This month of May I had the pleasure of visiting Bali. It never occurred to me to visit this island before however a college trip by my daughter to the island fueled my curiosity to experience this popular destination and boy would it be the trip to remember.

The first area we visited in Bali was Ubud where we were welcomed by a ceremonial fruity drink. The hotel was above a hill overlooking the green nature and we were greeted with humidity and heavy rains. I started to worry that it would be difficult to explore this island given such a weather however after that initial greeting with the showering rain the subsequent days were sunny and pleasant. The hotel we stayed at was called The Royal Pitamaha and it resembled a wellness retreat. It had a yoga temple, a meditation center, wellness spa and it was in the middle of a forest-like area simply soothing.  I was full of anticipation to experience our new adventures on the island. On our first day in Ubud my husband and I headed to a mountainous rice field. There, we sat on swings dangling miles and miles above the rice fields between high hills. It was a breathtaking experience as I swayed back and forth amongst the captivating greenery. I felt like a bird in flight with the wind brushing against my cheeks as I took in the magnificent green scenery parted by blue lakes and crystal clear waterfalls. It was an experience I would definitely love to endure once again.

The next day we went on quad bikes between the waterfalls and into caves and rocky slopes, I got soaked in water and mud but that’s what happens in adventures right? it added humor to the exhilarating experience. Up and down we drove on bumpy dirt roads and into wet ponds as the waterfalls splashed water on us from every angle. We entered dark caves and experienced glistening waters it gave me such a rush. We also visited the Ubud coffee plantation and met the famous Luwak animal, the fermenter of the famous Luwak coffee. I learned how the coffee berries were gathered from the trees, peeled, cleaned, dried and then brewed. We also got a taste of the different kinds of coffees and my favorite was the coconut coffee… such a delight. Our next stop was in another area called Nusa Dua. As opposed to green Ubud, Nusa Dua was mostly blue beaches. I enjoyed several spa treatments there in the terrace of our room and I got to submerge myself in our private pool surrounded by nature. In Nusa Dua we visited the Uluwatu temple on top of the cliffs where we learned more about the Balinese culture and traditions. I am always mesmerized by other countries traditions and cultures. Our final stop was in the village of Seminyak where we strolled the turquoise beaches and the local markets and boutiques. I was impressed by the decorative little boutiques with delightful decor scattered amongst the local souvenir markets. They had the best summer and beach clothes in Bali which I really loved. In Seminyak we booked a dinner on top of the cliff in an area called Jimbaran. The restaurant was called Rock bar in Ayana Hotel and we were seated on top of the cliff with a stunning view of the sunset spreading shades of pinks and oranges on top of the ocean. The dinner and the view were simply spectacular. In a nutshell these were the main attractions we experienced on our short trip to Bali. I got stung by mosquitos, got drenched in the mud, I got soaked in the rain and I had a mild case of upset stomach but would I want to repeat all the adventures of this trip again? Sure! in a heartbeat! They say fear doesn’t stop death, it stops life and that’s the motto I’m taking away with me from this trip. Thank you Bali for the memories, for the adventures and for the experiences I’m going to cherish for life!