Join Yoga teacher Lori Firbush and Bali Expert and Tour Leader Jim Cramer for a retreat with the Balinese people where the "holding this sacred space" is a way of life. Lori Furbush is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT) with Yoga Alliance, a certified Reiki Master Teacher (RMT), and a certified Level II Qigong Instructor with the National Qigong Association. Jim lived in Bali for 10 years and has been visiting there for 34 years. He speaks the language and has a B.A. in Anthropology specializing in Balinese dance. He also wrote the guide book "Bali Impressions of Paradise" and in the past seven years he has lead twelve tours to Bali. Extra Bonus! Visit with Balinese Healer Pak Liyer of "Eat Pray and Love" fame!
Sharon, a traveler on the last Bali tour, said:
“Jim, with all your experience and connections in Bali, you’re able to offer people, places, and events that ordinary tourists would never possibly find.”
Day 1
Depart SFO with China Airlines and cross the international dateline.
Day 2
Arrive in Taipei and change planes for flight to Bali. Upon arrival in Bali, we will 
be greeted with flower leis and then travel to Eastern Bali. We will wind along the coast, passing beautiful rice fields to Candi Dasa, a romantic and peaceful seaside resort area. There we will stay at Rama Ocean View, a small beachfront hotel. All rooms are decorated with Balinese harmony in mind. That evening, we will have dinner on our own and get some rest. This will be our home base for the next three days while we will explore the Eastern part of the island.
Day 3
We will start the day with a yoga/qigong session, followed by breakfast, welcome massages, and relaxing by the pool. At 3pm, we will visit Goa Lawa, one of Bali’s Sad Kahyangan (six major temples) honored by all the Balinese. Believed to have a subterranean connection to sacred Mt. Agung, the roof of this temple, set at the entrance to a sacred cave, is blanketed by thousands of bats. Three meru stand at the entrance to the cave. Their roofs made of black palm fiber are covered with droppings from the thousands of bats that dangle from the overhang. At night, the bats come out to feed on the pollen and nectar. Regarded as holy, these bats are protected by the Balinese. That evening we will have our welcome dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Day 4
We will start the day with a yoga/qigong session. We will have the remainder of the morning to finish up welcome massages, relax by the pool, or take optional Balinese dance lessons. After lunch, we will travel to the water palace in 
Tirtagangga. The water of Tirtagangga has always been regarded as holy and is often used for religious ceremonies. Afterward, we will visit the walled village of Tenganan, whose inhabitants are descendants of the earliest Balinese people. Tenganan is famous for its "double ikat" woven material called gringseng, which is supposed to protect the wearer from magical powers. That evening, we will dine at the hotel or a nearby restaurant.
Day 5
We will start the day with a yoga/qigong session. Then we will head to the village
of Ubud, the artistic and cultural center of Bali. On the way, we will pass through beautiful rice terraces and see amazing vistas on one of Jim’s favorite back roads in Bali. In Ubud, we will stay at the Komaneka Resort hotel. Nestled between running streams and rice terraces, it is a veritable oasis in the midst of Ubud's bustling activity. Here, art museums display both traditional and modern paintings and sculpture. The Ubud market is a favorite, with a vast array of locally-produced handicrafts. The nearby monkey forest has a temple in the midst of a jungle with many mischievous monkeys. Our first afternoon in Ubud will be dedicated to doing your own thing. We will offer an optional spa experience at the Nur Salon. The mandi lulur "flower bath" massage treatment is one of the most popular experiences on our tours. Other choices include visiting the market and many shops or relaxing by the hotel pool situated next to the rice fields. In the evening, we will dine together at Cafe Wayan.
Day 6
We will start the day with a yoga/qigong session. The rest of the morning is dedicated to enjoying Ubud and visiting the Nur Salon. After lunch, we will visit 
Goa Gaja (the Elephant Cave) believed to have been a monastery in the 11th century. The entrance features the mouth of a mystical creature with many detailed carvings in the surrounding stone. Or you may wish to take time to enjoy Ubud and its inexpensive spa treatments, shopping, museums, and art galleries. That evening, we will visit the home of a puppet master (dalang) of Wayang Kulit for a private performance.
Day 7
We will start the day with a yoga/qigong session. After breakfast, we will take a trip to Bali's highland at Mt. Bratan. There we will visit the colorful fruit and flower market of Pasar Candi Kuning. Afterward, we will visit Ulun Danu Temple.
This serene temple is on the edge of a lake and is often shrouded in mists. The temple is dedicated to Dewi Danu, goddess of the waters. Tirtha (holy water) has always been used in Hindu religious ceremonies. The word tirtha comes from Sanskrit and means ‘holy' or ‘to cleanse.' The holy water possesses the means of opening our hearts to prayer. We may take containers to take the holy water home with us.
The aim of Agama Hindu Bali (the religion of most Balinese) is to reach peace of spirit and harmony in this material life. In practicing their faith, Hindu communities try to achieve a spiritual balance of worship between Tattwa (philosophy), Susila (etiquette/morals), and Upacara (rituals). On the way home, we will lunch at a restaurant with beautiful vistas of rice fields. We will have the remainder of the afternoon in Ubud to do your own thing.
Day 8
We will rise at dawn and take a village walk with Agung Putra Rangki to learn about architecture and village life of Bali. Agung is a Brahma caste who speaks excellent English, is knowledgeable, and has a refined presence that exemplifies the Balinese spirit. After breakfast, we will visit with Pak Liyer, the healer featured in the book Eat, Pray, Love at his Balinese compound. The rest of the afternoon is dedicated to last minute shopping. Later, we will enjoy a performance of Balinese dance by Semara Ratih (Sun and Moon), one of Bali’s premier dance and music groups
Day 9
We will start the day with a sunrise walk through the hills of Bali with Jim. The
Balinese believe that the individual soul is reincarnated into many lifetimes. Through numerous struggles and stages, it achieves union with the Divine. It is this time in Bali when we feel our own union with the Divine. We then return for a yoga/qigong session in Ubud. Then we will venture to Bali’s south shore and check into the beautiful Hyatt Sanur Beach, where the rooms are decorated in Balinese designs and have Balinese harmony in mind. They all feature a private balcony overlooking the beautiful grounds of the hotel. We will have the afternoon free to enjoy the hotel.
Day 10
We will start the day with a yoga/qigong session. We will then visit Bali’s famous
the gardens of the hotel. temple of Tanah Lot. The Temple rests upon a huge sentinel rock away from the shore, which has been carved by tides, wind, and rain. After sunset, we will have a farewell dinner at the Hyatt hotel.
Day 11
Bali is a gathering place for prayers from the Balinese and from all spiritual traditions of visitors from around the world. Our souls will be renewed, and the memories will remain in our hearts and souls forever.We will have the morning to prepare for our journey home. We depart for the airport at 1:00pm.
Lori Furbush E-RYT RMT is an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT) with Yoga Alliance, a certified Reiki Master Teacher (RMT), and a certified Level II Qigong Instructor with the National Qigong Association, specializing in Medical and Daoist Spiritual Qigong. Lori's teaching style draws from her broad experience with world-renowned yogis such as Rodney Yee, Sarah Powers, Judith Hanson Lasater, Sharon Gannon, David Life, and Saul David Raye, and accomplished qigong masters Sifu Michael Rinaldini of Sebastopol, California, and Master Wan Su-Jian of Beijing, China. A natural-born teacher and healer, Lori creates a relaxed, nurturing environment that invites exploration of body, mind, and soul, encouraging students to discover their own wisdom within. There is no goal, no right or wrong—only the joy of the journey. Learn more about Lori at www.EnerQiHealing.com.
Jim Omi Cramer lived in Bali for 10 years and has been visiting Southeast Asia for 30 years. He has a BA in Anthropology specializing in Balinese dance, and wrote a guide book, Bali, Impressions of Paradise. Jim says, “Every time I go to Bali, I am reminded of my connection with the Source and how a culture can truly live in communion with Spirit. I come home inspired and look forward to my next trip back to Bali, the isle of the gods.”
On Bali, there are two ways to pray: 'mbakti' and 'muspa.'
The first is worship through devotion;
the second shows respect with flowers.
10 Days - Only $3249 per person
Tour Includes:
9 Nights Luxury Hotels
Round Trip Air SFO BALI
Daily Breakfast
Guide Services provided by Jim Cramer
Daily Yoga/Qigong Sessions (optional) with Lori Furbush (no experience necessary, suitable for all levels)
Temple Fees
Airport Transfers
Balinese Sarong and Sash
Morning Village walk
Wayang Kulit performance
Welcome Massage
3 Dinners
Dance Performance by Semara Ratih
Scheduled Tours
Use of Mini-van for Group or Individual (based on availability)
Read Testimonials from Recent Spirit Tours
View our recent Bali Video
