Guys! I was in Bali!
And I have no words!
Well no that’s not true. Would make me a horrendous copywriter if that were to be true.
Where do I even begin to cover the last two weeks.
So most of you know me as this rigid planner who needs to stick to an itinerary or else all hell breaks loose?
Well.
Damn.
Bali you really made me rethink my life structure.*
I’ve never made as many impromptu decisions as I have the last two weeks and I have all my travel buddies to thank for that. First of all there’s my best bud Emilio. Thanks for coming with me. Please don’t do something stupid in Australia and get bit by a croc. You know you’re capable of having that happen.
Next Celina. Celinaaaa what did you do to me! First you convince me to cancel my booking in Ubud and stay longer in Canggu and then you cancel your flights to Kuala Lumpur and go with me to Gili T and Lombok. At the point of cancellation we’d known each other for what, like 5 days?
No worries. Spontaneity is my middle name.
Not.
It’s actually Maria.
Jess. You have no doubt the most (for lack of a better word) interesting story. So you go to the airport after a genius night out with the crew only to not board your flight and come with us to Canggu for a night to then rebook your flight for the next day. Brilliant.
Jay. What else would you have done in Kuta for a whole day. Aren’t you glad you came to Canggu with us for a total of 5 hours? Do you still need a swim? Any news from Jonni?
Angus and James, you guys are actual lads (yeah... I've been hanging around English people too much). I can't believe you guys did the North India tour on Enfields. And we were in Srinagar at the same time you and you guys didn't say hi? Just rude. I mean. Fine. We didn't actually know each other back then but still. Come visit me and I'll find you both Indian princesses. James, what was that book called again?
Hannah. You must have been so happy to come with us to Ubud because you had the wonderful experience of having your water bottle stolen by a monkey. But hey. You gave them water so you know, you kind of helped them out.
Right so there’s that!
When I first arrived in Kuta (the one place everyone told me not to go to) it was this weird mix of Delhi and some other totally new place that I couldn’t quite figure out. Like it was familiar, but also not?
Does that make sense?
I'm jetlagged so it's fine if it doesn't.
Essentially that first night I did nothing but eat.
And.
Eat.
Happy days.
This was my day two. My happy place.
See? Happy face.
And. This was my day three. Another beach. My other happy place.
(Starting to get the picture?)
Uluwatu’s beaches are quite possibly some of the most “drop jaw to ground”- esque beaches.
I mean.
Look:
Granted you couldn’t exactly swim cause you know tide and the water being too low and all that. And starfish. And. Some other unknown things moving around in the water.
Minor details.
It’s fine.
Night three was where it was at. Well not quite. But Belgium did play England and we won so you know. It was lit. Hostel life - yo.
That was also the night Emilio and I met Angus, James and Celina.
This sounds like an intro to a bad joke: what do you get when you bring together two Belgians, two English and a German?
(Someone come up with a punchline please).
So you see. Football just brings people together. And anyone who says otherwise is just.
Wrong.
Day four was.. not important. (Fine. I slept until midday and went to the beach for two hours and then wanted to nap again). What was important, however, was night four. We went to Skygarden and had an all you can eat barbecue buffet and all you can drink. Needless to say it was a bit... dangerous. We danced the night away.
Okay well others danced.
I can’t dance.
I swayed awkwardly.
Celina and I tried to get people to do the whole double fist-bumping-in-the-air-thing. And then people started disappearing? And then we walked home?
Brilliant night.
Apparently the crew has decided that I'm going to have an all out five day Indian wedding. Ya'll more than welcome! Celina you better watch out with what you say in your speech.
The next day we left for Canggu.
We were totally safe and fit 4 people in the back row of a car which definitely was big enough. So comfortable. Definitely doing that again. Especially as I was sitting with the door handle jammed in my hip.
SO GREAT.
When we got to Canggu we did beach. And eat. And nap.
Splashy splashy?
Yo guys. The sand in Canggu is black?! And magnetic? And they had this really cool puppy dog which we unofficially adopted.
We went to a bar.
In a fridge.
A fridge.
Felt like I was in Narnia.
Unfortunately the next night some of the crew had to leave back to real life. Emilio, Jay, Jess we seriously missed you guys! It was also at this point, whilst in the fridge bar that I decided to cancel my bookings and stay in Canggu.
Because that was an adult, mature decision.
Celina and I had Old Man's to keep us company till we ran into James and Angus who had an epic ping pong table match of which I don't seem to remember much.
So. The next couple of days sounded like a broken record you wouldn't want to fix: eat, beach, eat, Fridge bar, Pretty Poison, Old Man's. Unfortunately our party of four of the night before became a part of two. Not cool guys!
Our homestay in Canggu was so adorable and rustic to the point that we were woken up at 5am by the lovely sound of a rooster.
So I asked the lady of the home why the rooster. And she kept saying "it's for pighting!"
Coolcoolcool.
One day we went to Ubud and saw this:
We felt it was time to get in some culture (and apparently a work-out - no squats needed after that).
And hot damn.
It was worth the trip.
Ubud I'm coming back for you and you might not be able to get rid of me. Don't get me wrong, I am not into the whole "Eat, Pray, Love" thing.
But Ubud, you pretty.
The day after, we ventured to Gili Trawangan. And by venture, I mean it was a literal adventure. I don't think I've quite feared for my life as I did on that boat ride.
So you know how I tend to get sick on any moving vehicle? Even the boats on the canals in Amsterdam? Well. Apparently my fear of toppling over 'toppled' my seasickness. (Ha my wordplay is genius.)
Another silver lining, we met Molly and Callum! You two are more than welcome to come to India whenever you want. You guys are hilarious and seriously goals.
Did you guys find the swings?!
Oh by the way, Celina at this point decided to not board her flight to Kuala Lumpur and instead stay with me for the remainder of my journey.
Okay. So if you ask her, she'll say I'm the culprit and convinced her to stay, but it was all of her own conviction.
I only played a 90% role in it.
Gili T was... I don't quite know how to describe it.
The swings in the turquoise blue water were quite literally what you picture when you think 'paradise.' (Sorry for the cliché, but the place just brings it out in me. I know.)
We spent our day doing this:
Oh but Gili T you are a dangerous place as well. If there's one thing I can tell you about the place, it's stay away from the local alcohol.
I don't think I've suffered that badly in a long time. My poor liver. I'm sorry for what I did to you. I promise I'll take it easier.
I did make it out to see the sunset that night though! Celina I'm sorry for my lack of energy and horrendous state that day.
Major props to the guys at Captain Jack who bent over backwards to help me out.
I love you Gili T.
The next day we went to Lombok on a rather sketchy local boat.
So.
I did not realize that to board this rather sketchy local boat we'd be required to actually walk through the water.
I also did not realize that my running shoes would not be appropriate footwear for the occasion.
...
Anywho!
Lombok was interesting. The drive was beautiful and the scenery was, for lack of a better word, untouched.
Our hostel on the other hand was a tent on stilts.
No, like actually.
We left after a night.
The next day we went down to Kuta in Lombok and had the best last day we could possibly have had.
We both sincerely hoped that the volcano would erupt again just so that we did not have to leave.
If there are a few things I learned this trip it's this:
Bali.
Thank you.
I needed every experience you threw at me, the good, the bad and the ugly.
I'll be back.
*This is a rather PG version of events. I mean we didn't actually do anything PG-13 worthy, but considering the nature of past blogs, figured I should keep some details to "what happens in Bali, stays in Bali."
And I have no words!
Well no that’s not true. Would make me a horrendous copywriter if that were to be true.
Where do I even begin to cover the last two weeks.
So most of you know me as this rigid planner who needs to stick to an itinerary or else all hell breaks loose?
Well.
Damn.
Bali you really made me rethink my life structure.*
I’ve never made as many impromptu decisions as I have the last two weeks and I have all my travel buddies to thank for that. First of all there’s my best bud Emilio. Thanks for coming with me. Please don’t do something stupid in Australia and get bit by a croc. You know you’re capable of having that happen.
Next Celina. Celinaaaa what did you do to me! First you convince me to cancel my booking in Ubud and stay longer in Canggu and then you cancel your flights to Kuala Lumpur and go with me to Gili T and Lombok. At the point of cancellation we’d known each other for what, like 5 days?
No worries. Spontaneity is my middle name.
Not.
It’s actually Maria.
Jess. You have no doubt the most (for lack of a better word) interesting story. So you go to the airport after a genius night out with the crew only to not board your flight and come with us to Canggu for a night to then rebook your flight for the next day. Brilliant.
Jay. What else would you have done in Kuta for a whole day. Aren’t you glad you came to Canggu with us for a total of 5 hours? Do you still need a swim? Any news from Jonni?
Angus and James, you guys are actual lads (yeah... I've been hanging around English people too much). I can't believe you guys did the North India tour on Enfields. And we were in Srinagar at the same time you and you guys didn't say hi? Just rude. I mean. Fine. We didn't actually know each other back then but still. Come visit me and I'll find you both Indian princesses. James, what was that book called again?
Hannah. You must have been so happy to come with us to Ubud because you had the wonderful experience of having your water bottle stolen by a monkey. But hey. You gave them water so you know, you kind of helped them out.
Right so there’s that!
When I first arrived in Kuta (the one place everyone told me not to go to) it was this weird mix of Delhi and some other totally new place that I couldn’t quite figure out. Like it was familiar, but also not?
Does that make sense?
I'm jetlagged so it's fine if it doesn't.
Essentially that first night I did nothing but eat.
And.
Eat.
Happy days.
This was my day two. My happy place.
See? Happy face.
And. This was my day three. Another beach. My other happy place.
(Starting to get the picture?)
Uluwatu’s beaches are quite possibly some of the most “drop jaw to ground”- esque beaches.
I mean.
Look:
Granted you couldn’t exactly swim cause you know tide and the water being too low and all that. And starfish. And. Some other unknown things moving around in the water.
Minor details.
It’s fine.
Night three was where it was at. Well not quite. But Belgium did play England and we won so you know. It was lit. Hostel life - yo.
That was also the night Emilio and I met Angus, James and Celina.
This sounds like an intro to a bad joke: what do you get when you bring together two Belgians, two English and a German?
(Someone come up with a punchline please).
So you see. Football just brings people together. And anyone who says otherwise is just.
Wrong.
 |
| Kuta beach |
Day four was.. not important. (Fine. I slept until midday and went to the beach for two hours and then wanted to nap again). What was important, however, was night four. We went to Skygarden and had an all you can eat barbecue buffet and all you can drink. Needless to say it was a bit... dangerous. We danced the night away.
Okay well others danced.
I can’t dance.
I swayed awkwardly.
Celina and I tried to get people to do the whole double fist-bumping-in-the-air-thing. And then people started disappearing? And then we walked home?
Brilliant night.
Apparently the crew has decided that I'm going to have an all out five day Indian wedding. Ya'll more than welcome! Celina you better watch out with what you say in your speech.
The next day we left for Canggu.
 |
| Dog on a bike. Cause you know. |
We were totally safe and fit 4 people in the back row of a car which definitely was big enough. So comfortable. Definitely doing that again. Especially as I was sitting with the door handle jammed in my hip.
 |
| "Guys, I swear this is the last time I need to move" |
SO GREAT.
When we got to Canggu we did beach. And eat. And nap.
Splashy splashy?
Yo guys. The sand in Canggu is black?! And magnetic? And they had this really cool puppy dog which we unofficially adopted.
We went to a bar.
In a fridge.
A fridge.
Felt like I was in Narnia.
Because that was an adult, mature decision.
Celina and I had Old Man's to keep us company till we ran into James and Angus who had an epic ping pong table match of which I don't seem to remember much.
 |
| This was actually the best picture of the night. |
So. The next couple of days sounded like a broken record you wouldn't want to fix: eat, beach, eat, Fridge bar, Pretty Poison, Old Man's. Unfortunately our party of four of the night before became a part of two. Not cool guys!
Our homestay in Canggu was so adorable and rustic to the point that we were woken up at 5am by the lovely sound of a rooster.
So I asked the lady of the home why the rooster. And she kept saying "it's for pighting!"
Coolcoolcool.
One day we went to Ubud and saw this:
 |
| Crew. |
 |
| Don'tfalldon'tfalldon'tfall. |
We felt it was time to get in some culture (and apparently a work-out - no squats needed after that).
And hot damn.
It was worth the trip.
Ubud I'm coming back for you and you might not be able to get rid of me. Don't get me wrong, I am not into the whole "Eat, Pray, Love" thing.
But Ubud, you pretty.
The day after, we ventured to Gili Trawangan. And by venture, I mean it was a literal adventure. I don't think I've quite feared for my life as I did on that boat ride.
 |
| Not this boat. |
So you know how I tend to get sick on any moving vehicle? Even the boats on the canals in Amsterdam? Well. Apparently my fear of toppling over 'toppled' my seasickness. (Ha my wordplay is genius.)
Another silver lining, we met Molly and Callum! You two are more than welcome to come to India whenever you want. You guys are hilarious and seriously goals.
Did you guys find the swings?!
Oh by the way, Celina at this point decided to not board her flight to Kuala Lumpur and instead stay with me for the remainder of my journey.
Okay. So if you ask her, she'll say I'm the culprit and convinced her to stay, but it was all of her own conviction.
I only played a 90% role in it.
Gili T was... I don't quite know how to describe it.
The swings in the turquoise blue water were quite literally what you picture when you think 'paradise.' (Sorry for the cliché, but the place just brings it out in me. I know.)
We spent our day doing this:
 |
| Shameless pictures present. |
Oh but Gili T you are a dangerous place as well. If there's one thing I can tell you about the place, it's stay away from the local alcohol.
I don't think I've suffered that badly in a long time. My poor liver. I'm sorry for what I did to you. I promise I'll take it easier.
I did make it out to see the sunset that night though! Celina I'm sorry for my lack of energy and horrendous state that day.
I love you Gili T.
The next day we went to Lombok on a rather sketchy local boat.
So.
I did not realize that to board this rather sketchy local boat we'd be required to actually walk through the water.
I also did not realize that my running shoes would not be appropriate footwear for the occasion.
...
Anywho!
Lombok was interesting. The drive was beautiful and the scenery was, for lack of a better word, untouched.
Our hostel on the other hand was a tent on stilts.
No, like actually.
We left after a night.
The next day we went down to Kuta in Lombok and had the best last day we could possibly have had.
If there are a few things I learned this trip it's this:
- stop making itineraries, you'll never actually stick to them
- the cheapest option is not always the best option
- traveling with strangers for 11 days will result in you having an Indian wedding at some point in the future
- it is totally appropriate to just live in a swimsuit for two weeks straight
- go back as soon as possible
Bali.
Thank you.
I needed every experience you threw at me, the good, the bad and the ugly.
I'll be back.
*This is a rather PG version of events. I mean we didn't actually do anything PG-13 worthy, but considering the nature of past blogs, figured I should keep some details to "what happens in Bali, stays in Bali."
