Itinerary

Departure Day 1 Aug, 17: Most flights to Asia depart around midnight or a little after, and arrive the next calendar day.

Day 2 Tues Aug. 18 Candi Dasa Having arrived in Bali (usually about 3:15PM), we will transfer to east Bali and our beachfront bungalows overlooking the azure Indian Ocean. Check into the hotel and unpack before our first dinner together, where we share who you are and why you decided to travel with us.

Day 3 Wed, Aug. 19 Candi Dasa BD. Good Morning and welcome to Bali!

7AM Office opens and breakfast begins. Depart by minibus to our waiting boat and a morning snorkeling excursion to a nearby coral reef preserve with hundreds of tropical fish—a wonderful way to fully arrive in Bali. Return to hotel for lunch. We will have our first orientation session focusing on basic Indonesian manners and customs. Then at 3PM, meet in the restaurant for and introduction to Balinese herbs and spices and making bumbu-the eight fresh and 4-5 dry spices that make up the flavoring of Balinese dishes. Dinner together of Nasi Campur-the most common dish for the locals in Bali..

Day 4 Thur. Aug. 20 Candi Dasa. BS 7AM breakfast begins, followed by a second orientation and language session focusing on the community organization (Banjar) and the caste system. Morning excursion is to the royal palace of our district, to get a sense of Dutch colonialism and its impact on Bali. Afterward, we venture on to Tirtagangga (the last Raja’s water palace) for lunch and an opportunity to dip in the pool. 3PM meet in the restaurant for a workshop on The Coconut, the primary product of East Bali, and a mainstay of all of Indonesia. Explanation:Harvesting: We watch a local expert shinny up the hotel coconut tree, harvesting both the nut and some tender palm leaves ( for offerings).Drinking: Each trip member receives their own nut, which is then plugged and transferred to a glass,Eating/preparing: The coconuts are opened and we learn how to harvest the meat and how to grate the coconut.Grating and also grilling: briquettes everyone cooks some sate. which you nibble on when finished.

Day 5 Fri. Aug. 21 Candi Dasa BD Breakfast and a final language class on bargaining, then a demonstration of how to wrap a traditional sarong.

Morning visit is to nearby Tenganan, an aboriginal village populated by many artists, weavers (double ikat) and basket makers. We return to Candi Dasa for lunch. Downtime and then watch a demonstration by India Joe cooking 1 fish 5 different ways, with samples of each. Outside, under the stars, tasty and great fun.

Day 6 Sat. Aug. 22 Day 6: BL Transition to Ubud After breakfast, check out of our hotel and travel to Ubud, stopping along the way at Bhakti Senang Hati, an social and educational NGO for about 100 disabled Balinese, funded mostly by serving a tasty Balinese buffet lunch to tourists, by the 20 members who reside there full time. They lead a demonstration for us in making a traditional soup, their chicken dish and Bali corn fritters. After lunch, continue on our way to Ubud & check into our hotel. Afternoon free until the first evening dance performance.

Day 7 Sun. Aug. 23 Day 6 Ubud BD Today we learn about and sample the famed Balinese Ristaffel, and also about the one of the two most important meats in Bali:, Bebek be Tutu (Smoked Duck.) Morning visit to a private village home and cooked duck factory. After, walk to Oka Wati Hotel where we see a demonstration of 3 ways to cook tempe and tofu (soy bean) a la Bali-style. Afternoon free to shop, return to hotel, have body treatments or visit one of Ubud’d great art museum. Early evening return to Oka Wati’s for a private ristaffle dinner of the dishes we saw cooking earlier today.

Day 8 Mon. Aug. 24: BL We meet at the family compound of Ibu Oka, the most famous cook on the island of roasted sucking pig (Babi Guling). we’ll observe the preparation, including the surface cleaning and stuffing. Later we’ll adjourn to her fairly home for Babi Guling lunch, and to see what Anthony Bourdain and other celebrity chefs were raving about. Free afternoon, then early evening excursion to the Big City of Denpasar for an exploration of the Kumbasari Night Market—the biggest in Bali.

Day 9 Tues. Aug. 25: BD Free morning, then depart for a unique regenerative farming experience 1/2 day workshop and dinner at Astungkara Way Regenerative Farming Learning Center, a short trip from Ubud.

Day 10 Wed. Aug. 26 BD Depart Ubud and travel north to volcano country andBali’s fruit and vegetable basket, and where many spices are grown. Wind our way through stunning landscapes and Bali’s fruit and flower market. Our first stop will be the jaw-dropping Ogoh Ogoh museum in Mengwi, and then stop at Junglegold Chocolate Factory, where we tour the facility. Then onward and upward to themarket, fun shopping for fresh spices grown in the area. We will arrive in Munduk mountain village and check into our hotel, and have free time until Happy Hour at the Sunset Bar, and demonstration of Balinese cake making.

Day 11 Thur. Aug. 27 BD In the morning we gather for a 2 hour hike to Bali’s tallest water fall, through coffee and clove plantations. Besides numerous fruits you are likely to see Cacao fuit, nutmeg, and vanilla beans growing before we reach the Waterfall Afternoon cooking class where we prepare our 5 course evening meal. At 4PM at the Sunset bar there is a another demonstration of Balinese cake making. Sunset followed by family-style dinner together.

Day 12 Fri. Aug. 28 BD This morning another wonderful walk with different terrains through small villages and rice fields to the magical and sacred Growing Rock. Return to hotel for lunch and down time before our next cooking class for this evenings dinner—different menu. Late afternoon another demonstration of Balinese cake making. Evening dinner, family style.

Day 13 Sat. Aug. 29 BD This mornings excursion will take us to a local coffee processing plant—very much a simple home operation and then a small village where palm sugar is tapped from trees. Both great spots to purchase souvenirs. After lunch, we have our third and final cooking class. Farewell sunset, then dinner and a performance by the village dance and acclaimed Gamelan orchestra.

Day 14 Sun. Aug. 30 Depart for the USA. Arrive home the same calendar day.

Included:

• Airport transfers

• 4 nights Lotus Bungalows Candi Dasa

• 1/2 day Snorkeling excursion

• Herbs and Spices workshop

• Puri Amlapura/Tirtagangangga excursion

• Coconut workshop

• Tenganan aboriginal village excursion

• Grill Night Dinner

• Transfer to Ubud

• Lunch at Senanag Hati NGO plus demo

• 4 nights at Ubud Wana Hotel Nyu Kuning

• Smoked Duck cooking demonstration

• Tofu/Tempe Cooking Class

• Ristaffel Dinner:

• Babi Guling lunch and cooking demonstration

• Astunkara Way sustainable arm to table workshop and dinner

• Two performances of traditional dance

• Transfer to Munduk

• Chocolate, palm sugar and Coffee Processing demonstrations

• 2 Walks in Munduk mountains

• Puri Lumbung Hotel 4 nights..

Not Included:

• Round trip airfare. Most meals, snorkeling equipment, airport transfers, laundry, tips.

Details:

Cost: $39999. based on two persons sharing a room with bathroom. A single supplement is available. Minimum of 8, maximum of 12.

Roommates: Single people may sign up for accommodations desired on a shared basis; roommates can be chosen from other tour members. If a roommate is unavailable, the participant will be notified of the adjusted price for a single supplement: $405.00 The number of single rooms are limited and available on a first come, first serve basis.

Deposit: A deposit of $500.00 per person is due at the time of booking. Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. Deposit, minus a $300. cancellation fee, is refundable until 60 days prior to departure, after which 5O% will be charged. No refunds will be made after departure.

Passport, Visa, and Health: A passport, valid six months from date of entry with proof of onward transportation is required for entry into Indonesia. You will need to get visa on arrival, with payment of a $35 fee, which is valid for 4 weeks. If you wish to stay longer, apply to the Indonesian Consulate for a 2-month visa prior to arrival. Everyone participating in this trip is expected to be in good health and able to walk at least three miles unaided. Anyone testing positive for Covid will be released from the tour.