Traditional Balinese painting classes are available at Murni’s Houses & Spa for artists and budding artists for guests staying at Murni’s Houses.
No experience is necessary.
Dewa, our talented local artist, who has been painting (and selling) from the age of 13, and has had exhibitions in Bali, will happily come to Murni’s Houses and teach you one-to-one. He will bring the canvas, brushes and paints and help you create a beautiful painting.
His English is good and his patience is limitless. Together you can decide the style and where you would like to paint – the garden, the lobby or the privacy of your own veranda.
He will help you draw the outline, if you need help, and give you ideas. He will guide you through to the finished product, which you can put in your suitcase and carry home.
He is full of ideas and has even created a way of painting with coffee. He’s willing to teach this unusual technique too – it’s quick and not difficult.
And if you like, he’ll also teach you how to paint wooden eggs like a pro!
Classes are charged by the hour. Materials are included.
Most people can paint a lovely picture in 2 or 3 hours.
Best times are between 10 am and 6 pm any day, subject to Dewa’s availability.
Book as much in advance as possible. Please tell us how long you would like to book.
The locals love it when you try and speak Indonesian and for sure you’ll get better prices in the shops as well as having a lot of fun!
Bahasa Indonesia is not as difficult as many other languages. There are no tenses. Verbs aren’t conjugated. Plurals are often just repeating the same word twice. Same alphabet as in English and it’s pretty much spoken as it’s written. There are no tones. You can get by nicely on less than 500 words.
Balinese is a bit more difficult!
We are lucky to have a very experienced and patient teacher, Nyoman, who will happily give guests staying at Murni’s Houses classes right here at Murni’s Houses.
She’s been teaching expats and visitors since 1992 and can teach any level. She will concentrate on anything you wish.
90 minute class.
No minimum number of students.
Book as much in advance as possible. She is quite a busy lady.
Traditional Balinese Dancing classes are available for guests staying at Murni’s Houses. Classes are in the afternoon.
No experience is necessary. The Balinese Dancing lessons are tailor-made to your experience and interests.
Sriyani was born in Payangan and began dancing at the age of 8 and gained experience at many temple ceremonies in Bali. She graduated from STSI University in Denpasar. She performs at Ubud Palace and is very active teaching dance.
She has a very patient teaching manner and teaches males and females. You will learn good technique and posture.
Beginners Balinese Dancing Classes: a welcome dance such as Gabor, Pendet or Puspajali.
Dancers with experience: Legong or Baris.
If you have a particular dance in mind, please ask.
Book as much in advance as possible. Email: murni at murnis.com or tell Reception.
We will call the dancer. If you want to hire a dance costume, please let us know. The cost is different for each costume. It’s great for exercise and photos.
Batik painting is very Indonesian. The batik course may be from 1 to 5 days, in the mornings, from about 10 am to 2 pm. If you wish you can use your optional activities to go on more than one course. You can learn the art of batik from a very basic level to a more advanced stage as desired!
1 and 2 days covers:
Brief introduction to the “story” of batik
The materials and tools used
The techniques for painting with canting and brush
Hand colour & dip dyeing in 3 to 4 colours
Dyeing sequence
Wax removal
Finishing touches for final product
3 and 4 days covers:
As above, but with the addition of :
Expanded knowledge of types of wax and effects that can be created (eg. wax and cracking)
More variation of colour through hand painting
and dip dyeing
Wider use of tools (large, small spout cantings)
Working on 2 pieces of work to utilise a variety of
techniques
5 days course covers:
Includes both of the above
but allows the student to experiment more independently using the knowledge gained in the first three – four days to bemore creative – yet still under guidance of the teacher
Learn how to make Balinese Offerings.
Offerings are called banten in Balinese, a word that may come from the Sanskrit word ‘bali’, which means ‘tribute’, ‘obligation’ or ‘gift’. This may even be the origin of the name of the island. You see them everywhere in Bali.
An offering is something that is offered for a religious purpose. It can be anything. Dances, music, cockfights and readings from the scriptures in the temple are all offerings.
More common, however, are offerings made of natural, perishable materials, like food, fruit and flowers. There is a chapter on them in our book Secrets of Bali.
We will show you how to make a beautiful offering called a canang and you will see how easy – or difficult – it is.
Book as much in advance as possible.
We will provide the materials, palm leaves and flowers.
Discover the secrets of Balinese food with Janet De Neefe and her team. Explore cooking techniques and the fascinating kitchen myths of this unique culture followed by a lavish Balinese feast and complete recipes.
Mondays Focus on Fish
9.30 am – 1.00 pm
Spiced fish in banana leaves
Asian spinach in tomato sambal
Black rice pudding
Fragrant fish curry
Carrot & cucumber salad
Tuesdays Market Tour
8.00 am – 1.00 pm
Mie goreng
Roasted white eggplant
Green coconut crepes
Tempe curry
Fern salad
Visit the bustling Gianyar night market at dusk and experience the ambiance of a Balinese pasar. Learn as you stroll through the markets about the local snacks and traditional market food. This is followed by an open-air dinner of home-cooked specialties, from braised chicken to marinated satay, spicy greens and suckling pig. Refreshments included. Meet at Honeymoon Kitchen at the Honeymoon Guesthouse at 5.15pm. CLASS NOT INCLUDED
Rp 400,000 per person
Friday Night Market Tour
5.15 pm – 8.30 pm
Visit the bustling Gianyar night market at dusk and experience the ambiance of a Balinese pasar. Learn as you stroll through the markets about the local snacks and traditional market food. This is followed by an open-air dinner of home-cooked specialties, from braised chicken to marinated satay, spicy greens and suckling pig. Refreshments included. Meet at Honeymoon Kitchen at the Honeymoon Guesthouse at 5.15pm. CLASS NOT INCLUDED
Rp 400,000 per person
Saturday Food as Medicine Vegan Class
9.30 am – 1.00 pm
Discover the extraordinary healing properties of spices and their colourful history. Enjoy pumpkin curry, tempe with fresh lemon basil, roasted coconut banana flower salad, seasonal greens and red rice followed by non-dairy coconut ice cream. Recipes included.
Rp 450,000 per person
Sunday Twilight Smoked Duck Class
5.30 pm – 9.00 pm
Learn the secrets in making one of Bali’s most celebrated dishes. The lavish smoked duck feast includes lawar, yellow rice & coconut ice-cream . Served with rice wine.
Rp 500,000 per person
NOTE:
All classes require advance registration. This is to ensure that there are enough ingredients for everyone.
Booked on a first come basis.
No refunds, returns, or exchanges will be given for cancellations made less than 2 days (48 hours) prior to the class date.
There are a minimum number of students required in order for a class to occur. Casa Luna Cooking School reserves the right to cancel a class due to unforeseen circumstances.
Closed toe shoes are recommended for all hands-on classes.
Dangling or excessive jewelry as well as loose hanging clothing is not recommended.
Book as much in advance as possible.
We will call for you and book it.
Email: murni at murnis.com or tell Reception.
Market & Gourmet tours depart from Casa Luna.
All other classes meet at Second Honeymoon Guesthouse, Jalan Bisma Ubud.
All bookings must be paid in full prior to the event.
Sawo Apartment 2 at Murni’s Houses, Ubud, Bali is on the first floor of a new two-storey building.
2 bedrooms.
1 bedroom with a double bed.
1 bedroom with a bed with 2 mattresses which can be pushed apart on request.
Both bedrooms have en suite bathrooms – shower, basin and WC.
Option of air conditioning in the bedrooms or open windows.
A living room with a Chinese Wedding Bed, a sink and a WC.
Both bedrooms have verandas with views.
Electronic Safe.
Private entrance, porch and rear door to the garden.
Fans throughout.
Fly screens.
Free Welcome Drink on Arrival.
Free Fiber Optik Wi-fi (Biznet) throughout.
Free parking.
Free coffee and tea facilities in the room.
Books.
Mini-bar.
Breakfast and other meals.
Daily housekeeping.
Laundry.
Transport.
Tours, Activities and Classes.
Spa.
Swimming Pool.
Garden.
Dining area.
24 hour security.
Sleeps up to 5 people.
Kitchenette
Entrance to Bedrooms 1 and 2
Bedroom 1
Bathroom: Bedroom 1
Bedroom 2
Bathroom: Bedroom 2
View
Breakfast
Murni’s Big Breakfast is two eggs served to order, ham or bacon, toast with home made jam, yoghurt with fruit and honey, and coffee or tea. Vegetarian and Balinese options available.
Meals
Murni’s Warung, the first real restaurant in Ubud, which I founded in 1974, is only 5 minutes’ walk and we can deliver meals to your accommodation, if you wish.
Check in and Check Out
Check in: 2 pm.
Check-out: 12 noon.
Pick Up or Drop
You can get a pick up or drop back anywhere, please let me know.
Tours, Classes and Activities
There’s a lot to do in and around Ubud.
You can book tours, courses or activities (such as photography tours, helicopter tours, chocolate factory tours, cooking classes, Indonesian or Balinese language lessons, Balinese flute lessons, gamelan lessons, white water rafting, elephant safari park trip with a ride on an elephant, Bali Swing, Jungle Buggies, bicycle drive through the villages, climbing a volcano at sunrise, rice paddy trek, bird walks, herbal walk through rice paddies, tarot reading, Balinese dance classes, batik painting classes, making Balinese offerings, snorkeling or scuba diving or a boat trip to a deserted island). I’ll be happy to do this for you.
The Room at Murni’s Houses, Ubud, Bali is on the first floor of a two-storey building.
1 bedroom with a double bed.
Option of air conditioning or open windows.
En suite bathroom – shower, basin and WC.
Veranda with a view of the garden.
Electronic Safe.
Private entrance.
Fans throughout.
Fly screens.
Free Welcome Drink on Arrival.
Free Fiber Optik Wi-fi (Biznet) throughout.
Free parking.
Free coffee and tea facilities in the room.
Books.
Mini-bar.
Breakfast and other meals.
Daily housekeeping.
Laundry.
Transport.
Tours, Activities and Classes.
Spa.
Swimming Pool.
Garden.
Dining area.
24 hour security.
Sleeps up to 2 people.
There is a communicating door if The Room and The Suite are booked together.
Bedroom
Bathroom
Veranda
View
Breakfast
Murni’s Big Breakfast is two eggs served to order, ham or bacon, toast with homemade jam, yoghurt with fruit and honey, and coffee or tea. Vegetarian and Balinese options available.
Meals
Murni’s Warung, the first real restaurant in Ubud, which I founded in 1974, is only 5 minutes’ walk and we can deliver meals to your accommodation, if you wish.
Check in and Check Out
Check in: 2 pm.
Check-out: 12 noon.
Pick Up or Drop
You can get a pick up or drop back anywhere, please let me know.
Tours, Classes and Activities
There’s a lot to do in and around Ubud.
You can book any tours, courses or activities (such as photography tours, helicopter tours, chocolate factory tours, cooking classes, Indonesian or Balinese language lessons, Balinese flute lessons, gamelan lessons, white water rafting, elephant safari park trip with a ride on an elephant, Bali Swing, Jungle Buggies, bicycle drive through the villages, climbing a volcano at sunrise, rice paddy trek, bird walks, herbal walk through rice paddies, tarot reading, Balinese dance classes, batik painting classes, making Balinese offerings, snorkeling or scuba diving or a boat trip to a deserted island). I’ll be happy to do this for you.
We’ve been talking to David about the possibility of offering Bali Photography Tours to guests of Murni’s Houses for over a decade and now it’s finally happened. It was worth the wait!
He’s providing Half Day and Full Day tours – there are four different themes to choose from.
I was lucky enough to be able to join three guests on the first Bali Photography Tours and the theme was Rural Traditional Balinese Life and attending Balinese Ceremonies. They keep the number of guests small – minimum two, but it can even be one, with a small additional fee.
It quickly became apparent that no two tours are alike and they adapt the day to what is happening on the ground, and in Bali what is happening on the ground is totally unpredictable and full of delicious surprises.
They picked us up at Murni’s Houses at 5.30 am. Full marks for the early start as early light is the best light. Photography is really about painting with light and harsh midday sun makes for harsh photos. It is also delightfully cool.
We drove a short distance, about half an hour, to a nearby place in the countryside where there was the most dramatic view of Mount Agung, the largest volcano in Bali. It was still dark but the early morning rays were just beginning to peek out. Those of us who had tripods set them up.
David and his assistant Nyoman immediately started to guide us through the settings in our cameras. David is an expert on Nikons and Nyoman on Canons, but they can explain the settings on any camera. They encouraged us to get away from using AUTO and taught us how to create the shot that we saw in our heads.
Then we wandered down the road, ricefields and trees on either side, which provided more photo opportunities, with people starting to go about their business.
Very shortly we were down some steps at this amazing river. David had seen it before but hadn’t been down the steps. There was the most amazing light that any of us had seen.
