Travel journal series: Bali, Indonesia 2018
This travel journal series is an effort to archive trips taken before this blog was created. Rather than trying to recall them years later, I’m transcribing, word for word, what I wrote by hand in my small travel journal at the time.
April 4, 2018
Made it after 22 hours of flying. My flying fears did not surface even after a fire in the bathroom caused some ruckus for flight attendants rushing around with fire extinguishers. I arrived at Bali at 10:30 pm. I made a silent promise never to land in a new city late at night again. Driving alone with a cabbie on dark roads felt unnerving. That will be the last unless Joe is with me. The street food and a few buildings in Bali reminded me of Ghana.
April 5, 2018
Woke up early today with no signs of jet lag. I took a lovely yoga class with a pace that fit my mood - slow and relaxed. We are staying at Blue Karma Resort which feels like an oasis tucked away in the mountains. It’s lush and green with palm trees, orchids and plantain trees everywhere. The locusts or critters are loud as if we are in a rainforest. I should’ve brought my lavender essential oil for these bugs. Everyone is speaking quietly as if to honor the solitude air of the place. I can see why people would want to escape to Bali. It’s a reflective space. This trip will be reflective and slow living. No technology, early morning rising for meditation and prayers, yoga, daily journaling, reading and time with friends. I deleted my news feed app to keep news out of my mind. Can I also say I am digging the Neo soul station playing throughout the resort? There are no TVs in the rooms and water bottles are nonexistent - very eco friendly at this resort.
April 6, 2018
We ate at all vegan restaurant today - Sage. I’ve never liked Tempeh but the tempeh at Sage has me reconsidering. I’m struck by the dimness of lights in the evening in Ubud. The lights are limited and few which creates a candlelight dinner feel throughout the town. On some streets it feels like total darkness. The town intentionally practices limiting light pollution. This effort draws you to sleep, forcing you to unwind at night and seek the comforts of a bed or late night talks with friends. An intimate evening is cast around the entire town simultaneously. Bali does a good job bridging nature with its buildings. Buildings are low in Ubud, surrounded by tropical plants and flowers.
April 7, 2018
Words can’t express how lovely the people I’ve met through Nana who are here on this trip. We’ve all been on the same page/flow. Having great conversations, laughs and just celebrating this experience together. Nana has been generous to us. After a few days at the Blue Karma, we moved to a private villa called Villa Lumia. The villa came with a private chef and staff who attended to our every need. On Nana’s birthday we had a dance party, candlelight dinner with a DJ. The night was magical, relaxed, loving and full of laughter.
April 8, 2018
Nana rented several vintage Volkswagen for us to drive around town today. Riding with the top down in the streets of Bali passing lush trees and flowers felt freeing and simply delicious. I loved every minute of the sun beaming on my face.
April 10, 2018
A few things I want to remember about Bali.
The dimness of the streets in the evening.
The narrow, small roads lined with cement homes built centuries ago
The lushness of the village, Ubud
Villa Lumia - the outdoor bathroom, opulence of having an in-house chef
The birds, insets chirping in the wee hours of the morning at Blue Karma resort
How our skin glisten after a few days under the Bali sun
The breeze against my neck while driving in the Volkswagen
Kayagi refusing to participate in low vibration convos that did not elevate us
D. telling me I seem like a really strong person during a passing conversation.
The intimacy of sharing meals each day together.
The view while swimming at Blue Karma
The juiciness of mangosteen.
The minimalist feel of Ubud
How good my heart felt in Bali, rarely had PVCs
April 11, 2018
I am leaving Bali recommitting to my health. Kayagi inspired me on this trip. She reminded me to eat “fruits to detox, plants to build.” And encouraged me to pursue a vegan diet again. I am leaving Bali going vegan for my heart and vitality.
