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Programs Bali from Within March 29-April 10, 2011 Bali From Within Bali, Indonesia Download 2010 itinerary Bali has always had a mystique for westerners. On this one-of-a-kind journey, limited to only six participants, you will get to know the Balinese land and people as visitors rarely do. Our fourth annual journey is timed so we can participate in Nyepi, the Balinese new year. Nyepi is actually a three-day event. April 3 is Pengerupukan. Papier maché demons, or ogoh-ogohs, are paraded through the streets, while people gather to bang pots and pans to scare them out of the village. Nyepi itself is April 4, a day of reflection and turning inward. The island is completely silent. Even the international airport is closed. The following day, people go visiting and share food out on the streets in the early morning hours. We will participate in all sides of the celebration: clamorous, reflective, and celebratory. During our journey you will also attend a temple ceremony in Ubud, the cultural hub of the island. You'll be able to engage in thoughtful discussion with a village priest, a shadow puppet master, and a renowned gamelan musician. On guided walks that take you off the beaten path you’ll discover an ancient Hindu temple where the male and female lingam and yoni symbols are enshrined, stand before a huge waterfall, and slip among the labyrinthine branches of a gigantic and sacred banyan tree that once hid a band of Balinese patriots from the Dutch soldiers who pursued them. At one of the most sacred springs on the island, Tirta Empul, you’ll receive a blessing ceremony. You'll plant native trees as part of Tamblang Springs Conservation Project and learn about the communal systems of irrigation and planting that distinguish Balinese agriculture. And of course you’ll have ample time to visit galleries in Ubud and luxuriate at Bali Botanica Day Spa, our favorite among that town’s famous spas. During our two days of R&R at Pemuteran on the western coast, you can hike, snorkel or scuba dive, or simply to relax on the balcony of your bungalow, reading and absorbing the view. Each night you will stay in elegant lodging, Balinese style: a small bungalow with private garden shower, beautiful views, and local furnishings. This journey is for those who view the pilgrimage as an opportunity not just to collect impressions and memories, but also to share your own joy, fascination, and sense of adventure with others. It is an invitation to celebrate your own seeking spirit and discover how your longing for wisdom and meaning in life meets your desire to make a difference in the world. Fifteen percent of the profits of the trip will be donated to Tamblang Sacred Springs Conservation Project. Guides : Trebbe Johnson and Balinese guides: Rucina Balliner, Agung Gede Putra Rangki, and Nyoman Sutarya Cost : $3,900, including twelve nights lodging (double occupancy; for a single room, add $400), all meals except four dinners and four lunches, dance performances, entrance fees, honoraria to speakers, transportation within Bali, guides, drivers, and preparation materials. Does not include international air travel, personal tips, and fees to events not included in the group trip. |
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