"Our
"beach week" in Bali began with twists and turns...some
by design; some spontaneous; some vaguely expected; none anticipated,
all good. Upon our arrival the main sign at the entrance of
the Nusa Dua Beach Resort & Spa sends a message to our small
group about the level of service to expect and good things to
come: "Welcome Walking Connection," in bold letters
greets us.
"My Bali...My island...My
people...," began many of the sentences our guide used
to describe our island experience as it unfolded before us.
Culture here is as rich and deep as it is old. A Hindu temple,
The Elephant Cave, sits in partial ruin at the bottom of steep
canyon. A short walk to the bottom reveals a rich green moss
that carpets some of its tumbled boulders. Detailed carvings
that once told stories of life are now dulled by the ages of
weather of millennia gone by. Though ancient irrigation canals
still carry water to its flowing fountains, its once prominent
features now yield more questions than answers...
...Throughout the day,
the road we travel winds through rolling hills and valleys.
The reflection of the sun glistens through the shoots of newly
planted rice seedlings in the hillside rice paddies. Lunch is
at a grand overlook of a once powerful volcano. Black lava flows
create their own paths in the valley below. At over 4200' of
elevation the cool mountain air provides a short reprieve from
the jungle heat below.
We carefully thread our
way through the narrow roads of the magical countryside.
Life is bustling here...wood carvers in front of their shops
hacking away at tree trunk size logs to create life size statues...women
walking along the roadside, expertly balanced baskets overflowing
with fruit, rice or straw rest comfortably on their heads. Children
play soccer on any flat, dry surface they can find. Motorbikes
are everywhere. We hold our collective breath as they dart in
front of us. They weave in an out of chaotic traffic in a symphony
of motion.
This is a place where
idyllic romantic movies of paradise were made. They were
stories from a time gone by. The new Bali, though still steeped
in the history and ancient culture of the past, is once again,
a place to visit and create new idyllic memories -- stories
of your own. As eco-tourism grows here, the past is welll preserved.
The pristine beach is perfect for a long, quiet walk as the
silent waves pound the surf on the distant horizon.
Tomorrow will be a very
busy day...the "spa treatment" in the morning, an
afternoon of golf , and a late afternoon hike into the jungle.
In the evening, the pressure is on to decide between the
Balinese Ballet and dinner or the special Lobster Night dinner,
or maybe the dinner cruise and a table for two. Decisions, decisions.
So far, our trip has been everything we dreamed of. All that
is missing is you! Wish you were here with us..."
Walking Connection specialty
guides will host this value packed departure. It includes
5-Nights Deluxe Hotel Accommodations (with an option to stay
longer and room upgrades), full breakfasts daily, full day sightseeing
per the itinerary including transportation via deluxe Mini-bus,
local drivers and guides throughout, Bali airport and hotel
transfers, economy roundtrip airfare on Singapore Airlines from
San Francisco and special Walking Connection Travel amenities
and surprises!
Bali
is a Paradise Waiting For You!
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