Peace and quiet are precious commodities in this modern age. Seems like no matter how busy our lives are, we just keep on stuffing in extra distractions, whether it be iPods, Playstation, email, weblogs or cell phones. Gunung Batukaru is a place where you can leave all that behind.
The Batukaru Mountain Retreat is owned by Richard & Rebecca Kaal from Australia. They have done amazing things with this place, which is located at the top of a peaceful valley with views all the way to the coast. When I visited a year ago all they had was a 2-storey house and the beginnings of a recording studio. Now there are a selection of living quarters and ’spaces’ (bales, grass areas, pondoks and a bar area) where musicians and visitors can relax and enjoy their time. This last visit I snapped plenty of photos, but while editing them on my camra managed to erase the lot. Take my word for it, this place is coming along really well, great to see people living their dream. Richard and Rebecca started the place in the last 2 years, having carved out friendships with locals and have their 2 teenage daughters living there.
Organized music retreats will start in September 2007, with a second in December 2007.
Retreats include:
• Transportation - Airport pick-up and escort up Batukaru Mountain to accommodation (about 1 ½ hours from the airport/touristy areas). Awe-inspiring, breath-taking drive!
• Idyllic Setting and Climate – Gunung Batukaru is lush and beautiful and tranquil, with views reaching all the way to the coast on clear days. You will leave behind the often intense heat of the lowlands, as the weather on the mountain is very comfortable all year round due to the altitude.
• Great Food - The food alone would be a good enough reason to join the tour, with trained chef, Rebecca Kaal, guiding local villagers in preparing exquisite meals to delight your palette. In addition to the fine and diverse meals, experience the taste of manggis, salak, palm sugar and a range of fresh fruits of the island.
• Traditional Music Performances by locals: Joged, Legong, or Topeng Dance Performance; Jegog (with large bamboo pipes), the Rindik, Salonding, and even the very rare Saron Luang from Celuk.
• Ceremony - Depending on the time of year, we will join a local Hindu ceremony and visit the village afterwards for food and socializing.
• Evening performance parties at the Batukaru Retreat, featuring anyone in our group keen to participate. We may be joined by some locals, culminating in a ‘jam session’, featuring Western music, Balinese music, and whatever else comes up! All styles welcome! A recording studio will be available to capture ideas and/or inspiring spontaneous sessions, if required.
• Workshops with local Balinese Musicians – we learn about the Balinese approach to music in a hands-on way. We encourage musical collaboration with locals to find exciting new experiences for all. Music Lover’s Retreats often feature professional western musicians, who also offer workshops in western music.
• Venue Performance – As a celebration of our group’s creativity, we will have the opportunity to perform a gig in a public venue — a great opportunity to take our fresh inspiration to the stage, for those inclined. All styles will be welcomed, and there will be No pressure for the shy amongst us to perform.
• Day trips – We will take at least two day trips: one to Ubud, and one to Lovina Beach (North Bali).
• Experience the mountain! Day hikes and overnight camping trips up Gunung Batukaru (Mt. Batukaru) will be available for the energetic amongst us. Batukaru features the last preserved forest of Bali: its gorgeous!
• Balinese Massage – you won’t miss out on the mountain! Expert masseurs available at low prices compared to the expensive tourist scene.
• Time, Space, and the ideal Natural Setting… to relax, unwind, play music, write, create, interact, commune with the mountain spirits….Its your holiday.
• At the culmination of the retreat, two nights at Kumala Hotel in Seminyak is included, providing the perfect contrast to our mountain paradise.
Batukaru Mountain Retreat is such a kick back place, situated amongst high jungle, that one just feels more relaxed being there, the cool evenings necessitating a light sweater. Hiking up to the summit of Gunung Batukatu can be done and the tree lined route is a great opportunity for camping, something that is not easy to do in Bali. A recent gathering of expats and local Balinese saw about 40 people come together and enjoy food, drinks and some live music.
Batukaru Mountain Retreat
Mount Batukaru
Tabanan, Bali
musikaal@hotmail.com
Bali
(+62 361) 789 7553
+62 81805 611840
Australia
Contact Bridget
bridgetb_1@hotmail.com
+61 428 304 698
{ 10 comments }
None of those things are a distraction to me. They enhance my life.
Hey Nick how come my comments dont appear?? If Toney can get on, so can Hitler, right??
When I am back home –to Bali that is— I cant waite to spend at least 4 days there. It sounds beautiful, relaxing, and a unique experience. You are so right about the distractions to mankind with all the modern gadgets to engulf our every moment. The ole saying, “stop and smell the roses” truly is practically nonexistant now adays with ipods, computers, blackberries, blogs, cell phones, play station, the list is endless. I totally agree with you Nick; however, Tony Soprano, stating they only enhance his life. hmmmm To truly enhance ones life it is necessary to ponder, contemplate, relax, embrace the moment with nature and ones surroundings periodically. Of course, that requires ones mind to slip back in time to a more layed back approach to life minus the cell phone, oh i’m taking a walk and no one can call me. great! No blackberries to distract my day experiencing the chirp of a bird, the wind russeling in the trees, the crashing of the waves on the shore. Get the picture Tony. By the way, Ahhhhhhhhh don’t think your name is Tony; more like Edie.
I do all those things. I have 24 hours a day to contemplate, meditate, relax, ponder, check my messages, listen to music, take a phone call.
Hi Nick
My partner Charmaine and I are riding push-bikes from Tabanan to Wongayagede (late in June) then down to Antosari then up to Sanda. Are the hills involved very steep? Are we optimistic in thinking this will be manageable as long as we are not in a hurry?
to David
There is a great crosscountry trek, possible on bike from Wongayagede to Sanda that doesn\’t involve going back to the highway. These hills are a challenge no matter which way you go,however, definately worth it.
The route involves going back down past the Yeh Panas hot springs up to Benkelanyar across the coffee/chocolate plantations to Sarinbuana ( quite difficult, however you can walk the steep bits- not far) drop in and say hello,Then downhill to Wanagiri across the amazing rice fields past the monkey temple to Bling Bing then up the main rd to Sanda. I think I\’ll do it myself one day!!
Richard - Sarinbuana
Thanks Richard–we are going to give it a go, even though it’s hard to find detailed maps of the area. If we are successful we will emerge from the countryside to say hello on or about June 26th
David and Charmaine:
I like adventurous people,the best way to see the real Bali. If you need me to make a map,no worries.
Don’t forget Pura Batukaru near Wongayagede, my favourite temple in Bali.
Happy biking!! Richard
Thanks Richard–if you could do a simple map that would be great–not sure how you’d send it? Anyway, the area sounds lovely, and we will check out Pura Batukaru.
Mungkin bukit-bukit di daerah itu sukar naik sepeda? (just practising–I need to get my Bahasa Indonesia working again)
Hello - I’m planning a trip to Bali in late March to early April. While I’m there, I’d love to participate in a meditation retreat (Buddhist, Hindu or Taoist)…but I don’t really want to do a high priced, luxurious tourist trip. I’d rather do an intensive experience at an actual monastery, if possible. Any suggestions?
thanks,
Ana
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