Itinerary 1

Thursday 27-Jun-05
Arrive Jogyakarta, the cultural capital of Java, and check in to your hotel, the friendly Yogya Village Inn. As well as being the royal city of the Jogyakarta Sultanate, ?Jogya? is also a city for the people, regarded with much affection by ordinary Indonesians as a famed centre of learning and trade. Later there is an excursion around Jogya?s bustling streets by becak (pedal taxi) or andong (horse cart). The becak is the most endearing form of transport in Indonesia. As you are pedalled through the chaotic traffic you may notice a strange buzzing-humming sound coming from below you. Many becak drivers stretch a length of rubber band under the passenger?s seat, so when forward motion causes it to vibrate, the becak sings a weird but soothing melody that rises and falls with your speed. Dinner in a comfortable recommended restaurant. Overnight Yogya Village Inn. (-/-/D)

Friday 28-Jun-05
After breakfast there will be a city tour of Jogyakarta visiting sites of interest such as the Sonobudoyo Museum, the quiet Royal Mosque, the Sultan's Palace, etc. After lunch you will join your first batik class, held on the veranda of a typical Javanese house in Tamansari - the traditional batik area of Jogyakarta within the kraton walls. The house is surrounded by a large yard sprouting ancient trees and sporting roosters in upturned baskets. Batik is the classic Indonesian textile patterning technique where the resist-dyeing method is dependent on beeswax being poured onto the woven cloth rather than to the yarn. It is associated especially with Java and Madura. Overnight Yogya Village Inn. (B/-/-)

Saturday 29-Jun-05
In the morning we take a scenic drive through a fertile hilly landscape, the route climbs up to the "Abode of the Gods" offering dramatic views of the volcanoes of Central Java. We stop in the hills and take a short hike, through an impressive steeply terraced landscape looking onto the Temple Of Borobodur, down to the architectural masterpiece itself. Borobodur is a majestic Buddhist monument built over the 8/9th centuries during the height of the military & artistic powers of the Sailendra Dynasty. You couldn?t fail to be impressed by the massive effort used to construct this man-made mountain. Building is said to have taken 75 yrs to complete and there are 5 kms worth of superb reliefs plus 500 statues of the Buddha. Your guide will recant the rich history and stories surrounding the monument. After lunch: Batik course. Overnight Yogya Village Inn. (B/-/-)

Sunday 30-Jun-05
Today can be free at your leisure, or else you can in the morning opt for either an additional batik course, or introductory tuition in Javanese dance and gamelan lessons. In the afternoon there is also the option to watch an authentic trance dance in a village. Overnight Yogya Village Inn. (B/-/-)

Monday 1-Jul-05
An early start, rising at 2 o'clock we drive to the slopes of the ?fire mountain? Gunung Merapi. As dawn breaks a simple trekking path will lead you to a point from where you can see the volcano?s menacing activity, red-glowing lava is clearly visible amongst the eternal smoke. Picnic breakfast at the edge of a gorge. Before driving back to Jogyakarta there will also be a visit to a small Batik museum. Afternoon free at leisure, then in the evening there will be a performance of the classic Hindu epic, the everlasting struggle between Good and Evil, the Ramayana Ballet. Overnight Yogya Village Inn. (B/-/-)

Tuesday 2-Jul-05
Early drive out to the Ratu Boko Palace, site of a 9th century fortified kraton. Situated on a little hill, the Palace offers beautiful views of the lush green landscape. A short walk will lead you to the Barong Temple and the monument of Prambanan, an exceptionally impressive Hindu temple complex that is just one of many architectural treasures around here. The complex?s courtyard contains a main temple dedicated to Shiva, and two flanking lesser temples dedicated to Brahma (south) and Vishnu (north). There are thought to have been a further 244 other minor temples arranged into four rows inside the courtyard. Our expert guide will tell you of the temple?s history and meaning. Afternoon: Batik course. Overnight Yogya Village Inn. (B/-/-)

Wednesday 3-Jul-05
Leave Jogyakarta and take a scenic drive down to the dramatic Southern coast of Java. There will be a stop at the little fishing village of Baron where the women will demonstrate their skill at preparing the day?s freshly caught fish. Continue on to the mystical beach of Parangtritis with its endless dark sands. Do not wade too deep into the surf here, there is a powerful undertow which will drag you into the ocean, legend being that the spirit of the Queen of the South Sea, who drowned herself after being denied her true love, is pulling you down to join her eternal misery. Overnight at The Queen Of The South, a beautiful hotel high above the cliffs. (B/-/-)

Thursday 4-Jul-05
A full day?s overland tour down to Bromo stopping at Solo, Tawangmanggu, Sarangan and finally Bromo-Semeru National Park. On the approach to the town of Ngadisari at the foot of Bromo, there is an idyllic rural scenery of small vegetable gardens growing on the steep slopes. Check into Yoschi's Guesthouse, a small hotel with comfortable individually designed rooms, famous for its potato dishes! After the confinement of the vehicle for most of the day you can stretch your legs by climbing the nearby mountain, the extra bonus is that there are some great views from the top. Overnight Yoschi's Guesthouse. (B/-/-)

Friday 5-Jul-05
03.00 hrs and a jeep takes us to the lookout point of Penanjakan. From this vantage point witness the awesome view across the sea of sand. Mount Bromo is an active volcano and in the dark of the early morning you will see Bromo?s cone immersed in glowing reddish light, irregularly expelling smoke. Walk to the edge of the crater. Return to the hotel and transfer to Surabaya Airport for a connecting flight to Bali. On arrival in Bali you will be met at the airport and transferred to the Hotel Kokokan in Ubud, cultural and artistic centre of this deeply aesthetically sensitive island. Your first experience of Balinese culture will be an evening performance of the exquisitely graceful Legong dance. The skill of the young performers will give you some idea of just how seriously the Balinese regard the study and practice of the arts. Overnight Hotel Kakokan. (B/-/-)

Saturday 6-Jul-05
Today there will be an all day lecture, workshop and walking tour with the celebrated Patron of Balinese painting, Agung Rai. There are numerous art galleries to visit, many of them reflecting the centuries old relationship that European artists, especially painters have had with the area. This long standing cross-culture of artistic styles has resulted in a number of artistic schools of thought, each with their own defining iconography and style, and each with their own practitioners and masters, many of whom you will meet whilst they are at work in their workshops. Overnight Hotel Kakokan. (B/-/-)

Sunday 7-Jul-05
For a contrast to the Javanese style of batik today there will be a course held in the art market town of Gianyar introducing traditional Balinese design. In the evening there will be a performance of the mesmerising Kecak And Fire dance. This dance is a fine example of the adaptability of Balinese culture, in essence the chorus of a more antique dance plus the leaders movements from another, the form of the dance you will see is as recent as 1960. Even so, the sight of the men sitting in tight concentric circles, shaking their arms above their heads, and chattering like monkeys is completely unforgettable. Overnight Kakokan Hotel. (B/-/-)

Monday 8-Jul-05
A day?s introductory tuition in the arts of Balinese orthodox dance, mask dancing and theatre held at the Agung Rai Museum. In Bali there is a fundamental integration of the performing arts with every day life. No celebration can be complete without both dance and music, intended for viewers and the Gods, as both entertainment plus worship. With every village having three temples, each with it?s own special occasions as well as those of the Balinese version of Hinduism in general, there is a plethora of occasions that must be catered for. As such there are in excess of 1500 music and dance troupes active on the island, each group practising and developing incessantly in order to achieve the high standards required by such services. In the evening, check out from the Hotel Kokokan and transfer to Kuta. Overnight Mastapa Hotel. (B/-/-)

Tuesday 9-Jul-05
The Art Centre in Denpasar is the location for our introduction to Balinese gamelan orchestra music. Gamelan music is rehearsed to absolute perfect synchronicity by village orchestras all over the island, and over the centuries Balinese musicians have developed a musical language in which layers of melody plus complex figurations are interwoven to produce a unique tapestry of sound. By the time you arrive for these lessons you will already have experienced the remarkable integration of the orchestra and the sensation of being over whelmed by the wall of sound, yet with each instrument completely distinct, at the various dance performances you have attended. Overnight Mastapa Hotel. (B/-/-)

Wednesday 10-Jul-05
Today?s classes will take place at the workshop of the master mask carver and dancer, Ida Bagus Anom, in his home village of Mas. Participants will be shown the process of making the masks, will participate in hands on activities and paint their choice of mask. There will also be a chance to view his masterpieces. Mask dancing, or Topeng is a tremendously popular form of expression on Bali, often employing comedy, along with wayang kulit (shadow plays) it is Bali?s primary medium of portraying historical tales, relating legends, reinforcing values and communicating current events. Later that evening enjoy optional magical evening of dining as guests at a Balinese royal palace (pax own expense, US$60 per head, needs minimum 10 pax). Overnight at the Mastapa Hotel. (B/-/-)

Thursday 11-Jul-05
Day free at leisure to enjoy the beach. Alternatively for the more active there is an optional day course in Balinese cooking or an art tour, concentrating on Kamasan style painting and stone carving. Overnight Mastapa Hotel. (B/-/-)

Friday 12-Jul-05
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home or onward journey (B/-/-)

Ends.

B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner

Notes