Featuring Bali and other exotic Australasian destinations

Temples, Religions and Paradise – featuring Bali as a destination

As I write this, I am a week away from departing Toronto for Bangkok, Singapore, on Cruise Holidays of Clarkson’s “Orient Experience that travels by rail to Singapore, then on to Bali and Hong Kong. Two guests would have started their tour in Beijing two days earlier.

This voyage visits the teeming city of Bangkok with its famed temples Wat Arun and Wat Pho, travelers experience the Malaysian countryside as we travel to Singapore, and the “Island of the Gods” – Bali -- so named for its twenty thousand temples. We return home after three nights at the world’s shopping Mecca – Hong Kong.

Not having visited Bali before, I did a little research. I was preoccupied by the temples in Bangkok and astounded by the number of temples in Bali. I wondered about the culture and system of beliefs on this island of just under 4 million inhabitants. I learned the Balinese predominantly follow the Hindu religion; as compared to Buddhism in Singapore’s (5 million) and Bangkok’s (8 million). My research did not establish a clear predominance for Hong Kong (7 million) amongst Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and other religions practiced there.

Now for the jam on the bread – the word “Paradise” in the title; this is what Bali is also called!

Bali as a destination

Undoubtedly, Bali’s main source of income is tourism. Yet, Bali’s main port (Benoa) is new and was just opened to ocean-going cruise lines last year; I delved into the reason for this late entry, and discovered that Bali just recently, within the last fifty years, was able to establish the political wherewithal and stability to attract capital and to build its economy. A summary look at relatively recent events shows this: 

• 1949: Independence from Dutch rule.

• Mid 1960’s: General Suharto’s purge of rival Communist political parties / members. 500,000 Indonesians died, 80,000 of them Balinese.
• Post purge: creation of a democratic, western aligned, government. 
• “Paradise” reinstated; transition from an agriculturally-based economy to tourism.

The beauty of this island is nested in its people, its geography, and its culture. The society follows a caste structure, and is patriarchal. Family is big; generations occupy the same ancestral compound or village; women are typically the only members to move from one compound to another and that would be at her marriage -- to join her husband at his compound.

One of the fascinating features of Bali’s past is that of its complex irrigation system for rice paddy fields built circa 914. The island also treats tourists to rituals and culture with performances of the Barong dance (see mask) – a struggle between good and evil. Don’t be surprised to see monkeys as family pets.

A coral reef surrounds the island, bringing with it a wide variety of sea life --  952 documented species of fish. The island’s landscape is spectacular with high majestic volcanic peaks rising to 3,000 metres.

Bali Voyages to consider

For your consideration, we have identified four voyages involving three cruise lines that offer fulfilling itineraries and good value for money. Each has some variation of itinerary and we suggest you call us for details. We start below with the ship with least capacity and progress from there.

Voyages to Antiquity: “Bali to Bangkok and Beyond”

Voyages to Antiquity’s Aegean Odyssey has a capacity of 350 passengers. This 21-day voyage departs Bali January 21, 2013. It ends in Bangkok February 10^th and includes hotel nights in Bali, Siem Reap, Cambodia (the home of Angkor Wat) and Bangkok. To view details of this voyage CLICK HERE.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises “South Pacific Secrets”

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ all-suite Voyager has a capacity of 700-passengers. This 21-day voyage departs Bali December 19^th and ends in Auckland, NZ January 10^th. A most memorable way to celebrate both Christmas and New Year’s with your loved ones and family!
We invite you to call us for details, or visit www.clarksonregent.ca and select the December 19^th departure date for Voyager.

All-inclusiveness is just a part of the reason to travel with Regent. This voyage carries a generous shipboard credit of $700 per suite and significant savings if booked before November 1^st.

Crystal Cruises “Reefs and Rain Forests” and “Spice Islands and Beyond”

Crystal Cruises’ Symphony has a capacity of 940-passengers. We recommend two voyages, both with a duration of 12 days.

        “Reefs and Rain Forests” departs Sydney Australia February 11^th and arrives in Bali February 23^rd. Crystal Cruises has reduced the fare by $700 PP on this voyage if booked before October 31^st; call us to check whether this offer has been extended. We add to the attractiveness of this offer by including a $250 shipboard credit PP.“Spice Islands andBeyond” boards in Bali February 23^rd and sails February 24^th. This voyage ends in Singapore March 7^th. Crystal Cruises has reduced the fare by $1,200 PP on this voyage if booked before October 31^st; call us to check whether this offer has been extended. We add to the attractiveness of this offer by including a $250 shipboard credit PP.

 

Both these voyages provide the opportunity to extend one’s stay in Bali either pre or post cruise. Call us for details or visit www.clarksoncrystal.ca and select the above 2013 departure dates for Symphony.

Crystal Cruises has been voted #1 by Conde Nast Traveler for an unprecedented 18 years running. No hotel, resort, or other cruise line has such a record.

You may have heard Alexa Petrenko’s on-air invitation to join her on Crystal Cruises’ “Canary Islands Classical” that sails from Lisbon to Barcelona. You may view details at www.clarksoncruises.ca.

Group Tours at Clarkson

Group tours at Clarkson offer a promise of travel with like-minded travelers, the start of new friendships, learning from guides, and continuing enjoyment that lingers in one’s mind. Each year we select groups to escort and our 2013 selection is as follows:
April 7^th: Zaneta and Joe will escort “Canary Islands Classical” cruise tour from Lisbon to Barcelona
June 11^th: Tal McKelvey will escort the “Russian Waterways” cruise tour from St. Petersburg to Moscow
September 15^th: Victoria De Wildt will escort the “Magnificent Europe” cruise tour from Amsterdam to Budapest.

About our “Refer a friend” program

We invite you to take advantage of our referral offer. Refer a friend, have your friend book and earn CAD 150 bonus on your booking.

Why Cruise Holidays of Clarkson

Cruise Holidays of Clarkson is an independently owned travel agency specializing in group and individual leisure travel services. Our business relies heavily on word of mouth and the promise of a lifetime travel experience.

We consider it important to understand our clients’ travel dreams, preferences, and needs, to keep abreast of travel trends, opportunities, and geopolitics, and to deliver travel services aligned with expectations.

We are part of Travel Leaders Group and benefit from the scale of that operation when dealing with suppliers. This positions us to provide significant value to our clients.

Cruise Holidays of Clarkson is a member of Cruise Holidays’ President’s Circle, i.e. amongst the top 20 stores in North America, for the years 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 and is a two-time recipient of Royal Bank Insurance’s award for quality business.

For more information on group travel, see www.clarksontours,ca; for individual travel see www.clarksontravel.ca ; or call 905 855 1700 or email info@clarksontravel.ca . Or better yet, drop in at our store located at 1739 Lakeshore Road West, Mississauga ON L5J 1J4; we have ample parking at back.