Spirit Tours was founded in 2001 by Jim Cramer, an experienced travel industry professional and veteran traveler. Jim lived in Bali, Indonesia for ten years studying (Topeng) a sacred mask dance, since then he has danced on several occasions in the temples of Bali.
Since those early days in Bali Jim has led tours to many culturally rich destinations throughout the world with Yoga Teachers, Buddhist Masters and New Thought Ministers. Spirit Tours is dedicated to providing a more meaningful and rewarding travel experience that takes one beyond the ordinary and into the very heart of these rich cultures.
We are a licensed Travel Agency/Tour Operator and California Seller of Travel # 2056720-40, government regulated company which subscribes to the highest possible ethical and professional standards.
Our mission at Spirit Tours is to bring more Consciousness into the world thru Travel. Traveling opens up our hearts and minds to new lands and people. We see our selves in one another and celebrate the gift of our shared humanity and divine Oneness.
“When you travel anew Silence goes with you and if you listen you will hear what your heart loves to say- May you travel in an awakened way ” John O’Donohue
JIM CRAMER
CEO, Founder Inspirational Leader
Jim Cramer, founder of Spirit Tours, started his travels in 1970 on a surf trip to South Africa and continued on to South America, South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia. In 1974 he traveled to Bali and soon after became a student of Balinese dance. After 7 years of study Jim performed in the temples of Bali and continues to dance to this day. Jim returned to the USA in 1985 and created his own Bali Travel Business Baliadvisor.com and founded Spirit Tours in 2001. Jim is inspired by Eckhart Tolle, Ernest Holmes, John O’Donahue, the Buddha, and by all the fellow spiritual seekers that have travelled with Spirit tours.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Cultural Anthropology from Sonoma State University
DOROTHY (DOT) CRAMER
Co-founder of Spirit Tours
Dottie Cramer is co-founder of Spirit Tours and is in charge of tour development and quality control. Dottie has lived in Hawaii and travelled worldwide. She has co-led tours to Bali, Thailand, Mexico, Africa and New Zealand. Her presence on our journeys adds to the integrity and authenticity of Spirit Tours.
TIMOTHY MADE’ OMI
Creative Director, CFO
The first four years of Tim’s life were spent at his family’s grass hut in Bali. Being on the road with his parents from a very young age, gave him a taste for the wonder of travel. “When I am pushed beyond my comfort zone it makes me be present. In that state, I can observe all the different tastes, smells and energy of the natural surroundings. It makes me feel alive”. Made’ feels that through these types of awakening moments he has been able to deepen his spiritual practice and grow as a more conscious individual. Having traveled from a young age, experiencing life in other cultures, Made’ is a great addition to the Spirit Tours Team
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & Minor in Economics, San Diego State Universty
GITANA OMI MCDOWEL
Operations Manager, Human Resources, Tour Leader
Gitana’s passion for travel and her love for other cultures began at the age of six months old. As a child, Gitana lived in Bali with her mother and father where she was emersed in the Balinese culture and was loved and cared for by a Balinese family. Since then she has traveled and lived in various places around the world, specifically Asia. In 2013 Gitana returned from living in Taipei, Taiwan where she taught ESL to kindergartners and, whenever possible traveled to various places such as the Philippines, Bali, Vietnam and Thailand. She always dreamed of coming back to the United States and working for her fathers’ company “Spirit Tours”. The rest is history, her dream became a reality. She absolutely loves watching people grow and change from their traveling experiences. She prides herself on ensuring that our tour members feel comfortable, safe and taken care of from the minute they sign up for a tour until the very end of their adventure. She has Co-led tours to Thailand, Bali, Costa Rica, Mexico, Japan, Cambodia, Ireland and Sedona, Arizona.
Education:
Masters in Educational Counseling, National University, San Diego CA
Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication, Chico State University, Chico CA
JESSICA RENZI-BAILEY
Manager of Operations, Tour Leader
Jessica believes that wherever you go, becomes a part of you somehow. She was blessed with a family that values travel, growth and each other. She has a degree in Recreation Administration and has since worked in the film industry which has afforded her the ability to work, travel and live in several the states. She obtained her teaching credential in 2011, in Austin, Texas, which brought her to Taipei, Taiwan to live and teach. She has been part of Spirit Tours for one year and continues to teach part time. Spending time with her students and educating the youth remains a passion for Jessica. She loves to explore new places and appreciates the growth that travel brings her. She strives to hold each day higher than the day before…. And doesn’t forget to smile :)
Education:
Multi-Subject/Special Education – Teaching Credential, Austin TX
Bachelor of Arts in Recreation Administration, Chico State University, Chico CA
Our Guest Tour Leaders
REV. DR. EDWARD VILJOEN
Rev. Dr. Edward Viljoen has been senior minister of the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa since 1995. In 2003, he was awarded an honorary Doctoral Degree in Divinity from Holmes Institute. Our first tour with Edward was to Bali in 1994. Since then Edward has co-led tours to Africa, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, and Bali. Edward says these spiritual journeys develop deep and lasting relationships among the travelers and strengthen their bond to their home community, The Santa Rosa Center for Spiritual Living. Edward is part of the Omi/Cramer Family and we feel honored for this. Spirit Tours success is indebted to his vision and support.
Lori Furbush teaches Qigong, Tai Chi, Yoga, Reiki, and various mind-body courses including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). She enjoys adapting these practices for the mainstream public, as well as for special populations, leading classes in hospitals, cancer groups, and psychiatric programs. Teaching since 2001, Lori holds certifications from the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi, the Qigong and Daoist Training Center, the Bagua Xundao Gong Training Center in Beijing, the National Qigong Association, Yoga Alliance, Usui Shiki Ryoho, and the University of San Diego (UCSD) Center for Mindfulness. Lori creates a relaxed, nurturing space that allows you to cultivate your own healing power and wisdom from within.
LORI FURBUSH
REVEREND DAVID BRUNER
David Bruner is the Spiritual Director of the Center for Spiritual Living in San José, California. His irreverent sense of humor and “everyday kind of guy” style makes him adored by his congregation and us–that and his love of God, people and animals, Harry Potter and a peculiar fondness for People magazine, Taco Doritos, and great neckties. He is a compelling, charismatic speaker known and loved for his humor and his practical, often unorthodox approach to spirituality. One Sunday he is excitedly pursuing the path of forgiveness following a four-hour experience at the California DMV, and the next week he is relaying his escapades in a trapeze class or on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada. David is a brother to the Spirit Tours Team
REV. DR. PETRA WELDES
Dr. Weldes has serves as the Spiritual Director for the Center for Spiritual Living Dallas since 1998. She is a powerful, gifted speaker whose visionary role has created a dynamic spiritual community in Dallas, teaching, empowering and transforming lives. In her 30 years of ministry, Dr. Petra has led workshops, conferences and seminars on a local and national level and is actively involved in interfaith projects in the Dallas community serving as past Co-Chair of the Season for Non-Violence, Chair of the World Peace Day, as a member of the Interfaith Council of Thanks-Giving Square, and as an Advisor to the Association for Global New Thought. We Love Petra and are so blessed to travel the world with her.
TSHERING JAMTSHO
Tshering Jamtsho from Bhutan can be rated among the first well-trained tour leaders in the country. He has extensive knowledge in the field of tourism in Bhutan. His understanding of Buddhism, Bhutanese culture, history and environment has earned him many friends around the globe. and through these networks he has also been invited as a guest speaker to speak at the California institute of Integral Studies on Buddhism and local Bhutanese deities. Tshering Jamtsho is today one of the leading tour operators in the Kingdom of Bhutan. Tshering is our Bhutan brother who has grown to become our true brother.
REV. LIESA LEGGETT GARCIA
Rev. Liesa Leggett Garcia, is a native of Reno. She has her pulse on the community and her heart in the community. As a young woman, Rev. Liesa received “the call”—that inner voice that led (pushed?) her in to the ministry. A third generation Religious Scientist, she graduated from the Ernest Holmes College in Los Angeles in 1986 and received her first letter of call New Beginnings Church of Religious Science in Rapid City, South Dakota where she served for two years.
ARACELLI ALAVA
Aracelli Alava De Pinho, Our Spirit Tours representative in Peru worked for Peak Travel North America and graduated from Ricardo Palma College and speaks English, Spanish and French. Ara helps coordinate our Machu Picchu journeys.
JANET PULLEN