BALI NOVEMBER 2012

BABES IN BALI UPDATE

If you are an adventurer at heart, love to discover new things and explore exotic destinations, the lush tropical island of Bali is calling your name. ‘Babes in Bali’ tours are designed specifically for women of all ages. I have added all the perfect touches for a carefree and memorable journey. This program is perfect for the Young and Adventurous, Busy Moms in need of a break, Active Retirees pursuing their bucket-list or Senior Executives looking for a “de-stressing” getaway. The only prerequisite is a love of travel.

I am seeking fifteen fun and active women to join me on the gorgeous island of Bali this November. A common theme reflected by many of my “alumni” is their memories
of the hospitality and kindness that was showered upon them by the Balinese people – you can’t forget their beautiful smiles! You will thoroughly immerse yourself in the culture and spirituality that is Bali, while enjoying to-die-for shopping, delicious, healthy food, tranquil beaches, gorgeous spas and breath-taking landscapes.

After 22 trips to this unbelievable island, I know you will feel the same way. It is the perfect island to experience with a group of like-minded women. Come on your own or bring your best friend/sister/cousin/co-worker/mother or daughter for an experience of a lifetime!

In commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of my first ‘Babes in Bali’ excursion, Erawan Travel will be making a donation to the Widya Guna Orphanage while we are in Bali, on behalf of our
group. You won’t want to miss visiting these adorable children as we give back to this beautiful island.

November 4 – 18, 2012 (14 nights in Bali)
7 nights in Ubud at the Kumara Sakti Retreat Hotel
7 nights on Legian Beach at the Bali Padma Hotel – Garden Club Chalet Room
(plus special privileges at the ‘Club’)

$3499
Land cost (based on twin sharing)
- includes 14 nights’ accommodation including tax/service charges,

14 breakfasts,
3 lunches,
3 dinners, private transfers, unique sightseeing
tours, 1 hour Balinese massage, market tour and cooking class, offering class,
rice paddy walk, purification ceremony, Balinese dance performance, visit to an orphanage
plus shopping excursions to markets, jewellery shops and more.

Single supplement - $1415
(I have 5 single rooms available for this group).

AIRFARE: If you would like me to assist you with booking your flights, I am happy to do so. There are a few options for flights with the prices starting at $1400
plus tax. You can also use your points if you’d prefer.

Check out my website as well for more info and photos of previous groups.

http://www.babesinbali.com/

I’m hoping that you can join me on my 23rd trip to the magical island of Bali. After hosting and escorting 12 ‘Babes in Bali’ groups, I would love to share all my favourite hidden gems with you.

Please note that when this group is full, I will be adding a second departure, October 20 – November 3. If these dates work better with your schedule, please let me know.
Book NOW – make your dream of travelling to Bali a reality! 403 278 4084

cathy@erawantravel.ca or cathy@babesinbali.com

Babes in Bali Adventures - Fall, 2011

BABES IN BALI UPDATE

94 sleeps till I'm off to Bali for my 22nd trip. The good news is that I still have 2 spots left on the October 22nd departure. The November departure is completely sold out but you could always put your name on the waiting list.

OCTOBER 22 - NOVEMBER 5, 2011

We'll be spending the first 7 nights in UBUD at a fabulous new property called the Rasa Sayang Hotel. It's right on Monkey Forest Road, famous for many lovely shops and restaurants. I discovered this little gem of a hotel while in Bali in March and immediately booked it for the October group.

While in Ubud, our days will be busy, busy, busy. You can learn to cook Balinese food, ride an elephant, attend a purification ceremony, walk in the beautiful rice fields, spend the day at the spa, wander through colorful markets, watch a graceful Balinese dance performance at the beautiful Ubud Palace and of course get to know the other 14 amazing women that you'll be exploring Bali with.

Then we're off to the beach and I promise you, you'll have lots of free time here. A fun-filled day will be spent snorkelling at Nusa Lembongan Island and we'll also visit 2 beautiful temples, Tanah Lot and Uluwatu, both perched on the ocean. You'll love the Padma Hotel - our home for 7 blissful days. Situated on Legian Beach, we'll be in the heart of more shopping and restaurants or if you just want to relax, you can go for long walks on the beach or pamper yourself in their lovely spa.

The land cost is $3388 per person based on twin sharing. Incredible value when you see what's included. Plus I'll be with you the entire time and would love to share my love for Bali with you.

Call Cathy today at 403 278 4084 or email erawantravel@telus.net.

Grab your best friend or come on your own...either way you'll be glad you decided to make 2011 the year to treat yourself with an amazing travel experience to Bali.

GIRLFRIEND GETAWAY TO BALI

BABES IN BALI

October 22 - November 5, 2011 (13 spots left)

$3388 - land only based on twin sharing

November 6 - 20, 2011 (3 spots left)

$3199 - based on twin sharing

7 nights at the designer boutique Waka di Ume Hotel in Ubud

7 nights at the 5 star Padma Hotel on Legian Beach

Includes:

14 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches and 2 Dinners

Private transfers and sightseeing

Offering class

Rice paddy walk

1 hour Balinese massage

Cooking class and Market Tour

Purification ceremony and blessing by a Hindu priest

Orphanage visit

Balinese dance performance

Visit beautiful rice terraces, markets, temples

Shopping excursions to markets, jewellery stores and more

Tips for tour guides and drivers

Call Cathy today at 403 278 4084 or email erawantravel@telus.net

Travel with 'Bali Expert' Cathy Gotfried - after 20 trips to Bali, I've picked out the 'Best of the Best'.

Group size - min.10 - max.15.

There are some optional activities as well: elephant ride, snorkelling, day at the spa and group dinners to some fabulous restaurants that won't break the bank.

Comments from the Babes in Bali Alumni:

“Well what can I say - I keep coming back for more! This was my third trip with you and you are truly one of a kind! Your knowledge of the country and its people allowed us to experience things and events that just would not otherwise be possible. Your trip has a nice balance of culture, shopping,relaxing, touring and having fun. This last trip added the orphanage and blessing at both Tanah Lot and the holy spring which were all very special and not to be found in a regular trip. The group was great and there was something and someone for everyone. Maybe a 4th? Who knows perhaps a couples one.” Holly-Calgary (Nov '03, Nov '05, Nov '10)

“Amazing journey thanks to you Cathy. It was your knowledge, connections, patience, kindness and ‘always eager to assist’ attitude that made this holiday one that will live in my memory and heart forever. I have told many people that this was not just a holiday but an incredible journey into a beautiful culture. You knew where to take us, what restaurants we should eat at, what places to sleep at and of course where to shop! Because of your experience and knowledge we were allowed into the hearts of the Balinese people...and that is where the journey began! Thank you Cathy for giving me an experience not just a holiday!!” Diane - Calgary (Nov ‘10)

COUPLES TRIP TO BALI

BALI ‘COUPLES GROUP’

FEBRUARY 25 – MARCH 12, 2011
5 nights at the Komaneka Bisma Resort, Ubud – Suite Room
3 nights at the Pan Pacific Nirwana Resort, Tanah Lot – Sunset Ocean View Room
5 nights at the Bali Padma Hotel, Legian Beach – Garden Club Chalet Room
13 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 1 dinner
Rice paddy walk
Full day sightseeing to Northern Bali
Balinese cooking class
Bike tour
Balinese couples massage in Ubud
18 holes of golf (with caddy) Or Spa credit at Pan Pacific
Private transfers and sightseeing in Bali
Tips for Tour Guides and Drivers
$3199 per person - only room for 1 more couple

Call me at 403 278 4084 or email erawantravel@telus.net

The BABES go to the movies!

Sunday, August 22nd will always be a special memory for me. I gathered 26 Babes and off we went to see the move eat pray love. It was very special to have that many ladies that have travelled to Bali with me (or are booked for this November) all together. Afterwards, everyone came back to my house and we shared our favorite memories of Bali. Below is a copy from Marjorie H. (trip #7) of her favorite memories. We dined on Richard's famous Zambucca Prawns as well as Nasi Goreng, Chicken and Pork Satays with peanut sauce and a lovely Mango Salad with abit of cilantro and sambal. We washed all of this down with some fantastic wine...because the Babes do like to have the odd beverage!

Favourite Memory One: This was the walk through the rice fields, which according to my journal, actually started with a walk from Kumara Sakti in Ubud to a nearby family compound, then to a local temple where there were woodcarvers making new panels for a building. From there, we wandered towards those beautiful rice fields where we saw everyday life and homes in Bali, most delightful of which were the duck herders with their quacking charges grabbing for the eels and insects among the rice reeds. This narrow, winding path led us past small artists' and jewellers' studios, charming bed-and-breakfast inns and beautiful traditional buildings overlooking lush green valleys. Amongst all this treasure is the Organik Restaurant, a lovely oasis where we stopped for an ambrosial meal. We passed women gathering the rice harvest, an occasional person on a bicycle or even a motorcycle on this narrow walkway, and the small shrines to Dewi, the goddess of the ricefields. It was totally worth the sweat!

Favourite Memory Two: This was the day we had free for shopping in Ubud, which my roomie and I did with complete abandon, finishing up for me with the purchase of a genuine priest's bell with a pure and lovely sound. Our exhausted selves sorely required refreshment after this satisfying exertion, and we stopped in at the Cafe Lotus, which looks from the street like many other restaurants. Once inside, however, you are sat by the edge of a large lotus pond, with lotuses in all stages of bloom, and there across the far end of the water sits a temple which cannot help but put anyone looking at it into a calm and peaceful state of mind. It was a complete bonus for us on a hot day!

BABES IN BALI - November 5 - 21 (2 spots left)

November 19 - December 4 (sold out)

LAND ONLY COST: $2850 (based on shared accommodation)
Single supplement $1120

INCLUDES:
7 Nights at a funky, boutique hotel in Ubud
7 Nights at a 5* beach front hotel in Legian
Upgraded rooms at our beach hotel plus nightly happy hour drinks
Private transfers (if booking the group air)
Balinese offering class, rice paddy walk, market tour and cooking class,
Balinese massage, 3 sightseeing tours, Balinese dance performance,
Purification ceremony, tour of the John Hardy jewellery factory and showroom
Daily breakfast, 3 lunches and 3 dinners
Tips for tour guides and drivers
Shopping consultations, and excursions to markets, jewellery shops and more
Travel with “Bali Expert” Cathy Gotfried – 19 times to Bali
Group size: Min.10 and max. 15

There are some optional activities as well: Elephant ride, bike ride, day at the spa, yoga, full day snorkelling and group dinners to some fabulous local restaurants that won’t break the bank.

*** I can offer a very competitive airfare from Calgary-Bali return for a cost of $1400 plus $325 tax. Pricing from other cities available and is subject to change depending on availability. If you are on these flights, I am including the transfer to and from the airport. If you arrange other flights, your transfer will be extra. I’d be happy to provide you with my flight details if you want to use your points or I can also suggest other airline options.

Bali is my favourite place in the world and I’d love to explore it with you this November. This will be my 9th ‘Babes in Bali group and they just keep getting better. Here’s some comments that came from previous “Babes”.

Just wanted to thank you again for The Perfect Trip to Bali. Aside from the security and comfort of travelling with such an experienced leader, I enjoyed the perfect mix of culture, physical activity, spa and shopping. It was such a perfect blend of fun and leisure! My journey was filled with highlights and it was so good to enjoy all these goodies with a particularly compatible group of ‘babes’. I can see that you really love Bali and its beautiful people. Thank you, thank you for showing it to me in the best possible way. Marjorie – Calgary (Nov.09)

This trip was much more than what I expected. Bali was beautiful. I can’t say enough about how gracious Cathy was and how she made this trip so pleasant for everyone. Thank you soooooooooo much!!!!!!! Robin – Phoenix (Nov.08)

You did a fantastic job of keeping us happy Cathy. You truly are wonderful at what you do – in a group there are always different interests, and you seemed to accommodate everyone as best you could. I always felt I could ask you for help or directions for anything (and you know where to shop!). You’re a fountain of knowledge about Bali, and I have recommended your tour to others, and will continue to do so. When you decide you are ready to guide a tour to another destination please put my name on your mail-out list! Dallas – Medicine Hat (Nov.08)

If you want to meet like minded women and need a break from your day to day life, come and experience beautiful, mystical Bali with me. You’ll be inspired by the culture and spirituality that will surround you every step of the way. Plus you’ll get to shop, eat, relax, swim, read, explore or just do nothing. You will come back home with a renewed sense of who you are and probably have most of your Christmas shopping done!

I look forward to hearing from you and hope you can join me this year! Please call me at 403 278 4084 (or email - erawantravel@telus.net) for more information. A deposit of $600 (cheque only) will hold your space and the final payment is due on September 6th. If you’d like to pass this information along to friends or colleagues, please feel free. I am able to keep the cost of my groups down because I don’t advertise so I really appreciate it if you share this information with others.

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES

After an exciting week in Ubud, we make our way through the lushness of Bali to our next destination, Legian Beach. Along the way we experience the splendours of Tanah Lot, one of the most famous and beautiful temples in Bali. Tanah Lot is actually on an island that is connected by a land bridge at low tide! If the timing and tides are in our favour, we may be lucky enough to be able to walk out to the temple to be blessed by the resident Hindu priests.

On a clear evening the sunsets over Tanah Lot are amazing, while nearby cliffs create an opportunity for a stunning and memorable group photo. Sunset cocktails prepared in rather large coconuts have been known to be served!

The shopping is also renowned at Tanah Lot, inspiring one of the past "Babes" to rename it "Shop A Lot" in recognition of the many bargains to be had at this perennial stop.

Our ocean-front days at Legian Beach include more free time to allow everyone to set their own pace and priorities, while truly enjoying this island paradise!

Our days are spent swimming, taking long walks on the beach, enjoying world class spa treatments, reading and of course, the favourite past-time of all...shopping. There really is nothing in Bali that you cannot buy. The whole island is like one big craft, furnishing and accessory market while they are constantly re-inventing themselves to match or lead global trends or to tantalize your imagination! Shopping in Bali deserves it's own separate blog, so stay tuned for more tales of shopping treasures, adventures and highlights!

One of the highlights of our second week in Bali is the trip to Uluwatu to see the Kecak Dance. Uluwatu is another beautiful temple perched high above the ocean on the southern-most tip of Bali. After touring the temple grounds we are treated to an amazing and much heralded dance performance.

The Kecak Dance is performed primarily by men, who sway and chant while sitting on the ground as a few colourfully outfitted dancers enact the story. This sunset performance unfolds in a natural amphitheatre high above the ocean, as the sky delights us with its palate of hues beyond. The setting and view are breathtaking while the photo opportunities would delight even the most jaded traveller.

Speaking of sunsets, some of my most wonderful memories of Bali are of sitting on the beach enjoying a glass of wine or a cold Bintang, and watching Balinese life as the sun sets. At twilight, the beach is usually bustling with locals and children who have come out to play soccer as surfers from around the world take in their last wave before darkness sets in.

As Bali is close to the equator, the sun rises and sets at almost the same time year-round.

The sun typically rises at 600AM and sets by 615PM. Sunset is a very peaceful time at the beach with everyone patiently waiting to see if it is going to be better than the night before, while opportunities abound to engage local beach hawkers for some "sunset" pricing!

Our group dinners while in Legian allow me to share my many years of grueling research and experimentation in identifying the 'best of the best' for dining out in Bali. It has been a tough job, but it was a challenge that I was prepared to take on for the benefit of "the Babes". The result of my years of dedicated culinary adventures is that the biggest challenge remains narrowing down the choices, as the vast selection of delectable food from around the world is definitely one of the highlights of Bali. "All-Inclusive" remains off-side in Bali, as all it would do would be to limit your choice and the opportunity to dine exquisitely and inexpensively around the island.

There is a limitless selection of wonderful restaurants to choose from in and around Legian. Whatever your fancy...Thai, Italian, Indonesian, Indian, vegetarian, Swiss, Australian, fusion, Chinese or even steak...I will be able to recommend the best choice for your dining pleasure .

Of course, as is the case throughout Bali, the prices in the restaurants are so low as to be almost embarassing, as the prices for a great meal are often smaller than the tip you would leave at home! You will of course be pleasantly surprised...more money for the spa and shopping!

All too soon, our stay in Bali winds to an end, with great memories, experiences, new friendships and a deeper understanding of the people and culture of this fabled island. I am always honoured to be able to share this time, and my favourite place in the world, with a diverse collection of amazing women. We share lots of laughs and many special moments and "once-in-a-lifetime" experiences as we explore (and shop!) together. I know that all of the "Babes" come away with a better understanding of the uniqueness of the people, culture and spirituality of Bali, while also creating bonds and friendships to last a lifetime.

As we prepare to move to our next destination, there is the inevitable challenge of compiling the shopping list, creating the "goods to follow" declaration, and then trying to squeeze the past 12 days of supporting the local economy into our suitcases! Can you say "excess luggage"????

Our last emotional duty is saying goodbye to the man in the centre of this photo, "Nick" (Anak Agung Gede Oka), who is my tour guide (and an honourary member of my family) in Bali. I have personally known Nick for 17 years and couldn't imagine doing these groups without his friendship, knowledge, good humour and guidance. You will know why he is such an important part of "Babes in Bali" as we bid him a heartfelt farewell.


For more information on the 'Babes in Bali' tours, please contact Cathy Gotfried (Head Babe) at 403 278 4084 or erawantravel@telus.net. My next departure is March 26, 2009 and there are still a couple of opportunities to join me on this adventure.