So, you may have been expecting some sunny, picturesque holiday shots, hey?
I was *this close* to making it to Bali, but unfortunately Mt Ruang had other ideas. The volcanic ash cloud that had grounded flights the week before shifted closer to Denpasar airport and on Thursday, it shut down the airport altogether.
You may have seen on the news stories of all the stranded people who's holidays have extended not in the best way; sleeping at the airport, running out of money, medication, annual leave...
As I was packing on Friday (for a 9am Saturday flight) and trying to remain optimistic, the email I'd been dreading came through. The organisers of the yoga retreat I was going to were stuck in Melbourne after their flights were cancelled and with no way of getting on another flight. They advised they had made the tough decision to cancel the retreat.
I just closed my suitcase and stared at it, numb. This trip was the first one I'd ever made solo and it was my "take-a-risk" trip, planned with the intent of trying to shake me out of my comfort zone and reclaim my independence, self-confidence and positivity after what has been a tough 9 months.
Once the initial shock passed I actually surprised myself with how well I took it. Yes, there was disappointment - of course. Who wouldn't be disappointed when at the eleventh hour a trip you've planned for, saved for, and finally got excited for, is cancelled? I had already begun to feel the warm tropical air on my skin and was looking forward to meeting new people and being immersed for a short time in another world.
The thought did pass through my mind "Why me? Why can't I get something good for once, for something to just go right?"
But I had an epiphany that came through so strong and clear, it actually floored me.
This didn't happen to me, it happened, There's a difference. This wasn't the Universe trying to punish me, it was just an incident of nature and in that instant; I was at peace with it. I immediately began to see all the other things that could open up for me by not going to Bali.
Thankfully, I have good insurance and it does cover natural disasters. I've been in touch with them and apart from a $250 excess, I think I'm covered. The retreat organiser have been amazing and helpful too. They immediately let us know they'd be refunding the workshop costs, but initially they didn't think they were going to be able to get the accommodation costs refunded and were advising us to add it to our insurance claim, however later in the day they sent another email advising they had been able to negotiate a nearly-full refund from the resort. Legends!
Garuda are giving full refunds on flights cancelled due to the ash cloud, so that's covered, and my return flight with Jetstar will be covered by insurance. So all in all, I really won't be out of pocket significantly, and the way I look at it I now have a healthy looking holiday fund, ready for the next trip.
Which I've decided will be Byron Bay in October, to help a dear friend celebrate her 40th. A week of hanging with a few women I simply adore, surfing, eating, drinking and relaxing. I might even squeeze in a bit of yoga.
Life. It ain't all bad.
