PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM
Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!
Here are a few things to know and expect:
- Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
- We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
- Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
- Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
- Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.
For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.
-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team
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BLOG POST FOR JUNE 25
Hello family and friends & happy arrival day!
Today the Bali Education and Marine Adventure students made it to their first homebase near Ubud. They have been settling into their rooms and getting to know one another after some very long travel days.
Students arrived in high spirits excited about the next two weeks of adventure. Many expressed excitement about scuba diving, surfing, teaching, trying local foods, etc!
Everyone is settling in to get a good night of rest as we anticipate an orientation day full of learning, games, and bonding as well as the arrival of our final few students!
We are all so excited to spend the next few weeks together getting to know Balinese culture, adventuring, and learning from one another.
Talk soon!
-The Bali Team-
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 27
Today we started off with an early morning bus ride to the rice paddies! We met a tour guide named Weastie who was very caring. The rice paddies were stunning, and we learned a lot about local herbs.
After the visit of the paddies, we got the chance to wear our sarongs at the temple. Shortly after our arrival we were greeted with beautiful architecture and colorful flora. We went through the process of a purification prayer. It was a once in a lifetime experience!
Afterwards we got a chance to try a buffet with the view of a grand volcano, followed by sampling local coffee at a coffee plantation.
Our last destination was the Royal Palace where we had the privilege to watch traditional Balinese dancing and meet the Princess. She was sweet, genuine, and very open to questions! We finished the day with the shoutout circle and chose new leaders of the day.
Super excited for tomorrow’s adventures with shopping!
From Elise, Tamara, and Owen
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 28
Hello Everyone!
Today on the GLA Bali Marine and Education Adventure, we explored temples and the native dances of Indonesia. We learned how to play traditional instruments as well as learning how to make offerings, lead by local woman in their Banjar (community center).
This afternoon we returned to the homestay to hand craft our own noodle bowls, crafted with various veggies, meats, and snacks.
After a hefty bus ride to the PKP Community Center we met with a local yogi where we tested our flexibility and endurance. We heard the amazing story of the founder of the PKP and were then invited to a handmade dinner crafted by the women of the PKP. To wrap up the night the children of the PKP harmonized a beautiful mealody for us to enjoy.
Good night chat.
Lots of Love,
Duncan, Sam, Kaya
BLOG POST FOR JUNE 29
Hello Parents and Loved Ones,
Today our students split up in two groups. The fist group made it’s way to the beach to clean the mangrove on paddle boards. They then sorted out the trash and had free time and lunch.
The second group went to the maggi farm and learned about the impact of food waste in communities and the importance of composting. They got to touch and eat maggots and then cook meals for the communities around a nearby landfill, which they later distributed.
In the afternoon both groups met up for gelato and went back to homebase and after dinner played friendly games of soccer with each other.
Overall they had a great day participating in different activities and services the communities, and tomorrow both groups will switch.
-Lucia Mendez Corrales, Marta Rosal, Charlotte Salman
BLOG POST FOR JULY 1
Hi Families and Friends!
On July 1, we made our way to the other side of Bali and at around 9 o’clock we hopped on the bus and took a ride to a temple floating on a lake. At the temple we got to see more of the Balinees culture while going shopping for souvenirs and sitting near the lake.
After, we made our way to a restaurant nearby the temple. There, we ate ice cream and indulged in some food. Once we made it to homebase we went down to the black sand beach and swam with our friends!
Soon after that we hopped on a water boat and cruised to the middle of the ocean to watch a stunning sunset and then we swam and came back to our new homebase for dinner!
We’re getting ready for a long day of exciting service tomorrow!
Goodnight!
-Brooke & Tessa
BLOG POST FOR JULY 2
Today was another amazing day. Can’t believe we’ve already been here for 10 days already. We started the day off up early again and headed back to Biosphere where we had breakfast. Then, we went to a good spot for collecting trash.
In the afternoon, we had a delicious lunch and then got some rest time. After, we were off again to go snorkeling at Biorock before we entered the water, we learned how they revitalized the coral reefs in the area using a technology that facilitated coral growth. They began their journey in 2000. At Biorock they make sculptures out of metal and place them on the ocean floor to act as a metal skeleton for the coral to use as a crutch to start rebuilding after being destroyed from many things such as ocean acidification, tourism which causes the corals to get stressed, pollution of course and many other factors that take part into the corals being damaged.
We went out in groups and got to see the amazing sculptures. Afterwards we got some free time at the beach before we headed over to the turtle hatchery where we got to see baby turtles. We went to the market for snacks afterwards and then had dinner before splitting into our groups for our preparations for our teaching service tomorrow.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 4
Hi Everyone!
This morning we slept in and had breakfast at 8:15 before walking over to the dive center to get fitted in goggles, flippers and wetsuits for scuba diving tomorrow.
After we got fitted, we went to a cafe and got smoothies and other drinks. Next, we had an hour of free time then lunch, followed by our final teaching prep.
At 1:15 we walked to the school. We had 4 teaching groups including two art classes, an English class and a games class. There were four groups of students that rotated between our groups in 30 minute blocks, so every class got to be in each group. To finish out our teaching day, we did the cha cha slide in the courtyard then said goodbye to the students.
We had some free time at the home base, then we had dinner at 6. During our chow circle the GLA staff brought out 3 cakes for Alex’s birthday celebration! After we enjoyed the cake, we had a debate about ethical tourism in Bali, which was very interesting and informative.
See you tomorrow!
-Ava, Ellie, and Alex
BLOG POST FOR JULY 5
Hello Friends and Family,
Today we started our day off bright and early with a delicious traditional Balinese pancake breakfast and then we walked to Bio Rock Scuba and got a scuba diving briefing! We then headed to a local Balinese water park where we practiced our scuba skills and techniques. We then headed to the big beautiful beach to prepare for our hour long scuba sessions. Groups were split into two while one group scubaed the other group tanned and enjoyed a decadent sandwich. Groups in the water saw many creatures including green sea turtles, puffer fish, moray eels, and clown fish (Nemo)!!
After completing the amazing adventure that is scuba, groups walked down to the local Gelateria and enjoyed delicious scoops of gelato and other treats.
We then headed back to home base where we took a long rest and got ready for our night out of fun and other activities. We got ready in our nicest outfits and then walked to a restaurant and resort where we ate delicious pizza, drank piña coladas, and took photos. Students enjoyed the local music and even joined in for some of the songs. We laughed and sang like there was no tomorrow. We ended our night by doing a shout out circle under the big moon. We walked back to home base with smiles and laughter in the air and memories of a fantastic night.
Now we pack and say farewell to our homebase in Pemuteran and the memories that came with it. So now we saw farewell and pack. See you on the other side!
Goodnight everyone!
Sophie & Madison
