HEAVENLY HOI AN – More Than Just a Writing Retreat

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Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Is your creative spirit in need of some TLC? Always wanted to go to Vietnam but don’t like traveling alone? 

Renew your love of writing and life next February in stunning world heritage Hoi An in Vietnam for a yoga and writing retreat which will get your year off to an inspiring and uplifting start. HEAVENLY HOI AN 2 – 7 FEBRUARY 2024.

After the bliss of our Bali Retreatsee the rundown hereKerstin Pilz and I are now set to explore Vietnam. Kerstin lived in Hoi An for years so we’ll have an, almost, local to guide us around. Kerstin is also busily preparing for the release of her first creative work, her memoir Loving My Lying Dying Cheating Husband which Affirm Press is launching in March 2024. WOOHOO! So we’ll have live access to all Kerstin has learnt about writing memoir and the publishing process, as well as my twenty plus years and five publications worth of experience plus over ten years teaching creative writing at UQ! Kerstin is an ex Uni lecturer in literature so you’ll have a wealth of writing experience to tap into.

Yes, there will be informative, practical, inspiring and useful writing workshops, but this is also a retreat to renew YOU as a whole person. This retreat also features YOGA!

I’ve been practising yoga daily for 30 years now, the greatest blessing of my life, and I love sharing the joys of this life-healing practice on retreats. Kerstin is an experienced yogin too, and has spent many months at meditation retreats as part of her own healing journey – hear all about it in her TED TALK. So every morning on retreat with start with gentle yoga in a beautifl open air shala over the river. How magical is that? And most evenings we’ll wind down from all the learning and writing with some guided meditations and pranayama (yogic breathing techniques) specifically designed to help you relax and calm your nervous system.

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Writing and yoga, but wait, there’s more and no, it’s not steak knives. How about a Vietnamese cooking class after a tour of a local farm? Or would you prefer a slow boat ride down the river to the heart of the old town for dinner at the local night markets, lit up with preparations for TET (Vietnamese New Year). All the sights and sounds and smells and tastes of an exotic culture, full of smiling faces, in the company of fellow writers and kindred spirits. A tarot reading to help guide you forward and inspire your spirit. Fun and laughter with new friends and even the option to travel on and explore Vietnam further with other retreat guests!

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Not only that, we’re staying in gorgeous resort-style accommodation at An Villa and Annica Villa, far from the bustling crowds, right on the river. Beautiful ensuite rooms, manicured tropical gardens, pools, delicious Vietnamese meals prepared especially for us on premises, lots of secret nooks to sit and write and everything is included! You can come along to all the sessions, or if you’d rather you can sleep for days, potter and journal in the over-river shala or hide away in your room and write like a fury!

Sound like the answer to your prayers? It is! I am so excited to be offering these international retreats with my dear friend Kerstin. Our Hoi An adventure is going to be truly heavenly! I so hope you can join us. Prices start at $2550 EARLY BIRD, ALL INCLUSIVE (except flights and transfers) but hurry early bird prices end soon!

For detailed info and to book see HERE.

Places are filling fast, so book your spot now by paying your deposit. I’m super excited about this one. I haven’t been to Vietnam in 30 years and I’ve never been to Hoi An, so come with me for the adventure of a lifetime and a life-changing, heart opening retreat guaranteed to get you writing! Whether you’re an old hand or a newbie, this retreat has something for everyone. ALL THE INFO HERE.

If you have more dash than cash we can work out a payment plan that makes it all possible.

Who’s coming?

Me!!

Lots of love

Edwina xx

MAGICAL MAGNETIC ISLAND MERMAIDS 2023 – Magnetic Island Retreat June 2- 4

What a magical time we had on Magnetic Island at the latest Relax and Write Retreat. This one is called Relax and Write in Paradise for a reason! The water is crystal clear and turquoise and warm enough to swim and the island is 75% national park so the quiet is deep and soul restoring.

Once again a wonderful wise group of writing women turned up to restore their love of writing and life itself. Once again I witnessed the magic of women coming together to write, relax and support each other. As usual our days consisted of gentle yoga, relaxation exercises and lots of writing and lessons on the craft of creating stories – all in the very best of company!

This year we went out to Barefoot restaurant at Horseshoe Bay for dinner and had amazing seafood platters that may have been the highlight of the weekend for me 🙂 Apart from my lovely mermaids of course.

As is customary we finished up our workshops with some goal setting and hopes and dreams collages which were lots of fun – and very creative! Let’s hope all our dreams come true.

Here’s what some participants had to say about the retreat.

“I attended the Magnetic Island Writers Retreat hosted by Edwina. 

I cannot say enough about just how worthwhile these retreats are. The workshops are informative, supportive and provide a positive learning space. There were writers of all levels and yet as someone less experienced I felt comfortable. Also, I have made some new friends! I have already booked to attend two more. Thanks Edwina 🌸”Yvonne 🙂

“Just wanted to thank you for such a fantastic retreat. Feel emotionally unblocked and have my writing mojo back. Great content and sense of community.”

Karina 🙂

And here are a few more gleaned from my feedback sheets – anonymously 🙂

“An amazing retreat! So enjoyable and I learnt so much!”

“Good value for money.”

“Fantastic!”

“Thoroughly enjoyed the Relax and Write Retreat. Edwina’s knowledge and the way she takes us through visual exercises was incredibly powerful. A beautiful collective of authors.”

We finished up our retreat with a picnic and a swim at beautiful Alma Bay and a little bit of fortune telling for fun 🙂

THANK YOU to the wonderful women who make these retreats so very special. Women writers are a special breed of compassionate, creative souls and it is my pleasure to help guide them in their writing.

So what are you waiting for? SEE HERE for all the information on upcoming retreats – two in Springbrook – Gold Coast hinterland (August and October) and Heavenly Hoi An in Vietnam in early February 2024 in collaboration with Kerstin Pilz of Write Your Journey.

And on Monday I’m off to Bali for our first Blissful Bali retreat. One coming again next year!! WOOHOO!

These retreats are so inspiring and so much fun! Isn’t it time you rebooted your writing mojo and gave yourself a treat?

lots of love

Edwina xxx