©
Unblock. Unlock.
Uncover ...
with
CARRIE COX
& Anna Kwiecinska
14 - 21 JUNE 2026
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL ends Nov. 30
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8 days / 7 nights
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14th - Day 1 arrival day - starts 3 pm
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7 beachside nights in Mendira village
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near Candi Dasa
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Day 8 departure day - no program
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all accommodation included - choose from options
UNBLOCK. UNLOCK. UNCOVER
Dedicate a week entirely to yourself and to your story in an island paradise that will soothe your soul and ignite your creative flow.
Award-winning author and writing mentor Carrie Cox will guide you through a daily program that balances the craft of writing with the art of self-discovery.
In both her non-fiction and fiction work, Carrie’s work goes to the heart of the human condition, exploring what it is that makes us think, feel and act the way we do, so get ready to grow and explore the storyteller within you while indulging in the delights of Balinese massage, safe sea swimming and delicious healthy food for the soul.
Together, Carrie and Anna are passionate about bringing you a transformative experience through the fusion of creativity, serenity and community.
This 8-day/7-night retreat offers you the opportunity to gift yourself time.
Time not only to yourself, but time to discover, or re-discover you, through the process of writing.
This immersive retreat will include a three-hour daily writing program that is both instructional and transformative. It will lead you to:
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Uncover your unique writing ‘voice’. Hear it loud and put it on the page.
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Draw the ‘story’ out of the daily thought salad.
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Develop characters that are truly compelling, including ourselves!
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Unblock procrastination. Make peace with the page.
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Reframe past events through the power of words.
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Play with vocabulary, metaphor, poetry and prose.
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Develop laser-focus observation through the lens of story.
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Reclaim humour. Find your laugh again
In one of the most beautiful and inspiring settings imaginable, stories new and old will reveal themselves.
This is is the writing experience you need and deserve, whether you’re …
at the start of your writing journey
working on a current writing project that has stalled or needs direction
curious about what stories are within you, awaiting release
keen to discover a more creative you
simply wanting to escape and connect with likeminded souls
Places are limited to guarantee a truly transformative retreat, so reserve your spot today and look forward to a 2026 ‘me time’ experience that promises to unlock, unblock and uncover.
How does this retreat unfold?
As you're staying right on the beach, why not begin your day with a dip? The beach here is white sand, the water is gentle and warm.
You'll breakfast at your hotel and then come to gather at the retreat hub of Villa Nilaya - a ten minute walk along a quiet road in a small but prosperous Balinese village.
Each morning, we'll begin our day together with some calm and focusing breathwork and a gentle introduction to today's writing.
This is led by Anna, who has been introducing participants over the last 3 years of retreats to the A.W.E. technique of 'microdosing mindfulness' ... it's fully integrated into the week, and is not connected with any belief system.
Your writing space is an airy, sea-facing area beneath the soaring grass roof of Villa Nilaya.
All materials are provided. Just bring your intention!
Our program includes a night out in Candi Dasa for some fine dining and cocktails, and on the four peaceful evenings when there is no evening program, you can discover the seaside dining venues in our village of Mendira near Candi Dasa.
You can choose where you stay from one of two accommodations - from cute Balinese bungalows (AMARTA ) to luxe-plus resort suites at the Candi Beach Hotel, Both venues have dining facilities if you fancy a night at home.
Your retreat cost INCLUDES accommodation with breakfast in the retreat price.
There is nothing else to pay, except for 4 dinners on the 'free nights'.
WE RECOMMEND AMARTA BUNGALOWS as they provide a helpful environment, 8 minutes' walk from the villa and are right on a white sandy beach that is perfect for safe swimming. They're situated close to several good local restaurants (warungs), and have a good sea-side restaurant of their own. As value for money goes, this is a great choice, but if you're after something more luxurious, please consider CANDI BEACH RESORT HOTEl.
Carrie and I warmly invite you to join our group in 2026 for this exceptional writing experience By the Sea in beautiful East Bali.
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Christine Hingston
MEET CARRIE COX
Carrie Cox has been a writer for more than 30 years, and has published three critically acclaimed novels, ‘Afternoons with Harvey Beam’, ‘So Many Beats of the Heart’ and ‘Storylines’, as well as a non-fiction book ‘You Take The High Road and I’ll Take the Bus’ that brought together many of the humorous columns she wrote for syndicated newspapers for many years.
Carrie has been an invited resident at the Tyrone Guthrie Art Centre in Ireland, the Varuna Writers’ Centre in the Blue Mountains and the Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers Centre in Perth, Western Australia. She delivers annual workshops to the ‘Art of Writing’ retreat in Florence and has taught and mentored thousands of journalism students, academics and emerging writers of both fiction and non-fiction.
Carrie is passionate about empowering people to not only tell their stories but to find their stories. She understands the process of unlocking insight, character and emotion through the wonder of words and the magic alchemy of moving through that process with others.
“I can’t wait to meet the participants at Anna Kwiecinska’s Bali writing retreat in June 2026. Together we will explore and deepen our writing craft, connecting through the medium of words and the limitless power of creativity."
Creative Living Retreats by Anna Kwiecinska
With a background as an art historian and art gallery owner, my collaboration with artists continues to be a fascinating career which evolved into specialist art retreats designed to combine seriously good writing tuition with authentic cultural experiences.
The practice of meditation has under-pinned Creative Living Retreats, as a source of focus for creative inspiration.
In 202o Anna was part of a pilot study group led by two reseachers in the bay Area of San Francisco, into the practice of 'microdosing mindfulness' .Dr David Amster a pain management specialist and Jake Eagle, life coach and counsellor, - both meditators - have since published their findings as "The Power of A.W.E', and it is this wisdom that we draw on in recent retreats.
Anna began this retreat program in 2011 and other than during the pandemic, retreats have happened every year.
As freshly inspired now, after 60 retreats in both art and writing fields in Morocco, Bali, and Greece, as well as cultural tours in India, and Ethiopia, Anna continues to curate new programs for the many retreatants who return for our thoughtfully curated weeks of supported creativity,
This writing retreat will also offer you the opportunity to explore visual expression with Anna.
I genuinely look forward to welcoming you to experience the depth of wellbeing that Creative Living Retreats have become known for, More info
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What does your Retreat include? Practically everything except your airfare !
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Tutoring with Carrie Cox - 18 hours over 6 days
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Airport collection (the return journey is not included but can be arranged - some participants like to stay on...)
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7 nights at your choice of accommodation in Mendira (near to Candi Dasa; the retreat Hub is Villa Nilaya)
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gentle hatha Yoga class to start your week (no experience necessary - this class will meet you wherever you are)
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Sound bathing deep immersion experience
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A stylish night out on the town with fine dining and cocktails
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Short morning practice with sound and meditation with Anna
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A 60-minute deliciously restorative Balinese massage or reflexology treat with our expert masseuses using Sensatia's pure sweet almond oil infused with restorative Balinese essential oils
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Final night celebration with Balinese megibung feast and entertainment
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Lunch at Villa Nilaya each day - gourmet Balinese lunches prepared at Villa Nilaya
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3 dinners (welcome dinner, midweek dinner in town and farewell dinner)
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retreat bag with materials
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ART MATERIALS are available if you would like to explore a visual mode of expression
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organised, curated, hosted and fully supported by Anna
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What's not included?
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flights
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taxi transfer from retreat
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all personal expenses incurred at hotel (laundry etc)
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4 dinners
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any trips, tours or transports not included in the description of 'inclusions'
ACCOMMODATION
This retreat takes place in two venues. Your accommodation in both venues is included in the retreat cost below.
IN CANDI DASA we offer you two hotels to choose from - both with beachfront locations and both about 8-10 minutes' walk from the retreat venue of Villa Nilaya, a spacious, fully-staffed private villa with large swimming pool, beachfront swimming access, painting studio, and lovely gardens. We are located in the quiet village of Mendira.
The accommodation iis shown here OR click on the images below to go to the hotel websites.
The retreat prices include SINGLE OCCUPANCY in ALL ACCOMMODATIONS and all of the items listed in 'Inclusions'.
COSTS - EARLY BIRD SPECIAL BOOK by NOVEMBER 30 and SAVE $200
