REACH FOR THE VERY BEST IN WHO YOU ARE!

REACH FOR THE VERY  BEST IN WHO YOU ARE!
Love Yourself

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Women Sailing Baja, Sea of Cortez

A visionary voyage in one of the most biologically diverse bodies of water in the world

"The Vermillion Sea or Sea of Cortez"

"The Sea of Cortez is the world's acquarium" Jacques Cousteau

We board and start our trip from La Paz - meaning "Peace" the capital of southern Baja and very much a Mexican city. More laid back and right on the Sea of Cortez. I love to walk the promenade along the waterfront.


La Paz markets are colourful and fun too!


We sail 20 nm to Isla Espiritu Santos just north of La Paz. The island is connected by Isla Partida by a narrow isthums. The islands are protected under UNESCO as a unique biosphere

During our sailing adventure we see migratory species sush as the Humpback Whale, California Gray Whale, Dolphins, sealions and mantra rays.



Our sailing takes us across to Isla San Francisco a small very distinctive island with white sandy beaches and steep rocky ridges.


Hiking the ridges of Isla San Francisco in the Sea of Cortez, Baja


The sail is wonderful with dolphins off the bow, fishing is great, swimming and hiking are a joy to behold. Great sunsets while cooking our catch on the back deck


Great sunsets while cooking our catch on the back deck.




Each morning or sunset we move to the rhythmn of nature with a Qigong and light yoga asana.



The Sea of Cortez is unique in so many beautiful ways. The contrast of colours, the huge Baja night sky, expansive ocean vistas, startling white sandy beaches with an array of wildlife are truly amazing.

Now heading to my hacienda on the west coast of the peninsula near Todos Santos.

I smile with the memory of the Vermillion Sea. Adios - Valma

Offering unique women sailing adventures


"I'll meet you there" Rumi

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Arrived to my property near Todos Santos, Baja


"The Zen Garden"

Be present in the moment. Seek harmony. Bask in the beauty of nature.

"There is perhaps no better way to live these Zen concepts than to create a garden that reflects them. A Zen garden is a work of art that expreses traditional values: simplicity, stillness, natural beauty, asymmetry, and traquility. As you work on yours, the peace of the external environment spreads inwards to calm the heart and soul. The main requirements are time - and timelessness. A Zen paradox!"

Welcome to my desert Zen Garden

Belize to India to the Caribbean and after a few days in Canada I finally arrive to my beautiful ocean front Zen garden property near Todos Santos, Baja, Mexico.













Outdoor living with solar and well water. Here I am planting my organic veggie garden.

Here is my lovely yoga palapa. Such a peaceful place. This year we have a pair of young pigeons living in the rafters.
We have all that we require. The desert roses are blooming.

Meeting up with friends again and time spent in solitude is rejuvenating for the soul.


In a few days I leave to pick up another boat out of La Paz to sail the Sea of Cortez.
I will take to the hammack, read for a while and of course indulge in a Zen sunset!


In peace always - Om Shanti, Valma

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Launching Kalisha my 1913 wooden boat


"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude." Denis Waitley

I arrived to Nanaimo after two days of traveling from St. Lucia via St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Just a quick five days in Nanaimo to finish the work on Kalisha and launch her back into the water after being on the hard for the winter. Kalisha is our 97 year old 34 foot wooden power boat built in 1913 by Wessel in Vancouver, BC, Canada. We have owned her for the last 5 years using her each summer as our floating cottage.

Kalisha has been on the hard since the beginning of October. Normally, we would never do this because it would dry the boat out to much. We hired Fred Amor and his son Duncan a wooden boat expert from Gabriola Island to replace some ribs and re-cork the bottom. We put Kalisha in dry dock so they could work on her over the winter. We also purchased and are installing a new motor. My travels took me away for five months and during the planning phase I arranged to be back in Nanaimo for the five days before launch so I could assist in the final preparation for the boat launch. The weather this winter in Nanaimo was not to much to write home about...snow, snow and more snow. It is amazing that our guys got the job done. We had to have Kalisha back in the water by March 15th as the boat yard required her space for their spring season. Our guys did an amazing job. Bravo!


I brought the sunshine because we had awesome weather to finish the final touches.

Well, sunshine almost every day.
On our last day before launching we had more snow. I guess I needed this just to remind me that I love going to Mexico and other warm places in the winter. Here is my husband Clayton working hard. Needless to say I only got out of the car to take the photo.

Kalisha went back into the water on time and is now waiting for us at the dock for our return in June. Once the weather gets more warm and dry we will repaint the outside and complete the installation of the new motor. I am very excited to see our girl under her own steam. What a beauty she is. I hope you agree!

I am off to my home in Las Playitas, Baja Mexico.

Hasta la pasta!

Friday, March 6, 2009

Kite Surfing Adventure in St. Lucia


"The best way to prepare for life is to begin to live." 
Elbert Hubbard

Have you made your Bucket List yet?

Where is Valma now?  
Kite surfing in  St. Lucia! Can you believe it?
Flying High on Life




Yes, I am still alive, well and continuing the adventure.  The journey from India to Canada, on to sail in the Virgin Islands to finally making my way to St. Lucia has been awe inspiring, fun, exotic, creative and full of laughter and new friendships. The days have been so much fun that I have not created the space to catch up on the blog.  I will fill you in on St. Lucia first and then work backwards to catch up on my final stay in India and sailing adventures in the Virgin Islands. Therefore, make sure you tune in again and check out the blog updates for the last part of India, travels to Canada and sailing in the Virgin Islands. Thanks for being patient.  Every day in every way I continue to actualize and manifest so much abundance in my life.  There is so much to share.  

Ever since I saw a beautiful painting of the Piton mountains and lush St. Lucia backdrops during a Caribbean art show last year and now some of my friends are living and sailing in this area it has been in my mind's eye that I would come here.  Everything has been leading me in this direction. Friends of ours built a 65-foot Catamaran sailboat and it is now in St. Lucia. Originally my hubby and I would meet here to sail with them.  In the end I had the days booked and my hubby did not....so here I am. What I focus on expands.  Just before I picked up my sailboat in the British Virgin Islands at the first part of February I met a young couple that were heading to St Lucia to stay on the beach and kite surf.  The location sounded right up my alley....St. Lucia, right on the beach, price is good, kite surfing, ability to check out a new sailing destination and meeting friends along the way. It all felt right and everything fell into place. 

I left St. Thomas on March 1st and flew to St. Lucia.  The Liat flight I took landed in the north of St. Lucia near Rodney Bay just as the sun was setting...apparently, this is the area that is built up on the island and where all the action is.  I took a taxi with Theresa, a local gal and drove 1.5 hours south to Anse de Sable Beach. This part of the island is more exposed to the Atlantic ocean, the trade winds and is more tranquil and quiet.  Here at "The Reef" is a cool, quaint, very simple Caribbean windsurfing, kitesurfing location located on the National Trust Park Land.  I arrived later in the evening to a warm salty sea breeze with the sound of the ocean waves crashing against the beach.

At the moment  I am staying at The Reef Kite and Surf - it has a litte cafe with open air dining right on the beach a small kite and surf shop with rentals and lessons. Just four simple rooms in the back area of which I have room number three.  A beautiful and simple set up.



My lessons started the next day and I have been kite surfing since. Mostly learning how to handle the kite, body drag and I even got up on the board a few times before the wind has gone down.  I have to say the most fun for me was when the instructor told me to take the power of the kite and body drag and really go for it.  "I want to see leaps and white water trailing behind you." Frank, my instructor told me with a twinkle in his French eye.  This was right up my alley since I naturally wanted to man handle the kite from the beginning....he wanted me to be gentle. A great practice to BE present and very much in the moment. When I was free to use the power I was delighted.  I laughed so hard and even felt like cat women, leaping everywhere. I can see why people get hooked on this sport.  Of course it is a continual process and the learning goes on.  Good thing for a Qigong and yoga practice in the day to stabilize joints, elongate muscles and create flexiblity.  The wind has gone down now, so alas.....my time is split between yoga on the beach, walking, writing, visiting with new friends and enjoying the beauty of this small tranquil Carribbean place.  Tomorrow I head north along the west coast road to sight see and meet my sailing friends.



Ok, it is time for lunch, a piton beer, swimming and a lounge on the beach.


I leave you with this thought.

"A ship is safe in harbour, but that's not what ships are for."   
William Shedd






Sunday, March 1, 2009

British Virgin Islands Sailing for Women Adventure


Women Sailing, Sailing and Sailing in the clear blue sea!
British Virgin Islands Women Sailing & Self Awareness Adventures

"Living for the moment - Life holds a lot of treasure"
Arriving to the US Virgin Islands, I spent a few days with my dear friends Kris and hubby CW. They have a wonderful home on St. Thomas with fantastic views. I was spoiled with my own ocean view room. It was a delight after the long travel from India to Canada with an 8 hour turn around and then onwards to finally reach the Caribbean.

After a few days of rest I took the fast ferry from St. Thomas over to the Nanny Cay Marina on Tortola and picked up my 46 foot mono hull sloop rigged "Fantasea". I had two sailing for women 7 day trips planned with ladies arriving from around the world.

The BVI weather is fantastic with great winds for sailing and the water is warm for snorkeling
and swimming.

We hiked, snorkeled and created a morning yoga practice!


The second trip was interesting as I had three sets of women - mother and daughters. All on the same trip! This was not planned. How interesting that they created the experience together. They love to party too!

Of course women sailing is also a learning experience too! We even practice being knotty!

One of my favorite places to explore in the BVI is the famous Bath's on Virgin Gorda. Here we sail right to the island and find our way to the white sandy shore, then hike through the caves. They are breath taking!

I make so many friends. We love to explore the outer reefs to find the best snorkeling spots.

For me. My passion is being on the ocean. Discovering new places, spending time in warm, sunny places. Ultimately, I like to take the helm of my life and chart my own course. Through the contrast of my dailing, monthly and life experiences I gradually discover what brings me joy and happiness. What I have learned most so far is that true happiness, abundance, ideal health and contentment lies wihin me. The treasures outside of me are certainly tantilizing....yet once attained, I am ready for more. Thus, for this moment I going inside knowing that I AM perfect in every way...my inherent wisdom knows for sure what is ideal in the now. And me being me is enough.

I love the Virgin Islands.

I will be back next year for more sailing and fun. You can always check out the website for updates on sailng dates for 2010. HERIZEN™ Sailing for Women - a personalized sailing experience for women. www.herizensailingforwomen.com or www.sailingforwmen.com

About Me

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I have created this amazing life, attracting incredible women into my space. All of these women are unique and ready to live their real life too. My definition of success is like a river flowing with freedom, magical adventure, creativity, curiosity and recognition. My personal mission is to travel and create an enlightened world by spreading the light of consciousness. Everything that I choose to BE, DO and HAVE meet this mission and every day in every way I remember who I really am. I love my life! www.herizenlifeadventures.com

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