Bali Image Gallery:

Bali the Magical island

Bali is only one of more than 17,000 islands in Indonesia–the fourth most populous nation in the world. But this island, currently enjoying an Artistic Renaissance, must be one of the world’s loveliest, rich in dramatic scenery, ancient temples, and graceful people. It is a paradise for the fortunate artist or photographer.
An immense nation covering a total land area of 741,000 square miles, Indonesia is still growing. One-fourth of its 400 volcanoes- two of them in Bali- are still active, changing the country’s contours to new scenes spectacular in their contrasts.
Bali remains one of the few places in the world where the traveler can explore and discover untouched places and witness exotic rituals that have not diminished with the passing of time. Every back road is a gateway to the heart of the Balinese people.
This unique travel/learning experience invites the participant to live in the cultural center of Ubud Bali, to meet the artists and dancers, to get to know the people and their customs, and to visit rituals and ceremonies in some cases far from the tourists’ beaten path. This is a chance to know a fascinating and vibrant culture from the inside.

ORGANIZER/ LEADER:
Made Surya could best be described as a Balinese Renaissance Man. He carves his own traditional masks, and has performed mask dance and many Colleges, Universities, and Museums, including the Asian and the De Young in San Francisco. He has led culinary tours, been a guest chef at several restaurants, and his recipes are found in several cookbooks. Lonely Planet has declared him the local expert on Balinese traditional healers, and he has lectured and assisted numerous scholars and film crews on such subjects as Hindu religious rituals and practices, vocal music for ceremonies, traditional architecture, and herbal medicine.He is on the advisory board for Sacred Sites International, and has been a contributor to Hinduism Today. Surya studied with one of Bali’s most renown healers for 15 years and collaborated on a book about the experience:” A Balinese Self Healing System.”  He has continuously led traditional healing journeys to Bali since 1986, and is said by Lonely Planet On-line Travel to be the “top authority on Balinese Healers.“