just left bali and not too be a drama queen but i am feeling a little heartbroken tbh. i’m just trying to figure out when i can come back here. my second visit was jam-packed, barely took a second to breathe, and it was absolutely incredible.
(quick side note that i have had 3 people msg me saying my posts have inspired them to come to Bali, so Tourism Bali if you’re listening, i’m open to job offers? or even some commission? thanks.)
it’s hitting me how amazing travelling is because i have not had ONE BAD DAY in the past 4 months. maybe a discouraging hour here and there like when i missed a flight, but not once have i gone to bed thinking, “this was a bad day.”
can’t say that in regular life.
honestly my biggest hardship in bali was trying not to annoy my insta followers with all the photos i wanted to share.
after Komodo (bless that place) i came back to Ubud in Bali, and got so many reminders of our Borchelorette walking those streets. it is so peaceful and zen there, i watched as the locals practiced a traditional Balinese ceremony and placed flower offerings all over the streets. it was such a beautiful thing to witness. this next picture does something funny to my heart.
in Ubud i ate a poke bowl, got my hair braided, went to a restorative class at Yoga Barn. strolled through the streets past bars with live acoustic music, stayed in the beautiful Puri Garden Hostel …
and woke up at 2am to go hike a volcano!!
hiking Mt Batur is a huge tourist attraction in Bali. i went with Linda and her friend Joyce and we paid 300 rupia each + 350k for hot springs after (weird vibes – like purple elephant statues everywhere – not worth it). it includes a driver, “breakfast” (white bread + jelly) and the hike.
they pick you up at 2am, give you a banana pancake at 3, and you drive to begin your hike at like 4:30. everyone is required to have a guide which sucked because i just wanted to go at my own pace and i had to stay behind with the group. they said 1,500 people hike it daily on avg. i think i was spoiled by my lifechanging Cape Town sunrise hike and this one paled in comparison, most likely because it was swarming with tourists in Keds. HOWEVER, i am glad i did it!
and i saw the monkeys at the top! me: “dontshitonme dontshitonme”
came back for a day/night of exploring Canggu, where i would want to live if i ever moved to Bali. stayed at Lay Days Hostel where i “won” a shot by answering a trivia question before i even took off my backpack lol.
Canggu is: so cute, chill, healthy, organic, beach vibes, cool people. so many good places to eat. rice fields everywhere and locals cruising by on their scooters. expats living their best lives in adorable villas. the BEST banana shake at Machinery Cafe (trust me, i did my research). the cutest boho decor. surfers, beach bars, live music on the beach at sunset. so so presh. below is me enjoying breakfast and trip planning. soaking it all in and just happy to be there.
discovered Grab Bike (life-changer) and took an hour long moto ride, dodging in and out of the bali traffic, for like $4.
just to note, Uber in Bali is kinda sketch because although it’s super cheap ($10 for 45 min drive) the driver will accept the ride, msg you saying “where you going”.. and then if he doesn’t like it, he won’t cancel the trip but will continue to drive around as you watch his car driving like 30 mins away, while wondering.. is he coming?? then you eventually cancel it and pay the $1 fee. not great if you have somewhere to be. Grab was better in my experience, but if you want to be 100% sure you’ll get picked up, book a Bluebird taxi (the only ones that use metres).
went to the beach where Eat Pray Love was filmed, Padang Padang, which was cute but garbage-y (sadly this is a big problem in Bali) but was of course a must-do on a trip called peace play passion.
walked to Single Fin and watched the surfers riding in the waves. view was amazing.
then of course, for my last night in Bali, i wouldn’t go anywhere else but my fave hostel Capsule Hostel New Seminyak (shout out to Iva, Fifi, and Mango) and a night of dancing at Motel Mexicola and La Favela. AMAZING night as always – those places do NOT disappoint!!
my fave thing as a solo traveller in bali is going out to a bar, grabbing a drink, and sussing out who the most fun group will be for the night. that night i met a group of Aussie guys – one was a close talker but the rest were cool and so fun to dance with. i drank out of a coconut, joined a congo line, danced on tables with the staff to mexicola’s soundtrack of mambo #5, macarana, ymca, i wanna dance with somebody, love on top. same playlist every night. we walked up the street to La Favela and i practiced my fave Ugandan dance moves. hot dog from the street vendor and then home to sleep. a perfect last night.
when i returned to Bali after Aus and i was driving through the streets i got butterflies. the palm trees, temples, flower offerings and the people that display them. the people are so kind and gentle and pure. i know i will be forever itching for more Bali butterflies.
it may take me more than a month next time, but i cannot WAIT to come back.
peace play passion 