PROGRAM PHOTO ALBUM
TIME CAPSULE LETTER
Written by Isadora & the Bali Team
Do you remember all that we’ve gone through? We spent just 3 weeks in Bali and we’ve all grown so much. Do you remember all that we experienced together? We spent time learning a new culture, enjoying beach life, connecting with new friends and of course, becoming better leaders.
We are wondering how you are all doing. Months have passed by and we came here to remind you of the huge positive impact you’ve had in Bali’s community. We were able to contribute to PKP and its amazing mission. And of course integrating into our lives the 3E’S.
We cleaned up mangroves, cooked and distributed food for people in need, and helped the biosphere from the ridge to the reef! And also we can’t forget about the kids, what an incredible time we had sharing our culture and knowledge and bringing so much joy! Thanks to all of you we were also able to contribute and donate to support and improve Bali Education! G..L..A…GLA BALI!
We bet you all miss playing with maggots, doing some adventurous trekking and eating a bowl full of rice! Hahaha, we know many of you don’t miss that part, but we all for sure learned how brave we are for stepping out of our comfort zones so many times and learning to find joy in the simplest things. But for real, what a great time we shared learning the balinese dance, playing futsal, scuba diving, singing our souls out in karaoke and of course catching some good waves and understanding how much we love the ocean. And along with that, how important it is to protect, take care and regenerate this environment. We were able to witness and also financially contribute to BIOSPHERE and the incredible work they are doing in Permuteram.
We all had time to reflect on ourselves while spending 3 weeks in a country very far from home. We shared rooms and daily responsibilities with a whole new group of people. We learned to work with people with all different types of personalities while also exploring a new culture. This provided an incredible opportunity for growth and self development.
With our breathwork session and sharing circle we were able to reminisce on all of the highlights and equally reflect on the lowlights of our trip. We were able to recount all of our takeaways and the stories we wanted to bring home with us in our luggage. We all hoped that through this journey together we would find a better version of ourselves, and we all certainly believe that you did. One big lesson Bali has taught us is to be GRATEFUL!
We learned to be more present and to accept and appreciate what we have now. We learned to be more kind and patient to ourselves and learn to be resilient and supportive in challenging situations. We also learned the importance and the potential we have to make a difference, which can even start on our plates.
Experiencing this program together as a community showed us the importance of being more OPEN to new opportunities, new experiences, and especially new friendships. We learned to not shut ourselves into our own bubbles, but instead, to be brave and to get out of our comfort zones and explore.
This same bravery that brought you all here to live this unforgettable experience together will take you on even more beautiful paths in life if you are open to it. Don’t ever forget that! Thanks for being more than great students, but amazing friends. We miss you all! Suksama, and hope you still remember “Everybody is a teacher, I am a teacher, you are a teacher; Every place is a school, this place is a school; Every moment is a lesson, at this moment I am learning!”
Sending a hug to you all from:
Isa, Sam, Kimiko, Yudha, Aura and Ikki
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.
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- Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
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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 29
Hello family and friends,
We made it! Yes what a long trip but we are happy to inform that we arrived home safely, and we were warmly welcomed by our gla family!
We are tired, not gonna lie, but we are very excited for the new adventures yet to come!!
We had an amazing welcome dinner hosted by our very kind local staff, which allowed us to get a taste of Balinese food.
Terimakasi that means thank you in Indonesian! We will keep you updated!
Tomorrow we will make sure we share with you a big group picture with everyone, today we had many different arrivals so it was hard to register. But here it is some smiles of us 🙂
With love,
GLA Bali fam
BLOG POST FOR JULY 1
Today was an authentic sample sized serving of Indonesian culture. To start the day off, we toured around the local rice farms and we were educated about tumeric and all of its cancer-fighting properties by a very kind local farmer.
Next, we tried lemongrass herbal tea and bought some naturally made shampoos, face masks and ashwagandha at a nearby tea store.
After that, we went to a beautiful water purification temple called the Tirta Empul Temple and learned as we observed aswell as participated in traditional Balinese-Hindu prayers. Next, we had lunch at a gorgeous restaurant called Kintamani overlooking Mt. Batur with a delicious all you can eat buffet of rice, chicken and fresh fruits.
After that, we went to a coffee plantation and tried all sorts of different teas and coffees, some good some bad.
Finally, we ended up at Blahbatuh Palace where we got a lovely tour from a very nice man who lived there before we dined with the princess and king. We then preceeded to ask about the life of a princess and what she does day to day. and as expected when it comes to questions, some good some bad.
We are excited for tomorrow and some new adventures!
With love,
Baruna banjar family
BLOG POST FOR JULY 2
Hello Families!
Day 3 invited us to immerse ourselves in Balinese culture. We visited our local Banjar, an essential part of every community in Bali. The banjar is a community center where various culture activities take place such as making rituals, cooking, music, wood carving and even exercise classes!
Below is a photo of us embracing the culture of Bali with instrument practice, dancing, carving, and making offerings.
We first embarked on a yoga journey and found inner peace in the amazing woods that have been transformed into a tranquil paradise for all.
We had a very inspiring talk from the founder of PKP, Ibu Sari.
We learned about her life philosophy, the 3E’s and had dinner, sang, and danced with our new friends, showing love and support for the program.
It was a long, but very special day.
-Gabriel
BLOG POST FOR JULY 3
Today we had two leaders of the day as we split into two groups for our service.
Group 1 Leader of the day: Aiden Pham
Arriving at the beach, group one was bursting with excitement, eager to run into the ocean. After changing into proper clothes, we boarded a canoe and admired the scenery. But then, we saw a large mound of trash, a stark reminder of Indonesia’s severe plastic waste problem. Realizing the urgency, we disembarked onto paddle boards and entered the mangroves, crucial habitats now choked with pollution. We immediately began cleaning, removing tangled plastic and planting new mangrove trees. Our baskets filled quickly, and after lunch, we sorted the waste into plastic, ropes, and organic bins. Though unpleasant, our effort paid off, and we felt proud of our contribution. Determined, we set our sights on the next venture;spreading awareness.
Group 2 Leader of the day: Sydney Dymacek
Today group two started off there day by traveling to the Magi Farm which helps transforming food waste into sustainable solutions by using black solider flys also known as maggots. Yes maggots!
There was a presentation about the goals of Magi Farm and we were able to see the process of how they break down food waste by using the maggots and how important the issue of food waste is in mitigating climate change due to the methane gas it emits when introduced into landfills. We learned how necessary it is to only take as much as need.
We also were able to cook a traditional Balinese meal wrapped up in bamboo and were able to distribute the food packages for families who live at one of the largest land fills in Indonesia. This was an eye opening experience as to how our excess waste affects the lives of others.
After that, we meet up with group one back at home base to have a debate about tourism and protecting Balinese culture. We had dinner at home base and were by a surprise trip to play soccer.
We are excited for the new adventures and what tomorrow awaits!
BLOG POST FOR JULY 4
Dear Families,
Group 1: Aaron
We had an eventful day during our second service day on our adventure. Our group visited Magi Farm, an organization dedicated to sustainable food waste management in Bali. We were given a presentation by a speaker who introduced us to the organization and the pressing issue of overloaded landfills. It was disheartening to learn that there were people actually living in these landfills, struggling to obtain sufficient food on a daily basis.
Upon realizing the gravity of the situation, our group decided to take action by preparing food for the people residing in the landfill. We made a traditional Balinese dish consisting of rice, carrots, beans, corn cakes, tempeh, and eggs. It was a small gesture, but we hoped it would make a meaningful impact on their lives.
Afterwards, we had a quick lunch, making certain not to generate any food waste. We then proceeded to Magi Farm’s warehouse, where we learned about the life cycle of maggots and how they can be utilized as a sustainable solution for managing food waste. Although the smell was quite overwhelming, we understood the importance of this approach for the greater good.
Finally, we made our way to the landfill and distributed the food we had prepared to the people living there. Upon arrival, we were greeted by pet dogs and chickens wandering amidst the scorching heat, seeking shelter in makeshift metal shacks. It was truly heartbreaking to witness entire families residing in such an environment, and to discover that the meal we provided might be their only sustenance for the day. This experience deeply impacted our group, teaching us the importance of mindfulness in our daily lives and the need to reduce waste for the well-being of our planet.
Group 2: Kamara
We left home base and traveled to the beach for our first activity of the day to do a clean up of the mangroves while paddle boarding.
We took a boat ride to the mangroves clean up area. When we got there we got on our paddle boards and went around the mangroves trees and collected trash.(plastics and ropes)
During our sorting of the collected trash one of our Baruna members found snails.
For the final event of today we had a surprise and it was a celebration for the U.S. holiday of the 4th of July and for the belated celebration of Canada Day.
With love,
Banjar Baruna Family
BLOG POST FOR JULY 5
Hello Families,
Today, we woke up and got right to work packing our things to move to our next home base, Pemuteran! The drive was long, but we had some great stops in between. After about an hour of driving, we reached Danau Beratan Lake. This stop offered amazing views of the lake and the beautiful mountains surrounding it. We had free time to explore the area before stopping at a local restaurant for lunch.
After a good meal, it was back to the buses to complete the journey to Pemuteran. We made a stop at a convenience store to load up on delicious snacks for the stay. Finally, upon reaching our new home base, we settled in before heading to the beachfront to begin the swimming test. The water was very nice and warm, making it very relaxing.
Once everyone finished their swimming tests, boats were waiting for us to take a sunset ride. This experience was amazing due to the views of the mountains and the beautiful sunset. It was a highlight as we got to jump from the boats into the ocean to cap off the ride. Making our way back to home base, we ended the great day with some delicious food and a fun activity.
Robert Pham
BLOG POST FOR JULY 6
Dear Family and Friends
Today was a pretty full day, starting with scuba diving fittings for the upcoming scuba adventure. While people were taking turns getting their suits, we got snacks and drinks at a restaurant next door. When everyone was set with the fitting, we went to a turtle hatchery and learned about how to catch, raise, and release baby turtles.
After the turtle hatchery, we had breakfast on the beach. We then had some free time at the beach to swim and relax before going back to home base. We did final preparations for our teacher before having lunch.
After lunch we got to go to the elementary school and work with the local kids. It was very special to see all them because they were technically on holiday and had come just for us. We had previously split into three teaching groups; art, English and sports. The kids we also divided into three groups and we did 45 minutes class with each group. It was an amazing experience for both the kids and us. We then got ice cream and drinks as a treat before going back to base. After dinner, we had a nice chow circle and then due to it being a full day called it an early night.
Sincerely your lovely kids
BLOG POST FOR JULY 7
Hello everyone!
Today we started off our morning with a delicious pancake breakfast followed by an educational presentation on a bio rock coral preservation project! We learned about coral bleaching effect and other global issues that negatively impact the coral reefs.
After the presentation, we got fitted for some snorkeling gear and made our way out to the ocean! We saw reformed corals which were shaped in many different ways. There were so many small fishes swimming around in the coral when we dove down, proving how successful the bio rock coral restoration is.
After snorkeling, we made our way back to home base for lunch, where we had delicious sushi. Then we went back to the elementary school for our second day of teaching service! The kids were so much fun and we had a blast spending time with them and teaching them some new games, English, and art! We ended the school day with the Cha-Cha slide and a Balinese dance that the kids taught us. Overall, we had a very exciting, though exhausting, day, wrapping it up with some fun GLA activities. We are so excited for scuba diving tomorrow, stay in touch!
BLOG POST FOR JULY 8
Hi Family and Friends!
We started our morning by learning how to scuba diving and tested our new skills in a local swimming pool. We got personalized help in groups of two to three with a professional instructor. While some practiced, others spent time in a pool near by playing marco polo and racing down the slides.
Before lunch, we got the opportunity to scuba dive in the ocean as far as 10 meters (30 feet) deep. We were able to see a variety of coral reef structures and fish species. As groups took turns going into the ocean, others got snacks at a restaurant nearby while cuddling up with the most adorable puppies.
As the day came to a close, we worked in mentor groups to discover our love languages. This helped us understand what we look for in others and what we want to receive from others as well. While some of us prefer acts of service others look for quality time instead. We finished our night off by getting some delicious ice cream and then we were off to bed for the night. New adventures wait for us tomorrow!
-Neva <3
BLOG POST FOR JULY 9
Good Morning Blog,
Today we had to wake up at 6:20, to go to the Biosphere Stewardship Center. We started off with breakfast at the center and found out that one our friends had to leave which made us extremely sad, but we gave her a big group hug and had a special moment to say goodbye.
Then one of the staff there explained to us exactly what they do here, the challenges they face, and how they plan to solve the issues. After that session we started off our two hour walk into the forest where they showed us the different types of plants and how dry the forest gets in the dry season. We additionally picked up trash that was left on the trail as part of our service.
Later we split into two groups, and started another service – searching for materials which is used to build compost. While one group was cutting down the trees to use as the green, nitrogen rich component of the compost, the other group started by shoveling the cow manure to also use for part of the base. Each group did 30 minutes of each task and switched. We additionally had the chance to build a meter tall slab of compost ourselves. Then we had lunch and some time to rest. After resting we went to the mangroves and picked up trash from around the areas that could be dangerous to the monkeys and other creatures around there.
After that, we headed back to the center and ate a delicious dinner. We then rested for a while and headed down to the Bali Bamboo, which is a zoning out area (gazebo), and watched a documentary about the Biosphere and how they started. We learned about the super technologically advanced Biosphere 2 in Arizona in which eight scientists lived in for two years. We were all very tired and went back to home base to pass out and get some much needed sleep.
Sincerely,
Malak and Jack
BLOG POST FOR JULY 10
Hello friends and family,
We started the day off early, going right back to the biosphere we had breakfast and got right to work. Splitting up into 2 groups, the first one started with digging trenches using a hoe along the hill top to trap water for the trees. After an hour or so we switched activities and learned about the invasive plants that inhabit Bali before going to work on removing them.
We go on a tour around the compound seeing how these people live sustainably with the nature.
At lunch we leave the biosphere and get some much needed rest. We take our last swim at this beach before getting ready for a memorable dinner where we sang, danced and walked along the beachside.
BLOG POST FOR JULY 11
Hello Families,
We started the day off by having breakfast which was pancakes with chocolate. It was very delicious and i’d like to thank the staff for this amazing meal.
We then got on the bus to go back to our original home base. We stopped at a beautiful waterfall on the way there and it was heavenly.
We spent most the day on the bus, but to end off the day we did a GLA leadership activity followed by mentor groups.
— Dylan
BLOG POST FOR JULY 12
Hello, Everyone!
We began our day with a delightful breakfast at the Ubud Homestay. After fueling up, we made our way to the beach for some exhilarating surfing. Cowabunga! It was an absolute blast. Everyone managed to stand up on their boards at least once, even the first timers. The waves were perfect for beginners.
Following our surfing adventure, we enjoyed some refreshing drinks and delicious food at the beach. We then took to the water once more, this time to float and play around. The water was simply amazing, making me feel as though I was in a dream.
After our beach adventures, we returned to our base for a well deserved two hour rest before diving into a fun trivia session. We were divided into six groups and quizzed on all the fascinating facts about Bali we had learned during our trip. Shoutout to the Pumpernipples!!
Dinner was followed by an energetic karaoke session to end the night. Despite being tired, we sang our hearts out and had a fantastic time. We spent the entire evening singing and enjoying each other’s company, before finally heading home. The ride back was quiet, as everyone was exhausted from the day’s activities.
We had an incredible time today and can’t wait to share more updates with you on the blog!
BLOG POST FOR JULY 13
Hi Family and Friends!
Today we had the honour of being welcomed into our mentor, Yudha’s, family compound for an exclusive cooking class lead personally by his mother. This was an extremely special experience where we got to learn about the insides of Balinese family culture and cuisine. Her secret ingredient: love! We got to cook local foods such as Base Genep, Sop Jamur, Sate Ayam Lilit and several more that we got to later enjoy for lunch!
We then headed to the beloved PKP women’s center for a brand new service opportunity.
After being put into teams of 2 we got to adopt a group of kids each ranging from around 2-5 of them. This was super cool opportunity for both us and for the children at PKP as we got to teach them whatever english phrases we liked and played with them around the garden. We had so much fun bonding with them and then proceeded to move towards the garden area and helped expand their range of planted plants with some additional, chili, lemongrass and pandas. We also helped to remove invasive species in order to make space for future crops.
Around the end, we got to witness an enchanting traditional Balinese dance performance that some of the children had prepared for us. It was very sweet to see the effort and love that they had put into it and the fact that they shared it with us filled us with great amounts of emotion. We then sang the PKP 3 E’s song that we had learnt the last time around very passionately before moving on to a delicious buffet of Indonesian food. We ended the night with a memorable solo dance performance from one of the girls of the center which once again was met with much love and appreciation.
We were so grateful for the warm welcome from Yudha’s family and the opportunity to visit PKP again. Cannot wait for what tomorrow has to offer!
Much love,
Yasemin
BLOG POST FOR JULY 15
Dear Friends and Family,
Today in the GLA program we had the opportunity to go on a two hour, 3 mile trek. To get there we drove the bus one and a half hours, but the trip was worth it! We walked past beautiful landscapes. We saw rice plantations, a beautiful mountain and the whole time we were walking next to a river.
Overall, the track was gorgeous and we ended up by a small temple. There we picnicked and had lunch. We continued our walk to a bee farm. There we saw how different types of bees producing honey. We got to taste the honey. There were four different types of honey, including mango and coffee, made by normal bees and black bees! We were able to purchase some honey!
Next, we walked through the indigenous village on the way to the bus. We took the bus to a ginormous souvenir shop, where students had an hour to purchase souvenirs for themselves and their families.
Back at homebase student started packing for our next location while waiting for dinner. After dinner, we had a GLA session where we debriefed on our favorite memories of this trip and continued working on our leadership skills by brainstorming solutions for the problems we’ve witnessed in Bali, for example, coral reef damage and food waste. This brought us to the end of our day.
With love,
Sara Ahlgrimm
BLOG POST FOR JULY 16
Dear Family and Friends,
Today is day 18. The day started in a surprising way. We had a Birthday Boy, Danny, today! After the breakfast at Madra Homebase, when everyone thought it was time to leave, the staff, held 2 birthday cakes and started to play the birthday song. And the journey of the day commenced with Danny’s birthday wish and enjoying of the cakes.
Then, we drove to Sanur where we departed to Nusa Penida. It was a long car drive during which people continued their bed-time😴 And before we knew it, we were there! We arrived at Sanur at 11. We had our lunch at a restaurant there. At 1, we got aboard the boat to Nusa Penida. Riding on the boat, we were met with a stunning panoramic view of the sea. Yes, we were in the middle of the sea! As the boat moved up and down along with the waves, we soon arrived.
After leaving our luggage in the rooms and having some chill time, we went to the Crystal Bay in which the water was as surreal as a crystal. There, some were lying down on the sand to tan, some were enjoying the snacks and some were frolicking in the water.
At 6, we headed to the restaurant which was on top of the mountain where we enjoyed the sunset and the sea breeze, affording us a sense of calm and peace. The fun part there was not only the view, but again we had our birthday boy, Danny. During the dinner, when the food was offered to him, all of us sang the Birthday Song for him, uplifting the whole vibe of the night. Lastly, the night ended up we driving back to our hotel.
That is it for the day. Hope you find this happy! Bye, family~
Best wishes,
Danny
BLOG POST FOR JULY 17
Hello Families,
After our first night at the Arsa Santhi Hotel located on Nusa Penida Island, right off Bali’s shore, we kicked off the day with a small breakfast from 7:00 to 7:45 am. As we finished, we counted everyone to make sure those who could and wanted to attend the snorkeling were present. We then proceeded by car to get our gear fitted.
Once we got our gear, we headed to the boats where we embarked on four different snorkeling adventures (in order): Manta Bay, Crystal Bay, Permata Bay, and Gamat Bay. We explored each bay for around 27 minutes, making the entire journey last around 2 hours.
The four spots, although each different in their own way, were of paramount beauty, equal to no other.
Manta Bay was filled with a variety of different species, home to beautiful fish, coral, sea turtles, and manta rays, of course. Manta Bay was arguably the deepest bay we visited. From the surface of the water, the bottom appeared crepuscular and gloomy; however, when approached, the light suffused the surrounding areas as a large variety of corals would start to flicker, and the colors would intensify.
Crystal Bay, which we had visited the preceding day, was quite the opposite. The water was quite shallow, and the reef was well lit. It was easy to spot large fish, and the details were abundant. It was an easy swim for most at this spot, and it seemed that everyone was enjoying their time.
Permata Bay was a half-sandy, half-reef bay. The depth was probably around 3-5 meters (9-15 feet), and the snorkeling was a lot of fun. If anything, it was practically the hybrid between Manta Bay and Crystal Bay, though a little sandier. It was the perfect depth to free dive, meaning we were able to stare at the reef near the ocean’s floor. There was a giant boulder of coral, and if deep enough, one could peek under and see the beautiful fish hiding. Permata Bay could be deemed a beginner-friendly snorkeling spot.
The last spot, named Gamat Bay, was a spot to push oneself to their limits. The distance from the surface of the water to the sea floor ranged from 10-30 feet. The reef was flat in some areas as it then started tilting, leading to the sea floor in others. As most were trying to benefit from their last swim of the trip, many were fervently swimming, fatiguing themselves with their last chance to view such beauties.
Overall, the snorkeling was an exciting experience and certainly one of the most beautiful activities during this trip.
After the snorkeling, we headed towards Happy Eating Penida where everyone ate well and could order additional food and beverages if wanted. Everyone had a great lunch.
Once everyone finished eating, we decided to head back to the hotel and take a 3-hour break, allowing each other to relax and recuperate our energy. During this break, many slept, and others swam in the hotel’s pool. This break gave everyone enough energy to do the following activity.
Energetically, those who met the conditions to enter the Balinese temple took the car to the Goa Giri Putri Temple. This temple was special because it’s located in a cave, and figures have been carved and embedded into the cave’s walls. Down in the cave, it was very humid and hot due to the fact that the water from the surface trapped the heat. However, the beauty removed all nuisances as it made us focus on the details. The lights lined up along the pathway throughout the temple emphasized the details. Ultimately, the lights blessed the temple with dazzling beauty. The walk throughout the temple was something to remember.
Once we finished exploring the temple, we directly headed towards the dinner place, Coco Penida, to enjoy our last meal at a restaurant. While waiting for the food, we walked along the shore and admired an impressive view of Bali’s tallest mountain. The food here was extraordinary, and this last beach and sunset dinner did not disappoint.
Once dinner was over, we headed back to the hotel, and everyone acquired a good night’s sleep.
– Julian
