August 26, 2025
Our final night in Bali, we gathered for a performance of music and dance from the village of Munduk. Their gamelan orchestra is one of the best on the island. And it was wonderful to experience an intimate show in a small hall where the dancers and musicians were right in front of us. It was riveting and a wonderful last night’s celebration. I wanted to share just a bit of it with you.
Here are a couple of the dancers waiting in the wings before the performance.
This is the award-winning gamelan orchestra.
Turn up your sound and have a listen.
I especially loved watching this man play the flute. Make sure your sound is up.
And here are some moments from the dances we saw:
Turn up your sound:
The audience was deeply engaged.
The final performer was our multi-talented guide Surya. He played the character of the old man and delighted our group with his antics, his grace, and his playfulness.
It was a great last night celebration for our retreat.
Our final morning, we gathered one last time on the grass overlooking the rice fields and the Bali Sea. I read the group poem I had curated from their words. There were a lot of tears as people listened.
Then we went around our circle one last time, and each answered these questions:
- What’s one thing you’ve learned from the Balinese people and your time in their country?
- What’s one thing you learned about yourself?
- What’s one intention you want to carry away from the retreat?
Then we all stood in a circle and I had everyone really look in each other’s faces and to affirm their best wishes for each person going forward. Then we turned out and faced the land and thanked the land for providing such a beautiful container for our retreat. I dedicated the healing we’d all experienced during our two weeks in Bali to all who were suffering, to a world in need of healing, and rang the gong one final time.
After many final hugs and goodbyes, vans departed for the airport and those staying on or traveling further went their separate ways.
And now the long journey home begins: the planes, the jet lag, the re-entry into our lives and the realities we face at home. I am grateful I will carry with me the Balinese model of caring, connection, continuity, community, and daily dedication to beauty. I know I will need it, and will draw from it in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
For those of you who have followed this Virtual Vacation, thank you for reading along. Thank you for your comments and responses. I’m glad you got to savor the journey with me. It’s been my pleasure to share it.
In the spirit of healing, community, and adventure,
Laura
If you’d like to be part of my next Write, Travel, Transform journey, I’ll be taking a group to Cuba in April of 2026. I’d love you to join us. You can learn all about it here.
