Fear is Never an Option, Press On
HOPE-
Hold On, Pain Ends
Finally, this is the last feature of my Singita travel series where I have been sharing details of this exciting trip, activities we did, and now, some reflections as I look forward to the next adventure. As I was thinking about where to begin, I had an overflow of ideas. But somehow, my intuition led me the topic of spirituality as the most important pillar of our wellbeing.
The bible talks about how one’s life starts becoming fruitful when we abide in God. For me, this has been a season of creating; and this is how I know that I’m finally cultivating that inner peace; you know the one given by God? That surpasses all human understanding? That's the one!
Every unwanted cloud hovering above your head will surely pass. At the beginning of this year, I was unsure about what the future entailed; securing new clients, the direction of my blog, how to manoeuvre writing for leisure and business, you name it. However, I realize now, that once you choose hope, anything is possible. We only need to keep pressing on.
When I created this blog, it was easy to write about mental health, fitness, and nutrition, as fortifying elements of our personal development. I may have written it here, but the quote which says ‘mind, body, spirit’, did not fully resonate with me… especially the spirit part. I doubt whether until recently, I ever felt truly whole or fully aligned..or close to both, you know? Now I'm starting to get a better understanding of why spirituality is an integral part of wellness.
During this trip, I had been on a spiritual journey which meant that I had a daily routine that would strengthen my spirit. Every morning for the past year, I have been saying a morning and evening prayer of gratitude while also sharing with God the petitions of my heart. I speak to him every day because my soul needs it. In return, he has completely transformed how I see myself, how I live, my perceptions of life, my mindset, how I move, and even how I love. All the fruits in this season of my life are attributed to him.
Being on this trip allowed me to experience all the pillars of wellness from an isolated yet all encompassing perspective. For my mind, I would journal everyday; the process of putting all my thoughts on paper gave me mental clarity and I was able to document every experience in detail. As you can see, their amazing amenities nurtured a wholesome ambience of relaxation and divine reflections.
Chef's Table Experience
During our stay at Singita, I immersed myself into learning about their culinary journey by exploring as many dishes on the menu as I could. The plan was to enjoy every gourmet meal that didn't sound familiar. All the meals are prepared depending on the fresh vegetables in season which are locally grown in their own garden which you will see. The foodie in me was pleased with the high blend of wellness and culinary arts.
The chef's table experience at Singita is whereby guests are invited to enjoy a three course meal and also have the chance to see the preparation of the various dishes. I also opted to have a few glasses of wine and enjoy the beautiful views because the weather was so kind. As you can see, every corner was absolutely breathtaking both within and outside the lodge.
As someone who absolutely enjoys wholesome meals, I decided to have a selfcare date and even picked up a few lessons on how to plate dishes. The best part is that I had access to the pastry kitchen and learnt how to prepare a honeycomb and pistachio dessert. I documented this experience on my instagram page, which you can find linked here.
'Singita: Our Food Journey' is a specialist safari cookbook that pays homage to the talented chefs who have brought to life their world class dishes. It's made of traditional and African inspired recipes straight from their lodges, and when the recipe book is purchased, the proceeds fund their community culinary schools as part of their social impact programme. We were fortunate to visit Muhabura Integrated Polytechnic College, during our visit and got to meet some of Rwanda's best upcoming chefs!
For my body, I made sure to do something active every day during my visit. Of course, the gorilla trekking was the highlight of this trip! If you haven’t read my blogpost about the experience, it is linked here. Ticking off this bucket list activity with my sister was so special. Mountain gorillas, also known as African giants, are probably the most peaceful of all primates. Observing them in their natural habitat is one of those life changing moments that I will never forget.
Akarabo Nursery (Garden) Tour
After a wholesome and bubbly Sunday brunch, we were invited for a tour of Akarabo Nursery, which is Singita Kwitonda's onsite garden. Their farm to table concept ensures guests enjoy all the nutritious vegetables in season, and we even had the chance to pick some berries for dessert later. Guests are also invited to leave a legacy by planting a tree as part of their reforestation programme.
Cycling Tour
I had the chance to go on a cycling tour with the resident cyclist, Cuma, who I later learned was a former cyclist for Rwanda's national team and even represented his country during Tour du Rwanda. Here at Singita, he doubles as a cycling guide and is deeply passionate about tourism and wildlife conservation.
As we cycled into the town, it was quite special to see kids cheering him on as he is a well-known hero in Musanze district. If you ever visit, I highly recommend the cycling tour, which is a great way to explore the town and stay fit. Of course, Singita made sure guests only used the best; my bike was from the sports brand called Scott; which had multiple gears to engage for all kinds of terrain. This was a great experience.
For my spirit, I would talk to God first and last every day. I recall one morning receiving a work email which threw me off; yet, here I was, sitting on a day bed at the most beautiful location I have ever been to. Immediately, I played the song Goodness of God by Cece Winans which calmed me down and it reminded me of who is in charge. That if we trust in God’s plans, he will never fail us. This is a simple example of how having a spiritual practice can transform how you experience the day.
Yoga & Meditation in the Wild
In the past, I have always tried to tread carefully and made sure I didn't ruffle any feathers. Trusting in God has changed how I look at setbacks or predicaments. Wellness routines build your mental resilience, but when you start working on your spirit, or soul, you start developing the courage that enables you to thrive and not just survive. It's about becoming fearless and once you realise God is all you need, fear is no longer an option.
With the beautiful ambience in our villa, I made sure to take full advantage. I practiced yoga and did my morning meditation using the tibetan healing bowls. Singita met all my wellness needs; its truly a sanctuary for any health-conscious traveler. Sitting on my mat looking at the rainforest which is home to the mountain gorillas we saw during the hike was a surreal experience.
Anytime I travel, I try to maintain my selfcare routines as much as possible. It may not be the same intensity, and could take less time, but I find that it makes the experience a lot better! A destination that makes sure all my essentials are covered is a real treat. My journey with practicing yoga has taught me so much, but mostly, the importance of being present in the moment.
It's almost impossible to hold any yoga position or balance if your mind is stuck on a work deadline or even that heartbreak. It forces us to disengage with everything else and focus on what is in front of us. It teaches us how to be mindful and kind to ourselves while making us stronger physically. Out of all the many other forms of exercise I have done, yoga has been the most impactful for my mental health.
The more we learn to let go of our thoughts and feelings, the easier we flow both in yoga and in life. To be able to practice in a beautiful place surrounded by nature was therapeutic; just the reset I needed. This wholesome trip inspired me to create again from a place of gratitude and it will remain a constant reminder that life has so much to offer when we least expect it!
Feature Travel Film
Turning 30 with Singita | A Journey of Hope by Sharon Machira
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Yours in Wellness,
@TiziTalks
