In the summer of l985,  Rich, a professional musician and photographer, finished a tour of Germany and France winning the  "Blitz Tip" magazine performing arts and song writing competition sponsored by the Frankfurt Rundshau News. Weary, no one from the group objected when Rich suggested a break before their scheduled fall performance program on the French coast.   

Soon he visited a local travel agency. The bureau suggested Bali,  a place where a 60's art movement never died and where native people celebrated a vibrant and beautiful culture.

It was the perfect place and little did Rich know that his stay in paradise would change his current life and effect the lives of many in his near future.  

Purchasing a ticket he took his  first of many visits to the orient. Arriving in Bali airspace the plane circled the island some thirty minutes before landing.  From the air Bali looked like a treasure map Rich had seen in the book "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Landing on a balmy day in 85 degree temperatures the fragrance of incense and tropical flowers rode a gentle wind. 

Following customs clearance and hotel registration Rich headed for the beach with a guitar and Nikon in hand hoping for an initial cultural encounter.   Reclining on the beach he soon drifted off to "neverland" surrounded by the sun which seemed to reach in and warm him to the bone.

Later, he was touched on the shoulder.  A young tanned village man inquired if he had interest in antiques.  He outstretched his hand to reveal a  group of objects that reflected the morning light which also rested on the brim of his large straw hat.  Rich recognized the pieces as pieces of 8, Dutch guilders and a rare gold  doubloon.   

Meet the Voyager Team 

In regard to history the foremost        organization for trade and commerce was the VOC established in 1602.       The Dutch East India Company             was responsible for the initial base     of operations in Java, called Batavia. 

So vast was the trade that transpired  over time that it was said that the        "trees rained gold coins".  The            "Treasures of the Indies" found their way along trade routes which even-     tually made their way back to  Eur-       ope.  The competitive trade for            spices provoked the “spice wars”        between Europe's elite nations            where goods from the Indies became commonplace.                                         .                                                   

After many interactions throughout Indonesia, the Voyager International group is a recognized  trade        organization.  At its business and cultural center in Batubulan, Bali one can find a personal connection to the past through a acquisition and cultural program offered since 1997.

Visitors to this exclusive center from around the world acquire art, and antiquities in trade lots while living as the guest of the Voyager  Balinese host family.  Guests experience ceremonies such as weddings, cremations and much more to include the annual Summer Arts festival in June. All the festivities of Bali are awe inspiring, beautiful and memorable. 

For Rich......, after numerous experiences that are imprinted permanently on his mind and spirit the mission in Indonesia is a fine balance between the preservation of a culture and the sale of it's commodities.  While respecting the past his organization goes on to design the future of this delicate pearl which rises from the sea.  It is one that takes over the mind, spirit, and imagination of those who court this enchanted island of people, culture and treasures. These treasure always appear in........ special moments of exchange. 

Appearances by expedition directors, Rich Mutschler, Carl Fismer and Ed Gillespie plus the Voyager International Inc. show schedule to include expedition informa- tion are available by calling 56l-373-06l9, 386-462-4649 or in Bali at 0ll-62-36l-8561933 or by writing: P.O. Box 790, Alachua, Florida 32616  E-mail / ibalimoss@msn.com  We are now booking 3 months to 3 years in advance depending on the program.                  

Investing in Paradise

Bali is a culture that began with trade and two couples known as the Baliaga who settled in a valley in the shadow of the sacred  Batur Volcano. This place is known as Trunyan, and is within the site of the Mother Temple. From these two couples came the seed of what is now considered the Bali traditional way of life. 

With the coming of Buddhists, Hindus, Moslems, Dutch traders, opium merchants, the Rajas and Cast System all that makes Bali unique became Balinese. This now modern society, is now struggling at conserving its ancient past amidst satellite television, the Internet and an endless invasion of tourists who descend upon this island of the ancient Rajas. 

 Unfortunately, many who visit Bali rarely leave the pleasantries of a fine hotel or resort. They believe that they can find Bali in a day or two while visiting by ocean liner.  This assumption and others cannot be further from the truth as Bali has many complex cultural layers. These layers must be slowly digested to know the pageantry of Balinese life.   Bali is the mirror that reflects a three dimensional drama, reflecting the past, the present and the choices  faced after your personal encounter...

Discoveries of Art

When in Bali one never knows when he or she will encounter a rare classic art object for sale. Available are works in silver and gold, textiles, cannon and weaponry, 18th century teak furnishings, mastodon fossil ivory, blue and white Ming porcelain and gems.  Equally amazing are  ethnographic artifacts, south sea pearls, wood carvings, textiles, stone sculpture and so much more.......

Prices are as low as 20% of the US retail depending on availability and the size of an overall purchase. Important is the long term relationship between the buyer and supplier based on honesty and equal benefit to both parties.  

One experience Rich will always remember was a meeting on a lazy Sunday afternoon  with a friend of Richs' wife, Ketut. He had arrived from another island with an item of importance in a paper bag for sale consideration.  Upon inspection Rich discovered a rare Canitar chain in 20 kt. gold.  The traveler said that it was an unredeemed  marker on a loan from the King of Sumba Island.  The chain was one and a half meters long with dragon ends and simply beautiful.  It was made about 1620.  

Negotiations started at $35,000 but after weeks of telephone calls the hour before Rich was about to depart for the airport the price settled at $8700.  The current value of the piece is in the $180,000 range. 

The Expedition Experience

Rich Mutschler has found more than antiques and treasure on the island of the Rajas.  He has discovered a lifestyle carved from nature on an island which is a wonderland of art, music, dance and theater where the past meets the present on a constant basis.  

Voyager International "Trade & Cultural Expeditions" are now scheduled year round. Groups of up to ten per two week session experience live cultural programs, trade sessions, historical sites, and culinary delights.   

One of the highlights of the expedition program is the "Tiger Motor Tour" including up to five islands over two weeks by motorcycle and Jeep with a final destination at the l7th century pirate stronghold at Adonara island.           

Finally, evening in Bali is an experience of sites, smells and culinary delights. The capital city of Denpasar is one of the best examples.

Handsome young men and exotic native girls drive motorcycles on fantasy wide color lighted boulevards. They stop to talk with friends, smile and enjoy a cup of rich Bali coffee.  A young woman's raven hair is blown in a gentle wind and it is lifted into a night sky.  She is happy in paradise.