Take Me Back To Bali

I suppose I should write about my trip to Bali before I board another plane tomorrow heading to Tokyo! 

At this time last year, I was just beginning the EPIK application process and really didn’t have a clue what I was doing.  I was just going through the motions, not even sure how much I actually stopped to think about what I was applying for (a.k.a. how much courage it takes to go through with this and leave the comfort of home).  I never would have guessed that one year later, I would have been given all of these amazing opportunities; I am so thankful.

I went to Bali for a week in August with my friend Jen.  She’s so smart and booked her trip to be quite a bit longer than I booked mine.  I wish I could go back and do the same!  I liked the idea of having some time between vacation and going back to work instead of getting back the night before, but once I was in Bali, I did not want to leave.

I’ll let my pictures do most of the talking.

Around Kuta:

Tanaya in Kuta (My favorite place we stayed.)

Kuta Beach

Yummy dinner.

Neighbors in Korea!

Tour Day with Wayan:

Entrance to a traditional house.

Rice Terraces

Walking through the rice terraces.

Coffee Planation.  Samples of coffee and tea, along with a cup of luwak coffee.

Mt. Batur.  Active volcano where I was going to do a sunrise hike, but getting picked up at 2 a.m. didn't sound so great anymore.  Wish I would have done it anyway!

Tour Day with Ketut:

Monkey Forest

My favorite!

Tanah Lot - Temple in the water.

Ulun Danu Temple

Ketut, our driver/tour guide for the day!  They had a deer at this place and when the three of us were by the fence, Ketut asked us what we call a deer with one eye.  It sounded like he genuinely wanted to know the English word, so Jen and I looked at each other kind of confused not realizing he was telling us a joke.  A few seconds later, Ketut said no eyed deer and he started cracking up.  It was the funniest thing.

Nick's Homestay in Ubud.

Around Ubud:

Nirwa Homestay in Ubud.

Walking around.

Stray dogs everywhere.  He was my favorite.

It is so pretty anywhere you eat.

Women Kecak & Fire Dance

Last day:

Seminyak Beach

A few more hours on the beach before boarding the plane!

When I think about my trip to Bali, I remember how relaxing and beautiful it was.  It was so easy to just sit and not worry about the time, and I took note of the little things happening around me.  Here's a list of what I noticed:

1. There are motorbikes everywhere and I saw everything from entire families (both parents and two kids) riding on one to young kids driving to foreigners driving.

2. Many women carry things around on their heads.  It was very impressive, especially the woman carrying the giant water jug.

3. Beeping the horn when driving didn't seem to be out of anger but more of a warning that they're coming around the corner, etc.  There's a lot of beeping.

4. Their English is very good.

5. The food is colorful and delicious.

6. Everything is open concept, very pretty (like the picture of the restaurant above).

7. There are stray dogs everywhere.  I noticed this right away during my taxi ride from the airport to the hotel.  They are smart though and don't get in the way of the cars/motorbikes. They seem friendly.

8. A tradition:  Independence Day in Indonesia is August 17, so Wayan and Ketut both told us a little bit about what their village does to celebrate.  Someone puts a treasure or prize at the top of a palm tree, they put oil on the tree, and everyone tries to climb it to win the treasure.

9. No one seemed to be worried about time.  I love that.

10. Things seemed simple, not stressful.

11. The people there were always smiling and very kind.

I'm so thankful for the chance I had to go to Bali, to experience everything that we did there, and to meet such great people.  I want to go back and maybe one day I will!