bali: indonesian secrets: may 15-29, 2009

Against a backdrop of terraced rice paddies, fabulous beaches and culturally rich towns, Bali offers the visitor the best of all worlds. Our two week journey wraps each day into a post card perfect layout. Reach into the past with visits to Balinese healers, explore the rural lifestyle in the misty mountains, swim in crystal clear waters, lay your head upon fluffy pillows after a swim in the pool.

Transformational Journeys tour includes five days of:
Balinese massage course on one of Bali’s most beautiful beaches (including wraps and mandi lulur -scrubs)
OR...
Yoga seminar in the highlands above the rice paddies.

• Pamper yourself with blissful spa treatments offered in all locations
• Sleep in delightfully designed rooms with hotels that cater to your every need
• Explore temples, palaces, water gardens, villages, caves…
• Shop like a millionaire in Ubud’s boutiques
• Feast like a king at culinary hotspots
• Experience a JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME!

3 days on Sanur Beach:

• Treat yourself to a day on the beach or at one of the pools, indulge in spa treatments
• Tour Bat Cave Temple
• Karangasem Palace
• Kusamba fishing village
• Tenganan and Tirta Gangga water garden

5 days Indonesian Secrets Spa Classes
OR...
5 day Yoga seminar

6 days in Ubud

• Visit a dukun (Balinese healer) to learn about healing learn about healing with traditional medicines and magical drawings.
• Visit Petulu village to see the white herons return to roost.
• Attend a performance of the Legong dance and a Kecak dance.
• Visit the temples at Bangli.
• Shop for Balinese clothes, which you'll need for your upcoming purification ceremony.
• Travel to the Munduk countryside
• Visit Lake Beratan, the flower and spice market and Munduk waterfall, where you can take a short hike.
• Take a cooking class at Puri Lumbung.
• Wearing your Balinese clothes, you'll you'll visit Tampaksiring holy spring temple for a ritual purification performed by a Hindu priest.
• Visit to a small mountain village. This is an area that's completely off the beaten track and that is rarely seen by visitors to Bali. On the way to the village, you'll visit an elementary school, where you'll visit a classroom and deliver a gift of school supplies. On arrival at the village, you'll visit a farmer in the fields. You'll have an opportunity to participate in preparing farm implements, and planting or cultivating rice. Or, feel free to just observe and take pictures. You'll then visit the village compound where you'll see a demonstration, have a short lesson, and participate in playing the instruments of the village gamelan orchestra. In addition, you'll have a lesson in how to make a temple offering. Lunch will be served in the village compound.

LAND PRICE
• Massage participants: $2,095-cash/check
• Yoga participants: $2,245-cash/check
• Credit card payments add 3%
• $300 deposit
• Only 8 spaces for each program still available
• Call Beth @ 585-975-9625 to reserve your spot!

Includes: transfers and sightseeing per itinerary via private air-conditioned vehicle with driver and guide; accommodations per itinerary; hotel taxes and service charges; daily American breakfast at hotels; entrance fees and donations during included sightseeing; lunch during village visit

Land price DOES NOT INCLUDE: tips to drivers and guides; items of a personal nature; departure taxes; airfare other than as listed above; beverages with included meals; visa fees; Balinese clothes.

What is a Balinese massage?
Bali massage reaches deep into history. Based in Asian massage, Tibetan, Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic therapies, Balinese massage is a combination of gentle stretches, acupressure and aromatherapy to stimulate flow of blood and oxygen as well as qi (energy) around the body, using a variety of techniques including skin rolling, kneading and stroking, acupressure and reflexology; essential oils will relax and soothe you.

Balinese tradition believes that many factors are thought to contribute to disease. In addition to emotional and physical disorders, Bali massage therapy involves becoming more aware of the invisible realms around us to deal with many health issues.

The Balinese are a very earthy people and strongly believe in the power of spirits and magic—they believe that the good spirits live in the mountains and fields with the demons dwelling within the seas. Because of this offerings play a significant role their day to day lives. Every day small offering trays (canang sari) which hold flowers, money and symbolic foods are placed outside temples, houses and shops. These offerings are said to appease the spirits and thereby bring good health and prosperity to the families and the community.