July 8 – 15, 2012

Rediscover Your Creativity   –   7 days – 6 nights  Kintamani, Bali.

Get back to the source of your creativity in the heart of Balinese culture and find out why Bali has been a mecca for creative artists, writers and thinkers for centuries. Based in Bali’s mountain village Kintamani, on the rim of a volcanic caldera, we will venture into the local landscape to immerse ourselves in the everyday creative and spiritual practice of the Balinese people. Following the map of Balinese cosmology we will travel clockwise around the points of the compass, linking the senses and elements with essential aspects of writing craft.

Working with the Senses and Elements

Travelling to the East we contemplate earth through the sense of sight, recognising the importance of descriptive detail in creating the world of our story. In the South we listen to the fire element to find the strength and power of our narrator voice. In the west the touch of wind and air helps us get under our characters’ skin. To the watery North we sniff out the structure of plot and action, and arriving in the spacious Centre of the caldera we learn to layer in emotional taste and subtext to ensure the impact of our work.

Gathering our Creative material

Visiting temples and villages from the Bali Aga era, taking part in local ceremonies, meeting local artisans and hearing their stories, we gather material for our creative work.  In daily workshops you can work on your current writing project as well as learn techniques of haibun and haiku, scrap booking, paper artistry and oriental stitching.  By the end of the week you will not only have made serious inroads into your writing but created a hand made book that illustrates its essence.

Your writing project

If you have been on one of my retreats and think you have covered this ground before don’t worry, the exercises always vary according to local stimuli. Attention is given to your individual process so you can progress whatever genre or stage your writing is at. On this course, depending on your focus you can spend more time writing or more time playing with paper, zines and artist books.

Weather

The weather in Bali in July is at its coolest (28C) and the temperature in Kintamani drops overnight as cloud cover moves in so bring warm clothes for te evenings. Morning meditation sessions greet the sun as it rises through the mountain mists and clear the mind for the day’s writing.

Guest writers and the Balinese landscape

Local writers and artists including Balinese poet Ketut Yuliarsa will also join us for some readings.The mandala of home and village as map of the human body and psyche will be expanded daily by our guide Kadek Kris as he explains how  the cosmology of direction rules everything in Balinese culture – from how to build your house to treating common illness. From this rich cultural  immersion we will create our own cosmic maps to guide us on our creative journey.

Accommodation

We will stay at the Lakeview Hotel in Kintamani village, on the edge of the caldera with views from all rooms to Mt Batur and its mystical volcanic lake. Readings and workshops will take place in the Danu Lounge and on the lake in floating pavilions with morning and evening meals served on the balcony or in the restaurant. Each day we skip the lunch crowds to head out on our excursions only 20 minutes drive away, returning each afternoon to sunset views from the hotel balcony.

Our Hosts

Recently refurbished, with a new exhibition space, new chefs, new menu, the Lakeview is fast becoming a hub for arts and literature.Our hosts Sarita Newson, a well known publisher of fine art books (Saritaksu Editions) and son Kadek Kris, curator, translator, writer, are just part of the family who will be looking after us. Many of the stories and places they share with us come from the unique knowledge handed down through the generations who have lived by the sacred mountain lake for hundreds of years. More info re Lakeview Hotel:  http://lakeviewhotel.info/

TRIP DETAILS

Price:$2100 (early bird special $1900 paid in full by Dec 1)

Includes: airport transfers to and from Denpasar Airport to Lakeview Hotel Kintamani, single room, excursions, all meals (except where indicated), tuition fees.

Excludes: airfare, extra meals & drinks,alcohol, optional extras,laundry, massage,private trips,comprehensive travel insurance.

If you are a national or expat living in SE Asia, contact Jan for local prices.

Payment: A non-refundable deposit of $500 will reserve your place. Payment in full is required by May 15 2012. Early Bird by Dec 1 2011. Cancellation conditions apply. Please read WJ terms and conditions at the bottom of this page.

Booking:Contact Jan for payment method and information sheet.

ITINERARY
Day 1 : Sunday 8 July
Pick up at Denpasar Airport  for direct transfer to Kintamani.
(If you prefer to arrive the day before you will be given a direct transfer to Kintamani and  can stay the extra night at your own expense. If you are already in Bali we will arrange pick up from your hotel on Sunday 8th July).

6-7pm Arrive Kintamani, check in, and gather in the DaNu Lounge for welcome dinner at 7.30 p.m.

Day 2: Monday
7.30am – morning meditation

8-9am – breakfast
9-11.30.00 am – morning workshop

11.45 – excursion East to Abang

A fifteen minute drive along the southern rim of the caldera, with magnificent views out over the lake and mountains, followed by a walk in the forest beside the path that leads to Mt. Abang. Commune with nature (Ibu Pertiwi) in a forest setting with a picnic lunch and outdoor writing sessions.
3 p.m. return to hotel, afternoon tea

6pm – readings and feedback sessions

7.30 – dinner

8.30 – evening activities
Day 3: Tuesday

7.30am – morning meditation

8-9am – breakfast
9-11.30 am – morning workshop

11.45 – excursion South to Penglipuran – village & rice fields.
Penglipuran, is a traditional village (the words Penglipuran are derived from Pengeling Pura – a holy place for remembering the ancestors, who came from Bayung Gede village. Here the buildings still retain their traditional Balinese architecture and orientation, stretching from the north to the south—the mountains to the sea. The village temple is located on the highest point at the top of the village. Nearly all the main houses still use the traditional roof of bamboo tiles with daubed earth walls painted in natural colors. And each compound consistently maintains the original design of the traditional bale (pavilions) and kitchen in the south-eastern corner, dwelling of Brahma, the god of fire. Writing sessions and a traditional Balinese banana-leaf wrapped lunch in the village.

3 p.m. return to hotel, afternoon tea

6pm – readings and feedback sessions

7.30 – dinner

8.30 – evening activities

Day 4 : Wednesday

7.30 am – morning meditation

8-9am – breakfast
9-11.30 am – morning workshop

11.45 – excursion West to Sebatu - holy springs. Sebatu Temple is one of the most important and beautiful Hindu water temples in Bali. Sebatu village is also known for the inspired creativity of the villagers, who create remarkable woodcarvings and original handicraft. Writing sessions and village lunch.

3 p.m. return to hotel, afternoon tea

6pm – readings and feedback sessions

7.30 – dinner

8.30 – evening activities

Day 5 : Thursday
7.30 am – morning meditation

8-9am – breakfast
9-11.30 am – morning workshop

11.45 – excursion North to Penulisan
Pura Penulisan is the highest temple on the island, and also the site of the first written ‘prasasti’ – words etched in stone recording history of the island. A twenty minute drive along the ridge through Kintamani and up to Pura Penulisan, which looks out over to the north coast. Climb up the steps to the temple, for the magnificent view, and then drive down to the village of Balingkang (site of the ancient kingdom of Balinese King Jayapangus & his chinese Bride putri Kang Cing Wei who are symbolized by the giant Barong Landung puppets).  Writing sessions and picnic lunch in a coffee plantation amidst the perfume of the coffee flowers and the aroma of ginger tea and coffee luwak.
3 p.m. return to hotel, afternoon tea

6pm – readings and feedback sessions

7.30 – dinner

8.30 – evening activities

 

 

Day 6 : Friday
7.30 am – morning meditation

8-9am – breakfast
9-11.30 am – morning workshop

11.45 – excursion Centre of the Caldera - volcano walk to the lakeside village of  Toya Bungkah The Volcano has influenced the lives of all who live in and around the caldera. We walk the treed foothills of the volcano and across parts of the lava rock. Walking back to the hot springs, we stop to plant a tree at the writer’s retreat in Toyoh Bungkah. Write, swim, soak with a picnic lunch at the Hot Springs. Massage and Spa treatments available (on own account)

3 p.m. return to hotel, afternoon tea

6pm – readings and feedback sessions

7.30 – dinner

8.30 – evening soiree

Day 7: Saturday

7.30 am – morning meditation

8-9am – breakfast
9-12.00 am – final writing workshop

12.30 – check out,lunch, drive to Ubud for shopping tour.

5pm – Transfer to airport for evening plane.

Note: The daily itinerary may change to accommodate local conditions, events and ceremonies.

What To Bring

Summer clothing

Warm clothes for evening inc. warm jacket

Walking shoes

Sarong, swimming costume

Hat

Sandals/ thongs

Mosquito repellent, block out

Notebooks (different sizes)

Pens, coloured pencils, glue stick, small scissors

Lap top if required

Writing you want feedback on

Synopsis, outlines, chaps of current writing project

 

 

For Writers Journey terms and conditions see below.