Inner Adventures of Bali
Bali Tour Information and Itinerary
May 16-29, 2011
(2 travel days, 12 nights in Bali)
Join us as we explore the dynamic creativity of some of Bali's most important artistic and religious traditions.
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About the Trip
This dynamic trip to Bali, Indonesia, gives you access to the inner life of the Balinese to witness core aspects of the island and its Balinese Hindu culture. First we'll explore the lush landscape of rice terraces, volcanic mountains, coffee and spice plantations, botanical gardens, and breezy seasides. Along the way, participants will visit sacred sites, including the sacred bathing pools of Tirta Gangga. Balinese guides will introduce us to the cultural significance of these sacred sites, and a visit with a Balinese priest draws us further into the uniqueness of Balinese Hindu beliefs.
We'll explore the vitality of Bali’s performing and healing arts. Staying in the artistic center of Ubud, we will attend group workshops in Balinese dance, gamelan music, mask-making, batik, and shadow puppetry in local artists homes. From these experiences with local Balinese artists, we'll reach deeper into the inner heart of Bali’s inspiring culture.
Itinerary Highlights
Ubud: Visit with local master artists: gamelan music; batik; dance; mask-making; shadow puppets; and wood carving. Visits to nearby temples. Attend temple ceremonies and evening arts performances. Visit a spa. Take optional cooking or arts classes.
Candidasa: Stay three nights at a beachside hotel with snorkeling and day trip to Tenengan village and the sacred bathing pools of Tirta Gangga.
Munduk: Enjoy the tour of the coffee plantation and hike in exotic botanical gardens.
Lovina: Share in the wonder of a morning dolphin tour and make visits to local hot springs, waterfalls, and temples.
Sanur: Experience Balinese food, crafts, exquisite spas, snorkeling, and beaches.
Performances of dance and music, with acclaimed Balinese performers.
Itinerary
Sunday, May 15 - Arrive at Airport 10pm for flight departing
Monday, May 16 at 1am
Tues, May 17 - Arrive in Bali at 3:00 pm, Sanur beach hotel stay overnight
Wed, May 18 - Morning on your own to explore the beach; lunch on your own; depart 1pm for our lovely beachside hotel at Candidasa; time to settle in, followed by late-afternoon visit to Tenengan, Bali Aga village; Dinner together at our hotel followed by lecture / discussion on Balinese history and Balinese Hinduism by tour leader
Thurs, May 19 - Early morning snorkeling excursion; lunch together at the Ashram Candidasa hosted by Ashram residents; afternoon free to explore the beaches, hike trails, or return to Tenengan for local craft shopping; early evening discussion on Balinese life and dinner on your own.
Fri, May 20 -Morning on your own to enjoy the beach; early afternoon excursion to Tirta Gangga for group lunch at the hillside restaurant with amazing views and cool breezes; after tour of Tirta Gangga by our Balinese guide and time to swim in the sacred spring waters. Return late-afternoon for beach leisure on your own. Evening free or optional chanting at Ashram.
Saturday, May 21 - Early morning departure to travel north to Lovina; stop on the way at the hot springs and see the local Buddhist monestary; lunch at our hotel and time to settle in. Afternoon hike to waterfall. Dinner and dance performance at our hotel.
Sunday, May 22 - Early morning dolphin excursion; lunch on your own; leave from Sanur after lunch and drive through luscious forests to the village of Munduk. Settle into hotel and mid-afternoon drive to local lake and temples. Evening free
Monday, May 23 - Meeting with local priest to discuss Balinese religious practices; walking tour of coffee plantations and spice fields; lunch together at the hotel; depart for Ubud, stopping at Pura Ulun Danu, a lovely floating temple. Arrive at our Ubud hotel late afternoon. Dinner on your own. Evening Dance and Music Performance at the outdoor stage at Ubud Palace, one of the finest troupes of Bali.
Tuesday, May 24 - Short walking tour of Ubud to see the local market and village temples. Visits to local artists to see how Balinese batik and shadow puppet making are done. Lunch together at Casa Luna, one of the finest restaurants in Ubud. Afternoon artist visit to the home of Ibu Sang Ayu Mukelan, a famous Balinese dancer in Pejeng. Evening free
Wed, May 25 - Early morning offering making workshop. Bali spa day; choose from many of Bali's fabulous spas to get a massage and various other treatments. Day on your own to spend as you like (full spa day or combine spa and some local shopping).
Thurs, May 26 - Morning mask-making class; lunch in Ubud at the famous Café Wayan; afternoon gamelan class with dance demo; evening fee.
Friday, May 27 - Temple visit to Goa Gadja with local guide; afternoon free or optional visit to Bali Bird Park, rainforest site with birds from various islands of Indonesia. Early Dinner at the famous Lotus Café. Evening performance of Kecak Fire and Trance Dance at Pura Dalem.
Saturday, May 28 - optional morning classes (cooking, dance, gamelan, or batik) or performance of Barong / Rangda; lunch on own and afternoon for last spa visits or souvenir shopping.
Farewell dinner at Oka Wati's for a traditional Balinese buffet dinner.
Sunday, May 29 - Denpasar airport departure at 3 pm.
Arrive back in San Francisco same day.
Details
This package includes:
- International airfare from San Francisco to Denpasar, Bali
- Current applicable fuel surcharges on the airfare
- Accommodations for 12 nights
- daily breakfasts, 4 lunches; 4 dinners
- 3 performances
- 1 snorkeling excursion
- 1 dolphin watching boat trip
- 2 artist workshops; 3 artist visits
- 1 offering making workshop
- 1 meeting with local priest
- Transportation between the various locations in Bali
- Applicable entrance fees and community donations
- Tour guide
All for $3,300 (if booked before March 31, 2011) Single Supplement: $866
The trip will be led by Susan Bauer, MFA, MA, international dancer, somatics educator, and CIIS faculty member. She recently lived in Bali, where she studied Balinese dance and mask-making as a Fulbright scholar. Susan will hold several orientation sessions prior to departure where you will meet other tour members and learn about Balinese history and culture. For more information please contact Susan at susan@susanbauer.com or (510) 333-6415.
For more information
Please contact Richard Buggs at (415) 575-6116 or Susan Bauer at (510) 333-6415
