Do you have a favourite place in nature? A place that no matter how many times you go there it always feels fresh and rejuvenating? A nature place that nourishes you and makes you feel glad to be alive?
I really hope you do.
Today I want to share one of my favourite nature places that does all of these things for me and more.
This is a place I have been visiting for over eleven years and, for the last seven years; it’s been just a 5 minute walk from my house.
This is a place that makes my enlivens my body, calms my stress and inspires my spirit. This is a place that melted my heart and bought my partner and I together after four years of just being friends. This place is great to take our children – it’s where they learned to swim and do crazy somersaults under the water. This is also the place where I conclude my ‘Love in the Heart of Nature’ tour and every couple I’ve taken so far has been in awe and enraptured by it.
This place is ‘Ti Kwen Glo Cho’, a name that when translated from the Creole, means ‘Little corner of hot water.’ I’m thinking of consulting with the owners, to rename it ‘A Little Piece of Paradise’ because even though that may seem a little cliche, that is truly what it is for me.
‘Ti Kwen’ is a lovingly sculpted garden containing two large hot pools, three hot water bath tubs, two mud pools, three cold water showers, a river, a waterfall and an abundance of flowers, herbs and vibrant vegetation. The combination of these elements results in magic.
The landscaping of Ti Kwen is a testimony to the positive interaction between humans and the natural world. Henry, who owns the land has spent years perfecting the place and a conduit for the flow of nature inspired co-creation. I marvel at his attention to detail and constant improvements.
And yet not all is manicured and tamed. The wild rainforest embraces the entire area and allows us to feel our own wildness within. In the years I’ve been visiting, I’ve seen this rugged nature convey its message of power through shape shifting landslides, falling trees and bulging rivers. It is real and raw.
The hot water that flows into Ti Kwen comes from naturally, core-of-the-Earth heated sulphur water. It is rich with minerals and promotes healthy skin and hair. The heat also penetrates my body to heal stiff muscles and weary mind (yes my mind does get weary at times – solo parenting two extremely vibrant children is a joy that has a flip side of exhaustion). The combination of hot and cold water is also a medicinal hydrotherapy treatment which stimulates optimal blood circulation. My body literally tingles by the time I am ready to leave!
Ti Kwen quietly offers the sounds and serenity of the natural world. Floating in the pools we are treated with the meditative sound of flowing water, creaking bamboo, rustling leaves, bird song, and insect music. The natural ambience is soothing balm to over stimulated ears. If we really get in tune with this sensory peace, it helps our mind and body reset to a more natural way of being.
I have learned many nature meditation practices, simply from relaxing at Ti Kwen. Just this week, my daughter and I created a sweetly simple yet powerful mindfulness practice that I am going to share with all the couples that are next to book my ‘Love in the Heart of Nature’ tour.
I could go on all day about this gem of a place but I think by now you are less interested in reading my words and just want me to show you some photos so here you are….
First glimpse of the orange coloured hot water pool amidst the verdant landscape
Get refreshed in this cold water shower.
View from the shower. I-spy something that looks like my two children!
Oh yes I was right – here they are!
Kabwit Falls.
View of the top half of the property. Perfection!
Even the fungi is extra gorgeous here.
One of our favourite caterpillars getting ready for its metamorphosis. Being here I feel just as transformed!
The beautiful Anthuriums with heart shaped flowers and leaves offer a healthy dose of nature love as we enter and depart. Rejuvenation!
Magical right?
I am so grateful.
The ‘Ti Kwen Glo Cho’ experience is included within the price of the Love in the Heart of Nature tour and will also be featured as an essential experience in my upcoming nature wellness retreat programs (click on that last link to get on my VIP retreat list)
Now I’d love to hear about your favourite place in nature and what makes it so special for you. Writing down your love for a particular place is a powerful practice that increases appreciation, gratitude and awareness. It helps you to share your place with others and also, in an act of sweet vulnerability, express what is special about you. Your perception matters and helps shape the world we live in. I challenge you to make a start right now by leaving a comment below that shares some aspects of your favourite nature place.
Onelove
Terri