Week 2: Bali &
Singapore
Day 8: Kuta, Bali
-
Today was “Galungan”, a Balinese Hindu holiday
that occurs twice a year that celebrates the ancestral spirits’ visit to Earth
(thus the water park was closed…)
-
Free & easy at Kuta Beach – students rented
boogie boards and enjoyed watching surfers
-
Explored the Kuta neighborhood markets
-
Saw lots of offerings for Galungan (such as the penjor banners in front of homes and
shops,) and heard about the tradition of family visits during this two-week
celebration
-
Watched the sunset at Kuta Beach on our walk to
dinner
-
Stayed at the Melasti hotel; lots of charm and character,
with two great pools
Day 9: Tanjung Benoa,
Bali
-
Enjoyed water sports all morning (parasailing,
banana boat rides, ocean walks)
-
Visited Turtle Island and the animal sanctuary;
saw birds, reptiles, and turtles – which students had the chance to hold!
-
Treated to a five-star dinner with an amazing view
at Karma Beach Resort, graciously hosted by Ramzy Subagyo’s parents
Day 10: Central Bali
& Ubud
-
Watched a traditional Balinese dance performance
(the story of Barong vs. Kris – Good vs. Evil)
-
Visited batik and silver workshops on the way to
Mount Kintamani, a volcano in the northern part of Bali
-
Enjoyed lunch with a view over the volcano,
which last erupted in 1994
-
Witnessed lots of Hindu celebrations and people
walking to temple
-
We also learned about: Balinese Hindu ceremonies,
karma, spirits and superstitions, the importance of the village in raising a
child, traditional Hindu offerings
-
Saw the ubiquitous rice terrace farming characteristic
to central Bali
-
Spent time exploring Ubud and the traditional
craft markets
Day 11: Southwest
Bali
-
Visited the Tanah Lot temple, an island temple
that can only be accessed during low tide (we were there during high tide so
viewed it from afar)
-
Relaxed on Padang-Padang Beach and explored the
tide pools and nearby bat caves – to access the beach we had to hike down
through steep & narrow rock passages
-
Watched the Balinese Kite Festival from a
distance!
-
Toured the Uluwatu Temple at sunset – a Hindu
temple on the cliffs of the southwestern shores of Bali
-
Enjoyed a seafood BBQ on the beach in Jimbaran,
complete with a serenade by a local band and lots of frolicking in the waves
Day 12: Singapore
(and Eden’s 16th birthday!)
-
Caught an early flight to Singapore
-
Relaxed in the afternoon with local shopping and
swimming at the hotel pool (including the annual synchronized swimming
routine!)
-
Took a spin on the Singapore Flyer, currently
the largest “observation wheel” in the world; sang happy birthday to Eden at
the top
-
Those who could stand it experienced an
impromptu fish spa pedicure
-
Attended the “Gardens by the Bay” light show at
the botanic gardens near the famous Marina Bay Sands Hotel
-
Enjoyed pizza for dinner, followed by final appreciations
and an early bedtime
-
Up at 2:45am for our flight to Tokyo!
