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Celestial Blooms: A Weekend of Stars and Botany
april 18-22, 2024
Featured Botanist and Storyteller Douglas Brooks
Embark on a magical journey where the enchanting world of botany meets the mysteries of the night sky. Maruia River Retreat invites you to "Celestial Blooms: A Storytelling Weekend of the Stars and Botany," an exclusive two-night event that combines the serene beauty of plants with the awe-inspiring spectacle of the cosmos. These events are included in any of our Packages for any stays from April 18 to 22. 2024.
Nature's Tapestry Unraveled by Day
SATURDAY, 20 APRIL 2024, 11AM TO 1PM FOLLOWED BY A GOURMET LUNCH
Guided by renowned nature expert and enchanting storyteller Douglas Brooks, your daytime exploration will immerse you in the lush landscapes of Maruia River Retreat. Discover the secret lives of plants, the delicate balance of our ecosystems, and the intricate patterns of local flora. Our botanical walks will lead you through a unique exploration of our 500-acre native NZ rainforest. After the 2-hour, a gourmet lunch will be waiting for you at the Outdoor Room.
Stellar Stories and Sky Gazing by Night
FRIDAY NIGHT - 19 APRIL 2024, AFTER DINNER
As dusk falls, the focus shifts skyward. Douglas Brooks, your guide and nightsky storyteller, will lead you on a celestial journey. Lie back and gaze at the stars as you're transported through ancient myths and modern astronomy, unraveling the mysteries of our universe. This stargazing experience is designed to enlighten and inspire, connecting you with the wonders above.
Exclusive Retreat Offerings
Luxurious accommodation amidst serene nature
Gourmet meals featuring local and seasonal produce
Morning yoga sessions to align your body and mind
Forest bathing in the river hot tub and forest sauna for relaxation
Soaks and swims in the 8-metre heated magnesium pool with swim jets
Limited group size for an intimate and personalized experience
This 3-day retreat is more than just a getaway; it's an odyssey into the realms of natural beauty and cosmic wonder. It's an opportunity to disconnect from the hustle of daily life and reconnect with nature in its most splendid forms.
Join us at Maruia River Retreat for a weekend that promises to be a blend of relaxation, education, and spiritual rejuvenation. Book your spot now and prepare for an unforgettable odyssey among the celestial blooms!
TO BOOK : Choose your Package and select your dates from April 18 to 22, 2024. Minimum 2-night stay.
Then click on BOOK NOW button and choose your Check-in and Check-out Dates.
2-nights : RECONNECT WITH NATURE Stay: Check-in Friday; Check-out Sunday.
3-nights: RECONNECT WITH NATURE Stay or PERSONAL RESTORATION RETREAT: Check-in Thursday; Check-out Sunday
ABOUT DOUGLAS BROOKS
A science and horticulture teacher, filmmaker, gardener and actor, Douglas Brooks is a passionate storyteller who constantly draws inspiration from the natural world. He studied zoology and plant and microbial sciences at the University of Canterbury and enjoys weaving together his scientific knowledge, the lessons of history, and the oratory traditions of his ancestors. With whakapapa across central and eastern Europe as well as Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, and Ngāti Kahungunu here in Aotearoa New Zealand, Douglas is animated by connection between peoples as well as the joy of conveying the endless wonders and mysteries of nature.
Douglas spent much of his childhood on his grandparents’ farm at the edge of Kahurangi National Park, where his Austrian born grandmother taught him the names of the native plants and animals she had learned in her adopted country. He taught himself about astronomy from this natural dark-sky backyard, the beginnings of a personal calendar based in the seasonal changes of the sky and earth. He later studied the connection between beetles and forests for his honours degree.
In his spare time, Douglas enjoys acting and filmmaking and in 2014 co-founded Top of the South Filmmakers, which provides networking, funding, and educational opportunities for local filmmaking creatives. His New Zealand Film Commission-funded short, Kōkako, set in St Arnaud, recently screened at the 2023 New Zealand International Film Festival, where he won special mention as a director. He was also the director of the 2023 Top of the South Film Festival which has run for 9 years. As an actor, most recently you may have seen him in the Professional Theatre Company’s Complete History of Nelson – Abridged!, written by Gregory Cooper.
Douglas has two children and lives on several acres outside Nelson that he is restoring to indigenous forest with his science journalist wife, Naomi Arnold.
More on Douglas Brooks here.