We're 2 weeks in - Recap May 1 - May 12

Well, so much for my daily updates 😂 We are approaching the 2-week mark in Bali, Indonesia and I finally have a second to jot all the things down! I love that this acts as a travel diary for Richard and me to look back on, but I also get to update all of you at the same time! The internet is wonderful.

The Flight

In case you missed it, Richard and I were able to upgrade our Singapore Airlines 17-hour flight to business class because I have the best mother in the world. This was both Richard and I's first time flying in luxury and we are 100% ruined forever. We each had our own little cubicle with lay-flat seats, an extensive menu to order anything we wanted, slippers, 3 pillows, a blanket, and a huge TV screen. We were giddy, smiling at each other and taking pictures without a care in the world that it was blatantly obvious this experience was a new one for us. But, the joy was cut short after a small hiccup, a food allergy hiccup. Unfortunately, I spent the first few hours throwing up everything in me after consuming a curry that contained cashews. Thankfully my reaction isn't a death scare, but my body treats cashews as poison and within 30 minutes of consuming I'm puking for hours. I checked the menu ingredients, I double-checked with the staff, and they assured me it was just coconut, but the first 2 bites confirmed they were wrong and the next few hours would be brutal. Richard took good care of me, the staff was very apologetic, and I finally got some rest after emptying my tummy. The rest of our flight was a breeze and we walked off the plane well-rested and in great moods!

Arrival

As our second 2-hour flight started to descend into Bali, I kept grabbing Richard's arm and with an exhilarated tone I would remind him, "Oh my god we're in Bali". I felt like a child about to see Disneyland for the first time, every few minutes I would squeeze his hand and look at him in utter disbelief trying my best to contain my excitement. I had tears well in my eyes as I realized my #1 bucket list adventure was about to be crossed off, with my person, who was eager to share my dream and helped bring it to fruition - it was such a surreal feeling.

I did my research before we left and hired a fast-track service to get us through the airport. I have heard the airport process can be a lengthy one that involves a lot of patience, which I lack significantly, especially when the place I have been waiting to see for 15 years is right outside. With the service, it took us less than 15 minutes from exiting the plane to walking out the door and into our cab. We did get lucky that we were on the first flight to land in Bali that day, but I think the service was well worth it! We had a traffic-packed hour ride to our first destination - Canggu where we would check into a coliving house with coworking access. Our room is the largest with the best view. Our first week in, we were swamped with work (we started as soon as we dropped our bags), getting acclimated to the time difference (+15 hours ahead), and finding our new routine for the next month, so we didn't meet too many people which had me pretty bummed.

Canggu

Unfortunately, our first week was an off one. Richard experienced some tummy problems, I wouldn't call it Bali Belly as it wasn't extreme and it was short-lived but may have been a mild case of food poisoning. My tummy was still recovering from SIBO and also adjusting to the new climate, food, and water, and was also experiencing some obvious discomfort. Canggu is extremely busy filled with many expats and tourists, with partying being the most popular activity. The beach we are closest to isn't the prettiest, we were caught in a rain storm far from home on a scooter with our computers, our first couples massage was more painful than enjoyable, and everything was more expensive than we had anticipated. Richard felt depleted and to be fair, so did I. His first week into remote working and I had to assure him, this feeling is normal, but I was really bummed we were experiencing it in Bali and the first 2 weeks of our 6-month trip. There is always an adjustment period and not every place we visit will be a place we love.

But, the first week also entailed celebrating Cinco de Mayo with an old friend I made during my last coworking trip in Belize, a beach club in Seminyak overlooking a prettier beach, some delicious meals, getting my dream manicure, and a fresh hairstyle. I chose Canggu and Ubud as the two cities we would reside in for the month because of their popularity and also because the coworking/coliving company had places to stay in each. I chose to start our trip in Canggu because I felt we would have the most energy in the beginning to party and explore and I wanted to end our time in Bali in the picturesque jungle of Ubud, finally seeing the Bali I have been imagining and picturing in my head all these years. After our first-week adjustment, things started to look up.

We spent Thursday with a different friend I made in Belize, Amanda, one of my first roommates there who happened to be in Bali at the same time. We met up and spent the day working, well Richard did a majority of the working 😅, at Finns Beach Club - a very popular and boujee beach club overlooking the ocean in Canggu. We got there when it opened and finished on the dance floor in our swimsuits during sunset, confirming why I love remote working so much. A random Thursday usually spent in the office or in my living room at home, was now spent making the most of the day equipped with cocktails, a poolside bed, and an ocean view.

Nusa Penida

Friday, we spent the day with Amanda again on a private boat tour to Nusa Penida, a stunning island off the coast of Bali with views you just have to see to believe. I finally got to see the exact picture I've been staring at on my vision board at home, the view of Kelingking Beach from above. Despite the crowds and touristy feel, I sounded all the noise out, tunnel-visioned on the view, and experienced a mix of emotions - appreciation for such beauty, excitement that I was actually there, sorrow that a place so tranquil has turned into a tourist trap, pride that I made my vision board come to life right in front of me, and a bit of anxiety deciphering when we would be back so I could make the difficult trek down to the unreal stunning beach itself. Our 8-hour private tour included snorkeling in multiple spots where we saw coral reefs, mangroves, sea turtles, and lots of beautiful fishies. The only disappointment of the day was not seeing the large Manta Rays to snorkel with... it just wasn't in our cards. We spent an hour enjoying lunch overlooking a gorgeous view that reminded me of Greece, swimming in the restaurant pool, and taking pictures in front of the coolest hilltop structure. We also got to see the famous Broken Beach and Angel's Billabong, which was pretty but in all honesty, we weren't too impressed with. The three of us agreed a repeat visit to Nusa Penida would be put back on the travel list to see Diamond Beach and make our way to Kelingking Beach for a day!

(Scroll through our Nusa Penida pics by clicking the arrow on the photo to the right)

We made it home and Richard and I found the energy to shower, dress up, and make our way to a popular restaurant in a different area of Canggu called Shelter, for a fancy date night. This restaurant exceeded expectations and definitely lived up to the hype. We arrived around 8:45 pm - peak hour packed with lots of people and we were lucky to snag a table! Great music, open-air with lots of lush greenery, delicious cocktails, and an amazing Mediterranean fusion menu with the best damn hummus I've ever had. Our time in Bali was finally turning a positive corner as we had more fun plans for the weekend! I will be updating what the weekend included soon :)