A Taste of Bali

When I booked two weeks in Bali, I had absolutely no plans to do anything except rest. Usually, at the end of my trips, I get fatigued and need to rest. Bali, however, had other plans. All the activities tempted me, and I didn’t have enough time to do it all. I promised myself I’d return for the rest of Southeast Asia, including a proper Indonesia trip. I loved everything local and authentic about Bali and disliked the touristy, westernized parts. 

Despite this, I enjoyed fun little solo adventures, like finding a fancy, lesser-known speakeasy and experiencing a lively group dinner at an Italian restaurant.

Canggu is full of digital nomads, which has, unfortunately, driven up the prices of activities and restaurants in the area. I liked being among other nomads but didn’t feel entirely comfortable here. 

Surfing Lessons 

It had been some time since I took lessons for anything, but I really wanted to try surfing. And I’m so glad I did! My local instructor was wonderful and encouraging, and I felt a sense of accomplishment. Plus, the pictures they take just make you look so cool 😅 Even as I get older, I can learn new things. 

Snorkeling at Blue Lagoon 

I saw some more Lisa Frank/parrotfish and swam among them! This was another step toward exposure therapy for my fear of fish. I am worried about the ones that had teeth, though. The fish were more plentiful in Thailand, but I enjoyed having a guide swimming ahead of the group and pointing things out. Plus, we saw two different Crush the sea turtles! 

Mount Batur Sunrise Hike

Mount Batur is an active volcano known for its sunrise views, including the caldera lake, Lake Batur. A patient guide led me up the steep, rocky, black dirt path. My favorite part of the hike was the black sky dotted with stars; my eyes were able to connect them into entire constellations. Sunrises are always worth waking up at 1:30 am. Afterward, I relaxed in the nearby hot springs fed by the volcano's geothermal activity.

Back in Canggu, I had a scary experience that had nothing to do with the locals or culture and everything to do with being a solo female and needing always to trust my instincts. I was probably not in any real danger, but it was one of those once-in-a-while reminders to constantly be on guard and choose my gut decision no matter how safe I feel in an area. Lesson learned. 

I spent the rest of my week about an hour away from the incident at a little hotel oasis. I didn’t leave the hotel because it had a pool and a warung (restaurant), and I was content. The incident gave me mixed feelings about Bali, but after experiencing the genuine kindness of the locals, I won’t let it scare me into not returning.