Colonics, spirit channelling, crystal pendulums, hunting mushrooms, animal shamanism and ancestral baggage are just a few of the subjects we have discussed during our Hollyhock visits over the years. My partner Trevor and I first came to Hollyhock on Cortes Island in 2002 and I am not sure if it was the 2-hour deep tissue massage that darn near paralyzed Trevor with bliss or it was the oyster BBQ down on the beach or the earnest woman from Wisconsin that wanted to talk colonics, but we never quite got that first visit out of our mind.
I don’t know what the woman from Wisconsin saw in me, but she cornered me near the complimentary organic coffee, herbal tea and juice bar and wanted to know if I had tried colonics. Her description of the various procedures she regularly engaged in, so detailed and anatomically graphic, put me off my sumptuous vegetarian lunch.
Even though I lamented on missing my lunch, I knew from the beginning, that in part, the Hollyhock experience is about the people. From the amazing group of visionaries that founded Hollyhock in 1982, to the world-class presenters to the gourmet chefs to the bodywork practitioners, Hollyhock is in part, about learning to share space, grow, teach and evolve together. Today’s Hollyhock self-describes as ‘existing to inspire, nourish and support people who are making the world a better place’. In 2008, after nearly 7 more Hollyhock visits, we realize we have become addicts, junkies – continually hoping to recapture that perfect first Hollyhock high.
Much has changed, much still remains the same.
Unchanged are the succulent gourmet vegetarian meals, the 6am meditation classes in the aptly named Sanctuary, the 7am yoga classes and the bodywork (Oh the bodywork, where it feels like the warm hands of an angel knead and cajole the stress, the tension of the city out of your body, while lying in a cozy wood cabin nestled in an orchard).
During that first visit, we felt like we had died and gone to hippie heaven. Well, hippie heaven with some nice city style perks — the outdoor hot tubs (clothing optional), the gift shop filled with hemp, soy and bamboo designer clothing and books on everything from animal whispering to chanting with intention.
The details of Hollyhock ebb and flow, but the intention, the original vision, remains the same.
Hollyhock, named after the enormous flowers that grace the sublime gardens supplying flowers and food for the lodge, has gone through a number of transitions over the years. What started as a dreamy, hippie back-to-the-land and healing centre in 1982 has since grown into a more institutionalized world-class destination for visitors and seekers; individuals seeking enlightenment, relaxation, reassurance and camaraderie.
As much as we love the Hollyhock of today, it is the memory, the whisper of the Hollyhock of yesteryear that keeps us coming back for more.
First a community, then a non-profit and now a charitable foundation. Even in the last 6 years, we have seen a fair amount of small, but subtle shifts. My partner remarks the changes seem to be all in favour of the institution, but not really for the guests. The staff seems a little less sunny and there are a few more hiccups during our stay. I wonder if the transformations and incarnations of Hollyhock have stolen some of the joy from the place. I also can’t help but think of the old adage that familiarity breeds contempt. Maybe we have just been here too many times and the blush has gone off the rose.
But like junkies, we remember that first perfect fix, and we are helpless to stop coming back for more.
Hollyhock is located on Cortes Island, a smallish island off Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Of the many islands dotting the coast of Vancouver Island, Cortes Island still manages to have a wild, deep energy untouched by the island’s haphazard logging, tourism or a changing community. Hollyhock, located on 44 waterfront, forested acres, has numerous cabins (about 37 rooms in total) scattered throughout the woods and on the beach, a campground, an enormous organic flower and food garden, communal buildings like the main lodge, and numerous hobbity buildings for yoga, meditation, meetings, dancing, and celebrating. The grounds are kept as natural as possible with a few paths and discreet lighting for evening strolls to the hottub or to rummage for a midnight toast and peanut butter snack in the lodge.
Many of Hollyhock’s international visitors come for the world-renowned courses and seminars. Each workshop brings a different group of people to the retreat centre; each group of people in turn creates a distinct vibe. You can study writing with Patrick Lane, health with Dr. Gabor Mate or the Tao of Equs with Linda Kohanov. Workshops are diverse and change from year to year. Surprisingly enough we have never taken a course. Not that the titles, the options, haven’t attracted us, but we have always been content to visit a place where we can simply be (while being taken care of) whatever we want to be.
The central lodge, where guests take their 3 meals a day, has expansive decks with picnic tables overlooking the beach, a cavernous stone fireplace, and a piano for those who want to rattle the ivories after meals. The lodge brims with a selection of stunning canvases from British Columbia artists – watercolours, tapestries, photographs, and acrylics. Tables are adorned with some of the most artistic flower displays I have ever seen – lovingly picked and prepared from the Hollyhock garden.
The accommodation ranges from tenting in a forested area, with wonderful cedar-lined showers and toilet facilitates, to sunny wooden cabins on the beach. Rooms are fresh, rustic and have stunning flower bouquets. Dorm accommodation is also available for those on a budget or wanting more companionship. Individuals with sensitivities will find Hollyhock’s natural approach to cleaning easy on the senses without compromising cleanliness standards. Accommodation prices range from a room with private bath for CAN$262 to a tent site for CAN$77. All prices are per adult and include 3 meals a day, plus a slew of extra goodies like the yoga and meditation classes.
The meals are truly sublime. Gourmet (I don’t use this word lightly) vegetarian lovingly prepared buffet style nourishment, beautifully presented for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Individuals who are interested in learning more about Hollyhock’s unique cooking style can purchase the extremely popular book – Hollyhock Cooks: Food to nourish body, mind and soul with Linda Solomon and Moreka Jolar.
A sampling of the meals we enjoyed during our visit):
Breakfast: Cooked mixed grains (including quinoa & millet), stewed cinnamon fruit, assorted muffins (a sinful orange and chocolate spelt muffin creation), eggs with spinach, chives and mushrooms, fresh fruit and orange juice.
Lunch: Borscht soup with sour cream, rosemary and garlic focaccia bread, spinach, avocado and chipolte salad in maple garlic dressing, fresh salad greens and flowers, accompanied by humus and pesto.
Dinner: Wild teriyaki salmon with arugula, organic asparagus with gorgon cheese, roasted vegetables, Ceaser salad, yellow coconut rice, and banana whiskey cake with fresh whipped cream.
Hollyhock, like most progressive institutions, is working to make its organization as green as possible.
Hollyhock, like most progressive institutions, is working to make its organization as green as possible. There is a private waste water treatment facility on the grounds, solar panels on the lodge roof and on the hottub area, water saving measures are in effect throughout the retreat centre, compact fluorescent lights, organic, locally produced foods, drip irrigation in the garden, a local hiring practice, a ride share program, respect for First Nations’ land and lots of smaller steps like recycled toilet paper and degradable garbage bags.
We highly recommend Hollyhock for an eco-get away, educational and healing courses or even for a day trip to enjoy a beautiful organic gourmet meal. Open from May to October. Reservations required.
Hollyhock Resort
http://www.hollyhock.ca/
Tel. 800 933.6339
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