August 12-28,  2010

Bali, the justly renowned diamond in the necklace of islands that  makes up the world's largest archipelago, is well-known for its  inner and outer beauty. Bali Hinduism is the predominant local  religion and one that nurtures and encourages the arts. Bali's  stunning geographical landscape includes majestic  volcanoes  surrounded by terraced rice fields that gently spill into a clear, azure sea.

Bali is also known for its friendly hospitality. Beyond the high-rise tourist hype found at the resorts on the southern tip of the  island are back roads never traveled by the conventional tour bus.  There are native villages where a foreign face is still an unfamiliar sight. We begin our journey in a remote  mountain village, surrounded by coffee and clove plantations, and equipped  with beautiful and comfortable cottages where we  may immerse  ourselves in Bali's culture,graciousness, and unique cuisine.

Indonesia was host to numerous cultural invasions, and from each they kept what suited their palates, and ignored what did not. The  earliest settlers in Bali came from Indochina, consequently  menus  mirror Chinese tastes. The vegetables that form the backbone of the  Balinese diet include cabbage, spinach and mustard greens, long  beans, mung beans, bean sprouts and soy beans, as well as soy  sauce, noodles, and wontons.  From the  Spanish explorers Bali  discovered chili peppers, peanuts,  tomatoes, and corn. From the  Portuguese colonizers in Timor cassava and sweet potatoes, and from  the East Indian traders eggplant, mangoes, and the numerous spices found in curries.

The savory palate of Bali includes a montage of these cultural influences, including flavorings of aromatic roots, grasses and leaves, shallots, garlic and ginger, liberal sprinklings of chilies, cumin, coriander and cardamom, all finished off with coconut milk. Balinese are notorious for their rice consumption, and no meal is complete without a steaming bowls the centerpiece.

As expected of an island paradise, fresh fish and crustaceans  are  inexpensive and plentiful, and other sources of protein include  free-range poultry, duck, goat, and the Balinese favorite; spit- roasted pork. Vegetarians will not feel left out, as eggs and tofu  are plentiful, and the high-protein Indonesian creation tempeh is  available in numerous inventive and tasty manifestations.

Fruit lovers will be in paradise. Numerous tropical fruits are served every morning in a sumptuous fruit salads, and our fruit  tastings will include many rare and delicious varieties, such as jack fruit, salak, rambutan, passion fruit, and sawu, as well as some of Bali's 17 varieties of bananas.

Health and fitness are elements too often neglected in our everyday  lives. The itinerary of this trip includes physical recreation in a  paradise setting nearly every day, allowing participants to expand  their bodies, minds, and spirits, in an environment that nurtures all three elements simultaneously.

Excursions will include most of Bali's must-see sights, plus rice field, lake and waterfall treks, walks through the coffee, cacao  (chocolate) and clove plantations, picnic lunches, tours of coffee and soy sauce factories, aboriginal villages, palm wine  making,  several local markets, and tours of family compounds.

Cooking classes and demonstrations include numerous types of sate  (grilled skewered meat), sampling of traditional cakes, making  fermented rice and rice wine, desserts and sweets, betel nut  tasting, several ristaffels (multi-dish deluxe banquets), tempeh making, brem tasting (local wine), krupuk (cracker) tasting,  demonstration of the palm sugar process, a fruit  tasting party, and  much more. In addition to breakfast, another sumptuous meal each  day is included in the trip package.

Participants will also be offered seminars on a wide range of  topics, from Indonesian language and politics, to sacred masks and  their spirit sources. Bali's spiritual richness is responsible for an abundance of elegantly carved temples, a  proliferation of music and dance, and a rich variety of arts and crafts. Visits to temple ceremonies and the home-workshops of artists and artisans will  delight and absorb you.

Itinerary 2011

August 11 & 12: Transit. BLD Depart USA aboard regularly scheduled  Singapore Airlines. Your flight includes several meals, drinks and  films by Singapore's famed service staff. Cross international  dateline and lose one day, which is made up on your return.

Friday August 13: Munduk. BLD Arrive in Bali  where you are met by your guide and transported to Munduk mountain village, where you will spend the next 6 nights.

Sat. August 14: Munduk. BD Morning orientation, with focus on basic  Indonesian language, manners & customs. Then we take a walk to Bali's highest waterfall, through coffee and clove  plantations. Chances along the way to sample cacao fruit and witness vanilla & nutmeg growing. Late afternoon the first of several cooking classes, beginning with  an introduction to Bali ways  with cooking implements, herbs and  spices.  In the afternoon, locals demonstrate kelepon and other Balinese sweet  production.  After dinner, a fruit-tasting party, a chance to sample some of  Bali's exotic, succulent fruits.

Sun. August 15: Munduk BD Morning orientation on Indonesian history and language revue,  followed by a walk through rice fields to visit the Rock That Grows.  Return to hotel, stopping at as coffee processing plant in town. Lunch and down time with an opportunity to observe a  dance class by village children. Late afternoon talk on irrigation systems. Family-style meal together.  And we have a banana tasting--a  chance to sample some of Bali’s 17 varieties of bananas and discover  why most people here are so mellow.

Mon. August 16: Munduk BL Very early departure for West Bali National Park  for a world class snorkeling excursion at Menjangan island. After  registering, we travel by boat with a park ranger to Terima Bay,  where we dock at the island and snorkel along a fabulous coral reef, with myriad varieties of tropical fish, giant clams and corals. Stop at important temple for briefing on etiquette and history.  Tonight at dinner, smaple Balinese rice wine and arak, Bali’s Fire Water.

Tues. August 17: Munduk BD (Hari Merdeka) Independance Day. There will be festivities at the hotel with competitions in tug of war, climbing the greased pole, relays, and bull races.  Free Day  to enjoy these as you wish. If the afternoon a class in fruit and flower arrangement.

Wed. August 18: Munduk BD Trek to a (somewhat) nearby aboriginal village to  watch the process of making palm sugar. Box lunch provided. Sample tuak palm beer. Sample betel nut, the Balinese drug of choice and  discuss variations in betel practice throughout Asia. From here we  travel back to Munduk, stopping along the way at the stunning Hot  Springs in Banjar village.  Family style dinner at our hotel, followed by amazing  music dance production by the local villagers.

Thur. August 19: Ubud BL Depart for Ubud, Bali's cultural center. Stop  along the way at Pura Ulun Danu, Bali's most beautiful temple, and the fruit, spice and flower market.  Arrive  in Kedewatan Ubud in time for lunch of Nasi Campur, the Balinese favorite dish at a famous local  Warung (food stall).  Dinner on your own at one of the many good restaurants within walking distance of our hotel.

Fri. August 20 Ubud. BL In the morning we will visit local smoked duck maker to see the beginning of a day long  process  whose outcome we will sample later in the week. Then on to visit Sari Organik, a local purveyer to survey their organic farm and hear about their processes. Afterward a rice tasting, sampling some of the great varieties of Balinese rice. Then a delicious organic buffet lunch, prepared by their staff.
 In the afternoon we visit the homes/ studios of Ubud’s basket makers, wood carvers’, mask makers,  painters, and weavers’, to photograph and watch them work, as well as  make purchases at considerable savings.

Sat. August 21 Ubud BD Begin todays 5 hour cooking class with a trip to the Ubud market to purchase the items needed for our menu. Return to restaurant and begin an array of drinks and dishes, eating along the way before you waddle back to your hotel. Evening performance of Legong classical dance.

Sun. August 22 Ubud BD. Visit to a master knife maker in Budulu village to watch him produce a wide variety of implements, ranging from agricultural tools to the ceremonial kris. we learn to make  the traditional side dishes tofu and tempeh for smoked duck which has cooked over night, followed by a feast. Private performance  of the followed by a private shadow puppet performance, a  captivating display of teamwork and virtuosic skills.

Mon. Aug 23 Ubud B After breakfast, island tour to East Bali, stopping  along the way to visit the aboriginal village of Tenganan, center of  Bali’s textile art, to watch the double ikat weaving process (created  only two places in the world), and a demonstration of Balinese lontar  (palm leaf books) being made,  Venture on to Tirtagangga, the last  Raja’s Water Palace and an opportunity to swim in the olympic sized  natural spring-fed pool. Lunch at spectacular  view restaurant. Return to Ubud to sample the nightlife.

Tues. Aug. 24 Sanur BL Depart Ubud for Sanur. Stopping along the way for a visit  to a tempeh and tofu factory.  Lunch at popular Babi Guling (Roast   Pork) Warung. Hit the beach, downtime. Choose from a huge variety of restaurants of  every type in south Bali.

Wed. Aug. 25 Sanur  BL Early visit to the fish market in  Jimbaran. See all types of fish being loaded  from outriggers on the beach, and the complex commercial and social interactions. Visit  your guide Surya's family compound, existing in the same location for  400 years. We take a tour and then join the family in  preparations for our lunch, learning to make cuttlefish, tum banana  leaf wrapped "tamale" and much more. Back to Sanur in time to enjoy  the beach and the diverse restaurants.

Thur. Aug. 26: Sanur BD Visit to the Big Market in Denpasar where we will purchase our  spices, condiments, and tools for your home kitchen. Winding up  things and taking it easy. Evening excursion to the Night Market  to see what the locals eat for nights out.

Fri. Aug. 27: Sanur BD Free day to shop, relax, swim in the ocean or pool--.

Sat. Aug. 28: Travel Day. BLD Rest and relax before beginning your journey  back to the real world, or stay on for further adventures in Bali . We are happy to help you plan further travels in Bali or other islands in Indonesia.

Not Included: Extra drinks at meals (bottled water only provided), Some meals, laundry services, extra baggage and overweight charges, passport fees, single room supplement, tips and airport  taxes.

Price: $3900.00  based on two people sharing a room with twin  beds  and a private bath.  The price includes land arrangements and air,  based on current prices. Excessive raises in air fare may affect tour price. Minimum 8, maximum 16 participants. A $350.00 deposit is  required to secure space. Registration/Release forms may be downloaded at www.danutours.com.  Final payments due June 15, 2010.

Cancellations and Refunds:
After tickets are issued, refunds for  air fares will be governed by regulations listed in flight contract. For the land portion, a cancellation fee of $75.00 is charged until time of departure. There will be no refunds after departure.

Single Supplement:
Those traveling as singles may choose roommates  from among the group. If no roommate is available, the client will  be advised before departure, and must pay a single supplement.

Airlines:
Singapore Air, the world's foremost airline, flies to Bali from San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles. Connecting flights from your home town are offered at a discount, return stopover in Singapore is offered for free.

Passport, Visa and Health:
A passport, valid six months from date  of entry with proof of onward transportation. An Indonesian visa will be issued on arrival, with payment of $25.00. No inoculations are suggested or required.

Early Registration:
As soon as you know you want to join us, send in your deposit. Early sign ups get the best flights and the best rooms. We expect that this trip will fill up early--don’t be left out or have to pay extra fees for signing up late! We are traveling at the height of High Season, and everything fills up quickly.

Trip Organizer/Leader:
Madé Surya B.S. is a professional tour organizer who has been leading study tours in Bali for 25 years. Surya's was a research assistant for Eat Smart Indonesia and  his recipes appear there as well as in several esteemed restaurants. He has catered meals for groups, in Italian, Mexican, Greek, and Continental cuisine. This is Surya's fifth Culinary tour in Bali.

Call toll free 888-476-0543 or email for further information.
Contact Danu Enterprises today and escape the ordinary!

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