Bali

This past September, I took one of the most spontaneous vacations I’ve ever gone on in my entire life. Not just because it was planned so soon prior to the actual trip, but because I had only known the girl I went with for such a short time before.

Irene & I had gone on 3 dates prior to deciding to take this trip together – and believe me, I had my concerns!  Spending 2 weeks straight with ANYONE, even family has a big risk of running into the “snowed-in together” effect.  And knowing someone for such a short amount of time & deciding to take a trip half-way around the world?  I must have been out of my mind!

And I was.

This was the craziest idea I had ever thought of doing, and it was pretty extreme, even for me!

But you know what?

It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. 

This trip was the best experience I’ve ever had while exploring the world.  It was like making a trip to the beach, and hitting all the green lights along the way.  Everything just “clicked” for us on this trip.  I don’t know why – maybe because we have the same mindset, or we’re lucky people, or we’re optimistic, but whatever the case – the experience couldn’t have gone any better.  (In fact, I’m a little scared that future trips wont compare!)

We rode scooters, went white-water rafting, drank tropical sangria at sunset – along with a lot of other great experiences I’d prefer to keep personal.  Telling the story about something doesn’t always convey the true feeling, and at times – I feel like sharing those stories takes away from the value to the people who experienced it together (sometimes others just wont “get it”).

The architecture, the design, the culture, and the food were all AMAZING, and I was nearly swayed towards the idea of moving there after the first 3 days of our trip.

We stayed in a villa with a hammock, pool, outdoor bar, 2 bedrooms, and a guest-room complete with out-door shower (feels great being outside in the sun).  All to ourselves!  A maid came and tidied up each day, and the beach was only a short 5 minute ride on the scooters we rented.  ($2/day)

We ventured out to see the monkey forest in Ubud, did some shopping, and had dinner at the Hanging Gardens restaurant.  This place had an amazing view that looked over a valley of the jungle with 2 infinity pools to relax in.  The weather was perfect – not too hot, not too cold, and it never rained while we were there.  (Just writing about this is making me miss being out there…)

In any case, here are some of my favorite photos from Bali portion of the trip.  Tomorrow I’ll write about the Thailand portion – the most incredible place I’ve ever seen, and I’m doubting there’s a better spot on earth.

*Side note – I didn’t take too many photos with my camera this trip, mainly due to the fact that I was busy enjoying myself, the scenery, and my company to think about taking every photo I thought of.  It was truly all about the experience.  Not to worry though, there will be plenty more trips out this way for photos  :)

 

Our villa we stayed in:

 

This is the standard architecture & design you’d see in the neighborhoods.

 

River rafting!

 

 

A lot of people rode scooters for transportation.

 

 

A LOT of people rode scooters.

 

 

Awesome restaurant on the beach called “Potato Head”.

 

 

Monkey forest in Ubud!

 

While the corn may have been what the monkey originally wanted, I think he secretly wanted my V-neck too.

 

 

Seriously thought I was going to get swarmed by these monkeys like the wizard of oz during the shot on the right.

 

 

Caught a pretty awesome sunset off the coast of Uluwatu.

 

 

Monkey action shot.

 

 

Hanging forest restaurant.  Amazing view, amazing infinity pools, amazing jungle.

 

 

And amazing food.

 

 

This was Karma restaurant on the beach.  Made it down here for sunset, then had the best 5 hour dinner ever.  Our driver waited for us the WHOLE time.  Felt bad, so I hooked him up with a little extra extra for the effort.

 

 

Intoxicated-night-sky-long-exposure shot.

 

 

The drive home.

 

Here are a few shots with my iPhone since my SLR wasn’t accessable at the times.

 

Taiwan airport.  (In true style)

 

$5 breakfast.  Bomb.

 

 

Really cool artwork all over the place!

 

 

Couldn’t imagine better ways to relax.

 

 

Tropical sangria over-looking the ocean at sunset.  Can it get any better?

 

Can’t wait to go back.  Tomorrow I’ll post about Thailand!