Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
13 Mar 2026
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
75
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Badges (4)
Details
Description
Looking for motivated and curious volunteers to work together, meet each other and have good times together!
Hi,
I’m Mike, a traveller and world citizen. I landed here some years ago, walked uphill from the village of Balsa, to find the place where I could finally fulfill my young boy's dream, living a simple life surrounded by pure nature.
Here, I now create eco-friendly spaces, based on permaculture principles and universal laws.
I live a vegetarian and healthy lifestyle without smoking, alcohol or other drugs.
I meditate, do yoga and move a lot, ' dancing' with Mamma Nature, for a healthy body and a balanced mind.
I am continuously discovering patterns and learning from Her, being outside and inside of me.
I choose to be an active part of a happy and healthy community where everyone finds a safe place to grow optimally. For this I ask myself and others around me to be honest, open, inclusive, respectful, modest, peaceful, responsible and creative, .. (to name a few).
If you are a team player, create art, play music, have skills to share, are curious and/or have a positive attitude, please apply. If you are eager to learn, have some sense of humor, play chess, or in need a healthy break, let me know.
The surrounding hills are now home to some international and like-minded families and domestic animals, about 32 humans altogether, more kids than adults. We form a small but growing international and self supporting 'community' that we call 'Bratea',which is the name the people in the past gave to this area, it means the 'circle of people'. Every family lives on its own land and we regularly work, build, plant, and celebrate life together. We support each other while respecting everyone's private space. Together we smoothly integrate into the local traditional community down in the village.
I invite you to join and share your experiences, love and wisdom with us, to connect with the others in many ways, to be part of Bratea fo a while.
Life will be simple because I choose to live as 'off grid' as possible, enjoying the silence and sounds of nature and living as much as possible from what the natural environment offers.
In the fields internet reception is very poor but, thanks to starlink, there is good internet in the house for conscious, creative and practical use.
On the map you will see that we live at the foot of the Carpathian mountains. The green belt going from South-West to North-East in the country is called Transylvania, it is seen as the most magical, beautiful and natural parts of Romania, one of the purest environments in Europe.
This spring, as always, Mamma-Nature's Beauty itself will re-appear in all it's magical and rich diversity, it will 'spring' out of the melting soil to cover and fill the landscape with an abundance of fine and lovely earthly creatures.
This year will be extra special because we'll start filming, we'll prepare and start in April after which the film team will be active all the way through May, June, probably even July.
We will dive into, and film, the unrivaled buzzy explosion of Nature's plant-, insect- and birds- life, that within a few weeks, grows up to a hip-high thriving mini jungle, including millions of inhabitants, in the background a mixed orchestra of birds languages.
With Roman, a former volunteer and now film maker, we will set up and film other processes and patterns as well. We intend to finally make a 30 minute, so far, non-commercial film.
For this we will connect this natural waking-up-and-growth-process in Nature with similar steps in a well organized human treasure hunt. We'll set up and film situations and phases inspired by the 'allegory of 'the cave '(by Plato). If you are interested to assist you will be invited to join the filming team.
These yearly organized treasure hunts with volunteers and Brateans always have educative and creative elements like workshops and performances and, they always end with a big pizza party for everyone.
Next to all this the normal daily tasks will be gardening and landscaping the permaculture way, wich means further developing the landscape around. We'll plant and take care of young trees. We'll shape and nourish 'natural rooms' where specific microclimates create a diversity of ecosystems .In other words, we'll improve optimal conditions for a even more and resilient self balancing food- and resources system.
We'll work, as much as possible as a team, so 'many hands will do light work'. You'll be free to choose what you like to do and if you have idea's or suggestions please let me know.
Next to that we'll do hikes and campfires, we'll cook together, we'll read and write books, we'll play and exchange languages, and more. We'll enjoy the fresh air and we'll sleep well.
I ask for a minimum stay of one month, preferably longer, to allow for smooth landing, feeling home and finding your way, all this for meaningful contribution to you and me.
I offer comfortable accommodation, 3 good meals a day, good times, freedom and experiences. All free of charge, in exchange, for services according to the WorkAway format of 5 days x 5 hours.
Sleeping options range from a shared house to a gypsy wagon, caravan, tepee, or tent in the summer, or you can come with a camper. Facilities include compost toilets, natural bathrooms, a lake for bathing, simple shower setups, pure drinking water from a very good well.
Looking further over the horizon I have place for longer term motivated ,responsible and skilled volunteers, leaders, couples, solo searchers. I can offer a plot of land in exchange for work.
I look forward to welcoming you and helping you to participate, learn from experience and contribute to my project while, in the mean time, fulfilling your dreams. All this with play, fun and ease.
If you are interested let me know which period you wish to stay.
We'll connect through Signal or WhatsApp in order to answer eventual questions and we'll
coordinate your arrival.
I'll look forward to meeting you in person, hosting you and working with you.
Wishing you good health, good times and good travels,
Mike
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
House & pet sitting
Interests
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
Plant care
Music
History
DIY & crafts
Books
Art & design
Photography
Languages
Gardening
Cooking & food
Architecture
Videography
Technology
Politics / Social justice
Vegetarian or vegan
Sustainability
Culture
Self development
Movies & TV
Farming
Writing
Performing arts
Drawing & painting
Carpentry
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Cycling
Adventure sports
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I'll take good care of you. We'll discuss what kind of tasks you like to do. I'll give you the time you need to discover the environment and the country. I'll help you to get the experiences that you are looking for. I'll see that you have a good time being part of the team. You will have a very good time and an unforgettable experience. You will learn everything you want, from philosophy and meditation to gardening and building, music-making, and other ways of being creative and living in a community. You will make new friends.
Help
Building a barn/Sauna/greenhouse with recycled material, cob and wood; Building a tree-villa with recycled material and wood. Restoring a few old houses. Gardening, daily maintenance, some greenhouse tasks. Planting trees and bushes; Restoring and developing the old main house. Helping on the land and the waterways. Cleaning wild land. Collecting wood from the forest.
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
Italian: Intermediate
Portuguese: Intermediate
Romanian: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
Language is a living thing and, as a traveler and discoverer of the world, one discovers the beauty of communication and the art of language. In this community, we have at least 6 different native speakers: French, Dutch, English, German, Romanian, Latvian, and Swedish. Some of us speak reasonably Spanish and a touch of Arabic. All of us speak the language of true love and we are learning the language of deep silence.
Accommodation
You'll get a sleeping place for yourself, in a tent, the gipsy wagon, the Tepee or in a house.
What else ...
The environment is perfect for long hikes.
Check out availability and contact me with all your questions.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have fast internet thanks to Starlink.
Space for parking camper vans
The last part is uphill over a tough dust-/ mud- road so if your van is low on the wheels you better park it down in the village and walk uphill. Check the road up beforehand.
Can possibly accept pets
Pets allowed if they are well educated, not aggressive and if you take care of them for the full 100 %..
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (38)
He has a great sense of humour and a lot of passion for permaculture and living in rhythm with nature.
I learnt some new skills like chainsawing and strimming, and loved picking plums and apples and cooking with them.
My only issue was not having a… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.6)
He has a great sense of humour and a lot of passion for permaculture and living in rhythm with nature.
I learnt some new skills like chainsawing and strimming, and loved picking plums and apples and cooking with them.
My only issue was not having a… read more
And I don't regret a… read more
The Romanian landscape is dramatic and beautiful, lots of space to hike (and to test your new shoes!)
Mike gave me all the freedom i could ever want in the greenhouse, the 3 gardens and accepting… read more
If you, a host, read this, don't read further, press the "golden buzzer button" directly, before another hosts invite them. Don't miss the chance to meet them and have them in your life!!
When István & Tíímea reacted on my host profile and asked to join us up here in… read more
We spent one and a half month at Bratea this summer and when think back of the experiences there our heart filles with joy and love.
Mike, our host is a really special guy who is heartfull , generous , thoughtfull , intelligent and funny.
He is good at seeing the good qualities in people and not hesitating to share it with them and this is the… read more
Infinite thanks Mike, It has been a real pleasure meeting you and sharing this beautiful chapter of our lifes. It will be an important part of me forever.
And infinite thanks to the rest of the beings… read more
Mike is a very kind, generous and wise person, he welcomed us very warmly. He lives in a peaceful and isolated place, ideal to reconnect with Nature. The facilities are simple, which wasn't a problem for us: we slept in a… read more
It's difficult to describe what I think when I think of our now good friend Florin, I… read more
One week, that was all; one week and it was enough to become friends, to integrate in the family and -most important- to bring changes in eachother's lives.
I enjoyed the philosophical… read more
They enjoy being active builders and making a real difference!!! At my place, they did just that!! I am very very grateful!!
This couple of very nice French architects, traveling in a van,… read more
And what can I say?
Over the time I became one with the soil we dug, one with the rain, snow and sun pounding down on us, felt all temperatures between -7° and 45°, sleeping almost outside.
The first weeks life here has been a big challenge for me, so called… read more
Mike lives in a wonderful and interesting area. You can walk for hours and meet nobody, find old, lost houses, a lot of fruit trees and silence, which surrounds you.
He has a nice garden, a tipi, a lake, a gypsy wagon..
but unfortunately the house is not really fixed, so if you need luxury around you,… read more
It was our second WorkAway and our first in community, we were 7 volunteers from different countries, it was a very enriching experience !!!
There are always things to do on his land or in this beautiful house, and we were free to suggest… read more
My experience at Bratea left me feeling inspired and filled with love. I learned a lot about connecting with other people and experienced a connection with nature through realizing interdependence; if I wanted warmth I would make a fire and if I wanted water I would go to the… read more
If he offers to volunteer at your place… read more
Sunshine on your Path.
If she applies just say yes before she goes elsewhere.
Strong, proactive, clever, wise, lovely, grateful, openminded, communicative, .. soo nice to have around!
She is good in everything she takes on and she sees what has to be done.… read more
Good times to remember, good times ahead with this guy!!
If he applies don't hesitate, invite him !!!
The garden of Eden in Balsa is a magical place with beautiful views and trees full of fruits. We worked together, we cooked together and we enjoyed life together. I baked the best bread of my life in a… read more
Working was not hard and Mike let me choose what I want so it was not stressful. And due to… read more
You are lucky if he asks you to invite him, grab the opportunity! You'll have a real friend coming over!!
If ever she applies at your place don't hesitate, she'll bring joy, love and hapiness. Meddie we miss you!!, we love you!!
Thank you for everything you did for us!!
She is a very strong, counscious and open personality. She helped out in such a fantastic way and sorry to say, we only took time for yoga sessions in the last days of her being with us. These were soooo great! So to start, invite her to contribute to your place ( we still enjoy her extra gift of a 'herbs… read more
If Rouh applies at your place, take him in before He'll go to someone else.. You'll have a new friend, a talented and intelligent worldcitizen that is ready to learn new things and to share his skills!!
Mike & Karin in the… read more
So if she applies at your place, don't hesitate to invite her and try to… read more
Mike, Karin & Meryll are such kind & fun hosts & took such good care of us, with the cooking & always having time to talk & share a laugh. Their home is fantastic with so many interesting things to explore in the countryside nearby. Thank you for the bicycle loans :-)
There was always a variety with… read more
P.s.… read more
For Mylène and Maxime: Thank you Mylène for your nice words. We love you, miss you and think back of the time you were here with only happy feelings.
You are a very nice person, modest and talented. Active and helpful with love and kindness. Thank you for all… read more
It was my first workaway experience and all the family was very welcoming and friendly.
A very confortable house where Karin and Mike make you confortable and feeling good.
Generous and funny peoples concerned about your well being!
I prepared the… read more
If you take him ask him to cook his vegetarian Lasagna, your dinner will be nailed.
Lewis we hope to see you… read more
He has been here several weeks and we enjoyed his openness, his Tortilla's (!!!) , his Spanish ways, his enthousiasm about Futebol, Landscapes, Maps and cultural distinctions. His always heping and always friendly attitude got deep in our hearths. He worked on the Hay House, cooked, cleaned, made beds, shopped, worked on the… read more
Such a loving and caring family!
Every time I stay somewhere with workaway I meet amazing people and this time was no exception! They're simply the best people in the world and just meeting them was a privilege!
I helped them building a hay house and with the guests of the B&B and it was the best… read more
Mike & Karin & Michaela in Wervershoof, the Netherlands
They are such warm hearted, welcoming and friendly people with a nice way of live.
They asked me which Kind of work i like the most, so i helped them with some gardening, laundry and help in the b&b.
Mike wasnt at home during this time, so i helped Karin also… read more
