Home • Asia • Indonesia • '99 Sep: Bali, Yogyakarta, & Lombok

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	September 24 - October 4, 1999 The following text copied directly from the brochure! Perfect Spot Tours presents Bali, Yogyakarta, and Lombok. An exclusive Travel Agent Educational. Luxurious accommodation in breathtaking settings. Unusual and exciting itinerary. Magnificent sunrise tour of Borobudur. Early morning departure from Los Angeles to Bali on EVA Air in Evergreen Deluxe Class.
	Arrive in Taipei this morning with immediate connection to Bali. Transfer to The Oberoi, a magnificent property on Legian Beach.
	The rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the ocean, the spa or other elegant amenities of the hotel and its breathtaking setting. The next day we have a leisurely morning followed by a visit to the exotic Hotel Tugu for inspection and lunch.
	Get a glimpse of Balinese life touring the island's center to lofty Lake Bratan, site of the famous floating temple Ulu Danau. Fabulous welcome dinner hosted by The Oberoi.
	Tour the sea temple of Ulu Watu, perched high above the Indian Ocean, followed by lunch hosted by The Four Seasons Resort in Jimbaran. Afternoon free to treasure hunt amid the intriguing shops of Kuta.
	Our guide hosts a Balinese Tai Chi class.
	(Here we all are gathered on the beach.)
	Today's transfer to Yogyakarta (pronounced Jogjakarta). Welcome on arrival in 'Yogya' and directly transfer to the partially reconstructed Prambanan Temple complex, an ensemble of breathtaking shrines dedicated to the pantheon of Hindu gods.
	(Borobudur, one of the most magnificent places I've ever been.)
	(From a brochure of Borobudur.)
	Returning to the city center, we enjoy a special visit to the studio and gallery of the renouwned batik designer, Nia Fliam, for a demonstration on the art of batik.
	After lunch and inspection at the Jogya Village Inn, a former Javanese home, we'll hop on becaks (local bicycle rickshaws) for a brisk ride...
	...to a puppet workshop. There we'll be introduced to a famous part of Javanese culture, the shadow puppet play.
	Late in the afternoon we transfer to the fabulous Amanjiwo resort, an unforgettable destination in itself. This evening we are guests of the hotel for dinner and classical Javanese dances.
	Next morning we fly to Lombok. Welcome at the airport by our new hosts, and begin our tour of this surprisingly untouched island.
	We stop at a local fishing village to observe the life of the local people and visit handicraft villages renouwned for pottery and basket making. Sasak pottery is remarkable, and we'll be making a stop at a special pottery showroom for a brief video describing the pottery making process and to view some of the island's fine and varied pieces. We'll also visit several unique small hotels, and inspection and lunch will be hosted by The Oberoi Lombok.
	The tour ends in the late afternoon with check-in at the Hotel Senggigi Aerowisata.
	The next morning we fly back to Bali and proceed inland to Ubud, Bali's cultural and artistic heart. After a stop at the delightful Alam Indah Hotel for an inspection, there's free time to explore Ubud's winding lanes and fascinating shops for ever-changing treasures. Check in to the Hotel Tjampuhan, historic home of painter Walter Spies, with the evening free.
	Depart early for a visit to Goa Gadjah (the Elephant Cave) known for its fantastic stone-carved cave entrance and the 12th century bathing pools.
	Continue to lesser known East Bali and visit Tenganan, an ancient Bali Aga village known for its rare and intricate crafts, especially weaving.
	Also visit Sideman, known for its fine single ikats, and return to Ubud via picturesque back roads, with the evening free to sample excellent local cuisine.
	The day is free until our departure in the afternoon to Bagawan Giri. Wander Ubud's lanes, and choose one or both of these two special optional tours.
	Guided walking tour from the village of Sebali back to Hotel Tjampuhan. This is a two hour walk through scenic rice fields and small rural villages, full of the unexpected early morning sights possible only when exploring on foot.
	Visit the Agung Rai Museum of Art, which houses this prominent collector's superb collection of Balinese paintings.
	The owner, Agung Rai, will personally escort us around the museum and will also take us to the private home and studio of a local artist.
	Transfer to Begawan Giri, a private estate perched high above the Ayung River, with the late afternoon free to roam the estate.
	Meet for a gala farewell dinner party.
	Depart for an inspection of the lovely Pita Maha Resort and Spa in Ubud, then transfer to the beach resort of Nusa Dua. Check in to the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel in Denpasar, with the afternoon free to enjoy the ocean and the incredible spa. Farewell to the tour group.
	October 4 - 8 I stayed in Bali on my own for several days after the group went on to Papau New Guinea (or was it Borneo?). Here I am at Sandy's favorite hotel in Ubud, the Alam Indah Hotel. That's my room and the views out my windows.
	Surrounded by rice paddies.
	A rousing white water raft trip.
	Later I moved up to a beach village to stay for a couple of nights.
	Hey guy.
	Which included eating for breakfast every morning a fresh young coconut, the whites are like custard and you eat it with a spoon, acquired by that guy climbing the coconut tree. I had an excellent snorkel outing too.
	Local folks at various meals.
	Bali once visited is never forgotten.