Health & Harmony
with Joanna Castle
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Spirited Journeys » Magical Bali
Visit several of the unique Temples of Bali, an island that is home to thousands of Hindu and Buddhist Temples. There is scent on the wind…..you'll discover some of the most fragrant flowers anywhere in the world.
The food is delicious, and we not only savour it while travelling, we learn how to prepare many traditional dishes when we do a two day course of cooking in the mountain village of Ubud. There will also be a discussion on herbs and spices for medicinal uses relating to the ancient practice of Ayurveda.
Experience fragrant flower filled baths, a variety of styles of massage, acupressure, aromatherapy, shiatsu, swedish, reflexology and more. Have them on the beach, by the pool or in your room, at a fee that is a bargain even for South Africans.
Visit the village markets for baskets, fabrics, weaving, woodcarvings, ready to wear, spices, lace, artworks, any and everything imaginable. Then you will be taught the art of bargaining. It is traditional.
We travel up the east coast to Lovina stopping in the seaside village of Candi Dasa for 2 nights. A drive into the mountains reveal the most beautiful terraced rice fields in Bali. A visit to Tenganen, an Aga village, to watch them do double "Ikat" weaving. Bali and Japan are the only remaining areas that still do this type of weaving. Opportunities to snorkle and sail.
As we drive further up the east coast, stopping at temples along the way, we come to the north of the island and Lovina where we spend the next 4 nights.
While visiting in Lovina we board outriggers at dawn to go in search of Dolphins. We end our morning with a bit of snorkelling in crystal clear waters teaming with colourful fish.
Your lasting experience will be the serene beauty and tranquillity of Bali.
Our first three days in Bali will be spent in the south on Kuta Beach. From here we travel to the island Temple of Tanah Lot, and Uluwatu Temple on the cliffs. An early morning drive to the village of Sukowati to visit the market for traditional woodcarvings and handmade crafts.
We travel to the north of the island to black sand beaches and the peaceful village of Lovina. As we make our way through the mountains we will stop to visit temples, the only Buddhist Monastery in Bali, and continue with markets in the hilltop villages.
After 3 days relaxing in Lovina we travel back through the mountains to the artist's community of Ubud.
The lush tropical setting of the family compound of hosts Ketut Suardana and Janet De Neefe at the Honeymoon Bakery Guesthouse will be the setting for our three-day cooking course. Janet leads us into the local markets to shop for ingredients to use in the preparation of several traditional Balinese dishes. Over the next few days you may choose to lie by the pool or journey into nearby villages to observe crafts people, visit temples and shop in the local markets, or visit a volcano.
As an experienced traveller, Joanna's passion for travel has span over 30 years. Come along as she shares with you her latest discoveries. The age old art of Ikat weaving is centered in the mountain village of Tenganan. She came across sarongs in a village whose design and method of creation has come down from past generations. In Ubud she found a beautiful Balinese family Guesthouse that hosts a cooking school. Exotic restaurants throughout Bali. Travel the winding roads with Joanna and make your own exciting discoveries.
Read Joanna's article 'A Journey to Bali', which appeared in Rennaissance Magazine.