After three months of absence from this island paradise, I’m finally setting foot again in Bali as my plane landed at 2:20pm. I noticed a lot of people as I entered the immigration due to the long queue of visitors lining-up for clearance. It seems Bali is on the rise again if I were to judge it from the many tourists I saw on the day of my arrival. 
 

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. I can see the sun and the blue skies above as I gaze at the horizon from the window on the second floor. Alas! As I got out of the terminal I can already feel the ambience of what this island is noted for. Call it Bali mystique, Bali will be Bali come hell or high water, a paradise indeed. 
 

I didn’t realize that the island is on a long holiday mood. Yes they are celebrating the “Galungan and Kuningan festival,” which are the most important occasions in Balinese tradition. This is equivalent to Christmas and New Year. The Balinese calendar has a strange feature of having only six months in a year which makes them celebrate these events twice under a Gregorian calendar. 
 

As I arrived at the new tango “headquarters” of Ms. Stefani Kangginadhi in Sanur, I was so pleased to see this lady who is behind the Tango Bali Club. She was looking great as ever despite the refurbishing she did on her new tango house which took her three weeks to finish considering the nitty-gritty of things she has to undergo through to finish all these. It seems like nothing have changed except for the new location and infrastructure of the new address. But other than that, everything was generally the same as it was in Sunset. 
 

The place was highlighted in red color. The picture frames that use to hang in the old address were all there. In fact, there were new ones added on, especially so that Stefani just got back from Buenos Aires a month ago and she has bought a lot of new stuff for her collection. The living room and dining room were converted into a dance hall and life size mirrors decorated the walls. It has two big rooms and a swimming pool. 
 

As usual, my schedule in Bali has always been full. My first day saw me teaching husband and wife Nigel and Kathy, The couple owns TJ restaurant in Legian and have been learning tango for less than a year now. Their last lesson with me was in February and they have managed to carry themselves well when I asked them to just dance at the beginning of the lesson. I have always considered Nigel being ahead than Kathy in terms of understanding tango, but after that impromptu dance Kathy finally has a full grasp of what it is to be a follower. Yes we did a lot of revision and polishing of some of the basic elements. Husband and wife were so in love with tango as they are with each other. 
 

On the second day Mark came for his first tango lesson since coming back from Buenos Aires. After having an over-load of information he decided to just shut himself off from tango as he found himself inferior as compared to the people he saw during the CITA Congress. Call it a humbling experience I slowly guided him back to the rudiments of the dance, concentrating more on the things that he already knows until his confidence was back. He realized that he was not a bad dancer at all and that the Buenos Aires experience gave him better understanding of what tango is all about. He now has a better sense of musicality and rhythm and has managed to be a bit more sensitive to his partner. I’ve always maintained my position regarding posture, and this was what I discussed thoroughly with him during the lesson. He went home with a smile on his face and was looking forward to his next lesson the following day.  
 

Earlier in the day, Stefani and I started going over the lessons we learned from our recent trip specially the ones’ of CITA and Gustavo Naveira and Giselle Anne. We were trying to put some pieces together as we have to do a show “Tango Enigmatico” on May 12 at Made’s Warung. Stefani was ecstatic about her lesson with Gullermina Quiroga having given her new inputs into her understanding of the tango which was evident in the way she danced during our practice. She has indeed come a long way where tango is concerned, a real hard worker. Applause! 
 

The succeeding days were lessons and lessons and more lessons. Made of Made’s Warung did like three sessions during the first week. She was so crazy over tango that she always reminded me of her next schedule.  
 

On Tuesday evening Stefani tendered a housewarming cum “milonga” at her new address. Certainly the Sanur “tangueros” were present that evening. Husband and wife Annie and Mel arrived first bringing with them their two lovely chaps. German “tanguera” Doris came a few minutes after. She just got back recently from Germany and she’s off again in a week’s time. Busy lady! Swiss belle Judith who is responsible for Stefani’s new address, as she was the one who scouted around to look for a place when Stefani was still in Buenos Aires, was also present. Couples Omar and Lily, Nigel and Kathy came with some presents for Stefani. ditto with Mark and Ricky who were very busy in the dance floor enjoying their conquest of tango. “Tanguera” Ellen who just lives nearby arrived solo tango sans Nancy as she was on a business trip to London. Franziska looking so good despite a recent bout with fever, that’s why she has to cancel her first class with me, came with French “tanguera” Lola as both live at the other side of the fence which is Seminyak. Stefani’s lovely children Aylin, Kim Sven and Julian came to join in the fun. Aylin was with her boyfriend Zeo, who is a band player for a popular singing group that performs in Kama Sutra. The food was catered by the Sunset. And everyone had a good time dancing, chatting and eating as Bali was still on a festive mood because of the “Galungan” and “Kuningan.” It was so nice to see Stefani and Aylin danced together that evening as mother and daughter played with figures and routines to the delight of everyone present. We partied till 1:oo in the morning until everyone called it a night.  
 

The following day Mark had his lesson again and we carried on from where we last took off. Helena came next looking very much ready to do all the stuffs that we use to do three months ago. Yes it’s been awhile since I was away from Bali as I realized she tends to miss some of the steps that I have taught her. But it’s alright.  We’re just humans and we can fault ourselves with some of these discrepancies in life. Need I say geriatric symptoms are showing signs? Uh! Uh! She doesn’t want to hear any of it. Just kidding! Soon after Jane Chan came with artist boyfriend Robert from New York and both took lessons with me and Stefani. Jane is the woman behind Onstage, a non-profit organization that imports foreign artistic talents for purposes of cultural exchange. 
 

Towards the weekend, my lessons were held in Seminyak at Franziska’s residence. Nigel and Kathy took the first slot. Lola, came to take the next lesson and she was just raring to go over her lessons again as she wants to catch-up with the people who went to Buenos Aires. Lola is a dedicated tango student. She really takes her lessons seriously and in fact with the two lessons she had with me since I arrived she already has made fantastic progress. 
 
 

May 8-14, 2006                       WEEK  2 
 

For several days now, Stefani and I have been working hard to put up our show scheduled on May 12 at Made’s Warung. Yes, we have been going through all the lessons we have learned during our Buenos Aires trip last March. And this entails a lot of details requiring patience, dedication and hard work. Today is May 8 and by this time we are almost through with the choreography for our second number. In between these rehearsals I still have to manage a lot private lessons and workshop during the day. No complaints. I came here armed to the teeth ready to fulfill my commitments which I love doing anyway. 
 

Franziska finally made it for her lesson today. She was so happy that she can dance again since coming back from Buenos Aires. Her experience in the “milongas” and exposure to “milongueros” made her more sensitive to my lead. A trip to Buenos Aires can really make a big difference for one who’s starting to learn the tango. There is nothing like a real exposure to the actual goings-on of a “milonga” and the creatures that inhabit it. Yes I am talking from experience and what I saw in Franziska and the rest who were there, was the same thing I experienced during my first trip to Buenos Aires. She’s much calmer and like Mark and the rest, has an improved sense of musicality this time. We managed to run some routines we learned from Esteban Moreno and Claudia Codega as both of us were in the same class during the first day of the CITA. Plus I added some more elements I learned from the other teachers.  
 

Helena again was back and she did enjoy her lesson once more. This time she was more self-assured with what she is doing after having run through a series of private lessons last week. The human body is really amazing. It always surprises me how the muscles work to remember moves which have been learned in a not so distant past and yet still be able to do things over again after repetitive attempts. Call it muscle memory.  
 

Early in the evening at 6:oo pm Stefani and I drove off to Sentor over at Bali beach club. Sentor is a golf club and has a huge space where big events can be held. Currently, it operates more like a bar/restaurant for golfers and from time to time spear-heads dancing events such as salsa and ballroom. Tonight we’re meeting the Jengala people for a rock-and-roll/jive workshop. This is a welcome change as I have always been teaching the tango ever since I started frequenting the island over a year ago. Lest I be mistaken for a tango lunatic, I took the challenge to showcase my other facets in dancing. And besides I am doing this as a tactical move to woo more interest for Argentine tango as some of the participants to this workshop were tango drop-outs.  
 

The class yielded in sixteen participants. “Tangueros” Omar and Lily, and Ellen were present. Tango drop-outs Ade, John and Maria, Mitra and a host of new faces came to join the workshop. It turned out to be a very good class towards the end of the session. Everyone was on jive-feeling as I played the bouncy tunes of the fifties and incorporated the basic steps and some few other combinations I taught during the evening. Expect people to hang loose the minute they hear fast music. I don’t know what it is with fast music like salsa, rock and roll/jive, samba, “merengue” and all the Latin stuffs have that make people easily drawn to this kind of rhythm. I guess it’s just a matter of choice. Anyway, I am pleased with the result of this workshop as everyone is looking forward for the next remaining sessions scheduled next week.  
 

The following day was a heavy day. Lessons were lined-up beginning 12:30 till 5:oo pm. Aside of course from my rehearsal with Stefani for our show on Friday and the scheduled practica tonight at Made’s Warung. Mark took the first slot and we worked on “giros” with “planeos” and “voleos.” These are exciting figures he learned with Esteban Moreno and Claudia Codega. Judith came next at 2:oo pm. She was out of the tango scene for sometime. She is actually a good dancer and has also been dancing the salsa since it started in Bali. I brushed-up on her previous lessons and made her feel comfortable as I took her around the dance floor. She still hasn’t lost the touch. Her tango movements were still very much evident in the way she did her few rounds with me. I was very glad to see Nancy who took the next slot. She just got back from London a few days ago and was equally glad that she will get to tango once more. She was with us during the CITA and I would say that she has made a big leap since after that experience. As a teacher I saw her transformation from the very beginning to where she is now. Her progress is phenomenal. It really takes dedication, hard work and focus for one to achieve good results and Nancy’s got all three. She is now very pleased with her dancing and in fact is thinking of another trip to Buenos Aires this November. Good girl! Ana and Douglas soon came after Nancy’s lesson. This was my first meeting with them since my last trip in February. And husband and wife were on a dancing mood as they have signed up for several lessons in the coming days. Ellen took the last slot and as soon as we finished we all adjourned to Seminyak for the practica. 
 

In the evening we were at Made’s Warung for our first practica since I arrived and the first time to be held at Made’s place. The place used to be a stockroom and she managed to recycle it and turned it into a studio complete with mirrors and air conditioner. Out of her love for tango and in support of Tango Bali Club, she is now holding the club’s weekly practica on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Thank you so much Ibu Made Masih.  
 

It was a good turn-out we had that evening. Kathy and Nigel were there and so was Mark with Ricky. Nancy, Douglas, Anna, Ellen and of course Made were present too. We had two guests from Belgium, Augusto, who is Balinese but have lived in Belgium for nearly twenty-five years and her female companion Sabrina, a Belgian. Both were equally good tango dancers. Lola and Franziska came a bit late but managed to join us in the next forty-five minutes. There were four newcomers invited by Made to join the beginner’s class, plus there were other onlookers who were patrons of the restaurant curious on what was happening upstairs as Made had been announcing proudly to everyone that she too is now into tango. 
 

I have this invitation to the Jean-Paul Gaultier fashion show cum pre-selling launch of the Kerobokan Villas in cooperation with the Indonesia Tattler. The event coincided with our scheduled show this Friday at Made’s. Needless to say, I managed to do both and asked Stefani to join me for the function. Ms. Maria Lukito from Jakarta invited me for this event when we met at Jannie Tay’s birthday bash in Singapore. As we got into the venue, we saw many people from the outside entering a huge make-shift white tent beautifully decorated to accommodate the many beautiful people who were invited for the evening. And being a Tattler event the affair has a fully charged atmosphere. Wines and drinks were flowing. And the food was catered by no less than Warisan. I bumped into French photographer Patrick Niveau who was with friends from Britain and Holland. Patrick is a very good friend of Made and Peter who made good photos of our previous shows at Made’s Warung on two occasions. I was so happy to see good friend Popo Danes with his brand new wife of six months, as the couple tied the knot only last November, looking happy and contented. He introduced me to his wife and talked about life, his projects, my tango  and the Kerobokan Villas. Popo is an architect and a good friend of my very good friend Mr. Thai Quang Trung from Singapore. Both husband and wife were in elegant traditional Bali outfits .Stefani and I would have stayed on for the fashion show but because of our performance we have to leave the place soon. On our way out, I spotted Lisa and other Indonesian ladies who are Singapore-based. They too, were in Bali for this event. 
 

As we arrived at Made’s we saw the Tango Bali people all ready for action. Everyone seems to be waiting for the show to start. Nancy, Ellen, Mitra, Douglas, Ana and Made were joined in one table.  Husband and wife Annie and Mel and some friends were on another table. German ladies Antje, Sabine, and Franziska were seated together. French lady Lola came to join them ditto with visiting guests Augusto and Sabrina from Belgium. Now you see them now you don’t Peter and Isabella Rieger were spotted during the evening as well. Husband and wife have been very busy traveling and running their businesses as they are seldom seen during practicas. But certainly they love tango. Mark and Ricky came expectedly late as they had another function earlier. The whole place was packed with people as there were visiting Taiwanese who came to watch the show. Made Masih was seen busy entertaining guests and patrons making them feel at home and comfortable making sure that their needs were attended. Call it Balinese hospitality this is one of the endearing qualities why Made’s Warung is an institution in the island. 
 

And off the show went as sweet Annie emceed the proceedings and  made the necessary introduction. Thank you so much Annie. At least we’ll have something to remember the moment you and Mel are gone. Yes husband and wife together with their children are relocating to Boston, Massachusetts this June. We’ll miss you and Mel so much.  
 

The show was divided in two parts. The first part was traditional and the second tango nuevo. We did a waltz to the music of “Desde el alma” and tango to the music of “Primavera Portena” by Pugliese and a milonga to the music of “El lloron” with a “nuevo” arrangement and lastly tango nuevo to the music of “Sentimiento.” Augusto and Sabrina from Belgium did a waltz as guest dancers. We have a very appreciative crowd that evening as every number we did was well applauded. 
 

Soon after, the “milonga” was open to everyone and “tangueros” poured into the dance floor ready for action. I couldn’t believe that after one year of frequent visits to Bali the Tango Bali Club has mustered a good number of core group to keep the  tango aflame in its’ one year of existence. I even found out that most of them are now more confident as they brave the dance floor to show their passion. It was so much in contrast during the initial stage when everyone needed to be forced to get to dance. 
 

Another notable development is the attendance of visiting “tangueros” during that evening. Aside from August and Sabrina from Belgium, there were four more visitors who came and danced. An Argentinean guy named Acho from Sydney came with his girlfriend. Acho is from Mendoza and is a true-blue “milonguero.” He managed to make several ladies happy as he offered to dance with them. An American lady called Brenda was there too. She is from Santa Monica, L.A and has been dancing the tango for seven years. She’s a very good dancer. In fact, she used to be a dance teacher for the Arthur Murray School of Dance. There were two more guys whose names I did not get but were actively joining in the fun as well. This is what every city in the world that promotes tango aims for. And that is to create a tango atmosphere where visitors to a given city interact with the local “tangueros.” In Bali’s case, this is achievable as the island has already an active tango club that promotes tango, couple it with the island’s allure to foreign visitors and of course the passion and dedication its’ members are showing.. Given a few more years, Bali will certainly be a tango capital in this side of the globe. 
 

Towards midnight we just saw a new crowd coming in. These are people, mostly ladies dressed to the nines, who came from the same party where Stefani and I went earlier. They sat and watched our “tangueros” dance to their heart’s content until one lady came up to me and said they like what they are seeing. They find tango romantic and when Made heard it, she requested me and Stefani to do a number for our visitors from Jakarta. We obliged to the delight of everyone.  
 

The night wasn’t over as the energy has yet to shoot up. Yes the disc jockey played salsa music and suddenly we saw the dance floor filled with people. Surprisingly most of the Bali “tangueros” were enjoying salsa too. Other guests of the restaurant who were not dancing the tango also came up to join in the merriment. From salsa the music segued to jive/rock n’ roll and the energy went several notches higher. Everyone was having fun. Then finally “cha cha” was played and still the energy remained at that level. As the music was over everyone came dropping to their seats exhausted from that marathon dancing. Everyone just loved it which was what I was trying to say earlier when I mentioned “surprisingly”, because most of the Bali “tangueros” enjoyed dancing the other dances which is not the same with the other tango communities. I have seen this where tango is just the main menu. Play other music and suddenly they seem lost. The Bali “tangueros” are a well-rounded lot in so far as appreciation for dance is concerned. 
 

Satisfaction and contentment was written all over the faces of the people who stayed until 1:30 in the morning. Everyone was just overjoyed at the new experience. Everyone was in high spirits. And this is how the tango scene in Bali will evolve, active, vibrant and friendly. 
 

The following day, Saturday, I woke up a bit late from last night’s hang-over. I can feel my muscles trembling brought about by fatigue. I’ve been working too much but I like it. I still have to run a series of private lessons and started my day with Ellen who came at 1:oo pm. Ellen was also in Buenos Aires last March. She took some private lessons with some teachers there and was seen dancing in the “milongas” as well. Her experience and exposure to the “milongas” made her understand sensitivity to his partner’s lead. Yes I went on to define more of connection by keeping the shoulders relaxed to sustain the progress she has made during her recent trip. And yes she now has that tango movement and she’s very happy. Like what she said, she finally understood what she’s doing. Unlike before when she just kept learning and do not have the idea of where she is headed to. She felt like giving up but keeps coming back to learn again and again. This is true. In the beginning, what one needs is blind passion when learning tango. And from this, the build-up will take place. Soon after, everything falls in place and one experiences a certain high the minute he/she feels a connection. It is a process that could be tedious but is worth all the effort. This is how “tangueros” are made.  
 

Stefani and I then went to Seminyak for my remaining lessons for the week with Lola, Franziska and couple Nigel and Kathy. I ended until 7:oo pm feeling exhausted but satisfied. Then later in the evening I managed to meet up with Ms. Mei lin Chan from Singapore. She was here to attend a friend’s wedding in Ubud. Mei lin is a good friend and a student at the lion-state. She loves tango and might in fact one day be able to facilitate shows and workshops by prestigious masters for her many charities. We had a good chat that evening together with her Indonesian friends and Hu bar owner Eva as Stefani came to join us in the table. It’s nice to get into light casual talks with friends and acquaintances from time to time. It is relaxing to the mind. These small talks can also be a good source of information that may be beneficial for now or the future.    
 

I’m looking forward for tomorrow, Sunday, as Wiwik, my masseur, will come to pamper me with his deep-tissue massage. 
 
 
 

May 15-21, 2006                            WEEK    3  
 

I woke up this morning feeling recharged from yesterday’s break. It really feels good when the body is fully rested as it is given the chance to rejuvenate and store new energy. Today at 12;15 I have Dewi for my first class. She came on time and immediately went to work and did the usual rounds of exercise. I saw her three months ago and her lesson for today was anchored on the last lesson she had with me the last time I was in Bali. A bit tense in the beginning but as the lesson progressed she was back to where she was the last time I worked on her. This is all about muscle memory after all. I was so pleased with the results she gave me during our first meeting and I’m looking forward to her next lesson tomorrow as I take her to the next level of her learning and understanding of tango.

Husband and wife Ana and Douglas came next at 1:30pm. It’s been sometime since they last had their lesson with me as Ana is so busy with her work. Although last week we already started working again but I am so pleased that the couple is taking time to catch up with their learning as they have line-up a series of lessons when I’m here. I focused more on their embrace making them work closely together. And yes I managed to finally softened Ana’s shoulders which are so used to dancing the Balinese dance as she was a dancer before. We tried putting up all the things they already know and improved their “giros” especially Ana, whom I’ve been trying to get into the right form. Judging from what I saw the couple is now dancing much better as they look forward to their coming lessons.  
 

Nancy came next and was very apologetic about the cancellation she made last Saturday. Certainly there is nothing to worry Madam. She looks more reinvigorated after recovering from her jet-lag. Nigel soon followed sans Kathy as she has to look after her 92 year old mother who just got back from New Zealand. I took this chance to strengthen Nigel’s lead and he was just very pleased to do it as he realized the importance of a sound basic as I took him to refresh the elements at the beginner’s level. I made clear emphasis on body coordination focusing on chest lead applying contra-body movement. I was satisfied with the result as he too was very pleased at the changes he felt applying the principles I discussed with him. 
 

Ellen took the last slot and as promised, I discussed with her “voleo,” “gancho”

and “giro.” Yes she was ready to learn these elements as I deemed it necessary that it will make her improve as a dancer. 
 

The following day was just like yesterday. I’ve got lessons the whole day. I had Dewi again at 12:15. She was more relaxed now after a few rounds of dancing and making necessary corrections. This lady shows great promise as a “tanguera.” For one she was a professional Balinese dancer before and as such gives her more edge to better understand the dance. But this is not enough assurance for one to easily tango. Like any other dance there are disciplines to be instilled to be considered good. And this is what I am trying to impart to her, the tango discipline. She has actually got it after several lessons that started seven months ago and now she is slowly beginning to build-up her understanding with more clarity. 
 

US bound for good husband and wife, Mel and Annie took the next slot. I won’t be seeing this couple again until sometime so I decided to take this chance to do whatever I can to make them improve their dancing. I want them to really be equipped with the proper basic elements of the dance before they fly to Boston. I started with Annie by making her focus on her center which she loses and in effect makes her not grounded as well. I emphasized more knee flexions as this will help her feet be more grounded on the floor. While I asked Mel to do the walking exercise taking out the little accents he creates whenever he starts moving and minimize his knee flexions which makes him go up and down. Both of them realized how comfortable their dancing had become as I reminded them of the coming party at Sector on Thursday. 
 

Mark took the final slot and we were busy working on some more CITA figures he learned. Determined as he is, I patiently went through quite a number of routines he learned from Fabian Salas and Esteban Moreno. He is a hard worker. Yoh man! 
 

In the evening we went to Made’s for the “practica.” Yes for the third time around it was well attended. I can see the energy the Balinese “tangueros” are showing. Lola, Franziska, Mark, Ricky, Nancy, Made, Ellen, Kathy, Nigel and a few others were there. I don’t know what it is that they have eaten that suddenly they have this zest for tango. This is amazing considering that most of them are barely a year old in the dance. The Buenos Aires trip must have something to do with this I suppose. I am taking it upon myself to keep the enthusiasm going with the able support of Stefani who after all is behind all these. We reminded everyone that the Thursday “practica” will be moved on Friday to give way for the Sector event on Thursday where Stefani and I are to do a dance demonstration.  
 

Wednesday, I had five lessons going on. Jane came with Robert followed by Judith. By the way, after a few lessons since Robert started learning last week, he has shown considerable improvement. He is walking much better now and Jane is so pleased at his progress. Helena had another session again ditto with Nancy who always finds time to take lessons from her busy schedule. She really loves to tango. And finally Franziska at 6:oo pm.  
 

We have our “practica”  at Stefani’s tango “headquarters” at 8:oo pm but only Franziska and Ellen showed up. Nevertheless, we went on to discuss the syncopated steps when doing “giro.” 
 

Stefani and I started rehearsing again on Thursday morning. Tonight is the Sector affair so we have to be ready. In between practice, Stefani would make phone calls to people who are joining tonight while I have to attend to more lessons again later.  
 

In the evening we were at Sector way ahead of the others. As we got in, we already saw Mel and Annie seated on one table. Slowly guests and Tango Bali members started arriving. By 8:30 pm everyone was seated and the buffet table was opened and dinner soon started. The Tango Bali group again came in full force. I already said it earlier that there is a growing enthusiasm among the Tango Bali Club members of late. This is a positive sign for new developments that may take place soon. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and just keep on tango-ing as I would normally say.  Present were Douglas and Ana, Made who came with her daughter-in-law and a friend, beginners Nana and Ria, Omar and Lily, Franziska, John and Maria, Augusto and Sabrina from Belgium and Helena. The event was participated in by different groups from the ballroom scene, the line dance, Karaoke group and the tango group. Stefani and I did our exhibition immediately after the dinner and soon after general dancing began. Everyone was having a ball of a time. Tango Bali Club members were always on the dance floor dancing to the fast beat rhythms played during the evening. We stayed on till 12:oo midnight till exhaustion. Great evening indeed! 
 

On Friday, after working on several private lessons, we rushed to Made’s for our “practica.” Attendance wasn’t that much brought about by the party of the previous evening, and being a Friday, expect everyone to be busy with their social obligations that’s why the club decided to strike off Friday for “practicas.” But today is a special case as we were just trying to fill in the supposed “practica” of last night for tonight instead. It turned out well despite the small attendance. Sometimes it’s not the quantity that matters but the quality. And that was what we had that evening.  
 

On Saturday I ran the jive/rock n’ roll workshop and again it was full house. We had like twenty participants and everyone was just enjoying the fun. I’m beginning to convince tango drop-outs Mitra ,John and Maria to get back into the fold again. It will just be a matter of time and well have them back soon. Earlier in the day, brother and sister Douglas and Nancy came for a crashed course on jive/ rock n’ roll as they want to catch up with the class this afternoon. In the evening, we were invited by Peter and Isabella for dinner at their residence over at Upper Jimbaran. The house sits on top of a hill and has a good view of the sea and land below. We met the new General Manager of Legian Hotel Danny with his Shanghainese wife Rebecca. Another lady from New Zealand who lives in Sanur, whom we happen to convince to try tango, her name is Gigi, was there too. It was a quiet lovely dinner we enjoyed that evening in between rounds of table talk, wines and coffee until we adjourned at 12:oo midnight. 
 

I was looking forward for Sunday as I have an appointment with my masseur again. Wiwik is the other reason why I love going to Bali. His deep-tissue massage is just what my tired body needs. That’s why whenever I’m in Bali I make it a point to have my regular massage with him.  
 
 
 

May 22-28, 2006                            WEEK     4 
 

I was surprised to see Mark and Franziska arrive early this morning. I was actually expecting someone else but I was mistaken. Anyway, we immediately went to work as I asked them to revise the figures we have discussed during their previous lesson. Both Mark and Franziska have decided to take their lesson together to be able to work as a team and do as much figures and steps they have learned during their last trip to Buenos Aires. Good move as this would make them better dancers if they practice together. Today I gave them the “colgada” element to keep them abreast with tango “nuevo.” Both were very satisfied as they saw how they can do something of this genre to their current level.  
 

I saw Jane and Robert coming in next. The couple had been taking lessons regularly since I arrived three weeks ago. Both have made really huge progress and are now starting to have the tango form. They possess the right attitude for learning as they focus to learn the rudiments of basic without hesitation. Aware of their weak points, they kept doing a lot of walking exercise to help them improve balance and good posture. 
 

Towards late afternoon at 5:30 I met up with the Jengala people for their jive/rock n’ roll class. This will be the last of the series they are to have with me and I want to give them

additional steps/figures to work on when they finish the workshop. Stefani and I drove off to Sentor and when we arrive we already saw some people inside the dance room. In a little while, everyone was in. We started the class and like in previous classes they were again upbeat and enjoying the lesson. Looking at them, I realized how life can be beautiful as it gives us choices to make us all happy. It is up to us to make the choice to make it worth living.  
 

On Tuesday evening we ran the “practica” at Made’s which was again well-attended. I saw couple Robert and Jane taking their first taste of “practica.” Mark , Franziska, Lola, Douglas, Ana, Nancy, Made, Matthew and some new beginner’s and onlookers were present during the evening. As we finished, everyone adjourned downstairs to have their late dinner.     
 

The present set-up of the Tango Bali Club since after Sunset is proving to be beneficial for the promotion of tango in Bali. With Made’s Warung now as the official residence of the club, it makes them more exposed to the public creating more awareness for its’ existence. Made’s being the favored place of the expats and the locals alike, is just the perfect place to launch such an initiative. Secondly, the club is on an out-reach program trying to drumbeat and create interest for tango around the island. They are soon launching Wednesday practica at Sector which is in Sanur although since Stefani moved to the area, the Wednesday’s practica had always been held in her residence. Besides, Sector like Made’s is quite a frequented place in this side of Bali aside from the cozy ambience it offers. And lastly, in the coming weeks they will soon spear-head tango activities (i.e. workshops, practica and milonga) in Ubud. All these are now in place and given the dedication of Ms. Stefani K.to make things happen, this will surely arouse curiosity in the island and may hopefully lead to more people joining the tango bandwagon.  
 

Tuesday and Wednesday were equally busy days. I started with the advance workshop on Wednesday evening at Made’s.  I had like twelve people joining the class. I started revising on their “giro” and “media giro” as I wanted to give some few combinations based on the elements most of them already know. This is creating possibilities by combining these elements and as such is called improvisation. I would say when one reaches this level he/she starts enjoying the dance as they weave out patterns randomly. .This is when one feels spontaneity and musicality thereby allowing movements to flow making it a pleasure to dance the tango. The participants were high on energy as Stefani and I showed them some figures that look rather complicated. But as we broke it down, they realize that everything it contains were elements they already know. We ended the class making sure that they understood the idea of improvisation and eventually integrate it with their learning and understanding of the dance.  
 

I hardly noticed the passing of time because of my busy schedule. I just came to realize that my tango expedition in Bali will finish in four more days. I still have two remaining workshops and more private lessons to fulfill. Thursday and Friday were full of teaching activities. This has always been the case whenever I’m about to finish my work. The schedule becomes hectic as students would sign-up for more lessons towards the end of my visit. But I feel grateful about this enthusiasm as I do everything in my stead as a teacher to give them my very best. Mark, Jane and Robert, Helena, Ellen, Nancy, Judith and the rest took the remaining slots of whatever was left of the remaining days. They have really shown their passion and dedication for tango and they love it.  
 

On Thursday evening and Saturday morning I ran the remaining lessons for the advance workshop. Somehow I started giving them the “colgada” element to keep them in tune with tango nuevo. I also discussed “ganchos” for men and women in a sequence and some “tomas y pasadas.” We ended the workshop with a clear understanding that the sequences they learned shall be based on lead and follow making sure that I’ve sent the message across concerning improvisation.  
 

On Saturday evening we went to Café Batu Jimbar in Sanur for a milonga cum Latin Extravaganza organized by Ade of Tanjung Sari fame. Yes she owns the restaurant which has a very modern architectural design reminiscent of the nice stylish restaurants in Singapore and Hong Kong. The lighting system at the center of the café is a unique objet d’art as you see clusters of ceramic cups and saucers in white with the Café Batu Jimbar logo written on every piece hanging from the ceiling neatly arranged to form like a chandelier. It is so imposing that anyone who enters the restaurant, this magnificent art work will certainly catch their attention. I understand it was a Dutch designer who conceptualized it. Beautiful I would say.  
 

Although the party was dampened by the rains before it started, still everything went well by 9:oo p.m. As the rains have stopped, we saw everyone we expected present that evening and ready to party. The band was very good as they played Latin stuffs from salsa to cha cha , samba and “merengue.” During breaks tango, jive and rhumba will be played. Yes the Tango Bali Club members from Sanur were there. Made who came from Kuta was the lone “tanguera” coming to the "eastern" bloc. Shades of the Berlin wall huh! But kidding aside, she has been actively supporting the club’s activities of late. Terimakasi Ibu Made. The party ended at 1:oo a.m. and yes we have such fun time again. 
 

Sunday was a very fine relaxing day. After four weeks of non-stop working, I finally had the liberty to just call it my day. I don’t have to think of any schedule. In short, I’m a free man. What a feeling! I just simply indulged myself with these little luxuries one could have whenever they are in Bali. A breakfast at the beach while I read the morning news, a dip into the crystal blue waters to freshen up my day and a very good deep-tissue massage courtesy of Wiwik, to reinvigorate my tired body. As I lay in a bench by the sea-side, while enjoying the cool breeze touching my skin, I can’t help but be thankful for all these blessings. How I wish I could also share these little luxuries to the less fortunate if I can only have my way. Life is beautiful. 
 

My stint in Bali this May has been tremendously successful. I have nothing but respect and great admiration for the logistical expertise and organizational skill of Ms. Stefani K with the able support of the Tango Bali Club members to make things happen, which brings to mind that in August, two male taxi dancers  from Buenos Aires are coming to Bali for a month-long stint of dancing, lessons, coaching and perhaps a show courtesy of the Tango Bali Club. This is a first in Asia. Never has taxi dancers been flown in purposely to dance with a largely female dominated community. Oftentimes, a community will be visited by teachers who will then conduct workshops for a certain period of time. And after that, students will have to be on their own. But The Tango Bali Club is taking a different approach this time. They are trying to explore this possibility where taxi dancers can help invigorate the scene and at the same time keep the interest and the level of its’ existing members to the maximum.  
 

This is one program the club is undertaking to build a bigger and stronger community. It is serious in its’ intent to widen the tango base to enable more people to get into the dance. If this happens, more teachers can come to teach and share their knowledge and expertise to a bigger audience. This is when tango hopefully becomes a big scene. Let’s keep our fingers crossed. Meanwhile, the taxis are coming! Any takers? 
 

Oh but before  I forget, I haven’t packed my things yet. And I still have to catch my flight at 2:20 pm tomorrow to bring me to my next destination. 
 
 

            For more information about Tango Bali Club visit www.tangobali.com