travels. I have an arsenal of natural anti-virals, immune modulating herbs/nutrients, stress management techniques and ongoing trauma work, long term positive health impacts of a plant based diet, and hindsight to help me in future. Now I’m looking forward to visiting paradise once again, when it’s safe to do so.

With love and gratitude,

Helen xx

Batu Karang

May 25, 2021

Photography – Bobby Bense

Model/Styling/Editing – Helen Janneson Bense

Location – Batu Karang, Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia

Support local Balinese families HERE

While international travel is still not on the cards for Australia, I’m finding gratitude for all the incredible adventures I’ve had, reminiscing and dreaming of these magical moments in paradise. I’m sending my love to all of these places I’ve been fortunate enough to visit. This island, like many, rely on tourism, and have really struggled this past year. If you are in a position to help, you can donate here to help feed a family.

Nusa Lembongan holds a special place in our hearts. It’s a place both Bobby and I have visited multiple times. It’s much quieter than Bali, and I always have a sense of really connecting to the beautiful Balinese culture when we visit.

Our last trip to Nusa Lembongan, we stayed at the lovely eco-conscious Batu Karang Resort, in the Occasion Wedding villa. A perfect, romantic, luxuriously appointed villa, equipped with a spa bath, private pool and breathtaking turquoise ocean views with the most incredible backdrop of Mount Agung. Bobby and I don’t have family who live close to us to help with our children, so when we get the opportunity to travel together, just the two of us, we absolutely treasure it. This was one of the most romantic trips we’ve had, making the most and best of our time together. We were surrounded by opportunities for stand up paddle boarding, snorkelling, island hopping, beach clubs and chatting with locals. Our days were spent exploring by motorcycle, learning about the locals, underwater adventures, balmy sunset beach dining, night swims, and enjoying the privacy of our villa.

Batu Karang is located only a stone’s throw from the boat harbour on Nusa Lembongan. You can in fact walk to the resort from the beach. It’s an easy boat ride from Sanur on the mainland of Bali, and well worth the effort. From the island you can also visit the sister islands, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida. Both are very accessible from here and have loads of experiences on offer. Crystal Bay beach is one of my favourite snorkelling spots in the area that can be accessed on a boat tour.

For those wanting to unwind and relax, the resort has 3 pools to choose from; an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, a lap pool for swimming, and one with a swim up bar, perfect for lounging with a coconut under the palm trees.

There are multiple dining options within the resort at Muntigs and also on the island. The resort restaurant is set around the infinity pool and a perfect spot to watch the sunset. The Deck also offers amazing ocean views and is a great spot for an afternoon cocktail. Around the island we also loved Hai Bar and Grill, Sandy Bay Beach Club and Nyomen’s Warung for a truly local experience. We had no issue eating plant based anywhere, and I often find Indonesia is one the easiest and most delicious places to enjoy plant based cuisine.

Writing about this place has brought back all those beautiful memories in a very visceral way. I hope to revisit again once it’s safe to do so, to explore this magical island and support the local community. And I recommend you put Nusa Lembongan on your travel list if you haven’t already.

With love and gratitude, Helen xx

Great Southern

April 22, 2021

Photography – Bobby Bense/Helen Janneson Bense

Editing – Helen Janneson Bense

Location – Albany, Western Australia

Where to stay – Private Eco friendly Cottage | Lodge | Homestead

Everything about this trip was unexpected. It took us to breathtaking, wild places we never imagined.

We went to Albany with very low expectations, having only briefly visited once before on a somewhat dreary day. When I started looking for holiday spots everything was pretty much booked out. I didn’t realise at the time that I was actually booking us into the most incredible stay ever!

We arrived to this stunning bush property, 650 acres of land and coastline to explore before us, an actual private retreat. There was a private beach, private lagoon, private lake! It was pure paradise with so much space, wildlife and wilderness to explore.

There are 3 accommodation options starting with a budget friendly, eco friendly cottage overlooking the lake and the ocean. It boasts spectacular sunset views, daily kangaroo visits, and if you look up you might even spot a sea eagle. It accommodates 4 people and has everything you need for a sustainable, comfortable, self contained stay.

This lodge is pure luxury. It has space to accommodate multiple families, 10 people in total, and has 360 degree panoramic lake and ocean views. It’s the ideal place to stay with family friends. And that bath view is spectacular!

The last option is Maitraya Homestead, built on the cliffside overlooking the ocean and your very own private beach directly in front. It can accomodate up to 16 people and is ideal for weddings, reunions, birthdays, retreats and special occasions. The homestead is full of character and history, complete with it’s own atrium and indoor swimming pool. The fabulous Lady Gaga also stayed here and they have a music room in honour of her.

Our days were very full exploring the grounds of Maitraya, stand up paddle boarding and kayaking daily on the lake, swimming in the private lagoon, and wandering the majestic coast line. A trip to Albany wouldn’t be complete without witnessing the natural marvel that is The Gap. An absolutely astonishing spot where you can experience the true power of nature. The 25m granite rock, once connected to Antartica, formed around 1300-1600 million years ago. The viewing deck is not for the faint hearted. It definitely made me squeamish at times.

What I loved most about our location was the vicinity to Little Beach, in Two Peoples Bay Reserve. You’ll need to pay a small fee to enter, but it’s worth it. Pack for the whole day, you won’t want to leave. It’s tempting to spend your day at the main beach, but beyond the beach, is an even more amazing beach that is a little more private, a little less wavy, perfect for swimming and rock jumping. Around another bend was a whole lot of rock pools with a big turquoise lagoon. We were completely surprised by this beauty, and that it wasn’t overcrowded. It’s always worth taking those extra steps to see what’s around the next corner.

I highly recommend a visit to the Great Southern. We only saw a handful of spots in this region, but we explored and enjoyed them thoroughly, knowing we will revisit and discover something new next time.

With love and gratitude, Helen xx

When the stars aligned

April 14, 2021

It’s only now that I can look back and realise that the day I met my beloved Bobby, we were cosmically destined for one another. We lived oceans apart, yet everything aligned time and time again to bring us together.

Our first meeting was in a café in San Jose, California. I was saying goodbye to some old friends and Bobby was our waiter. A mutual friend introduced us and mentioned that Bobby had just booked open-ended travel to Australia and that we should connect when I return.

I agreed, and in the true spirit of those pre mobile phone days, I handed my email address on a tiny ripped piece of paper to this mysterious and ridiculously handsome guy.

A week later, at a bar in San Jose, as I celebrated the end of my 6 month USA road trip, our paths crossed serendipitously once again. And lucky they did, as he lost that tiny piece of paper with my email on it. I once again wrote it down on another equally small piece of paper. He vowed he would not lose this one and still to this day it holds a special place in his wallet.

About a month after I returned home I received an email from Bobby updating me on his travels. I passed on my new home number and said when/if you make it to Melbourne, let me know and I’ll show you around.

One day out of the blue, Bobby called on my home phone. He let me know he’d made it to Victoria and that he was hanging out at a little café called Leroy’s in the town of St. Kilda. He wondered if I was anywhere close to this place and if we could meet up. Little did he know that this was where I was living and that he was at my new local coffee spot! Both of us were amazed as I mentioned that I was only a 5-minute walk away. It also happened to be my only day off work for that week. And it also happened to be Valentines Day, yet neither of us realised this until much later.

As we stared at each other over coffee, I couldn’t help notice the intense reaction I was having to him. I had never felt so affected by another person before. It was like strings of energy were pulling us closer together and sparks were flying everywhere. The moment I mentioned going for a walk, he agreed almost too quickly.

Years later we talked about how overwhelming that moment was for us both. I was overheating; my heart racing and I could barely hear what he was saying. I felt like I was both floating, yet tethered to him in some way. That connection is what has grown into the deepest love I’ve ever known.

This was the beginning of our relationship. We faced many challenges over the years with long distance, different time zones, visas, families, and navigating a path for ourselves, knowing we wanted to find a way to be together. Every day as we talked on the phone, we embraced the uncertainty and focused on the connection and love we had, knowing a way would become clear when the time was right. And it did.

Even when things were so uncertain, we held on to the hope in the certainty of our love.

Bobby was able to finish his studies thanks to an international program here in Western Australia. He moved countries so we could give our love a chance. I moved from Victoria having never stepped foot in WA.

We have clearly both fallen more in love with one another over the years, married, had 2 beautiful children and are so grateful that we ended up in this incredible part of Australia, that is now our home.

I love capturing photos of our relationship together. Every chance we have had to travel and explore, we ensure we have our Fujifilm instax mini LiPlay along to capture all these precious moments. For older memories, we print our photos with the instax mini Link right from my phone. It’s always such a gift for us to print our memories and reflect upon creating this magical life of love together.

Infinity Chalet

March 8, 2021

Photography – Bobby Bense/Helen Janneson Bense

Editing – Helen Janneson Bense

Location – Margaret River, Western Australia

Where to stay – Infinity Chalet – just a 3 hour drive south of Perth

Outfit Details – One piece (similar) | High Low Skirt (similar) | Jasmine Strappy Mini Dress

If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a bestie adventure, or solo retreat then look no further than this immaculately and luxuriously appointed chalet. Every attention to detail is considered and you will leave feeling well rested, rejuvenated and content.

Infinity Chalet is perfectly situated on the picturesque Margaret River, a short drive to the river mouth and the breathtaking Surfers Point. A wonderful spot for the whole family, with swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, rock pool exploring and surfing.

We decided to do some off road exploring on this trip and discovered some of the most secluded and exquisite rock pools and beaches. We couldn’t believe there weren’t any crowds as it was the height of summer school holidays. It just goes to show there is a little slice of paradise for everyone here in this region. I’m not going to geotag and share the exact location of these spots as I feel they are most likely some local gems. I will say that it is worth exploring those off the beaten path tracks and always walking around that next corner.

After our days of exploring we welcomed the comfort and luxury of Infinity chalet. We loved the steam shower and stunning spa bath with that amazing sunset view. We spent our evenings unwinding with a plant based, sunset picnic overlooking Margaret river, enjoying the peaceful vibes of the fireplace before melting into their luxurious king bed.

If you can’t already tell we really loved our stay here. It was faultless and I look forward to the next visit.

With love and gratitude, Helen xx

Helen Janneson Bense

Travel

Shift of the tide

August 20, 2021

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Paradise Awaits

June 3, 2021

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Batu Karang

May 25, 2021

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Great Southern

April 22, 2021

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When the stars aligned

April 14, 2021

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Infinity Chalet

March 8, 2021

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