Bali Spirit

A tour to Bali is a remarkable experience, especially for the photographer, as everywhere one looks there is something new and astonishing to capture in your images. It is known for breathtaking natural splendor, rich cultural heritage, and profound spiritual mystique. The Balinese people are devoted to creating beautiful things, whether it is in their refined dance or in a small offering made from a palm frond. There are two thousand dance troops among a population of only three million people....

A tour to Bali is a remarkable experience, especially for the photographer, as everywhere one looks there is something new and astonishing to capture in your images. It is known for breathtaking natural splendor, rich cultural heritage, and profound spiritual mystique. The Balinese people are devoted to creating beautiful things, whether it is in their refined dance or in a small offering made from a palm frond. There are two thousand dance troops among a population of only three million people. Each temple has at least one celebration devoted to it every year, and there are an estimated twenty thousand temples on the island. We will penetrate beneath its beautiful surface, which conceals treasures and pleasures known only to the Balinese and a handful of international devotees. As an inspiring place for anyone interested in the visual arts, the images and memories you bring back home will be some of your best ever. For decades, Bali has startled the world with a fascinating and vibrant culture. To understand the character of the people, one must see the island in its true perspective, as an oasis of undying ceremony and beauty, yet as only one of over three thousand islands in Indonesia. To the people of Bali, death, not an event to be mourned, is seen as a passage of the soul to a better world, where it starts to prepare for re-incarnation and a newer life; hence, it is not a ceremony that has any sorrow or tears in it. In fact, the people make it a point to laugh, sing, dance, and celebrate the death of a loved one during the event. This trip offers an in-depth excursion into the culture of Bali through the eyes of the Balinese. We begin our visit in the cultural center of Ubud, with its terraced rice fields, nightly performances of music and dance, numerous ceremonies and exceptional handmade arts and crafts. As we travel further afield, we will be immersed in jungle scenery, and spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Traveling on to northern Bali, where you will enjoy a snorkel excursion to Menjangan Island. We invite you, the inquisitive traveler, to join photographer Joel Collins on this special tour of Bali. We will have a cordial welcome in this country with its brilliant colors, compelling architecture, irresistible allure, and warm hospitality.

What to Expect This tour is designed to be a photo tour, and, as such, we must be flexible in our scheduling. Much of what we do, and when we do it, will depend upon the weather and light. In the event that changes may occur, we will need to be flexible, which will also allow us to take advantage of new photographic opportunities. Bali has made great strides in tourist accommodations and services in recent years, but please remember, this is still a developing country, so we may experience occasional inconveniences. All our accommodations will be clean and comfortable, with private toilet and shower/bath. The hotels have been chosen for their proximity to prime photographic locations. A majority of accommodations do not have air conditioning or elevators, as we use eco-lodges built in traditional Indonesian style. Health and Fitness Tour participants should be in good health and good physical condition to get the most out of the trip. Although we will not be running marathons, we will be taking long walks in order to reach the prime photographic locations. You will need to expect to be hiking on very muddy trails and through rice fields. There will be a few long drives on very winding, narrow roads.

Bali has made great strides in tourist accommodations and services in recent years, but please remember, this is still a developing country, so we may experience occasional inconveniences. All our accommodations will be clean and comfortable, with private toilet and shower/bath. The hotels have been chosen for their proximity to prime photographic locations. A majority of accommodations do not have air conditioning or elevators, as we use eco-lodges built in traditional Indonesian style.