Learn self-reliance in a beautiful and isolated setting in Nemiah Valley, Canada
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: 18 jun. 2025
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Nº de ref. de anfitrião: 438711758842
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Comentário (13)
Deixado pelo Workawayer (SIlas & Alena ) para o anfitrião
We stayed at Chendi's place for one month in early spring (Mid-March til Mid-April) and started building a log root cellar without using motorized tools which was a unique experience. Although it was quite windy and cold most of the time, we did some amazing hikes and kayak tours around the Chilko Lake with its breathtaking landscape and pristine
… read more nature. Since Chendi lives close to nature, we were able to see and watch many animals such as wild horses and a cute fox. Chendi would tell us many interesting facts and stories about the animals.
Even getting to Chendi's place was an adventure, but we were lucky to meet so many kind and helpful people while hitchhiking.
Living such a remote life further away from civilization than we've ever been was new for us. Although this intense lifestyle required certain physical and mental strenght, we are grateful to have had this opportunity to live inmidst nature.
Thank you Chendi for this extraordinary experience!Só é possível entrar em contato com Workawayers com assinaturas ativas.
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Elodie) para o anfitrião
in the space of an instant at Chendi's you are projected into a life in total connection with nature. everything depends on the weather and our environment. nestled in the heart of the mountains, and on the edge of Lake Chilko, we are lucky to live in magnificent houses (they look like hobbit houses), built by Chendhi. Chendi is a host of great
… read more humanity, very attentive, he is curious about everything and especially about the paths of life of each one. he has incredible energy, and I challenge anyone to be able to follow him. meeting the people of the first nations, participating in the creation of the garden, fishing, gleaning in nature, kayaking, observing nature to better understand it ... this is what awaits you! we realize that each daily gesture takes time, going to get wood to cook, cutting it, heating the stove, waiting for it to rise to the right temperature. it is another temporality and a way of life that requires a lot of energy. Oh yes I forgot the food is excellent, quality food for unmatched flavors. It is nature in its raw state that awaits you. Thank you Chendhi for this generosity and this incredible experience!!Só é possível entrar em contato com Workawayers com assinaturas ativas.
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Adriana) para o anfitrião
I stayed at Chilko lake many years ago, in fact, it was my first work away. Many years and workaway experiences later, I am always brought back to Chendi and Chilko lake. This was an unforgettable experience. So much more than any other workaway I have ever done. I promise you. The world Chendi has created on this beautiful piece of land, is a
… read more paradise. Living art. The various houses have breathtaking architecture. So much attention to detail and love was put into all of these structures. So you are not only staying in an absolutely breathtaking remote landscape, but living in incredible buildings, built so organically and fluidly, they fit right into the landscape. It is hard to describe actually...you simply must see the place.
Aside from the breathtaking beauty of it all, an individual is actually challenged here. You really have the opportunity to test your strength. The location is so remote, so pristine, you are forced to let go of what gives you meaning in the "outside world" and discover a new meaning.
I stayed here with one other workwayer (Hey Forrest <3) and I carry the conversations we had and lessons he taught me EVERYDAY. I was forced to confront my negativity and fear...and with confrontation comes the choice to ignore it or change it and grow.
Not many workwayers will read this entire comment, but I cannot emohasize enough, almost 5 years later, just how incredible this experience was.
I hope you are doing well Chendi...may nature continue to share it's gifts with you...
In shallah... <3Comentário
Essas classificações são opcionais e foram dadas junto com os comentários dos membros.A classificação média deixada por cada opção é exibida.
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Intercâmbio cultural:
(4.9)
Deixado pelo Workawayer (SIlas & Alena ) para o anfitrião
We stayed at Chendi's place for one month in early spring (Mid-March til Mid-April) and started building a log root cellar without using motorized tools which was a unique experience. Although it was quite windy and cold most of the time, we did some amazing hikes and kayak tours around the Chilko Lake with its breathtaking landscape and pristine
… read more nature. Since Chendi lives close to nature, we were able to see and watch many animals such as wild horses and a cute fox. Chendi would tell us many interesting facts and stories about the animals.
Even getting to Chendi's place was an adventure, but we were lucky to meet so many kind and helpful people while hitchhiking.
Living such a remote life further away from civilization than we've ever been was new for us. Although this intense lifestyle required certain physical and mental strenght, we are grateful to have had this opportunity to live inmidst nature.
Thank you Chendi for this extraordinary experience!Só é possível entrar em contato com Workawayers com assinaturas ativas.
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Elodie) para o anfitrião
in the space of an instant at Chendi's you are projected into a life in total connection with nature. everything depends on the weather and our environment. nestled in the heart of the mountains, and on the edge of Lake Chilko, we are lucky to live in magnificent houses (they look like hobbit houses), built by Chendhi. Chendi is a host of great
… read more humanity, very attentive, he is curious about everything and especially about the paths of life of each one. he has incredible energy, and I challenge anyone to be able to follow him. meeting the people of the first nations, participating in the creation of the garden, fishing, gleaning in nature, kayaking, observing nature to better understand it ... this is what awaits you! we realize that each daily gesture takes time, going to get wood to cook, cutting it, heating the stove, waiting for it to rise to the right temperature. it is another temporality and a way of life that requires a lot of energy. Oh yes I forgot the food is excellent, quality food for unmatched flavors. It is nature in its raw state that awaits you. Thank you Chendhi for this generosity and this incredible experience!!Só é possível entrar em contato com Workawayers com assinaturas ativas.
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Adriana) para o anfitrião
I stayed at Chilko lake many years ago, in fact, it was my first work away. Many years and workaway experiences later, I am always brought back to Chendi and Chilko lake. This was an unforgettable experience. So much more than any other workaway I have ever done. I promise you. The world Chendi has created on this beautiful piece of land, is a
… read more paradise. Living art. The various houses have breathtaking architecture. So much attention to detail and love was put into all of these structures. So you are not only staying in an absolutely breathtaking remote landscape, but living in incredible buildings, built so organically and fluidly, they fit right into the landscape. It is hard to describe actually...you simply must see the place.
Aside from the breathtaking beauty of it all, an individual is actually challenged here. You really have the opportunity to test your strength. The location is so remote, so pristine, you are forced to let go of what gives you meaning in the "outside world" and discover a new meaning.
I stayed here with one other workwayer (Hey Forrest <3) and I carry the conversations we had and lessons he taught me EVERYDAY. I was forced to confront my negativity and fear...and with confrontation comes the choice to ignore it or change it and grow.
Not many workwayers will read this entire comment, but I cannot emohasize enough, almost 5 years later, just how incredible this experience was.
I hope you are doing well Chendi...may nature continue to share it's gifts with you...
In shallah... <3
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Valentin & Susie) para o anfitrião
It is impossible to summarize an experience at Chendi. You have to live it to really realize the richness of a stay on the shores of Chilko Lake. It's an experience that everyone should take the time to live, get back to basics: fetch water for drinking and cooking, gardening and fishing for food, chopping wood for heating. Daily tasks that
… read more require investment and energy, especially in a windy environment like Chilko Lake. But despite a certain isolation, comfort is present and you can only fall under the spell of its little wooden houses... the quality of the food is incomparable to what can be found elsewhere. Of course, you have to take the time to reach this little paradise, but when you arrive there, you cannot take your eyes off the extraordinary landscapes that surround the world of Chendi. Landscapes that will remain in the background during each of the tasks of the day. What more could you ask for? Humor and good humor and this is precisely what Chendi brings which is just as extraordinary as the landscape that surrounds it. And this well of culture will never cease to surprise you throughout your stay. But despite all that he has been through Chendi remains a humble person, always full of attention and who will be interested in anything you can bring him. The other meetings that you will be able to make will be just as rich as it is with the first nations or the other workaways. To sum up all this, we would say that this adventure is worth it, but everything is done to ensure that your stay is peaceful and expect to come out of it a change. Thank you again for opening the doors of your Chendi world to us and I hope to see you very soon!Só é possível entrar em contato com Workawayers com assinaturas ativas.
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Caroline) para o anfitrião
Chendi is one of the most caring people I have ever met. In my opinion he is a true artist and a spirit of nature ...although he's very humble indeed!!
His environment is magical. Here there is the opportunity to connect with nature and contribute to a pure way of life...in terms of simplicity food environment and just being.
I would have
… read more benefited a longer stay thats for sure...but three weeks with Chendi nevertheless taught me things which I will not forget and I am so grateful for this
Not much gardening was possible this year because of a freak flood into the garden in summer however usually the garden is flourishing and I am hoping to return to plant or harvest and learn what I can.
This is a remote place and on the land of the First Nations which makes the expereince extra special. Thank you Chendi for you kind words advice and such an incredible experience....not to mention v fun scrabble games!!Só é possível entrar em contato com Workawayers com assinaturas ativas.
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Adeline) para o anfitrião
I spent two weeks at Chendi's in October 2020 and I wish I could have stayed much longer. Unfortunately I had to head back home, but this is definitely a place that grows on you in the best of ways.
Chendi is a great host, with lots of incredible stories and a very sweet personality. We had very nice chats every evening and when I left, it felt
… read more like leaving family. I even celebrated my 30th birthday there with Chendi and JoAnne and it was lovely.
The place is simply dreamy. It is truly remote (don't expect to go to town every week, it is a long drive out and in the valley), truly pristine, truly wild. It feels like being at the top end of the world, somehow close to the gods. The lake is gorgeous and despite it being freezing cold, I entered the water every other day and it felt amazing. All around, the mountains are a constant display of beauty. And I saw there some of the most beautiful sunrises, sunsets and night skies in my life.
As for the work, it mostly consists of daily tasks that need to be done just to keep the house and life going: hauling water from the lake for cooking, drinking and cleaning, cutting wood for the fire place, cooking, doing some gardening and building maintenance... Beyond the daily tasks, depending on the season, your skills and interests, there may be very different activities for you to take on, from gardening to wood working or working on the houses. I arrived at the end of harvest season so we were busy with harvesting and storing garlic, potatoes, carrots and greens. We also did a bit of work on the house, and then I had fun cooking and experimenting with the garden's produce. There is also a ton of dry food stored in the shed, with plenty of seeds, nuts, beans, spices and other delicacies, so there is absolutely no risk to go hungry there.
In your free time, there is the area to explore (lake and mountains), a very rich book library to dive into, and whatever else you feel like doing.
In short: if you want a real retreat, away from the hussle and buzz of the world, in direct contact with nature and the basic survival needs but still with the comfort of lovely wooden houses and warm stoves, then go for it. This is truly a unique place.Só é possível entrar em contato com Workawayers com assinaturas ativas.
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Timothy) para o anfitrião
I spent a week here and had an incredible and educational experience. What Chendi has built over there from his hand built huts and amazing garden is truly awe inspiring. It was a humbling experience to live the simple life from cooking on wood stoves, picking wild mushrooms, hearing Chendi's stories and seeing his way of life. It is a beautiful
… read more part of the world teeming with wildlife as we were visited by bears and foxes and had the opportunity to see some wild moose on the lake shore. Overall it was an eye opening experience and I am extremely grateful to have been there.Só é possível entrar em contato com Workawayers com assinaturas ativas.
Deixado pelo Workawayer (William) para o anfitrião
I didn't know what I was getting into going to Chendi's, but not because he lacked any detail on his profile. He could've written that the land itself can change a person but without going it's impossible to feel what the change can be. Days are not rushed here - it's the philosophy of Chendi to approach each task with a meditative mindset.
I
… read more stayed for approximately 3 weeks - in my time I read fascinating material from his library (it's extensive), learned fundamentals of gardening foraging and fishing. We ate meals slowly and as a collective. As volunteers we were given the right to spend time exploring on our own and were given projects that we were responsible for completing. If you go to Chendi's, take initiative. There're a handful of things I wish I would've completed before leaving.
I love the land and the people on it. I'll be back to Chilko Lake.Só é possível entrar em contato com Workawayers com assinaturas ativas.
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Campbell) para o anfitrião
It is hard to overstate the effect that this place and this man have had on my life. It is extremely humbling to learn Chendi's simple life on beautiful Chilko Lake amongst the forest and mountains and many neighbourly critters. Days may include gardening, gathering wood, swimming in the icy, breathtaking lake, cooking and baking with a wood fire
… read more stove, discovering sculptures and mushrooms and new plants along the animal paths... So much to do, so much to learn! I had no idea when I arrived that my stomach would soon be strengthened by chipmunk brain, white pine cones, and native mushrooms. I don't want to say too much except that this is an incredible place for curious, open-hearted, and nature-loving people. Your time will only be better the longer you stay, the more you get to know Chendi, and the more seasons you see in the valley. Thank you Chendi for welcoming me into your beautiful family of workaways and new friends. I will carry these lessons for life!Só é possível entrar em contato com Workawayers com assinaturas ativas.
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Sahler) para o anfitrião
Chendi est l’une des plus douces, drôles, profondes, dingues et géniales personnes que j’ai eu la chance de connaître. Difficile de décrire à quel point je suis reconnaissante pour le temps passé ici avec lui. La nature est sauvage et incroyable, le travail te fait apercevoir ce qu’est de vraiment prendre soin de l’autre ou de la terre sur
… read more laquelle tu es. Regarder Chendi faire cela chaque minute de sa vie est la plus belle école que l’on peut avoir. Les Xenis People sont les gens les plus doux si vous avez la chance de les rencontrer vous verrez! Tout est autour du respect et de comprendre que nous ne sommes en rien séparé de ce qui nous entoure. La nature d’ici et Chendi sont les meilleurs professeurs que je n’ai jamais eu dans ma vie. Et ce n’est pas seulement ça, on a tellement ri, nagé tous les jours dans l’étang, seule, nue, écouter les folles et drôles histoires, partager aussi les tristesses quand le moment est venu pour les laisser partir, bref adorer et vivre la vie comme jamais!!!
Merci Chendi, tellement.. et tous le peuple Xeni qui m’ont permis de passer du temps sur leur terre, douce Erin, beau Campbi, la forêt, mon ami serpent, la famille de colibri, les montagnes, les belles couleurs de l’eau, les aigles les étoiles et la mer.. Merci du fond du coeur (sans oublier notre cher chipmunk ;) !!!
Chendi is one of the sweetest, funniest, deepest, amazing person i had the chance to meet in my life. I can not describe how much I am grateful for those time I have past here. The nature is wild and stunning, the work make you learn how it should be to really take care of the land or of other people. To look how Chendi does that every single minutes of his life is like the biggest beautiful school you would never have!!! The First Nations People who owns the place are amazingly sweet if you have the chance to meet them you're gonna see. All is about respect and understanding how we are not separate from anything. The nature and Chendi are the most beautiful professors I have ever had in my life, even in this short time. And it's not only that, we have laught so much, swim every day in the lake, alone, naked, listen to all the crazy funny good stories, share also the sadness when it's time, to let it go, and bloom better again, I mean come on, enjoying life as never!!!
Thanks Chendi sooo much, and all the Xeni people who allowed me to be there, sweet Erin, beautiful Campbi, the forest, my snake friend, the humming-bird family, all the mountains, the beautiful colors of the water, eagles, stars and moon... from all my heart!!! (without forget our dear chipmunk ;))Só é possível entrar em contato com Workawayers com assinaturas ativas.
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Colette) para o anfitrião
Nemiah est un territoire sauvage, un paradis sur terre situé dans les montagnes de la Colombie Britannique. Chendi y vit depuis de nombreuses années et considère la montagne comme sa propre maison. C’est une personne pleine d’énergie, d’humour et très attentionnée. Durant mon séjour d’un mois et demi, j’ai eu la chance de manger presque tous les
… read more jours de délicieuses salades fraichement cueillies au jardin et du poisson frais pêché au lac le matin même ! Chendi m’a appris à reconnaître diverses plantes sauvages dont certaines étaient comestibles et avec lui nous avons exploré la nature environnante notamment lors de sorties sur le lac en kayak ou en montagne. J’ai ainsi eu la chance de voir de nombreux animaux sauvages. La maison de Chendi fait face à un immense lac (Chilko lake) dont on ne voit ni le début, ni la fin et qui est entouré par des montagnes enneigées. L’eau du lac (Chilko Lake) est si pure qu’on peut la boire directement !
La météo à Nemiah est imprédictible, chaque jour nous vivions au rythme de la nature.
Mes taches quotidiennes consistaient à couper du bois, prendre soins du jardin (planter des graines, enlever les mauvaises herbes, arroser, transplanter), chercher de l’eau au lac, nettoyer, faire à manger etc. Ce séjour demande un véritable effort physique puisque vous vivrez une expérience primitive. Ce n’est pas un workaway comme les autres où les heures sont comptées, c’est un véritable mode de vie donc on ne compte pas les heures de « travail » car le but est vivre avec la nature pour subvenir à tous ses besoins (manger, dormir, se laver etc).
Je te remercie Chendi du fond du cœur pour m’avoir donné l’occasion de vivre une expérience inoubliable.Só é possível entrar em contato com Workawayers com assinaturas ativas.
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Aster) para o anfitrião
My most special and life-changing Workaway/WWOOF experience ever! I ended up staying two months and a day throughout August, September and October. I loved and cherished every moment being in this incredible majestic paradise, and I could have easily stayed much longer.
Chendi is a very special and kind person and certainly feels also like a
… read more friend to me. He taught me a lot about the off grid and very sustainable lifestyle. And above that, being so much in the wilderness, was just such a calming experience in itself which thought me lots.
I did many different things while being there. I watered the garden, helped harvesting, picked lots of wild soapberries. I loved cooking lots of delicious meals every evening on the wood stove. This was all with the incredible vegetables fresh from the garden, grains, lentils and occasionally dairy products and fish. We grinded flower and baked bread. I collected wood and cut it and gathered delicious water from the lake. We fished rarely as it wasn't really fishing season anymore but kayaked every once in a while. We took a raft apart a few kilometres down the lake and packed Chendi's rowboat more than full. He made it with all the boards all the way back home trough the big waves.
My biggest job was permachinking (plastering in between the logs) the outside and inside of the so called hat house (new house).
One day we got a visit from two friends of Chendi and we had a great afternoon full with guitar music and songs.
I loved the feeling of not needing many things and still having such a fulfilled and rich life. But still the house was way more comfortable than I had in mind before seeing the place. I would be very lucky to have a house one day like this myself.
The views were incredible every day. I liked the wind a lot: many days very present, the smokey sky, clear sky, cloudy sky, foggy sky, the lake as a mirror reflecting everything on a rare day, the fall of autumn and then the snow! And the mountains changing with it all. At night the sky often so bright and even with a bit of northern lights.
I loved my dips every morning in the ice cold Chilko Lake and afterwards warming up besides the stove or cutting wood. As good as the dips were the weekly baths in the bathhouse. The process of getting water from the lake, fill the tub, make the fire and wait for the hot water. It makes you think how easy things are in the civilised world and how much less conscious you are And this was only one of the many examples.
Some of the most special events were the ten days that I got to stay all by myself as the only caretaker of the place. It was an incredible and almost unreal experience to be just alone. I loved it! Sometimes a few tourists visited the place on a boat trip from the nearby lodge. I liked to show them around and telling them about the lifestyle and selling them homemade amazing wooden spoons and soaps.
When you would like to be all day busy in stunning pristine nature, with a total different lifestyle as most of us are used to and lots of different projects to never be bored, this is certainly a place to go.
Thank you so much Chendi for having given me the opportunity to stay at your beautiful home. My days at Chilko will always stay with me and I hope to be back one day!
Lots love from exotic Costa Rica, AsterSó é possível entrar em contato com Workawayers com assinaturas ativas.
Deixado pelo Workawayer (Marjolein) para o anfitrião
I stayed with Chendi in May and June 2017. Hands down the most beautiful place on earth. Paradise.
Chendi is an amazing guy who has many unbelievable stories to share of his wild life. He taught me so much on nature and outdoors, off-grid living. One of many highlights were the kayak trips on a wind-still Chilko Lake (The silence and perfect
… read more reflection made me think heaven is a place on eart), or the native gathering we went to on my first weekend there (Fish gutting contest, a run, the talentshow, great conversations with the local people.. I learned and laughed so much in my first days) and I will definitely never forget the daily dips in the ice cold Chilko Lake.
Chendi happily shares his world with you. I had a great time helping out in the garden, kayaking on the lake, working on the house and cooking on the stove in the sugar shack. I will never forget my time in Nemiah Valley.Só é possível entrar em contato com Workawayers com assinaturas ativas.
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