Professional Bali Tourist Guide

Summary

Yeoman Kenya, a passionate Balinese guide with over 30 years of experience, introduces the cultural and spiritual richness of Bali. With a background in English linguistics and Hindu theology, he shares his journey, from learning Balinese dance and carving to becoming a temple priest. The video showcases Bali's key tourist sites, including rice terraces, holy water temples, and the famous Goa Gajah. Yeoman expresses his commitment to enhancing his guiding skills through a Japan-based interpreter program, with plans to share his newfound knowledge with fellow guides in Bali.

Takeaways

• 😀 Yeoman Kenya, a Balinese guide with over 33 years of experience, shares his passion for Bali and guiding.
• 😀 Bali is a small but culturally rich island known for its thousands of temples and unique traditions.
• 😀 Yeoman has received professional training in guiding from various international workshops, including in Scotland, Australia, and Egypt.
• 😀 Yeoman holds a Master's degree in English Linguistics and is currently pursuing a PhD in Hindu theology and religious studies.
• 😀 He is also a temple priest and a traditional Balinese dancer, deeply immersed in his cultural heritage.
• 😀 Bali houses are typically organized into compounds dedicated to gods and goddesses, which are spiritual hubs for families.
• 😀 Visitors to Bali can stay with Yeoman’s family to experience Balinese culture and participate in cultural activities.
• 😀 Key cultural landmarks include the famous Tegalalang rice terraces, the Tirta Empul temple (known for its sacred bubbling water), and the Goa Gajah elephant cave.
• 😀 Bali’s Luwak coffee, made from beans eaten and excreted by civet cats, is a popular local delicacy.
• 😀 Yeoman is applying for the Japan Advanced Training Program on Interpreter Planning, aiming to bring new knowledge to local guides in Bali after the program.
• 😀 Yeoman’s commitment to sharing knowledge is evident in his plan to hold workshops for local guides to improve cultural and guiding practices in Bali.

Q & A

What is the size of Bali Island?

Bali Island is about 5,650 square kilometers in size.

How long has the speaker been working as a tour guide?

The speaker has been a tour guide for almost 33 years, starting in 1984.

What certifications and training has the speaker completed?

The speaker completed various guiding certifications, including one in 1992 from the Bali Tourism Authority, as well as workshops in Edinburgh (2003), Melbourne (2005), and Cairo (2007).

What languages does the speaker speak?

The speaker speaks Balinese as their native language, Indonesian as the national language, and English as a foreign language. They are also learning Korean and Russian.

What is the speaker's educational background?

The speaker has a master's degree in English linguistics and is currently pursuing a PhD in Hindu theology and religious studies.

What is the speaker's role within their family and community?

The speaker serves as a temple priest, a position they have held for the past five years, and they are also involved in Balinese dancing and carving.

What is the significance of the temple described in the script?

The temple is a place for purification ceremonies, with bubbling holy water that people come to for cleansing rituals.

What is the special coffee mentioned in the script?

The special coffee is Luwak coffee, also known as civet coffee, which is made from beans eaten and excreted by civet cats.

What historical site is mentioned in the video?

The video mentions Goa Gajah, also known as the Elephant Cave, which is a historical site built around the 11th century by the King of Bali.

What is the purpose of the video?

The video is a requirement for the speaker's application to the Japan Advanced Training Program on Interpreter Planning, where they aim to learn and then teach local guides in Bali.