If you had told me five years, even 6 months ago that I would be traveling the world with a bunch of international students that I just met while studying abroad in Australia I'd have laughed in your face. Yet this past week with 1 Swede, 1 Irishman, 1 Englishman, 3 Americans, 2 Danes, and 1 Australian, I went on the most amazing trip to Bali, because what else would you do during a mid-semester break?
Indonesia is unlike anything I have experienced before while traveling. It is the first place that I have traveled to that has culturally felt very different, which made it immensely exciting from the second we stepped off the plane into the chaos of taxi and scooter filled streets. We spent the week traveling from place to place, seeing as much as we could of Bali and eating as much Mie Goring as possible. The first night we got in late and spent the night in Kuta before checking into our beautiful villa in Canggu for the next three nights. Canggu was probably my favorite place we stayed. While we did stay in a villa it was on a rural back street surrounded by locals and I truly felt immersed in the culture and people. While at the villa we spent a day living our best lives at Potato Head Beach Club and swimming in the ocean. The next day we woke up at 1 am to hike a volcano and see the sunrise (HECK to the YA). We began the trek at 4 am and the 2 hour hike was so worth it for a sunrise unlike anything I have ever seen. We spent the rest of the day running down dirt paths with our amazing guide and exploring sea side temples. The following day we caught a fast boat out to Gili T, an island off the coast of Bali. We spent 24 hours there, snorkeling and exploring - if you ever go to Bali, make sure you check out Gili T, so fun! For our final two nights we caught a boat back in to Bali and stayed in Ubud, much more touristy than the other areas we stayed in but still amazing. We spent those last days exploring waterfalls, temples, rice pattys and squeezing as much into our last days as possible. Bali was incredible and the group of mates I got to go with made it that much better. I don't think there was one moment when I wasn't laughing or having the time of my life - heck to the freaking ya to this past week and the people I got to spend it with.
Side blurb: For as long as I can remember I have dreamed of travel and grand adventures. Of meeting new people from all of the world, experiencing new cultures and climbing new mountains. It's crazy to think that I am now living that dream, that I went for it and made it happen. WHAT. I found a quote this past week that I felt captured the way I aim to live my life: "Always do what ignites your soul with purpose. Do what makes your eyes smile and well up with tears of joy. It may be a partner, career, hobby or sport, moving to a new place, or just being right where you are now but seeing it with new eyes. Go where you are called, and do it with conviction and a smile on your face. Keep striving and discovering yourself." It's so easy to make excuses for why you shouldn't do something, but sometimes in life you just have to get out there and do it. While I may not know exactly where I am going in life or what I am doing, I have no fear that if I continue to follow my passions and dreams I will end up just where I need to be, and it will be one heck of a ride. Here's to a rad week with amazing friends in a beautiful new country (musings continued after):
1 waterfall dip, 10 group selfies, 4 boat rides, 7 sunsets, 10 rad friends, 1 killa villa, 2 delayed flights, 250 Bintangs, 1 new country, 4 temples, 1 lost go-pro, 4 scooters, 5 sea turtles, 100 servings of Mie Gorengs, 1 gnarly wipeout, 500 arguments about pronunciation, 1 amazing sunrise hike, hundred of friendly locals, and hours of laughter and adventure later I am feeling so alive and filled with love. Bali is by far one of my favorite places I have ever been, filled with vibrant culture and some of the most beautiful landscapes. Southeast Asia you did not disappoint and I can't wait to come back in the future and explore more. Here's to a rad week, in a rad place, with some rad mates.
Cheers - keleniak
p.s. Before this experience I promised myself I would do one new/possibly scary thing a week: This week that was riding a scooter and holy cow was it fun! As uncoordinated as I may be I did manage to stay on and tear up the Bali streets.